Eyvind Kang - Alastor - Book Of Angels Vol.21 (Tzadik 2014)

Masada Book Two.

With Masada Book Three unleashed on the World(Well NYC at least) in March, I thought that the Book of Angels must be complete after 20 volumes. Alas, here it is, Vol.21, with Vol 22 also done and dusted and hopeful released in the near future, it's gotta be a good thing.

  Having already heard Eyvind Kang via his last Tzadik release from 2012, I wasn't overly excited about this new volume. The new CD duly arrived in the Mailbox and on first casual listen while doing some chores it sounded OK but nothing to rave about. Later on some tracks started to really get my attention and in the early evening I had the opportunity to sit down and really have a listen.

  With a large list of musicians playing a collection of strangely named instruments we get presented with a quite an exotic collection of interpretations covering a wide range of styles in the most impressive manner. I am very very impressed with the width and breadth of the music presented here and have been enjoying this set far more than I anticipated. This release had shot to very near the top of the list for quality for this series and the quality of the Book of Angels just keeps on impressing.Rating 4.5/5.

John Zorn's Book Of Angels volume 20 - Tap - Pat Metheny (USA 2013)

Masada Book Two.

Most of the recordings for this "Book Of Angels" series have been recorded by various combinations of Zorn's regular players or others from the roster of his Tzadik label. This time Zorn has gone outside that ring and involved someone of more considerable international renown. I am not at all familiar with Pat Metheny's works but this set is living up to the hype. The album kicks of in great style with an impressive up tempo piece that has all sorts of things happening all over the place but is a mostly coherent piece and is kinda the highlight of the record. Metheny plays all the instruments except drums. The following track is a far more subtle track with mostly guitar, some light bass and laid back mellow percussion, a bit of an ECM feel and that mellower vibe is where parts of the rest of the album heads, even Mrs. Roddus said she liked some of it.

Track 3 starts off kinda like track one but gets more ECM like especially with the Flugelhorn(I Think), it is all quite beautiful, although almost mechanical like in places and finishes up more full on.

On initial listens I was immediately taken in by the opening track but in casual listening was slightly disappointed the rest of the album didn't quite follow suit although the mellower moments did attract the notice of Mrs. Roddus as noted. On closer inspection with headphones the set isn't as mellow as first impressions gave, it is just that it doesn't quite reach the heights of  the first track and there are several mellower sections that I focused on. Metheny is obviously a great guitarist and there is plenty of that throughout this set to keep his fans interested. So, first I was excited about a new volume of  Book Two, then I was most impressed with the first track but felt let down by the rest of the album, now I am growing in my appreciation of this release as I give it more attention and concentration. Rating 4/5.

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume 16 - Haborym - Masada String Trio (USA 2010)

Masada Book Two

Any and all of the permeations of the actual Masada excel in both this series and in the first book of Masada. This CD is no exception. Absolutely FanTzadik. We know what to expect now and we get it in spades. Nuff Said, 5/5.  

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume 15 - Baal - Ben Goldberg (USA 2010)

Masada Book Two

Kinda got derailed from covering the Book Of Angels CDs, but back on track with Vol.15. I don't know Ben Goldberg, but the rest of the quartet are Zorn regulars. This volume plays like a fine contemporary Jazz Album and with the quality arrangements and laid back feel makes for a somewhat easier listening experience than some of the others, although it is not all plain sailing melody wise. A "Nice" tuneful album although not riveting but one I enjoy and another worthy addition to the series. Rating 3.5/5

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume 14 - Ipos - The Dreamers (USA 2010)

Masada Book Two

Practically a John Zorn Supergroup and this super album kicks off in a super way with the first track an up tempo Masada Rocker with Marc Ribot blowing us away with a superlative display of surf guitar par excellence. This is sooo good. This band is a real interesting mix, with Kenny's vibraphone giving it the jazz feel, Trevor and Joey, the Masada grove, Marc, the rockin surf guitar(and he is the star for me on this set), the whole band is a great combination. Nothing quite gets to the heights of the opening track but the rest get pretty close, especially on the rockier tracks where marc struts his stuff. Rating 4.5/5. 

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume 13 - Mycale - Mycale (USA 2010)

Masada Book Two

Getting back into the Book of Angels again and I am upto Volume 13. This volume is a real piece apart from the rest of the series in that it is an all woman group acapella adaption of John Zorn's Book Two Songs. It has a real World music/Jewish music feel and is very well done. I had it playing in the background the other day while preparing dinner and it worked very well and is quite beautiful but it is not one I have really connected with in an intimate level and is in fact my least favourite record in this series. Still not too bad though and I rate it 2.5/5. It is growing on me.

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume 12 - Stolas - Masada Quintet Featuring Joe Lovano (USA 2009)

Masada Book Two

Any of these volumes featuring any of the actual Masada configurations are the highlights of the series and this one is no exception. With Joe lovano filling in on Sax, this is the closest we have got to the original Masada quartet and with track six we get the actual original group, with JZ actually playing on that one track but still with the additional Lovano and, as with the rest of the record, the additional piano of Uri Caine to complete this Quintet. Funnily enough though this is kinda the most un-Masada like set with it sounding much more like a contemporary jazz album with the Klezmer element much less pronounced on most of the set to my ears.

Still a good album with the usual excellent high quality of playing we expect from these projects and a mixed set of swing numbers, slower more atmospheric ones and some more out there tunes just to cover the bases. A great listen and deserving of a Roddus Rating of 4.5/5.

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume 11 - Zaebos - Medeski, Martin & Wood (USA 2008)

Masada Book Two

I had high expectations for this release. I had already been introduced to Medeski, Martin and Wood via their Live At Tonic CD, of which I was very impressed and so was quite excited by the prospect of this volume. My first listen after it arrived in my mailbox was quite disappointing and underwhelming and it has kinda tainted my opinion of this set ever since,OK it didn't set my world alight. On closer inspection I will lift my appraisal somewhat and concede that this is a pretty good set and there is plenty here to  enjoy on closer inspection and familiarisation. Of course the musicianship is first class and the songs are exemplary. The style is a rock/jazz fusion played by this power Trio of bass, drums and keyboards and Medeski always impresses on them keys. Nothing here really stands out but this is a another good set to add to this series and doesn't let the side down. My Rating 3.5/5.  

John Zorn's Book Of Angles Volume Nine -Xaphan - Secret Chiefs 3 (USA 2008)

Masada Book Two

Kinda skipped over this one due to my excitement over the fabulous Volume 10, but spent some time with it tonight while doing bookwork. This is another of the more rock based volumes of Book Two and I think it is one of the best of the type. A real conglomeration of music styles as usual with a bit of a world music inflection on top of this Jazz/Prog/Fusion rock. As with most Zorn associated music this is complex and played outstandingly well by the Secret Chiefs 3. Rating 3.5/5.   

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume 10 - Lucifer - Bar Kokhbar Sextet (USA 2008)

Masada Book Two

A quick word on this before I end the day. This must definitely be my favourite volume of the series both before and after this. The classic Bar Kokhba Sextet is just fantastic, especially Marc Ribot's Guitaring. The music is utterly stunning, full of great melody and fabulous playing with its swinging Klezmer style chamber jazz. One of Zorn's best albums ever. Rating 5+/5. 

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume Eight(Masada Book Two) - Volac - Erik Friedlander (USA 2007)

Masada Book Two

Another solo set for this volume, this time Erik Friedlander takes us through a set with a cello. This gives the collection a more classical feel and on several occasions as he plucks the strings instead of bowing it sounds very guitar like. A lovely mellow set but with the occasional Avant-Garde moments, I have been surprisingly impressed with this volume and enjoying it's ambience later in the evenings letting its laid back vibe wash over me. Rating 4.5/5.  

John Zorn's Book Of Angles Volume Seven(Masada Book Two - Asmodeus - Mark Ribot (USA 2007)

Masada Book Two.

Volume seven takes us back to a more Rock format with this power trio led by Marc Ribot. The music is more Fusion orientated and The Mahavishnu Orchestra could be a good reference point. Some impressive guitaring from Ribot, as expected, amongst the chaos of many of these tracks. The stand out is "Yezriel" which is more melodic and finds the band doing a fine Hendrix impersonation. A pretty full on set with a bit to much chaos for my liking and I am finding I am not as impressed with the more Rock orientated releases in this series.Still a good release and I rate it 3/5.

John Zorn's Book Of Angles Volume Six(Masada Book Two - Moloch - Uri Caine (USA 2006)

Masada Book Two.

This solo set of piano interpretations by the impressive Uri Caine has impressed me no end. Sitting here several nights this week with my headphones really got me into his playing on this set. Some really quite beautiful moments that really captivated me. I was reminded of some of the Keith Jarrett solo stuff I have heard. This set is played mostly straight, with only a small amout of the usual musical chaos usually found in Zorn's music, plenty of great melodies here and overall an exquisite listening experience. A highly recommended volume. Rating 5/5.

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume Five(Masada Book Two) - Balan - The Cracow Klezmer Band (USA 2006)

Masada Book Two

I have struggled to give this one as much attention as I should due to being constantly drawn to the next volume in this series. So here we have a real Klezmer band interpreting John Zorn's Klezmer inflected Masada compositions. It's a good set, the band are hot and the music interesting, although I could do without the strange vocal noises that permeate some of the tracks.  Another good and enjoyable album but one that doesn't draw me back as much as others. Rating 3.5/5.  

John Zorn's Book Of Angles Volume Four(Masada Book two) - Orobas - Koby Israelite (USA 2006)

Masada Book Two.

And now for something considerably different. Volume four is a far more rock orientated affair, consider progressive rock a-la king Crimson blended with world music and a little jazz and you get a kinda description of this music. It is similar in style to Volume 19 which I reviewed recently and is also similar to the Electric Masada project that Zorn released from the first Masada songbook. It is an interesting release and rocks quite heavily in places and I find the tracks stand up well on their own but like volume 19 I find it difficult to stay with this set throughout its entirety. It is quite good though and there are some unusual instruments given a good playing by Koby. Overall I rate it 3/5.

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume Three(Masada Book Two) - Malphas - Mark Feldman & Sylvie Courvoisier (USA 2006)

Masada Book Two

This third volume kinda blurs the line a little between Jazz and classical or chamber music. Mark Feldman appears on his second Book of Angles along with pianist Sylvie Courvoisier and this combination of instruments doesn't quite impress me as much, perhaps I miss the bass to get things swinging. Sylvie is a talented player but after the Jamie Shaft volume I am slightly under whelmed by the playing here. Again a mix of melodic pieces mixed with more atonal moments as is usual on these releases. It is still an enjoyable volume but lust lacks the intensity and passion of the first two volumes.Rating 3/5.

John Zorn's Book Of Angels Volume Two(Masada Book Two) - Azazel - Masada String Trio (USA 2005)

Masada Book Two

John has a more direct involvement on the second volume of Masada Book Two as he conducts the brilliant Masada String Trio through another 13 of his songs. This Trio were responsible for some excellent releases in the first Masada songbook and I was very excited when I saw that they were on this release. They certainly don't disappoint with this chamber jazz having a more pronounced klezmer sound than Jamie Shaft's volume one and although this all sounds familiar to what they were doing in Book one, the quality and playing on this set is just as brilliant and as exciting. Still lots of passion and vibrancy in these newer songs. I am enthralled with this release and rate it a resounding 5/5. 

John Zorn's Book Of Angles Volume One(Masada Book Two) - Astaroth - Jamie Saft Trio (USA 2005)

Masada Book Two

With Volume 20 in this series about to hit the stores later this month I thought it about time I reviewed the rest of the volumes as this is the music of John Zorn that impresses me the most. With 300 compositions making up the second Masada book, each release is a selection of these songs played by different sets of musicians in different styles, so overall it makes for an eclectic series. The series was well under way before I picked up on their existence but once I discovered them they all quickly became part of my Zorn collection.   

  The series kicks off in excellent style with this Trio recording led by pianist Jamie Saft, He of the prodigious beard. A fabulous contemporary jazz record with some outstanding playing by Shaft and a mix of more melodic numbers mixed with some ferocious Avant-garde numbers where Jamie really lets rip, A-La Sun Ra. The Klezmer is a little more subdued on this set but still evident, especially on the quieter numbers. So A great start to this series which I am enjoying so much more now I am more familiar with the material. Rating 4.5/5.       

Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz and John Zorn - Abraxas: The Book Of Angels Volume 19 (USA 2012)

More John Zorn

I kinda missed this one as I have been working my way back through the John Zorn Catalogue, due to the fact that I already had the CD in my collection, as I have all 19 volumes of the Book Of Angels, and I had been putting off reviewing these releases for some reason I can't quite explain. The whole series of John Zorn's second Masada Songbook has been blowing my mind for several years now and I always look forward to the next volume. Unlike Masada Book One, each volume of Book 2 is preformed by a different band or set of musicians, bringing their own style of music and their own interpretation of the songs. This has made for a wide range of music across the 19 volumes so far with hardly a dud amongst them.

So this volume is a mostly Hi-NRG mix of what might be called Klezmer Rock, it has that Masada feel but is firmly rooted in rock and leaning well towards the progressive end of that spectrum. As usual, the sound quality and the musicianship is outstanding and overall this is yet another most enjoyable addition to this series, but not one of my favourites and as a whole kinda wears thin over the full 44 minutes, there isn't any tracks that kinda stand out from the rest . So not at all bad but not something to rave about.Rating 3.5/5.