CAB: Live on Sunset (2003)

Live on Sunset captures CAB in a setting where clarity and precision take precedence, presenting the band with a level of sonic detail that allows each instrument to be heard with striking definition. Featuring Bunny Brunel on bass, Tony MacAlpine on guitar, David Hirshfelder on keyboards, and Virgil Donati on drums, the recording reflects a lineup operating with both technical command and a deep sense of musical interplay.

Opening with “Atamanashi,” the album immediately establishes its tone—focused, intricate, and rhythmically assertive. “Cloud Ten” and “Katputli” continue to expand the harmonic landscape, balancing melodic phrasing with tightly synchronized ensemble work. As the set progresses through “Purple Mars” and “One for the Road,” the band moves fluidly between composed passages and improvisational dialogue, maintaining cohesion even at moments of peak intensity.

Midway through the recording, “The Quiet One” and “The Pub” offer contrast, allowing space and phrasing to take on a more deliberate role before the energy builds again with “Song for a Friend” and the rhythmically charged “The Prankster.” The album closes with “New Blues,” grounding the set in a groove-oriented framework while still reflecting the group’s signature complexity and precision.

Unlike traditional live recordings, the direct line-in approach preserves the full articulation of the performance—Brunel’s bass remains defined and centered, MacAlpine’s guitar cuts through with clarity, and the interplay between keyboards and drums unfolds with balance and depth. Hirshfelder’s harmonic contributions add dimension to the overall sound, while Donati’s rhythmic control drives the music forward with authority.

Within CAB’s catalog, Live on Sunset stands as a clear representation of the group’s musical discipline and sonic identity—an example of electric jazz performed at the highest level, captured with a clarity that reveals the full scope of the band’s interaction and precision.