Jeff Parker ETA IVtet : The Way Out of Easy

Jeff Parker is one of those unsuspecting musical geniuses. He’s been a figure in the Chicago underground music scene for years, having played in Tortoise, Chicago Underground Quartet, Chicago Underground Trio, and Isotope 217 to name a few. He’s also worked with Makaya McCraven, Rob Mazurek, Joshua Abrams and Hamid Drake. That doesn’t include his own solo work as a premier jazz/experimental guitarist. And if you’re lucky enough to have gotten a copy of his JPs Myspace Beats, then you know he could produce one hell of a hip hop album.

When Parker is on a stage with some like-minded musicians that’s where he shines the most. His 2022 album Mondays At The Enfield Tennis Academy is the perfect example of Jeff Parker in his element. Recorded with his ETA IVtet(Anna Butterss on amplified double bass, Jay Bellerose on drums, cymbals and percussion, Josh Johnson on amplified alto saxophone with electronics, along with Parker on guitar, electronics, and sampler), that record was four album side songs based in groove and intuition. Longform songs which allowed these four musicians to explore sounds and modes in front of a live audience.

We now have The Way Out of Easy, the ETA IVtet coming together once again for a 4-song exploration of sound, feel, and groove. It’s an astounding album. A meditative cruise into musical creativity and intuition.

The record opens on “Freakadelic”, a song originally recorded for Parker’s 2012 album Bright Light In Winter. With the ETA IVtet the songs takes on a slow groove meditation, allowing each of the musicians to shine. With the steady groove of Butterss’ and Bellerose’s rhythm section, Parker and Johnson create an interplay between guitar and sax. Josh Johnson really shines on the alto saxophone, opening the door for Parker to layer ethereal sound via electronics and sampler. The song morphs and reshapes throughout its 23-minute runtime.

“Late Autumn” builds slowly into this beautiful daydream of a track. Parker’s fluid guitar and Johnson’s saxophone delicately combine to give the song it’s beating heart, while the bass notes are plucked in the background. The drums acting as almost ambient noise, building into a nuanced percussive guide. I’m reminded of the more ambient, esoteric moments of fellow Chicago artists Red Red Meat(Bunny Gets Paid) and Wilco(Yankee Hotel Foxtrot).

“Easy Way Out” is just a stunning piece. It has a very late night jazz vibe, but with otherworldly flavors added by electronics and sampler. It sounds like the score to some 70s film noir, but with a touch of sci fi thrown in for good measure. The four lock in beautifully here, showing what intuitive players they all are. Of course Jeff Parker adds some tasteful guitar over top.

Lastly is “Chrome Dome”, a song born out of lyrical lines from Johnson’s sax that turn into a dub/reggae groove. Nearly 17 minutes of pure sonic bliss.

Jeff Parker and the ETA IVtet have once again put out an absolute stunner. The Way Out Is Easy is a front to back masterclass in improvisational music making. Psychedelic at times, jazz-inflected, and always evolving into something something singular and otherworldly.