Although still within the sphere of influence of his famous father Jimmy Raney, guitarist Doug Raney was well on his way to having a style of his very own. Teaming up with an all-star rhythm section, plus one of Sweden's better known tenor sax players, Bernt Rosengren, he leads the group through a rousing, interesting session. What immediately comes through on all cuts, irrespective of tempo, is the guitar player's lyricism and the laid-back way he approaches a ballad. This soothing course is put to good use on "If You Could See Me Now," where he shares choruses with Rosengren's flute. Raney retains his feel for the melody, even when he turns up the tempo on "Lean Years" or "Four." "How Deep Is the Ocean" is the setting for two choruses by Rosengren on tenor and an extended solo by bass ace Niels-Henning Orsted Pedersen. The most deeply emotional number on the session is "You Don't Know What Love Is," where Pedersen, Horace Parlan, and Billy Hart establish a loose but rhythmic pattern that is the cushion for alternating solos by Raney and Rosengren. The album's coda, "Four," is noted for speedy three-way reciprocity of ideas between Raney, Rosengren, and Hart. Cuttin' Loose is a steadfast mainstream jazz session, and is recommended. ~ Dave Nathan
