The Jeremy Quick Trio sizzles on new live album

Live albums usually aren't what they claim to be. True, most of them are recorded in front of an audience with no studio tinkering or overdubs. But the technical definition is not the point; on an artistic level, a number of these records fail to be alive. The musicians are simply going through the motions, trying to capture what they had previously released in superior form.

However, when the Jeremy Quick Trio label their latest album Live and Uncut, it's not false advertising. This is a band that is clearly liberated by live performance, letting their eccentricities and dynamic chemistry sizzle. The group is invigorated by the open air and kicks out the jams.

On "Pariah," the opening track, Jungho Kang's slamming drums and Jason Felitto's pounding bass apply heat to Quick's electrifying guitar; together they unite like a weapon of mass destruction. Those who feel that jazz is quaint and wrinkled obviously haven't heard the genre experimented like this before. Nevertheless, although Quick aims for the avant-garde side of jazz, the music is remarkably accessible; in fact, "Pariah" finds the band latching onto an urgent, infectious groove that is actually somewhat funky in parts.

The nighttime moodiness of "Platypus" features some of Quick's most stylish and atmospheric guitar playing. There is a laidback coolness to his approach here that conveys equal amounts of swagger and subtlety; only a top-flight musician would be able to achieve such a seemingly contrasting balance. Another favorite is "Looking for Their Souls," with its shuffling, swaying rhythms and bluesy touches.

Recorded at different spots and times, Live and Uncut has a startlingly seamless flow. If Quick simply wanted to pick the sweetest fruit from the garden, he achieved more than that; he actually compiled a live record that not only deserves to exist but earns countless repeated spins.

More Information: http://www.jeremyquick.com

Submitted By: