IN A DAYand age that posturing and faked creativity are so "in," it comes as a breath of fresh air to see a band that remains true to their roots. The Jim Small Band mix heartfelt originals with recognizable covers that thankfully steer clear of radio trends, and though that's a tough road to travel these days, it's reassuring to know someone still does it.

When one sits down to listen to the Jim Small Band, one will quickly realize this is nofrills, flesh and blood music. Image? Forget it. This band knows that the bottom line is still music and however low that bottom line may have sunk, it is still all that matters. With almost 11 years of circuit gigging, they're not about to change their honest approach. Why should they?

Made up of Jim Small (vocals, guitar, bass, harmonica), Phil Reilly (guitar, vocals), John Boyle (sax, flute, harmonica, vocals), Mike Guido (bass, sax, flute, clarinet, vocals), and newest member Phil Cimino (ex-Sore Thumb drummer), the band has the most versatile group of musicians in the area. It should also be noted that, though he doesn't do the Tuesday night shows, sixth member guitarist Ricky Silecchio plays all their other shows. Getting back to the five that played the Brokerage Pub this night, multiple instrumentaliss usually can be expected to excel at only one instrument. It may be a minor miracle that this group excels at everything and they make maximum use of all their tools. It culminated this evening in what Small calls "a relaxed nostalgic evening." It surely was.

Opening with the Crosby, Stills and Nash nugget, "Wooden Ships," JSB made those aging rockers look washed up with a moving moody interpretation. Small Reilly and Boyle's voices intertwined in lush harmonies and the playing was crisp. It quickly established a band that cannot be called anything but pro.

Subsequent songs such as "Baby What You Want Me to Do?", "Me and Julio Down By the Schoolyard," and "Don't Bogart That Joint" displayed the full gamut of "feels"; raucous fun, bluesy ramblings and laidback good time music. The set closing, "Everybody Plays the Fool" also highlighted the intense vocal depth of this lineup. But, there was even more.

The band also showcased songs that were superior originals. "Stranger with a Change of Heart" spotlighted a neat flute hook, compliments of Mr. Boyle, who added some outstanding solos. "Too Tired to Fight" was a definitive original, lyrically echoing their stance on current trends and their refusal to part with their beliefs. "In the Middle of All This Jazz" was a rambunctious little jam with fine sax trade-offs between Boyle and Guido and the stellar tune, "Everybody" really got the crowd going with a strong delivery from Small. There wasn't anyone who left feeling they didn't get their money's worth, believe me.

The Brokerage Pub is the place to see live music with a casual atmousphere. The ambiance, soupled with the truly remarkable Jim small Band make Tuesdays a special night. If you haven't seen the band yet (no excuses, you have had plenty of opportunities), do so soon. They will leave you feeling very good. In closing, Small said, "People come to see art, we come to give it. I've been diond this for almost 11 years and I'll never change for what Radio Stations will play. That's why I'm still in these clubs." Longevity, in itself is a mark of excellence, and if what they do never gets to a major label, it will matter little. For everyone who has seen them, they have more than kept their promise on what they set out to do.