The Nels Cline Singers: Macroscope

There are no actual singers in the Nels Cline Singers. That's your first clue. When he's not busy being adored by millions with Chicago alt.rockers Wilco, guitarist Nels Cline revels in mischief and misdirection, ranging freely across rock, jazz, electronica and country, with pit stops everywhere from Brazil to Appalachia. Cline's trio, with drummer Scott Amendola and bassist Trevor Dunn, is a taut, purely instrumental ensemble (although Cline does undermine his own irony occasionally by singing along wordlessly). There are echoes of early Weather Report and late Coltrane in the group's big sound, along with world flavours from guests including Brazilian percussionist Cyro Baptista. Those with a taste for such jazzy rockers as Marc Ribot and Wayne Krantz will find plenty to like here. nelscline.com