Guitarist Jeff Parker, known for his work with Tortoise, The Chicago Underground Trio, Isotope 217, and the AACM, has long been a staple in the Chicago music scene. Since relocating to Los Angeles in 2016, he has continued to push boundaries with his band, the ETA IVtet. Their latest album, The Way Out of Easy, captures the essence of their long-running Monday night residency at the now-closed ETA club, where they performed for seven years. Recorded on January 2, 2023, the album showcases the band’s evolution from playing primarily standards to creating unique, improvised long-form compositions that could stretch for as long as 45 minutes. While the tracks on The Way Out of Easy are still extended, they typically clock in at half that length.
Before this album, Parker had released solo projects, such as Forfolks (2021) and Mondays at the Enfield Tennis Academy (2022), a double LP with the same ensemble: Grammy-winning alto saxophonist and producer Josh Johnson, bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Jay Bellerose. Both Johnson and Parker incorporate pedals to add effects, and The Way Out of Easy continues in this vein, recorded live with engineer Bryce Gonzalez.
The album opens with “Freakadelic,” an extended take on a track from Parker’s Bright Light in Winter. Bellerose and Butterss set the tone with a simple, repetitive groove, and Johnson enters first, weaving his alto saxophone over the beat for four minutes before Parker’s minimalist guitar lines join in. The track melds jazz with elements of R&B, blues, and psychedelia, building in intensity and unpredictability. Parker’s repetitive riff halfway through brings a hypnotic quality to the piece, while Johnson’s staccato approach adds contrast. The track ends gently, with Bellerose’s delicate brushwork.
“Late Autumn” stands out as a dreamy, atmospheric piece, with Parker’s cyclical guitar solo evoking a trance-like state before the full ensemble joins in. Johnson’s alto floats above the ethereal backdrop, creating an image of light rain falling on damp leaves. The piece grows in complexity with the addition of multi-textured effects and Bellerose’s subtle cymbal work, with Parker carefully placing his notes to complement the overall sound.
“Easy Way Out” takes the listener further into atmospheric, mysterious soundscapes, building on a simple idea that evolves through the ensemble’s shifting dynamics. The interplay between Johnson’s improvisation and Parker’s sparse, one-note-at-a-time approach creates a tension that is resolved by Bellerose’s impressive kit work. The track closes in a similarly quiet manner as the group fades out.
The album’s final track, “Chrome Dome,” begins with a meditative improv by Johnson, which gradually transforms into a dub/reggae groove. Johnson and Parker’s sharp exchanges take center stage, with Bellerose’s polyrhythmic foundation drawing audible reactions from the engaged audience.
Each track on The Way Out of Easy revolves around a simple concept, with the ensemble drawing out every nuance of the initial idea. The mood remains calm and introspective, while their exploration within these boundaries offers a fresh, revitalizing experience for listeners.
Though the ETA venue has closed, Parker and his ensemble continue to honor its legacy. The ETA IVtet will be touring and is set to perform at Big Ears 2025, carrying forward the spirit of their groundbreaking performances.
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