Bettis, Chuck & Friends

Community Of Commotion

Label: North East Indie Country: USA

"Chuck is a member of the downtown network, having worked with Ikue Mori and done a few of Zorn's monthly improv nights at The Stone. This is mostly a studio recording, with three lives pieces (two recorded at Tonic). The majority of musicians here play electronics/synth, vocals or the odd percussion instrument. Colleen Kinsella does some charming sung/spoken vocals on "Playful Moaner" with subtle electronics swirling around her voice. "Mood Orifice" features a fascinating trio with Chuck, Ikue Mori and DJ Toshio on laptops, electronics and/or turntables. All tracks are either duos or trios with Chuck on laptop and his own weird vocals on three tracks. You got to love a title called, "Deathmetal Dancehall", where Chuck does some twisted (manipulated) screaming over some great drum machine beats. On "Atheist Revolt", Chuck takes some drum n' bass grooves and high speed metal guitar and turns them inside out. On each piece the main instrument is improvised laptop and on each piece Chuck explores a different sonic approach. Hence, each piece is interesting in different ways, nothing is too dense or cluttered. Let's welcome Chuck Bettis to the ever-evolving downtown scene and pat him on the back for a fine new disc."-Bruce Gallanter