Chris Speed, a driving force of modern jazz for decades, presents Light Line, an impressive solo statement on the clarinet. The repertoire of this musical legacy includes his own pieces and short improvisations, as well as compositions by inspiring luminaries such as John Coltrane, Julius Hemphill, Eric Dolphy and Paul Motion. In addition, there are compositions by friends and long-time musical companions such as Andrew D'Angelo, Skúli Sverrisson and Hilmar Jensson.

There is "an implicit guiding light through the whole project: the commitment to reduction, to finding the power in taking things away, the power in trusting that there is still a lot there once you do take the surface layers away, and above all an undying commitment to melody in some elemental sense as the primary element in music", writes Anthony Burr in the liner notes.

Chris Speed. Photo: David Haskell

Chris Speed, seit Jahrzehnten Teil und Motor des modernen Jazz, legt mit «Light Line» ein beeindruckendes Solo-Statement auf der Klarinette vor. Das Repertoire dieses musikalischen Vermächtnisses umfasst neben eigenen Stücken und kurzen Improvisationen, Kompositionen von wichtigen Inspiratoren wie John Coltrane, Julius Hemphill, Eric Dolphy und Paul Motion. Hinzu kommen Kompositionen von Freunden und langjährigen musikalischen Weggefährten wie Andrew D'Angelo, Skúli Sverrisson und Hilmar Jensson.

Dabei lässt sich ein Leitmotiv erkennen, das sich durch das ganze Album zieht: "the commitment to reduction, to finding the power in taking things away, the power in trusting that there is still a lot there once you do take the surface layers away, and above all an undying commitment to melody in some elemental sense as the primary element in music", schreibt Anthony Burr in den liner notes.