I’m attempting to maintain a modicum of sanity amid the onslaught of unthinkable global events. Unsurprisingly, much of my treatment plan involves music therapy. I turn to instrumental skronk when visceral release is essential but the shouts of punks and the growls of metalheads are likely to miss the mark. Yikes Too has proven to be especially efficacious medication in recent days. The trio of saxophonist Tim Berne, guitarist Gregg Belisle-Chi and drummer Tom Rainey rage on appropriately titled tracks like “Trauma” and “Sludge”. At 136 minutes, the live and studio recordings from 2024 act as potent dosage capable of temporarily counteracting discouraging reality.
Album Review: Tony Malaby’s Sabino- The Cave of Winds
The Cave of Winds is mean and ugly. The confrontational chaos overseen by saxophonist Tony Malaby suits the intractable moment. Malaby, guitarist Ben Monder, bassist Michael Formanek and drummer Tom Rainey convey legitimate fury on the new release. The aggressively angry “Scratch the Horse” sounds like Charles Mingus by way of Sonic Youth. The ebb and flow of the 18-minute title track evokes a middle aged riot. The quartet doesn’t merely disregard the established rules of improvised music; they deface every signpost of swing propriety.