Label: Intakt Records, 2024
Personnel - Tim Berne: alto saxophone; Marc Ducret: Vendramini guitars and table guitar; David Torn: electric guitar, live multi-looping; Devin Hoff: electric bass; Ches Smith: drums, electronics.
Sunny Five is a formidable contemporary jazz quintet comprised of exceptional improvisers and experimentalists. Saxophonist Tim Berne has been a mighty presence in the avant-garde jazz scene for years; Ches Smith is one of the hippest drummers out there; electric bassist Devin Hoff brings alternative perspectives to the music that often fall out of conventional jazz moods; and the highly esteemed guitarists Marc Ducret and David Torn, who extract beautifully offset sounds and effects from their instruments, round out the group with their creative exuberance. Candid is the group’s debut album.
The opener, “Piper”, is an uncluttered experimental exhortation that incorporates drones, electronic echoing, noise guitar pigmentation, swooping saxophone motifs, and freedom in the rhythmic foundation without adhering to a particular direction. “Scratch” follows, with Berne’s thrilling saxophone playing gifting the group deft melodies and sardonic tones over a tapestry of smooth electronics. The conversation continues with the guitarists, accompanied by an amorphously elliptical bass design and agitated drumming. It’s a different kind of prayer that intertwines avant-garde jazz and experimental rock with an enticing unpredictability. Danceable motivic expressionism prevails, but the sounds may transition from dense and loud to quiet and ambiguous.
The group strings together a series of ingeniously eclectic movements over the course of “Craw”, emulating a strange funk vibe at the base via fragmented guitar, an insistent bass underpinning, and a balanced mix of hi-hat, snare, and cymbal on the drum kit. In due course, we have a mantric East-inspired drone and then escalating noise reinforcing the abstraction. Smith’s drumming brings the tempo down, surrounded by the dark hues and sinister atmospheres created by Torn and Ducret.
The monumental 35-minute finale, “Floored”, includes precisely executed twists and turns, showcasing the ensemble’s creative vision and storytelling prowess. The music traverses from cries to shouts, from ominous to appeasing sounds, and from corrosive and incendiary moments to thoughtful and tense considerations. Its quasi-apocalyptic fervor can be intimidating, yet it captivates with its depth and intensity.
Given the daring explorative strengths of Sunny Five, listeners are encouraged to let Candid soak in. Repeated listenings promise a vibrant experience, with every detail revealing itself anew and resonating with the richness of the ensemble's musical tapestry.
Favorite Tracks:
02 - Scratch ► 03 - Craw ► 04 - Floored