The Lamp and the Star

The Lamp and the Star is an album by American jazz percussionist and drummer Alex Cline recorded in September 1987 and released on ECM in November 1989. The octet consists singers Nels Cline and Aina Kemanis, didgeridoo player Susan Rawcliffe, string section Jeff Gauthier and Hank Roberts, and rhythm section Wayne Peet, Eric Von Essen and Alex Cline himself.

Reception
The AllMusic review states "Percussionist Alex Cline's first album as a composer demonstrates, right out of the gate, the man's knack for conjuring timeless, elemental music. Minimal ambience opens most tracks, with Cline's love of Asian percussion evident via gongs and Tibetan singing bowls."

Track listing
All compositions by Alex Cline.
 * 1) "A Blue Robe in the Distance" – 16:07
 * 2) "Eminence" – 6:26
 * 3) "Emerald Light" – 7:26
 * 4) "Altar Stone" – 13:00
 * 5) "Accepting the Chalice" – 7:05

Personnel

 * Aina Kemanis – voice
 * Jeff Gauthier – violin, viola, voice
 * Hank Roberts – cello, voice
 * Wayne Peet – piano, organ
 * Eric Von Essen – bass
 * Alex Cline – percussion, voice
 * Nels Cline – voice
 * Susan Rawcliffe – didgeridoo

Technical personnel

 * Alex Cline, Nels Cline – producer
 * Jan Erik Kongshaug – mixed by
 * Geoff Sykes – engineer
 * Ira Rubnitz – assistant engineer
 * Dani Lienhard – design
 * Jean Guy Lathulière – cover photograph
 * Roch Doran – photography