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Max Light is one of the country's upcoming jazz guitar stars.
He plays guitar with the gift of one who has organically incorporated the lessons of his six-string forebears Kurt Rosenwinkel, Ben Monder and Allan Holdsworth into a singular vocabulary . . . While his long fingers allow him to make uncommon stretches on the fretboard and conjure up near-impossible chord voicings à la Holdsworth and Monder, Light’s blazing legato runs and use of an Electro-Harmonix POG2 to eliminate his picking attack come straight out of the Rosenwinkel playbook. And he applies it all in a flawless and captivating manner on his two most recent recordings, 2023’s Henceforth (SteepleChase) and his new album — and third as a leader — Chaotic Neutral (Alternative Guitar Summit Recordings).”
– Bill Milkowski, Guitar Player Magazine
Max Light – guitar, compositions
Julian Shore – Piano
Walter Stinson – Bass
Steven Crammer – Drums
Caleb Curtis –Stritch (trks 2, 6 & 8)
Recorded by Alon Benjamini at Big Orange Sheep November 29, 2023
Mixed by Alon Benjamini
Mastered by Dave Darlington
Cover Photo by Luke Marantz
Strangely enough, my perspective as a non-guitarist informs my profound appreciation of Max Light, an artist whom I am grateful not only to recognize as a peer and collaborator, but also as a deep inspiration and ever-warming bonfire in the often challenging journeys of art and life.
I play the saxophone, whose physical layout theoretically permits movement from one note to any other note across the entire range of the instrument. By comparison, the guitar actually prevents the same freedom of movement in its very design, requiring strategic hand positioning and often favoring certain sequences of notes over others. As such, the instrument rewards efficiency, mechanical creativity, and an engineer’s patience and aptitude for problem solving. In Light, the guitar encounters a true rarity: an equal, counterbalancing force of poetic expression paired with digital brilliance.
In spite of the technical complexities I’ve described, Light sustains the unmistakable feeling of spontaneous invention that is so vital in jazz. This is heard throughout the album but exemplified on "Things," a hell for leather rave up of all that he is. Just as noteworthy is the singing character of Light’s tone, which reimagines the human voice through the vector of plucked, amplified sound, and which is heard to marvelous effect on songs like the title track, “Chaotic Neutral,” as well as “Is It True.” The latter epitomizes how he commands maximalist harmony in service of true balladry—the blues reified in 21st century harmony, with a gorgeous offering by pianist Julian Shore.
The mark of a good bandleader is when each musician sounds their best playing in that context. Possessing impeccable taste and feel, Max instills confidence and inspires risk-taking of the most selfless sort in his bandmates, from the rhythmic gambits of “Brown Bear,” featuring saxophonist Caleb Wheeler Curtis and drummer Steven Crammer, to the stoic nostalgia of “Times Had,” featuring bassist Walter Stinson.
Chaotic Neutral is a manifesto of Light’s artistic values, foremost the persistent revelation of improvised beauty within disciplined, formal complexity. No cheating, no shortcuts, no dropped beats; in this music, precision and expression are one and the same. In his music, one hears not only a classical sense of proportion and balance, but moreover an underlying faith that humans are at best selves when meaningfully challenged.
This may only be Light’s third album-length release to date, but we are already in the presence of a true lord, whose creative ascent is assured like the rhythm of the stars and sky above.
Max Light is a guitarist based in Brooklyn, NY. “Henceforth” out June 2023 features Noah Preminger, Dan Weiss & Kim Cass.
The New York City Jazz Record called the album “Stunning” and declared Light “One of the most promising young guitarists to arrive on the scene in recent years.” He won 2nd in the 2019 Herbie Hancock Institute Guitar Competition, judged by Pat Metheny, John Scofield, etc....more
supported by 5 fans who also own “Chaotic Neutral”
Love the free flowingness… hits a nice sweet spot between toe tapping and zone shifting… nice mixing of instruments… can’t wait to see Miles and Anthony with Steve Coleman in Seattle/Olympia with Emerald City Music. snowbrain
supported by 4 fans who also own “Chaotic Neutral”
A fitting sequel to the Trickster album, created in the context of the challenges of 2020 faced by us all. For these exemplary artists, a testament to the creative possibilities available when robust composition, instrumental virtuosity, and deep musical connection occur regardless of physical isolation. jonathandimond