- Audio CD (19 Dec 2008)
- Number of Discs: 1
- Format: CD
- Label: ECM
- ASIN: B000O5902U
- Other Editions: Audio CD
- Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
- Amazon Bestsellers Rank: 61,113 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
Jubilee Offer: Patriot Classics for £2.50 |
Product details |
Track Listings
| 1. Ak |
| 2. Rest & Unrest |
| 3. Structural Functions Of Prezens |
| 4. Bulbs |
| 5. Them Buried Standing |
| 6. Sink |
| 7. Neck-Deep In Harrow... |
| 8. Ever More Other |
| 9. Ring For Endless Travel |
| 10. Miss Place, The Mist... |
| 11. Transmit Regardless |
Product Description
Review
Guitarist David Torn is unpredictable and changeable, not only has his music changed over the years, it also changes from track to track. His last ECM album, Cloud About Mercury, was released in 1987; Prezens is all but unrecognisable as by the same person. It finds him in the company of Tim Berne on alto sax, Craig Taborn on keyboards and Tom Rainey on drums.
Torn's methodology is to record hours of collective improvisation and then to remix and reshape it into a final collage. If a section doesn't last long enough, he'll loop it to stretch it out; if one instrument appeals but the others don't, he'll pull it out and build something new around it.
The resulting music is eclectic. Most often it mixes heavy rock and funk, with jazz a rarity. 'Rest And Unrest' seems an anomaly, the only track with vocals - a laid back recitation ('Rest and unrest derive from illusion!') over a steady rhythm. 'Miss place, The Mist...' has strong eastern influences; a drone gives way to a bluesy riff on acoustic guitar, accompanied by tabla. Several short tracks just feature a trio, omitting Berne, and are all anticlimactic. By contrast, the two longest tracks are easily the most successful; significantly, these give most time and space to Berne. 'Neck-Deep In The Harrow' is notable for its opening and closing passages that border on ambient sound. And the closing section of 'Structural Functions Of Prezens' peacefully accommodates all four players, with great stuttering sax and strangled guitar.
If you have preconceptions about the way an ECM release should sound, be prepared to have them blown away. The sound here is bright - even brash - and the rhythms fizz along, driven by Rainey's cymbals. The soundscape is distinctive, but it can be crowded and hyperactive too, with the players jostling for attention, which can make tiring listening. Typical of this is 'Transmit Regardless' (a significant title?) on which Berne fights to be heard over fuzz guitar and cymbals.
This is an album of interesting tracks - some excellent - that doesn't quite gel and is ultimately rather unsatisfying. --John Eyles
Find more music at the BBC This link will take you off Amazon in a new window
The Guardian, (John Fordham), May 18, 2007
(4 stars) A cracking band...music full of contrasts, dynamic
changes and narrative drive.
(4 stars) Prezens unleashes a potent mix of jazz, free form rock
and technology.
changes and narrative drive.
(4 stars) Prezens unleashes a potent mix of jazz, free form rock
and technology.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
6 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Last time I heard David Torn was when he played on a Jan Garbarek album.
This one has it all - rock riffs, atmospherics, cut & paste studio trickery, and some great 'free' (but controlled freedom) playing from a great group.
Check out Taborn's keybord on the opening track that I have heard likened to a 21st Century 'Green Onions'
Buy it and then buy Tord Gustavsen's 'being there' another great album but coming from a very different part of the Jazz universe. Both albums on ECM who seem to be getting a bit more adventurous these days!!
This one has it all - rock riffs, atmospherics, cut & paste studio trickery, and some great 'free' (but controlled freedom) playing from a great group.
Check out Taborn's keybord on the opening track that I have heard likened to a 21st Century 'Green Onions'
Buy it and then buy Tord Gustavsen's 'being there' another great album but coming from a very different part of the Jazz universe. Both albums on ECM who seem to be getting a bit more adventurous these days!!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
This is a real surprise. A challenging and rewarding listen. David Torn is great at finding people to play with (or they at finding him)! If you like this, you must also check out ZAUM's 'I Hope You Never Love Anything As I Love You', another album featuring controlled, challenging yet most enjoyable improvised music. Buy both!
2 of 3 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
For my money, the best recording from David Torn since Polytown. This is challenging, powerful, and *fresh* sounding music. I absolutely love it!
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