Sometimes recognizing genius is merely a matter of squinting the eyes just right. By that premise, it should be understood that the James Taylor Quartet's Creation requires a bit of squinting, but is genuis nonetheless.

You've heard these tunes before, but probably with not nearly the energy or conviction. It's the '70s cop show themes (track one is actually called "The Theme from 'Starsky and Hutch'"), the crazy club music that's always playing in '70s blaxploitation flix like Superfly and Shaft, the stuff that was a little too hopped-up and sexy to get into the Partridge Family. Funky, wah-wah pedals pumping, organ tooting along, drummer wackin' a cowbell with a big grin, it jams its way from start to finish with cocaine-driven, big-collar panache.

Creation is a twisted little corner of music from an odd time, but JTQ is keeping it alive, which is worth appreciation, even if it takes some squinting.

-James P. Wisdom