Burning Up is the first collaboration between Australian violone player-improviser Chloë Sobek and American, New York-based prolific alto sax player-composer-improviser (and head of Secrewgun Records) Tim Berne. Sobek and Berne did not meet before the recording that took place at Berne’s home in June 2023, and Berne did not know much about Sobek’s unique instrument, a Renaissance precursor to the double bass, or about her work that often incorporates electronics and concepts from musique concrète sensibilities such as audio-montage and electronic processing, with handling of sound as a senate object, unlinked and undefined by its source. Sobek, who recently released her debut solo album (Apotropaic, Nice Music, 2023), did not know about Berne’s work, and the seminal influence of Julius Hemphill on his work. They simply walked into the room and began recording, trusting the instincts of Relative Pitch’s head, Kevin Reiley, who offered this challenging match.
This spontaneous spirit of this free improvised meeting is radiated beautifully to the curious listener. There is no knowing where the music will take these adventurous «Disquiet Souls», as the second piece is titled. Sobek, on a custom-based 6-string violone, and Berne established immediately conversational and intimate dynamics, carefully picking a register that would not overshadow their acoustic instruments, and exploring threads of ideas. They are fully immersed in the mysterious art of the moment. They balance beautifully between a sense of control, including a reserved usage of extended bowing and breathing techniques, and a restless need for risk-taking. They visit percussive dialog and fleeting chamber-like melodies, and never subscribe to familiar courses, and only briefly bring to mind previous duos of Berne with cellist Hank Roberts or double bass player Michael Formanek.
Hopefully, this is only the first phase of ongoing work between these gifted improvisers, and maybe the second one will also introduce Sobek’s effects and electronics. The title of the album, according to Sobek, reflects the apocalyptic time that we’re living in. Sobek’s brother, Julian Aubrey Smith, painted the cover artwork, a burning Huon pine.
Eyal Hareuveni
Chloë Sobek (violone), Tim Berne (alto saxophone)
