Originally known as the Chicago Underground Duo, their half dozen releases since 1997 have found them growing and contracting. Founding members Rob Mazurek (cornet and computer) and Chad Taylor (drums), along with Noel Kupersmith (bass and computer) are by turns funky and propulsive ("Shoe Lace"), mysterious and ethereal ("Kite"), and everything in between. On a piece like "Palermo" they sound like descendants of Eno, given extra heft with a foundation of solid drumming. They draw equally from sixties free jazz models as well as electronics. The latter element evokes both contemporary sonics as well as such earlier experimenters as Morton Subotnick. With Slon, C.U.T. are to be commended for shaping a true album experience. It"s varied, flowing, and full of surprises. In addition, their acoustic and electric instruments blend with seamless organic logic, as bursts of a human lung-fueled horn springs out of the undulating rhythms and textures beneath. --David Greenberger