In his career up to this point, guitarist
Thom Rotella is probably best known for his crossover and smooth recordings, which display his excellent technique but a very restrained and purposely melodic style. He has also toured with pop stars and been a busy studio musician and writer.
Out Of is something much different.
Rotella has long enjoyed playing straight-ahead jazz with his fourtet, a major contrast to his previous recordings.
Out Of has several numbers, particularly in its first half, and the three standards, on which the guitarist sounds close to
Wes Montgomery but
Rotella wouldn't mind the comparison since
Wes was his early idol. Teamed with several musicians who have all worked with
Nancy Wilson (pianist
Llew Matthews is on six selections and
Rich Eames is on the other four),
Rotella sounds relaxed and happily swinging through his seven originals and the three vintage tunes. The quartet is tight no matter who is on piano, making this one of
Thom Rotella's finest recordings to date. ~ Scott Yanow