Widening circles
Thoughts in brief and in no particular order.
Cline’s first proper jazz – in the sense some may know – album after the baby steps of the dazzling Lovers and the avantisms of the Nels Cline Singers. But to be honest the American alt. rocker has always been a jazzer.
Ironically some of saxist Ingrid Laubrock’s best work is found here. Ironic given it’s not her record as a leader. Her own work is radically different and far more out there.
Tom Rainey’s drumming is pretty effective here in the context of the quartet. If you are into the Konitzian Jeff Williams‘ style, then hooray.
And yet in key moments it’s bassist Chris Lightcap who quite often steals the show. Nevertheless Cline’s tunes, sort of free bop studded with a crunchie bite and the harsh tang of electricity, take pride of place.
Outside-in avant jazz comes in from the cold without making any accommodation in terms of a need to sedate the masses whatsoever.
Some tunes were written by Cline during lockdown in New York City and New York State. Apparently the album – full of a blues connotation in an Ornettian way and the sense of a teetering-on-the-brink of a looming maelstrom just inches away – is a love letter to the Brooklyn improvised music scene.
You must be logged in to post a comment.