Chasing the Gypsy and Layin’ in the Cut

The first music reviews that I’m going to have up here on andrewraff.com will be of JC’s two new albums, released simultaneously on atlantic records last week. “Chasing the Gypsy” is a tribute to Django Reinhardt, featuring richly textured acoustic songs, some with a cool central European vibe (mainly due to the presence of accordion in the band). JC plays a bunch of different saxes, including the F Mezzo Soprano and Bass. “Layin’ in the Cut” is JC’s first electric funk outing. Some of his previous originals (particularly the title tracks to “JC on the Set” and “In Carterian Fashion”) drive along with a great deal of funk, so I came into this album with high expectations, unfortunately it doesn’t live up to what I expected.