Max Light - Chaotic Neutral (2024) [Hi-Res]

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.

—Kevin Sun