Carla Bley: 4X4

In the summer of ’99, Carla Bley toured Europe with a stripped-down version of her big band, an octet that included Bley regulars such as bassist Steve Swallow, trombonist Gary Valente and drummer Victor Lewis. Between gigs, the ruddy and no doubt road weary outfit took a time-out in Oslo to record 4×4. Bley and the band sound happy to have the time to themselves, and they mostly take it easy on light-hearted tunes with fun but simple arrangements.