"...The most lavishly gifted, formidably developed, and astonishing saxophonist to come along in quite some time." -People
Defying industry convention and flying in the face of easy categorization, Carter steps boldly forward with the simultaneous release of two new and proudly distinct dual-guitar studio albums: ChasinΓÇÖ The Gypsy, inspired by a love of Europe's legendary Romany jazz guitarist Django Reinhardt; and the deeply funky LayinΓÇÖ In The Cut, JC's first-ever recordings with an all-electric outfit.
ChasinΓÇÖ The Gypsy showcases the more romantic side of James Carter, a man with a deep affection for pre-War swing music and the confidence to make it his own. Performing such signature Django numbers as "Nuages," Carter turns aside the expectations of purists and takes bold interpretive license with style and arrangements--just as you'd expect any vital, young player would. On this album, the multi-reedist has chosen from his panoply of horns to play the tenor and soprano saxophones along with, for the first time, the rarely heard F mezzo and bass saxophones.
The album brings a tasteful Brazilian flavor to a number of tracks, also adding such unexpected instrumental elements as the accordion and the nylon string guitar. The top cast of players includes violinist Regina Carter--appearing in the role of Django's partner, Stephane Grappelli--along with percussionist Cyro Baptista (John Zorn, Tom Ze, Kathleen Battle, Herbie Mann) and drummer Joey Baron, widely recognized for his work with John Zorn's Masada quartet, the Lounge Lizards, Laurie Anderson, and Don Byron.
Building on the stylistic foundation set in the '70s with Ornette Coleman's Prime Time ensemble, Carter's LayinΓÇÖ In The Cut, combines a free jazz style with a solid funk groove in the creation of a remarkably accessible, booty-shakin', party imbibed sound. Carter makes himself at home with a crew of avant garde and downtown NYC players--among them labelmate guitarist Marc Ribot (John Zorn, Elvis Costello, Tom Waits), complemented by bassist Jamaaladeen Tacuma and drummer G. Calvin Weston, both known for their work with Ornette Coleman and James Blood Ulmer. The association continues with guitarist Jef Lee Johnson, who has notably worked with Ronald Shannon Jackson, a Prime Time alumni and founder of the standard bearing Decoding Society. Together, they create a boldly innovative album of daring authenticity.
