Home » Jazz Articles » Album Review » The Nels Cline Singers: Instrumentals
The Nels Cline Singers: Instrumentals
But like always, Cline remains unpredictable. As the record moves on, he occupies territory as diverse as the Hendrix-informed blues of "Lowered Boom" and the sustained lyricism of "Lucia." This trio is far more than a one-man band (as is especially obvious on the fourth tune), though Cline retains a steady hand at the helm. The guitarist plies his obvious understanding of the jazz (and especially free jazz) traditions within a fresh context, bringing a warm richness of color to these nine compositions. He may thrash away on the punk anthem "Cause for Concern," but tucked away in and around the pounding themes are some deliciously unexpected forays into guitar sophistication. Tuck Cline away with guitar greats Blood Ulmer and Sonny Sharrock: his uncanny ability to unite seemingly disparate styles marks him as an iconoclast and a visionary.
Jazz fans without an ear open to rock rhythms, energy music, or punk sensibility will almost certainly fail to appreciate what the Nels Cline Singers have done on Instrumentals. But Cline doesn't really care about that. His music is a defining statement of identity, a cry from the heart without pretense or ambiguity. For the open-minded, this record will stack up as one of the very best of the year. It's deep, exciting, and viscerally satisfying.
Visit Cryptogramophone Records on the web.
Track Listing
A Mug Like Mine; Cause for Concern; Suspended Head; Harbor Child; Lowered Boom; Lucia; Ghost of the Pinata; Blood Drawing; Slipped Away.
Personnel
Nels Cline
guitarDevin Hoff: bass; Scott Amendola: drums, percussion, loops, live effects/processing; Nels Cline: electric, 6, 12-string, and baritone guitars.
Album information
Title: Instrumentals | Year Released: 2002 | Record Label: Cryptogramophone
About Nels Cline
Tags
PREVIOUS / NEXT
Become a Sustaining Member
Since 1995, All About Jazz has championed jazz as an art form and supported the musicians who create it. Over three decades, it has grown into one of the world's leading jazz resources, serving hundreds of thousands of readers, musicians, presenters and industry professionals each month.
Help Build the Future of All About Jazz
Your support helps us continue building All About Jazz for the next generation—expanding our editorial coverage, preserving jazz history, developing new community features and creating better ways to discover the music and the people behind it.
Become a sustaining member for as little as $20 per year and you'll immediately enjoy an ad-free experience along with access to subscriber features and future articles for a full year.
Together, we're not simply sustaining All About Jazz—we're building its future. Thank you for being part of the journey.
