Guitarist Nels Cline builds on his clever duet album with Julian Lage of 2 years ago, adding a rhythm team of Tom Rainey/dr and Scott Colley/b for extra textures and drive. The result is a more assertive and muscular album.
The two guitarists mix clean and swinging Chet Aktins chops with a garage band attitude on pieces like “Swing Ghost ‘59” and “Amenette,” taking you on a Mr. Toad’s wild ride in the process. The team jams with Rainey creating a hectic and frantic beat as the strings pick and grin on “Furtive,” and the veer in and out of each other like race cars on “Imperfect 10.” Frisell-like pedal effects crate atmospheres on the methodical “As Close as That” while dark pastoral mists are brushed along by Rainey during “For Each a Flower.” Most exciting is a mix of Middle Eastern harmonics teaming with Cumberland Gap folksiness on the stretched out “River Mouth.” The two minds feel like they are inspired by not only each other, but by collaborations they have done in between this summit meeting. A fun and friendly arm wrestling match.
Blue Note Records