CARL CLEMENTS, A Different Light

For an eclectic, well-traveled jazz citizen of the world like Carl Clements, titling his second jazz quartet album A Different Light is a promise of bold innovation, adventure and melodic and rhythmic diversity that builds on the majestic variety of work he’s accomplished over the years with, among others, guitarist Kevin Kastning (nine albums), Crosscurrent (four albums) and the Global Music Award winning Time Travel by the India Project.

On the spirited opening track “Onset,” Clements’ explosive and whimsical sax melody and improv, combined with Chase Morrin’s hopping piano harmonies and the swinging groove combustion of internationally renowned bassist Bruno Räberg and drummer Gen Yoshimura, lay a feisty foundation for an excellent mainstream quartet album.

It’s definitely that, but there are some exotic curveballs along the way, several driven by Clements’ other main instrument, the North Indian bansuri flute. Its breathy, hypnotic tones, caressed by Yoshimura’s gentle soundscaping and Morrin’s graceful piano, make “Sanyog” a dreamy new agey delight, a soothing oasis before the divine madness and cool fury to come.

His flute brings the same sweet, lyrical elegance to the later ballad, “Before Again,” which follows another of the album’s highlights, the simmering, wildly exotic and densely percussive Latin romp “Tango Extrano.” Beyond these standout delights, Clements and company are at their intuitive, conversational and hard swinging best on the cool jazz meets bebop jam “A New Leaf” and the dramatic fast paced “Absence/Return,” which showcases Clements’ and Morrin’s virtuosity, both in tandem and via fiery solo action.