1. Sounds In The Fog
2. Serial Abstractions
3. Out, The Regular
4. The Unknown
5. Writhing Love Lines
6. Rites
7. The Maze (for Julius)
8. Mystery To Me
Tim Berne (alto and baritone sax); David
Sanborn (soprano and alto sax); Marc Ducret
(electric guitars); Hank Roberts (cello);
Joey Baron (drums); Herb Robertson (trumpet,
cornet, flugelhorn - title 7); Mark Dresser
(bass - title 7)
Band leader, composer and saxophonist, Tim
Berne, is renowned for unswerving dedication
to his craft. He has formed and ran two record
labels, led such trios as Paraphrase and Miniature,
and played as a sideman in various duets with
the finest musicians in modern jazz. From
the beginning, his style was highly distinctive
- confident and expressive beyond his years
- but he has always strived to progress and
develop rather than risk stagnation. Picking
up the baritone whilst improving on the alto,
he has taken his music through numerous directions
- from radical improvisatory pieces to highly-wrought,
rhythm-patterned structures - producing a
wealth of acclaimed recordings. Ultimately,
however, it’s Diminutive Mysteries -
Bernes’s tribute to his mentor, Julius
Hemphill - that has firmly sealed his reputation.
First released in 1993, it is now regarded
as a modern classic...
And if originality is anything to go by,
this verdict is more than justified. Diminutive
Mysteries refuses to fall neatly in to any
single genre, twisting and turning through
all moods and styles in a manner so bold and
striking that even the most innovative records
in jazz same tame and uninspired by comparison.
From eery abstraction to melodic soul; from
swing, to blues, to chaotic discordance; rarely
a moment goes by on this work without a surprise
for the listener. Freedom of expression, with
no holds barred, is the underlying concept
- and, thankfully, the band have necessary
talent to turn this in to reality.
Berne’s playing is impressive throughout,
emotionally charged and uninhibited, but always
in keeping with the overall vision. Marc Ducret,
on electric guitar, likewise proves himself
a sensitive musician, adding a mellow, dreamlike
quality to the complex ‘Serial Abstractions’,
whilst demonstrating a talent for gritty intensity
in the lengthy, ambitious, ‘The Maze’.
The unique sound of the recording, though,
is ultimately due to Hank Roberts on cello,
whose powerful, resonant swells of sound are
responsible for numerous spine-tingling harmonies.
Be warned, however, that Diminutive Mysteries
is rarely a comfortable listening experience.
Based on skeletal compositions, submitted
by Julius Hemphill, much of this work is improvised,
and as such takes time - and a few jarring
notes - to settle in to its final form. And
when the band sense the need to let everything
go, this is precisely what happens. Saxophones
screeching, cello grunting, guitar wailing
and weeping, everything suddenly melds together
in a whirling mass of sound. ‘Rites’,
in particular, will be difficult going for
those with delicate eardrums, the brass section
at one point involved in what seems like the
musical equivalent of a violent brawl.
Berne has admitted himself, of course, that
his love of experimental music didn’t
develop overnight; it was something he had
to work at. For those prepared to put in the
effort, the subtly, spontaneity and passion
of this highly original album may indeed be
worth the time. But for those of the belief
that jazz becomes noise when formal structures
and principles are abandoned, this one is
definitely best left alone.
Robert Gibson
CD Reviews
Winter & Winter, No. 919060-2
