New Music Long-form improvisations were taped live in L.A. Jeff Parker EVA IVtet (photo: Sam Lee) “Where’s Jeff?” The question weighed heavily at Tortoise’s live shows over the past year, during which his integral contribution to the Chicago instrumental legends’ heady sound was often missed. Indeed, it seems the L.A.-based guitarist is focusing on his solo career and plentiful side hustles with, among others, Meshell Ndegeocello, Makaya McCraven and (checks notes…) Flea. Bittersweet news, but hold your tears: outside of Tortoise, Parker is on a torrid creative run, which continues with Happy Today . The new LP follows the path of 2024’s The Way Out of Easy : long-form improvisations performed in front of a live audience – in this case, 400 people at L.A.’s Lodge Room. There’s nothing here as pounding as Easy ‘s “Freakadelic,” which bears the relentless monomania of Tony Conrad/Faust’s Outside the Dream Syndicate .…