Cathexis -

Cathexis was an American East Coast jazz-rock band that made a 1982 self-titled album, followed in 1985 with Tonal Vision.

Members: Chip Carter (electric guitar, acoustic guitar, 12-string guitar, vocals), Jim Kuster (piano, electric piano, synthesizer), Rusty Anderson (bass, fretless bass), Roger Brown (drums, percussion)

Background

Cathexis formed through Davidson College connections when drummer Roger Brown teamed with two graduates from other classes.

Brown grew up in Gainesville, Georgia, and formed Junior and the Jailbirds in sixth grade. He studied physics at Davidson and played in college groups devoted to jazz, fusion, and swing. Guitarist and singer Chip Carter played in the Davidson Jazz Band and the rock group SilkSpun. Keyboardist Jim Kuster studied economics at the college.

Davidson College Union adviser C. Shaw Smith introduced the group to Arista and Elektra in New York City. Both labels declined to sign Cathexis. By August 1981, bassist Rusty Anderson played alongside Carter, Kuster, and Brown. The quartet recorded at Earth Audio Techniques in North Ferrisburg, Vermont, in August and September, with Charles Eller and Mike Couture as engineers.

Discography:

Cathexis (1982)
Tonal Vision (1985)

References and notes

“Show Business Back-to-School Session During Reunion Weekend,” 2018. Brown identifies the Davidson connection and describes Smith’s introductions to Arista and Elektra. (Davidson College).
“Roger Brown: Mission Driven,” 2004. Brown recounts his Gainesville childhood, first band, Davidson studies, and college groups. (Berklee).
Chip Carter profile. Carter lists the Davidson Jazz Band, SilkSpun, and Cathexis among his college activities. (LinkedIn).
Jim Kuster profile. Confirms his Davidson economics degree and keyboard playing. (Sustainable Westchester).
Cathexis, original LP, 1982. The release credits identify the quartet, engineers, studio, and August–September 1981 recording period. (Discogs).