Stew Cutler

Stew Cutler - After Hours - 2011 - Cogna Records

Perfectly navigates that land between jazz and blues that puts it firmly in both camps." – John Heidt

The centerpiece of New York City based Jazz and Blues guitarist and songwriter Stew Cutler’s new album After Hours is his instrumental interpretation of The Temptations’ classic song “Just My Imagination.” In addition to Stew Cutler’s beautifully played guitar, the cast of musicians on this recording are better than good, with organist Chip Crawford shining on this tune, drummer Skoota Warner masterfully and elegantly keeping the beat and acoustic bassist Booker King laying down a strong, but subtle foundation. This song is so beautifully performed and so expertly mixed that one forgets that normally you hear a singer too. The album After Hours, has a “live” feel to the music and much of that credit can go to the fact that most of the music was recorded with minimal takes on one day, yet the production quality is excellent. Lots of percussion is featured on Stew Cutler’s original song “Bambou,” and Book King makes his bass speak. Saxophonists will tell you that instrument is the closest to sounding like a human voice, but then they are biased anyway (smile) however, in this instance it is the bass that we find conversing with us. On Charlie Parker’s “Au Privae,” a bebop tune, Skoota Warner uses his cymbals to keep the time and the song once again showcases Stew Cutler’s magic and mastery over his instrument. Cutler adapted the melody ever so slightly to infuse the song with a little funk. Stew Cutler’s unique style of playing with his pick gives his playing a little more organic and acoustic feel, even though he is playing an electric guitar. “Recluse,” introduces a trio of Stew Cutler original songs that follow one another on the album, the others being, “Lukewarm,” and “C.C.” “Recluse,” features Stew Cutler’s son David Cutler on electric bass guitar are reminiscent of George Benson, only backed by Chip Crawford’s funky Hammond B3. The nimble fingers on the fretboard keep the song moving spritely and the more ethereal guitar is juxtaposed to the deeper, soulful organ grooves. When one listens to songs like “C.C.,” which is sure to stir the juices of any diehard fan of Jazz, Funk and Blues, one is intrigued by both the beauty of the music and the creativity of Stew Cutler’s compositions. The listener is party to an intimate conversation between bass, the electric guitar and the organ, before the mood turns funky and more up-tempo. After Hours, closes with another gem of a tune, “Them That Got,” a Bluesy song featuring the fabulous vocals of Paul Saxx. The singer is down to his last pair of his shoes and rent is hard to pay and the message is “Them that got, is them that gets.” The question is posed, “if you have to have somethin’, before you can get somethin’….” The message is delivered not in a bitter way or as a song of protest, but in a subtle, tasteful manner that is more like a man standing on a street corner watching the more economically elite go by and wondering aloud. The only accompaniment is the guitar and the melody is pretty and simple. The organ trio featured on this album was the realization of a long held desire by Stew Cutler to do a recording of this type and it is not a working band, but we can wish and dream that we soon see these musicians playing together live. This review is protected by copyright © and may not be reproduced in print or on the internet or through any other means without the written permission of Riveting Riffs Magazine, All Rights Reserved http://www.rivetingriffs.com/After%20Hours%20Stew%20Cutler.html

Beautifully played Crossover Jazz by Stew Cutler. This kind of jazz guitar is reminiscent of greats like Wes Montgomery, George Benson, and Grant Green. There are four Stew Cutler originals, plus a cover of Ray Charles' "Them That Got", Charlie Parker's "Au Privave", Isham Jones & Marty Symes' "No Greater Love" and a beautifully arranged cover of Barrett Strong & Norman Whitfield's "Just My Imagination". Buy Stew Cutler Trio's "Insignia" album, and promote good modern crossover jazz [All tracks @ 192 Kbps: File size = 55.5 Mb]

TRACKS / COMPOSERS

1 No Greater Love - Isham Jones, Marty Symes 4:41
2 Just My Imagination - Barrett Strong, Norman Whitfield 7:11
3 Bambou - Stew Cutler 5:24
4 Au Privave - Charlie Parker 4:34
5 Recluse - Stew Cutler 6:39
6 Lukewarm - Stew Cutler 4:00
7 C.C. - Stew Cutler 5:11
8 Them That Got - Ray Charles, Ricci Harper 2:58

MUSICIANS

Stew Cutler - Guitar
Booker King - Acoustic Bass
David Cutler - Electric Bass on "Recluse"
Chip Crawford - Hammond B.3 Organ
Skoota Warner - Drums, Percussion
Paul Saax - Vocals on "Them That Got"

SHORT BIO

Jazz, soul, blues, funk, roots, rhythm & blues. This is the part where comparisons usually begin. We prefer not to compare. When the lifelong artist/sideman becomes the composer, arranger, and leader to showcase his unique style and musical voice comparisons cannot be fair or truly honest. Pure musical expression delivered with honesty and integrity can go a long way in soothing the savage soul. Born and raised in New York City, Cutler developed a keen interest in the guitar at an early age. Growing proficient, and with confidence, he left for the open road at 19 his first gig being with blues legend Z.Z. Hill. Seeking to push and hone his skills, Cutler also began playing with new music pioneers Bobby Previte and Eliot Sharp. He later moved to Woodstock ,NY, to work with bassist Harvey Brooks (Miles Davis, Bob Dylan) but would eventually return to New York City. As a sideman, Cutler has performed the world over with the greats: Percy Sledge, Eddie Floyd, Wilson Pickett, Fontella Bass, The Fantastic Johnny C, Earl King, Jimmy Castor, and more recently, Queen Esther Marrow and the Harlem gospel Singers and Sweet Georgia Brown. He has worked with artists as diverse as Meatloaf, Jeb Loy Nichols, David Fanshawe and Jimmy Dale Gilmore. But not satisfied to be only playing the classics, Cutler is on record with many of the greats of Jazz and modern music, including David Sanborn, Bill Frisell, Lester Bowie, Charlie Hunter, Wayne Horvitz, Bobby Previte, Robin Holcomb, Philip Johnston, and Eliot Sharp to name a few. With the success of his first two Cds “Trio Music” on Fountainbleu records and “Insignia” on the Naim label, Stew has developed a unique sound. R& B and Avant Gard, melody and noise. With “So Many Streams” (Fountainbleu) Cutler, with the help of friends Eliot Sharp and Jeb Loy Nichols, and many others, returns to his roots. This new release, Trio Live gives the listener the most exciting side of Cutler yet, his live performance. Stew Cutler has always known how to give the people what they want - now he can do so on his own terms. © 2012 Stew Cutler. All Rights Reserved © http://www.stewcutler.com/bio/