Whoever has played drums for saxophonist Tim Berne always had a heavy duty to fulfill, because Berne so fully integrates complex rhythms into his harmonies. There’s been a long line of capable drummers up to the task of backing Berne over his four-decade career from Paul Motian and Bobby Previte to Tom Rainey and Ches Smith.
Nasheet Waits is a recent addition to Berne’s long list of exceptional percussion partners, and Waits’ contribution to the canon of Berne is magnified by the fact that Waits has performed extensively as a duo with him. This is rapport developed on the stage and not in a studio, so accordingly their first record together The Coand? Effect (2020) is a live gig.
So is their new second record, Tangled (Screwgun Records), a nearly unbroken continuous performance stretching out for just over an hour.
A Tim Berne song is recognizable as such whether it’s performed by ten musicians or just one, but Berne by himself tonal-wise lays bare the soul of his scripts. Per his usual, it’s hard to distinguish Berne’s soloing from some curled melodic development. But in this clean, uncluttered setting it’s easier to notice Waits’ reactions to the saxophonist, down to the most minute shift in tempo or cadence.
Around six minutes in, the snowball of intensity begins to roll downhill until both are galloping full steam ahead, and then gracefully comes to a perfect landing, setting up a feature for Waits and his brushed snare. From the pall comes gutbucket blues (if that is possible from a sax/drums combo) and Waits in particular is testifying to it earnestly but Berne eventually catches up. Before long, we’ve reached another peak loud moment and its requisite release.
There are more tension/release phases, each of different character. That funky agitation around the midpoint of the performance might be my favorite one.
There’s finally a break in the action just before the thirty-seven minute mark, where the actual song “Tangled” transitions into “Tangled Too.” Here as in the beginning it’s Berne alone with his alto sax with his usual, winding but logical ruminations; Waits takes his time to enter into the conversation, ever so gradually nudging his way alongside the saxophonist until he’s all there for the apex they reach together. Nasheet Waits’ focus on cymbals and toms during the last segment is the exact right complement to Time Berne’s sax salutations.
Tangled will be available May 6, 2022, just in time for Bandcamp Friday. Procure your copy here.
