Search - Jim Cutler :: JCQ - The Jim Cutler Quartet

For this, their debut album, the group wanted to preserve as much of the energy and freedom of their live performances as possible. The album starts with The Emperor, a hard driving original by Jim. This piece introduces the listener to the style of the group, and sets the tone of the album; find a groove and build on it. Awakenings is a driving samba which showcases Chris Monroe's Latin percussion skills. Following Awakenings, the standard Just Friends offers a chance to sit back and enjoy some straight ahead jazz stylings. The feel changes quite a bit with Prasek's Lament; this soulful ballad explores several different moods, highlighted by Brian Olendorf's expressive piano solo. The ballad gives way to Keep Off the Grass, a Latin/fusion mix, which features Phil on the fretless electric bass guitar and gives each member of the group a chance to stretch out. Another of Jim's originals, Picking Things Up, takes the album back to straight ahead jazz, swinging from start to finish. Lee Morgan's Ceora, a relaxing bossa nova slows the pace down, and Clifford Brown's Joy Spring gets a unique treatment. The up-tempo Autumn Mist takes the groove back to a jazz samba, with flurrying displays from each of the soloists. Waiting, an original by Phil, offers another refreshing break from the driving nature of the album, and gives Jim a chance to break out his soprano sax. The final track is Throw Me a Bone, a frenetic minor blues that takes the album home.