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The Chicago-based jazz guitarist and Tortoise member heads a loose-limbed quartet that also includes Sam Barsheshet, Chris Lopes, and Chad Taylor.

Although Jeff Parker is the one whose name is written in big letters out on the sidewalk blackboard, the Chicago-based jazz guitarist has always been savvy enough to recognize that-- in the words of De Niro-as-Capone-- nobody wins unless the team wins. As with his work in Tortoise and Isotope 217, Parker's playing as a bandleader is virtually egoless, and on The Relatives he remains steadfast in his willingness to temper and subordinate his instrument's voice in the broader interests of the group at large.

Such cooperative benevolence would seem misplaced if Parker hadn't the wherewithal to surround himself with such sympathetic players. Joining him here is his regular rhythm section of drummer Chad Taylor and bassist Chris Lopes (both of whom played on Parker's 2003 debut as headliner, Like-Coping) as well as Sam Barsheshet on Fender Rhodes and Wurlitzer. Here, the quartet move in a loose-limbed, baggy lockstep, with each member given an equal place at the table. If you were to approach this album blindfolded, you might easily assume Taylor or Barsheshet to be the ringmaster, so humbly does Parker deliver his sparklingly clean, unfussy guitar contributions. - Pitchfork