Making the Saint

If you don't recognize Chris Schlarb's name, it's because he's the kind of man whom music flows through, rather than the sort who spends his time corralling sound into the spotlight. Through his Psychic Temple project - which has looped in everyone from Mike Watt to Serengeti to Nedelle Torrisi to Sufjan Stevens - the player / composer has earned a rep for combining rock, jazz, and soul to stunning effect. But in approaching his new album 'Making the Saint', on Asthmatic Kitty, the Long Beach artist did something different. Schlarb gathered his instruments and drove out to an 1870s cabin, by himself. 'Making the Saint' has an inclusive, panoramic feel - like a wide-armed hug.