Layin' in the Cut
ASIN: B00004TJ94
Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
The collective electric improvisations that make up Layin' in the Cut showcase the intrepid, high-wire quality of James Carter's free jazz/super-bop side, much as the romantic acoustic arrangements of sibling release Chasin' the Gypsy focus on the saxophonist's lyrical talents. Drummer Grant Calvin Weston and electric bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma afford Carter a loose yet deeply centered rhythmic focus upon which to conceive a postmodern bridge between hard funk and modern jazz. While swing is clearly a second language here (the coda to "There's a Paddle" being an energetic example), wherever Carter dares to tread, he matches his ferocious energy with his band's grace and power--especially on the title cut and "Motown Mash."
Electric guitarists Marc Ribot and Jef Lee Johnson confer an open-ended brand of melodic fluidity and timbral flexibility, enabling the saxophonist to split the difference between John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix, as on "Requiem for Hartford Ave."--Ribot's pensive classical-styled intro and Johnson's bluesy retorts inspire alternating serene and shrieking soprano phrases. On "Terminal B," a trademark Tacuma-Weston harmolodic march leads to a psychedelic free-for-all. Their most amiable radio-friendly collective work comes on "GP," with Ribot's Wes Montgomery-styled inflections gently framing Carter's lyric tenor in Latin raiment. And from his wailing ascent up the scale on "There's a Paddle" to his gorgeous gospel-blues inflections on "Drafadelic in D Flat," Carter's unbridled tenor work is deeply compelling. While these arrangements rarely venture out of the straight vamp mode into the more harmonically expansive vistas of, say, Sam Rivers's big-band jazz-funk (try Inspiration or Culmination), Carter's potential for growth is unmistakable. --Chip Stern
From Jazziz
Carter has many facets, demonstrated once again by Layin' In The Cut. His arsenal here includes tenor sax, baritone ("Motown Mash"), soprano, and maybe a sopranino on "Terminal B." (It's hard to tell since while he's circular breathing, he's also controlling a second, overblown tone, along the lines of Evan Parker.) That could be Carter's f mezzo or alto sax on "Drafadelic in D flat" - I'd like printed credits to inform me, and recording dates would be nice, too.
Obviously Layin' In The Cut isn't about Carter's axes or the enduring charms of brilliant compositions and painstaking arrangements. Four of seven cuts are credited to all the players; overall, it's a series of hang-for-the-funk-of-it rave-ups balanced by one mellow, modal "Requiem For Hartford Ave." Carter shoots off from deceptively casual riffs, carrying his twists and turns pretty far through the thrash and mesh of guitarists Jef Lee Johnson and Marc Ribot, the bodacious bottom of bassist Jamaladeen Tacuma, and the kick of free-grooving drummer G. Calvin Weston.
"There's a Paddle" is the set's wildest track, building up fast for seven minutes and then ending with a blowout. "G.P." is its most conventional, until Carter drops its Horace Silver premise, doubletimes into post-Coltrane/Murray stratophonics, and resolves it all in a squalled quote of the Four Seasons' "I've Only Got Eyes For You."
Given how boldly Carter claims all this music, he must have been raised among Titans. More power to him. The current climate says if you got it, flaunt it: Stand apart from the flock and give the people something strong. James Carter's got it, knows it, and here has made two more very deliberate, divergent, and personal marks. He's not beyond playing a thing or three to get you, and if that doesn't work, he'll play four or more.
--Howard Mandel, JAZZIZ Magazine Copyright © 2000, Milor Entertainment, Inc.
Layin' in the Cut,James Carter,Atlantic / Wea,Avant-Garde Jazz,Jazz,Jazz Music,Pop,Post-Bop
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Layin' in the Cut
James Carter Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD  Avant Garde & Free Jazz
| Jazz
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| Music
Bebop General
| Bebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
General
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Modern Postbebop
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
Bebop & Post-Bop
| Compilations
| Jazz
| Styles
| Music
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ASIN: B00004TJ94 Release Date: 2000-06-06 |
Tracks:
Amazon.com
The collective electric improvisations that make up Layin' in the Cut showcase the intrepid, high-wire quality of James Carter's free jazz/super-bop side, much as the romantic acoustic arrangements of sibling release Chasin' the Gypsy focus on the saxophonist's lyrical talents. Drummer Grant Calvin Weston and electric bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma afford Carter a loose yet deeply centered rhythmic focus upon which to conceive a postmodern bridge between hard funk and modern jazz. While swing is clearly a second language here (the coda to "There's a Paddle" being an energetic example), wherever Carter dares to tread, he matches his ferocious energy with his band's grace and power--especially on the title cut and "Motown Mash."Electric guitarists Marc Ribot and Jef Lee Johnson confer an open-ended brand of melodic fluidity and timbral flexibility, enabling the saxophonist to split the difference between John Coltrane and Jimi Hendrix, as on "Requiem for Hartford Ave."--Ribot's pensive classical-styled intro and Johnson's bluesy retorts inspire alternating serene and shrieking soprano phrases. On "Terminal B," a trademark Tacuma-Weston harmolodic march leads to a psychedelic free-for-all. Their most amiable radio-friendly collective work comes on "GP," with Ribot's Wes Montgomery-styled inflections gently framing Carter's lyric tenor in Latin raiment. And from his wailing ascent up the scale on "There's a Paddle" to his gorgeous gospel-blues inflections on "Drafadelic in D Flat," Carter's unbridled tenor work is deeply compelling. While these arrangements rarely venture out of the straight vamp mode into the more harmonically expansive vistas of, say, Sam Rivers's big-band jazz-funk (try Inspiration or Culmination), Carter's potential for growth is unmistakable. --Chip Stern
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Layin' Low in the Cut
Alphabet Soup Manufacturer: Mammoth ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Dance & DJ
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Acid Jazz
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General
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General
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General
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General
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ASIN: B000004AW6 Release Date: 1995-02-07 |
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Layin' in the Cut
Lighter Shade of Brown Manufacturer: Polygram Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
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ASIN: B000001E5D Release Date: 1994-07-26 |
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Layin' in the Cut
Lighter Shade of Brown Manufacturer: Universal ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Rap & Hip-Hop
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Experimental Rap
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ASIN: B0001FACFW Release Date: 2004-04-05 |
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Layin in the Cut
James Carter Manufacturer: Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General
| Jazz
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ASIN: B00004UFXW Release Date: 2000-06-21 |
Album Details
Japanese Version featuring a Bonus TrackJazz Music: