Jeff Parker and the ETA IVtet have unveiled their upcoming album titled The Way Out of Easy, set for release on November 22. This project showcases four segments of improvised jazz, totaling an impressive 80 minutes. The first glimpse of the album is offered through the track “Late Autumn,” accompanied by a visually captivating music video directed by Mikel Patrick Avery, which captures Parker’s mobile toy sculptures in motion.
The ensemble, consisting of guitarist Parker, saxophonist Josh Johnson, double bassist Anna Butterss, and drummer Jay Bellerose, derives its name from the ETA bar in Los Angeles, where they held a weekly residency until its closure in December 2023. Their previous work, Mondays at Enfield Tennis Academy, was a collection of recordings from various sessions held at the same venue. In contrast, The Way Out of Easy was recorded live and mixed in one spontaneous evening in January 2023.
Parker and the ETA IVtet’s musical journey continues to resonate, especially following their recognition for Mondays at Enfield Tennis Academy, which garnered attention on various music lists, including the “100 Best Albums of the 2020s So Far.” With the new album on the horizon, fans can anticipate an eclectic and immersive jazz experience.
The Way Out of Easy includes the following tracks:
01 Freakadelic
02 Late Autumn
03 Easy Way Out
04 Chrome Dome