“”I used some synthesizer to lay down the basic tracks, then had Rufus Reid come in and put his bass track down, and then had Rufus conduct the band—[tubaist/baritone saxist] Howard Johnson, [saxist] David Murray, [saxist] John Purcell, and myself. We put it together like that, in installments. The rest of the pieces on Album Album were straight ahead, with a few minor overdubs in the backgrounds, but Strut was really produced.” The result has synth darting around a hummable theme that swaggers off the parade route to follow Murray wending his bluesy way; Johnson puffs out the bottom on tuba while Reid’s bass moves into guitar range; Purcell holds the center. All stay in step, each in his own way, just like at the Fairgrounds during the Jazz & Heritage Festival.” – Howard Mandel