Search - Tim Berne's Caos Totale :: Pace Yourself

Definitely chaotic, but in the best way possible...

Nash | 05/28/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tim Berne is certainly one of the biggest heavyweights in New York's avant-garde jazz scene. Every time I've seen him live, I would leave the club in partial fear that a monstrous alto sax was going to mug me and leave me for dead in the gutter of the lower east side. Indeed, his playing balances free-form madness with strategic compositional genius that sets him apart from most others around him. Caos Totale features musicians who equal Berne's dualistic craziness on their own respective instruments. Herb Robertson and Steve Swell appear on horns and trombone, respectively, and together with Berne sound as massive as a big band ensemble as they rip through Berne's complicated written parts. Guitarist Marc Ducret brings his uniquely brilliant chops to the fore and manages to stand out among the horns. Bobby Previte's drumming and Mark Dresser's bass playing are equally amazing. Any fan of good forward-looking music that surprises at every turn, breaks all of the rules, and kicks a$$ should buy this record and "A Nice View" (which has just been reissued)."