The Lamp and the Star is an album by American jazz percussionist and drummer Alex Cline recorded in September 1987 and released on ECM in November 1989. The octet consists singers Nels Cline and Aina Kemanis, didgeridoo player Susan Rawcliffe, string section Jeff Gauthier and Hank Roberts, and rhythm section Wayne Peet, Eric Von Essen and Alex Cline himself.ECM catalogue
Reception
The AllMusic review states "Percussionist Alex Cline's first album as a composer demonstrates, right out of the gate, the man's knack for conjuring timeless, elemental music. Minimal ambience opens most tracks, with Cline's love of Asian percussion evident via gongs and Tibetan singing bowls."
Track listing All compositions by Alex Cline. "A Blue Robe in the Distance" – 16:07 "Eminence" – 6:26 "Emerald Light" – 7:26 "Altar Stone" – 13:00 "Accepting the Chalice" – 7:05
Personnel Aina Kemanis – voice Jeff Gauthier – violin, viola, voice Hank Roberts – cello, voice Wayne Peet – piano, organ Eric Von Essen – bass Alex Cline – percussion, voice Nels Cline – voice Susan Rawcliffe – didgeridoo
Technical personnel
Alex Cline, Nels Cline – producer Jan Erik Kongshaug – mixed by Geoff Sykes – engineer Ira Rubnitz – assistant engineer Dani Lienhard – design Jean Guy Lathulière – cover photograph Roch Doran – photography
References