Julian Lage – Squint (2021) [Official Digital Download 24bit/96kHz]

Julian Lage – Squint (2021)
FLAC (tracks) 24 bit/96 kHz | Time – 45:36 minutes | 828 MB | Genre: Jazz
Studio Masters, Official Digital Download | Front Cover | © Blue Note Records

Hailed as one of the most prodigious guitarists of his generation, Julian Lage has spent more than a decade searching through the myriad strains of American musical history via impeccable technique and a spirit of infinite possibility. After notable Blue Note appearances on The Nels Cline 4’s Currents, Constellations (2018) and Charles Lloyd’s 8: Kindred Spirits (2020), the acclaimed GRAMMY-nominated artist is poised to make his own Blue Note debut with the June 11 release of Squint. Produced by Margaret Glaspy and Armand Hirsch, the dynamic 11-song set featuring 9 originals showcases both Lage’s remarkable songcraft and adventurous sense of improvisation which takes flight in the company of his trusted trio with bassist Jorge Roeder and drummer Dave King (The Bad Plus).

Julian Lage D’Addario Guitar Strings – Julian Lage D’Addario EXL115 strings – Ideal for a wide range of musical styles, EXL115’s are Julian’s go-to electric guitar strings for their moderate flexibility and rich, full tone.

At the age of 33, and after a good ten albums for different labels including EmArcy and Mack Avenue, guitarist Julian Lage has now come knocking at Blue Note’s door. Now settled in New York, this former Californian child prodigy is making his big début at the prestigious firm with his close friend, the double bass player Jorge Roeder and Bad Plus drummer Dave King. This pair had already made an appearance on Love Hurts, Lage’s 2019 album made up of covers of artists ranging from Roy Orbison to Ornette Coleman. Squint takes a different approach: nine of the eleven tracks here are original material. This focus on his own writing showcases even more of Lage’s talent: a talent which is truly broad, as the styles here alternate between jazz, blues and even rock. And here, as elsewhere, the breadth of his influences is on display too: Jim Hall, Pat Metheny and Bill Frisell. But when it comes to his improvisations, Julian Lage has his own language, with dazzling clarity (as on his superb version of Emily by Johnny Mandel and Johnny Mercer) and a stunning gift for a slick melody (for example, the very beautiful theme Day and Age and its whiff of Americana). A true virtuoso, Lage is no show-off, but displays real class. – Marc Zisman

Tracklist:
01. Julian Lage – Etude (02:27)
02. Julian Lage – Boo’s Blues (03:25)
03. Julian Lage – Squint (04:29)
04. Julian Lage – Saint Rose (04:35)
05. Julian Lage – Emily (05:28)
06. Julian Lage – Familiar Flower (03:59)
07. Julian Lage – Day and Age (03:15)
08. Julian Lage – Quiet Like A Fuse (06:53)
09. Julian Lage – Short Form (03:31)
10. Julian Lage – Twilight Surfer (04:18)
11. Julian Lage – Call Of The Canyon (03:12)

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