Track Listings (12) - Disc #1| All Artists: David Berkman Title: Communication Theory Members Wishing: 1 Total Copies: 0 Label: Palmetto Records Original Release Date: 6/13/2000 Re-Release Date: 7/11/2000 Genres: Jazz, Pop Styles: Modern Postbebop, Bebop Number of Discs: 1 SwapaCD Credits: 1 UPC: 753957205928 |
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Search - David Berkman :: Communication Theory
 | David Berkman Communication Theory Genres: Jazz, Pop
David Berkman has been sneaking up on us, quietly documenting a unique body of compositions (1998's Handmade was a fine beginning). This new recording is filled with challenging works that evoke other musics, but do so cle... more » |
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Amazon.com David Berkman has been sneaking up on us, quietly documenting a unique body of compositions (1998's Handmade was a fine beginning). This new recording is filled with challenging works that evoke other musics, but do so cleverly and deceptively. As soon as you think you've spotted a neo-Tristano theme, it rhythmically morphs into something that Mingus would have liked. Likewise, when you're sure that you can hum one of his melodies, it takes you into a place you hadn't noticed before. Communication Theory is cleverly programmed, with the near-blues "Blutocracy" leading to "Colby" and "Interesting, Perhaps, But Hardly Fascinating Rhythm," two pieces with a feel for Monk's forms (though not sounding very Monkish). Then comes "Blue Poles," a sinewy take on the Jackson Pollack painting; next, the first of three studies he calls "Communication Theory," etc. What is perhaps most striking about this recording is the way in which Berkman's compositions draw the best out of the musicians he works with. Here, it's saxophonists Chris Cheek, Steve Wilson, and Sam Newsome benefiting from Berkman's craft, and all three offer up some of the finest playing of their lives. If this were a time when the stores--and our heads--weren't so full of middling recordings and the press wasn't asleep, this recording would be recognized for what it is: the arrival of a very important new voice. --John F. Szwed Similarly Requested CDs
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CD ReviewsOnly a Theory A. Pisarenkov | Arlington, VA | 02/08/2001 (3 out of 5 stars) "Some records are destined for obscurity from the get-go, and David Berkman's "Communication Theory" (Palmetto, 200) is one of them. This is unfortunate, for Berkman is a committed, creative and accomplished musician, even if the same cannot be said of other players on the album.Berkman is definitely the star of the show here. All the tunes are his originals, and he solos extensively. He does not seem particularly interested in writing memorable melodies, but he improvises them in quantity. Aside from "Really Little Waltz" and "Interesting, Perhaps...", the heads are no more than a riff or two repeated a couple of times, but the solos more than make up for it. Berkman always has ideas on tap, some short, some more extended, but ones that always make sense. His playing can take on a dreamy quality ("Remission"), have a concentrated intensity ("Back in the 90s") or be lyrical and melancholy ("Colby"). He is a technician capable of shredding with the best of them, but he indulges only rarely, putting thoughtfulness ahead of speed.The rest of the band is unfortunately less praiseworthy. No complaints about drummer Brian Blade. He is firmly in the Tony Williams camp, and he keeps things swinging in a distinctly Milesian vein. Bassist Ugonna Okegwo seems to keep up well, but his being lost in the mix and a comparative lack of solos (he takes one) makes it difficult to say much about his playing. It is the saxophonists that made me scratch my head.Chris Cheek on tenor and Steve Wilson on alto seem to be stuck doing the Coltrane thing most of the time, and... well, the execrable obsession on the part of so many contemporary players with being Coltrane copycats has been well documented. Soprano player Sam Newsome can be delightfully melodious ("Really Little Waltz"), and on "No Crosstalk" he gets a unique, clarinet-like tone, demonstrating excellent control of the instrument. Other times, however, he insists on climbing into the stratosphere of the upper register and staying there until he runs out of notes and chokes.All in all, "Communication Theory" is not a bad record and is definitely worth hearing. Whether you want to invest in a copy is a much less unequivocal decision." Excelente... A. Pisarenkov | 01/27/2001 (5 out of 5 stars) ""There hasn't been as much young fresh talent as is on the scene now since the 60's. Life has been breathed into the music." Andrew Hill, Downbeat, Jan 2001This quote, coming from one of the most creative jazz musicians ever, definitely applies to David Berkman. As a member of this new generation that is pushing at the boundaries of music today, Berkman probes the boundaries between structured and free music. The results have a beauty that comes from this musical investigation. The compositions on this album, all written by Berkman, show the breadth of his jazz knowledge and maturity. In his second album as a leader, David Berkman, backed up by five more of today's young, inquisitive, and intelligent jazz-men, is solid and intellectually admirable."
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