Torn Prezens

Prezens marks David Torn's return to ECM, for whom he recorded his breakthrough Cloud About Mercury, for the first time in over two decades. He's joined on the disc by the capable team of Tim Berne on alto sax, Tom Rainey on drums, and Craig Taborn on keys, who as a trio comprise Berne's Hard Cell but here fill out Torn's ranks as a full-fledged (albeit bass-free) jazz quartet. Not that "jazz" really does the music justice. If only it were that simple.

Part of the fun of Prezens is dissecting its various components, especially given such a shape-shifting presence as Torn. While there's no confusing Torn with Berne (one of the best skronkers in the business) or Rainey, he and Taborn seem to be sharing duties when it comes to harder-to-place sci-fi effects and general otherworldly sounds, at least until the inevitable fireworks erupt.

It's a delicious mashup of experimental avant jazz...& NOT for the timid of ear!

More, via Pitchfork:

www.pitchforkmedia.com/article/record_review/42713-prezens