Speak To Me is already Lage's fourth album for the Blue Note jazz label. It is also by far the most adventurous album of his career, so far. Known as a virtuoso from a young age, Lage has always lived up to associated high expectations. The majority of his discography consists of work in trio, with bass and drums, with the guitar taking the lead role and a high degree of control. That changes on
… Speak To Me. His usual trio with Jorge Roeder (bass) and Dave King (drums) is expanded into a sextet, with additional musicians being pianist Kris Davis, keyboardist Patrick Warren and saxophonist Levon Henry. Lage gives his musicians plenty of room, but also lets himself go more as, for example, with his crunching guitar sound on Northern Shuffle. His compositions draw from many sources of inspiration, such as blues, rock & roll and gospel. The common denominator among the songs on the album is the deep experience Lage brings to everything he plays. In this, the other musicians follow him devoutly. Speak To Me is thus not only the most surprising, but also the most spiritual album Lage has made to date. (JV)more
