Nels Cline - Dirty Baby (LP)

Nels Cline, the avant-garde guitarist and composer, presents "Dirty Baby," a unique and captivating album released in 2010 under the Cryptogramophone label. This extraordinary work is a fusion of free jazz, avant-garde, and jazz genres, resulting in an hour and thirty-three minutes of innovative and thought-provoking music.

"Dirty Baby" is not just an album; it's a creative collaboration between Nels Cline and poet/journalist David Breskin, inspired by the sensor strip paintings of renowned visual artist Ed Ruscha. The album features an impressive lineup of musicians, including Scott Amendola, Devin Hoff, Jeremy Drake, Alex Cline, and Jeff Gauthier, among others.

The tracklist is a journey through 39 songs, each with evocative titles that hint at the album's intense and provocative nature. From the multi-part "Dirty Baby" suite to tracks like "In God We Trust," "If I Was You I'd Do Just Like I Tell You to Do," and "I Will Wipe You Off the Face of This Earth," the album explores a range of themes and emotions with raw intensity and artistic depth.

Born from the intersection of art and music, "Dirty Baby" is a visionary recontextualization that transcends traditional boundaries. The album is as much a visual-art object as it is a musical experience, featuring stunning artwork by Ed Ruscha. This collaboration between Cline and Breskin, steered by Breskin, is luxuriously packaged, offering a multi-sensory exploration of the creative process.

"Dirty Baby" is a testament to Nels Cline's innovative spirit and his ability to push the boundaries of jazz and avant-garde music. It's an album that demands attention and invites repeated listening, revealing new layers and nuances with each play. Whether you're a long-time fan of Nels Cline or a newcomer to his work, "Dirty Baby" is an essential addition to your music collection, offering a unique and unforgettable listening experience.