I haven't had the pleasure of throwing the Brute up to this point, but I have a pin-down Melee Jab that I love. Out of the box, the ball was actually stronger/earlier than I thought. In fact, my medium ball speed didn't allow the ball to get down the lane well enough to really get the shape I was looking for. It actually sort of reminded me of a Marvel Pearl at that point.
However, since I didn't really need that look/shape in my bag, I took the ball down to 500 matte, and then I brought it up to 2000 and added a coat of High Gloss. From that point forward, the ball has been amazing for me. It is very clean up front, and very smooth and strong down lane. I've been using the Jab in a two-ball combo with my Mastermind Genius (pin up, 3000 abralon matte finish). As soon as I am forced to really move inside, the Jab comes out, and man is it fun to throw!
In any case, as to your question comparing the Jab to a Brute, it seems as if Brunswick's intent was to have the two play off of one another. From what I am seeing, the Brute is going to be a bit more stable and should be better for keeping the ball in front of you where the Jab is going to be the ball you want when you want to get inside, open up, and wheel it. That being said, I could definitely see both balls having a spot in your bag.