Tim Berne/Tom Rainey/Greg Besile-Chi

Returning on YikesToo to the  guitar-affiliated formula he’s used auspiciously in the past with the likes of David Torn and Marc Ducret, New York saxophonist Tim Berne offers a stripped- down version with veteran drummer Tom Rainey and young Chinese-American guitarist Greg Besile-Chi. Besile-Chi, who now works with many musicians who play with the other two, expressed his appreciation for Berne music five years ago with a solo acoustic guitar album of the saxophonist’s compositions.

The album’s odd title is because the two-CD set contains one studio and one live session, recorded about a month apart with versions of four Berne compositions on both. A comparison shows the skill of nimble improvisers. That’s because while usually lengthier, the live variations are also somewhat dissimilar than the earlier studio versions. In the studio for instance “Oddly Enough” is pushed ahead with harsh sax blowing, processed string frails and drum pumps before rolling to the conclusion features Berne tongue stopping and tone sighing mated with Belisle-Chi’s lean string screams. This exuberance is emphasized in the faster and higher-pitched live version as strings clang and pulse and reed timbres are squeezed even further. At points it’s almost impossible to tell apart guitar string and saxophone reed textures.

In contrast “Guitar Star”  depends on heavy string flanges that vibrate alongside drum rolls until strident reed screeches fracture the theme elaborations. That lasts until a three-pronged aggregate slowly end the piece. Meanwhile live, “Guitar Star” is built up with warm, almost acoustic guitar strums, minimal drum clatter and some horizontal reed trills that slither up the scale while the others stay mid-range and the track has a more considered finale.

Other facets of the trio are presented in compositions only played once. For example the concluding “Middle Seat Blues” is a relaxed near Country Blues with skillfully harmonized string picking and simple reed variations.  Ping-ponging from gentle to gritty “Sorry Variations” clips along at an allegro tempo with sturdy strums from Belisle-Chi, altissimo trills from Berne that toughen as the piece evolves, and Rainey’s slaps and pops. Surprisingly the heightened intensity reflected by all three turns to gentler tones at the end.

There’s also a salute to one of Berne’s mentors in a composition written by and entitled “Julius Hemphill”. Understated with quite drum slaps, resonating guitar crunches and long lined saxophone squeaks and smears , it eventually reaches a contemplative groove torqued by guitar fuzz and drum rumbles.

Throughout his recording career, which now stretches back more than 45 years, the saxophonist has been part of many notable ensembles, From the evidence here it seems this trio can be added to that list.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: CD1: 1. Oddly Enough 2. Guitar Star 3. Yikes 4. Yikes 2 5. Marmite Woman 6. Julius Hemphill 7. Bat Channel 8. Trauma 9. Poky(e) 10. Sorry Variations  CD2: 1. Bat Channel 2. Oddly Enough 3. Curls 4. Guitar Star 5. Trauma 6. Sludge 7. Clandestine 8. Middle Seat Blues

Personnel: Tim Berne (alto saxophone); Gregg Belisle-Chi (guitar) and Tom Rainey (drums)