Speed's second CD leading his remarkable New York quartet consolidates the band's sound into a powerful statement.

This is tenor sax/clarinettist Chris Speed's second CD leading the remarkable New York quartet of his Songlines debut Yeah No (Cuong Vu, trumpet; Skuli Sverrisson, electric bass; Jim Black, drums). It consolidates the band's sound, and its group-centered approach to developing compositions through improvisation, into a statement of unusual power, concentration and feeling.

Deviantics combines hyper beats and ambient textures with eastern-European inspired melodies and rhythms to expand and derange the realm of downtown jazz/new music. It is primarily jazz in its instrumentation, rhythmic feel, and much of its harmonic language, but includes stylistic approaches drawn from free improv, contemporary classical, Balkan dance music, and drum 'n' bass.

What's impressive is the way the group creates unity from such an array of sources - moods and musical images with their own characteristic pull, sometimes brash, bristling, and intensely groove-oriented, sometimes haunted, seemingly suspended in their own time and space. The subtle interplay and transitions reward close attention, the textures and colors are often ravishing, and the solos and group improvs are both grounded and structurally intricate. From 'Wheatsone''s deconstruction of a jam in 5/8 to the ambient balladry of 'Tulip' and the modal cry and inspired drumming of 'Valya', this is another record which honors traditions while creating its own.

Track Listing

• Pith Remix
• Reconnoiter
• Eddie Cano
• Tulip
• Wheatstone
• Valya
• Syncretics
• East Europe Rundown

Additional Details

Label: Songlines

Genre: Jazz

Run Time: 52 mins

Release Date: 04/06/99

UPC: 774355152423