Consentrik Quartet Nels Cline

• 1 The Returning Angel 05:20
• 2 The 23 05:15
• 3 Surplus 05:17
• 4 Slipping Into Something 05:03
• 5 Allende 06:11
• 6 House Of Steam 05:52
• 7 Inner Wall 05:15
• 8 Satomi 09:39
• 9 The Bag 04:59
• 10 Down Close 04:14
• 11 Question Marks (The Spot) 05:20
• 12 Time Of No Sirens 05:18
• Total Runtime 01:07:43

Info for Consentrik Quartet

To be sure, the guitarist and composer Nels Cline has range. Think of how he elevates the songs of Jeff Tweedy as a member of Wilco, or the diverse musical terrain he’s traversed on his albums for Blue Note Records over the past decade — from the gorgeous, sweeping mood music of Lovers to the wide-open sonic audacity of Share the Wealth, the latter featuring his longtime group the Nels Cline Singers. Now comes Consentrik Quartet, the eponymous debut showcasing a newer band comprising tenor and soprano saxophonist Ingrid Laubrock, bassist Chris Lightcap, and drummer Tom Rainey. By turns swinging, grooving, bracing, mesmeric and quietly stunning, Consentrik Quartet spotlights the ensemble’s profound chemistry as well as Cline’s versatility as both a player and a writer in a focused context where his gifts can be appreciated with absolute clarity.

The vanguard side of Cline’s compositions blossoms into new vistas. “The Returning Angel” unfolds in a rubato form, layering enigmatic guitar arpeggios, brushed snare textures, scintillating cymbal work, and poised saxophone melodies. At a key moment, the bass locks in with the guitar, shifting into a slow 6/4 time feel before segueing into “The 23”, a fantastic amalgamation of rich tones and deftly chosen notes. Lightcap’s addictive bass groove casts a spell, Laubrock weaves through inventive trajectories, and Cline infuses mesmerizing harmonic colors, embracing jazz, rock, and blues with openness and fluency.

“Surplus” begins with sax and guitar in seamless communion before transitioning into odd-metered passages brimming with rhythmic intent. Cline’s phenomenal chordal sequence hints at a bluesy funk inclination, enhanced by a smeary overdrive effect. He repeats the feat on “Satomi”, written for bassist/singer Satomi Matsuzaki of the band Deerhoof, in a playful yet provocative avant-jazz-meets-post-rock setting that culminates in a less impetuous, chamber-like passage tinged with mournful tones.

“Slipping Into Something” hits all the right pleasure nodes, beginning with a hypnotic intro before settling into an unfaltering 15-beat cycle groove. Over this foundation, Cline and Laubrock exchange rapid-fire notes in a gripping dialogue, all laced with a sturdy rock feel that seamlessly carries over to “The Bag”. Written for Rainey, this piece showcases his drumming mastery—whether delivering intricate conversational textures, charging forward with a swinging drive, or providing sole support for Laubrock’s quick-witted improvisation. Eventually, Cline’s nimble guitar phrasing and Lightcap’s assertive bass conduction join the mix, reinforcing the piece’s momentum.

“Allende” suspends itself in an ethereal space, sprinkled with shimmering sonic particles, while “House of Steam” navigates an array of exciting meter signatures and rhythms. “Question of Mark” boils with plenty of noise, and “Time of No Sirens” offers a soothing counterpoint, imbued with emotional depth. No Matter the source of inspiration, Cline and his ensemble infuse the music with a fearless sense of perspective.

Consentrik Quartet is a truly collaborative ensemble, approaching music from unexpected angles and delivering an exhilarating listening experience. This album is a gem that should not be missed.

Nels Cline, guitar
Ingrid Laubrock, tenor saxophone
Chris Lightcap, bass
Tom Rainey, drums

Please Note: We offer this album in its native sampling rate of 48 kHz, 24-bit. The provided 96 kHz version was up-sampled and offers no audible value!

Nels Cline
is one of the most versatile, imaginative and original guitarists active today. Combining breathtaking technique with an informed musical intelligence, the self-taught Cline displays a mastery of guitar expression that encompasses delicate lyricism, sonic abstractions, and skull-crunching flights of fancy, inspiring Jazz Times to call him “The World’s Most Dangerous Guitarist.” Born in Los Angeles in 1956, his earliest musical influ- ences included Roger McGuinn, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, John Fahey and Duane Allman. Cline claims his most valuable music training came from his work with bassist/multi-instrumentalist Eric von Essen, with whom he performed as a duo from 1977 until von Essen’s untimely death in 1997. In the late 1970s, Cline formed the influential chamber-jazz group Quartet Music with von Essen, his brother, percussionist Alex Cline and violinist Jeff Gauthier.

This album contains no booklet.