Stew Cutler's electric guitar sound borrows from very few discernible sources, and as such is difficult to pigeonhole. There's a leanness to his style that is not enhanced or processed by electronics, though he occasionally does leap out with elements extracted from pedals or effects. Using a spare trio of electric bass guitar and drums, Cutler is just barely on the cutting edge of modern mainstream, contemporary, and even fusion jazz, but hints at it rather than pronounce its glory. On this program of all original music, Cutler plays pleasant swing jazz on "Whisper," utilizes a bluesy slide guitar on "East River Delta," trims a spare modal but intricate line in alternating bars of seven and five during "Saudades on 8th Avenue," and uses loops and effects in an insular self-examination during "Left Alone." "Left Behind" is dissimilar, using a steel-edged rock sound, with beats courtesy of drummer Garry Bruer, that reflects the British fusion of Allan Holdsworth, while a fun and funky "Elizabeth" playfully hops around courtesy of bassist Booker King and "Q.T." is perhaps the most innovative track, with a swirling repeat melody as a prelude to a tick-tock chorus and another bluesy refrain. While Cutler does have moments of languidness, sluggishness, or sentimentality, the music is generally hopeful. The 14-minute title track discourses from slow funk to more upbeat moments, letting the guitarist cut loose a bit. While not yet a distinctive voice, Cutler is quite literate, enjoyable, and witty in an internal manner. His music requires close listening to hear the flowers blooming in very rich soil. ~ Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide
Tracks
Track Title
Composers
Performers
Time
Whisper
Stew Cutler
Garry Bruer, Stew Cutler, Booker King
(7:36)
QT
Stew Cutler
Booker King, Garry Bruer, Stew Cutler
(2:34)
Lovely Mary
Stew Cutler
Garry Bruer, Booker King, Stew Cutler
(5:29)
Left Behind
Stew Cutler
Stew Cutler, Garry Bruer, Booker King
(6:50)
East River Delta
Stew Cutler
Booker King, Stew Cutler, Garry Bruer
(4:13)
Saudades on 8th Avenue
Stew Cutler
Booker King, Garry Bruer, Stew Cutler
(4:46)
Coles Mountain
Stew Cutler
Stew Cutler, Garry Bruer, Booker King
(4:35)
Elizabeth
Stew Cutler
Stew Cutler, Booker King, Garry Bruer
(8:13)
Left Alone
Garry Bruer, Booker King, Stew Cutler
(4:58)
Insignia
Booker King, Stew Cutler, Garry Bruer
Booker King, Stew Cutler, Garry Bruer
(13:58)
Credits
Stew Cutler (Guitar), Booker King (Bass), Anna Tooth (Management), Paul Stephenson (Marketing), Garry Bruer (Percussion), Garry Bruer (Performer), Ken Christianson (Engineer), Stew Cutler (Slide Guitar), Garry Bruer (Drums)
