Also this issue: The Big Con Why Philadelphia bands play the CMJ festival. -Patrick Rapa Tropical Impressions Caetono Veloso tells the truth. -A.D. Amorosi suitespot -Peter Burwasser on Classical Back to Basics Which in The Divine Comedy's case means less rock, more baroque. -Sam Adams Flute Awakening -Peter Burwasser Right On Time -Sam Adams Catherine Irwin -Sam Adams Kim Richey -Sam Adams

November 7-13, 2002

musicpicks

Tim Berne and Michael Formanek

Some partnerships just make sense. In the case of saxophonist Tim Berne and bassist Michael Formanek, "partnership" even seems too crude a term; as free-improvisers, they're practically conjoined. Berne on Formanek: "You can just give him the simplest rhythmic idea and he just turns it into something symphonic." Formanek on Berne: "He can go from something very technical and specific to gray-area stuff that's indescribable." The two musicians have wreaked collaborative havoc for years -- most notably in Berne's Bloodcount quartet and on an illuminating duo record called Ornery People (Little People). To see them together is to witness an intuitive circuitry in action; ideas crackle, mutate, and resurface transformed. There's deep groove in their mix (despite the absence of percussion) and ample lyricism as well (despite the absence of notated themes). And, as Formanek explains, "There's a constant handing of the baton back and forth, like relaying things around."

Thu., Nov. 7, 8 p.m., $10, Slought, 4017 Walnut St., 215-746-4239.

—Nate Chinen