Big Satan - I Think They Liked It Honey (1997)

Big Satan - I Think They Liked It Honey (1997)

jazz | 1cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 520MB

Winter & Winter

Allmusic:
Tim Berne (alto and baritone saxes) has been at the forefront of progressive jazz since the early '80s. On this release, the artist regroups with longtime musical associates Marc Ducret (electric guitar) and Tom Rainey (drums) for a truly mesmerizing set that rings with ominous overtones and intricately constructed fabrics of sound. Over the years, Rainey and Ducret have supported Berne-led dates, and here the trio pursues a fire and brimstone approach that packs a walloping punch. On pieces such as "Bobby Reconte une Histoire" and "Dialectes," the band melds shuffle grooves with complex unison choruses and linearly devised progressions amid slight shifts in strategy. Vivid imagery abounds as Berne and Ducret offer allusions of perhaps climbing a spiral staircase via climactic opuses and scorching licks. And while many of these pieces are structured and based upon solid frameworks, the artists' complementary musings and intuitive interplay provide the winning edge. The band explores various methods of expounding upon a story line via Berne and Ducret's shredding lines and implosive mode of execution, while Rainey anchors the proceedings with loosely based polyrhythms and sweeping fills. Here, the musicians straddle the outside while also providing supplementary insight into familiar musical territories.

Tracks
-1. "Bobby Raconte une Histore" - Ducret - 11:36
-2 . "Dialectes" - Ducret - 15:24
-3 . "The 12.5% Solution" - Berne - 10:46
-4 . "Scrap Metal" - Berne - 8:44
-5 . "Yes, Dear" - Berne - 14:08
-6 . "Description du Tunnel" - Ducret - 16:19

Personnel
* Marc Ducret: guitar
* Tom Rainey: drums
* Tim Berne: saxophone

 sample & buy: Big Satan

 

Big Satan - Live in Cognito (2006)

Big Satan - Live in Cognito (2006)

jazz | 2cd | eac-flac-cue-log-cover | 960MB

Screwgun

allaboutjazz:
Some bands are best experienced live. There's simply no denying the energy and element of surprise that occurs when playing in front of an audience. In recent years, advances in technology and a corresponding reduction in costs have closed the gap between studio and concert recordings to the point where an increasing number of artists now favor live recordings—some, like pianist Keith Jarrett, exclusively so. Livein Cognito isn't Big Satan's first live recording, but given that this trio has convened at irregular intervals for a over decade, it's undeniably its best.
Unlike Tim Berne's other groups—Science Friction, Hard Cell and the wholly improvisational Paraphrase—Big Satan is a more democratic collective which splits compositional duties between the saxophonist and guitarist Marc Ducret. Ducret is a charter member of Science Friction, as well as two earlier Berne groups, Bloodcount and Caos Totale, so there's plenty of shared history that gives both writers an equally shared vision in providing material for Big Satan. Tom Rainey has been Berne's exclusive drummer of choice for ten years, and while he may not contribute formal composition, he's an equal partner when it comes to shaping the trio's sound.
It's a surprisingly big sound for a group that has nothing anchoring the bottom end. Bass-less groups are hardly unique these days, but Big Satan has always differentiated itself through its complete avoidance of apportioning out what might be considered a bassist's role amongst its members. Rainey often anchors the trio rhythmically when the emphasis is on form; but regardless of the composer, it's usually so idiosyncratic that one may feel a pulse, but most will be challenged to actually define it.
Even given the opportunity to watch the group, its ability to navigate between spontaneity and tight structure is remarkable. This is not music for the faint at heart, but it's far removed from a style that some consider disconnected navel-gazing. If the abstruseness of the writing and improvisation seems to mask a greater purpose on first glance, repeated listens reveal a responsive unit that, while no doubt capable of surprising itself at times, remains unequivocally intentioned.
As much focused on texture as phrasing, Berne, Ducret and Rainey are all capable of extending the sonic capabilities of their instruments beyond the expected. And while there's little here that could be called beautiful, the trio uses dynamics to create music that's emotionally far-reaching, with its own ebb and flow.
Dark and spacious in places, visceral, dense and penetrating in others, the impact of Livein Cognito can be heard in the audience's response. They may not always know how they're getting where they're going, but Big Satan fans can always be assured an intriguing trip.

Tracks
cd1
-1. "Deadpan" - 10:59
-2. "L'Ombra di Verdi" - 11:48
-3. "Untitled" - 14:13
-4. "Ce Sont les Noms des Mots" - 17:05
-5. "Un Peu d'Histoire" - 9:36
cd2
-1. "Mechanicals Failure" - 10:30
-2. "Mr. Subliminal" - 12:32
-3. "Untitled" - 16:19
-4. "The Mini-Bar Incident" - 11:00
-5. "Cause and Reflect" - 11:27
-6. "BG... uh-oh" - 9:14

Personnel
* Marc Ducret: guitar
* Tom Rainey: drums
* Tim Berne: saxophone

sample & buy: Live in Cognito