The semi-title song "The Structural Function Of Prezens" employs an even more unpredictable tact, as explained in a past One Track Mind. "Bulbs" has a clamorous false start which dies off before a chord progression is introduced that at times sounds like jungle funk-era Miles. Similarly, "Neck-Deep In the Harrow" has a "On The Corner" aesthetic to it in the contentious middle section where Taborn and Torn trade fours.
"Them Buried Standing" is a brief, bizarre samba. "Sink" features Berne's all-out skronking in a inspired mash-up of electronica and free jazz. "Transmit Regardless" finds Berne and Torn simul-soloing with Rainey's seriously funky beat churning underneath.
There's much more going on with these tracks than I've bothered to describe, however, but it would take up too much space to even skim over all the nuances found in each of them. And that's part of the beauty of them; a casual listen picks up the mixed-in markers that Torn uses to set up each segment of the songs but more intense listening reveals the tight interaction of those core recordings.
Everyone has different opinions on what makes a great record. The ones I chose as my favorites for this year I thought were good for widely different reasons. But a record that challenges my preconceptions, is played with a high level of creativity and reveals more of itself each time I listen to it is the kind of record I put in a special category. For 2007, David Torn's Prezens fits that criteria the best.
Purchase: David Torn - Prezens
Article comments
1 - Tom Johnson
Awesome, Pico. I could not have possibly said it better myself. Definitely one of my favorites of the year.
I really hope this is the beginning of a more prolific solo career from Torn - he releases stuff way too rarely (but I'll take what I can get!) I've also read about some immense recording sessions for this album and I'm hoping that maybe something else will emerge from them, not to mention the live shows they embarked on to promote it.
2 - Mark Saleski
great review pico. and yeah, this is a fabulous album, no doubt.
3 - Pico
Thanks very much, TJ. I'm discovering new things about this album even now, after writing the review. It's almost like playing a CD for the first time each time I listen to it. Torn just seems to operate on a different plane from nearly everyone else out there.
4 - Michael J. West
I was just listening to this one today. A hell of a record, and a damn good review of it. I'm glad Torn keeps busy, but it is a drag that his recordings are so few and far between!
5 - Michael J. West
Incidentally, Prezens makes my Top 20 in the year-end Jazz Workshop -- but I think I may have to wait until after New Year's to publish that, just to make sure I don't miss out on something special. :-)
6 - Pico
Michael, I'm highly anticipating yours and Mark's (and Josh's) lists. I think I can guess one more on yours (Robin Eubanks...maybe the Jarrett).
Even though the flow of new releases almost completely shut down in December, I can't blame you for waiting; Miles' Complete Cellar Door Sessions came out between Christmas and New Years a few years ago and that one would have made my list for that year for certain.
7 - Michael J. West
Yeah, in fact there's some incredible stuff out today - including an archival Duke Ellington concert featuring Della Reese(!!!!) on vocals. I'm not sure how it'll be, but I gotta check it out!
8 - El Bicho
I will give it a listen.