Ned Rothenberg Double Band – Overlays (CD2074)

Everything comes in pairs. The Double Band of New York saxophonist and composer Ned Rothenberg has two alto saxophones (Ned Rothenberg and Thomas Chapin), two electric bassists (Jerome Harris, also on guitar, and Kermit Driscoll) and a doubled rhythm section with Billy Martin on drums and Adam Rudolph on percussion. Overlays was recorded on May 21–25, 1991 at Fairland Studio in Bochum, Germany.

The concept is in the name. Lines, grooves and rhythms are layered on top of each other until dense, shifting patterns appear. The three-part title suite “Overlays” shows this best. Pieces like “Polly Molly”, “Scuffle Shuffle” and “19/13 Blue” mix funk grooves, odd meters and free-jazz energy, while the two altos weave around each other. The New York Times called the Double Band’s music “jazz-funk in cubist perspective, dizzying, yet visceral”. That sums it up well.

This is a must for fans of the downtown New York scene, of John Zorn, Steve Coleman and M-Base, and of groove-based avant-garde jazz. Released on Moers Music. When you buy here, you’re buying directly from the label, and we only sell originals.

The Side Story

Ned Rothenberg is a master of the woodwinds. He plays saxophones, clarinets, flute and the Japanese shakuhachibamboo flute, which he studied with masters in Japan. He’s known for extended techniques like circular breathing, multiphonics and overtone control. He moved to New York in 1978 after playing in Anthony Braxton’s Creative Orchestra. Since then he has worked with John Zorn, Fred Frith, Marc Ribot, Elliott Sharp and Evan Parker, among many others.

The Double Band was one of his main projects in the early 1990s, and Overlays was its first album. The band’s second album, Real and Imagined Time, followed on Moers Music in 1995. Bassist and guitarist Jerome Harris stayed with Rothenberg for decades, later in the trio Sync with tabla player Samir Chatterjee.

The line-up is a who’s who of the New York scene. Drummer Billy Martin in particular went on to a very successful career.

Tracklist

1. Polly Molly – 7:34

2. Overlays: Part I – 6:20

3. Overlays: Part II – 6:13

4. Overlays: Part III – 4:04

5. Together – 5:42

6. SuoDolo in Breakneck – 8:00

7. Scuffle Shuffle – 8:36

8. 19/13 Blue – 5:38

Total running time: approx. 52 minutes

Personnel

• Ned Rothenberg – alto saxophone

• Thomas Chapin – alto saxophone

• Jerome Harris – guitar, electric bass

• Kermit Driscoll – electric bass

• Billy Martin – drums

• Adam Rudolph – percussion, congas

Details

• Format: CD

• Label: Moers Music

• Catalog no.: CD2074

• Recorded: May 21–25, 1991, Fairland Studio, Bochum, Germany

• Price: €14.00