John Zorn's TZADIK Label

[Man with the Golden Arm]

re: Saft's "Astaroth" Angels Volume 1.

while I don't buy much in the way of "new" music these days I just received this disc and after a couple of spins I must say it is one of the most beautifully done albums that I have heard recently. not overtly Zorn in feeling, while a couple of the power cuts could easily be a vehicle for 'Electric Masada', and while similar to some of the Anthony Colemans the flow is just top notch with swingers interweaving the modals and folk forms. Greg Cohen makes you antsy for that new Ornette and Ben Perowsky who I have not heard much at all is as subtle and powerful as Baron.

[B. Clugston]

The Tzadik site has been updated (with the usual hyperbole) with some intriguing new and upcoming releases:

Evan Parker: Time Lapse

Evan Parker has practically single handedly redefined the language of the saxophone. A profound influence on several generations of musicians, his impact on modern saxophone technique is staggering. His newest project takes his visionary music to a new level through the world of overdubbing and electronics. Time Lapse is one of Evan’s greatest achievements. Eleven compositions by one of the most important and radical improvisers in the world. Essential.

Billy Martin: Starlings

A striking and colorful CD of chamber music by Billy Martin, the dynamic percussionist from one of the world’s most popular instrumental bands, Medeski Martin and Wood. Performed and recorded originally on a wide variety of African thumb pianos, these delightful pieces have been meticulously transcribed, arranged and orchestrated by Anthony Coleman for string quartet and chamber orchestra. Rounding out the program is a suite of compositions performed by Billy’s dynamic percussion ensemble.

Upcoming Releases

Archival Series

John Zorn: Astronome [#7359]

Zorn continues his intense new rock direction with a second release by the dynamic all star trio from his acclaimed song suite Moonchild to present an intense and mysterious tale of magic and alchemy. Featuring the mad vocal wizardry of Mike Patton singing in preverbal language accompanied by long time cohort Trevor Dunn on electric bass and Joey Baron on drums, this is Zorn at his edgy and uncompromising best. An opera of unbridled madness and complexity that will make your jaw drop. Recorded and mixed by the radical posse of musical terrorist Bill Laswell.

Uri Caine: Moloch: Book of Angels Volume 6 [#7360]

Uri Caine is a musician of astonishing virtuosity and versatility. Coming out of the legendary Philly Jazz scene, his playing is an encyclopedia of styles from Tatum to Evans and beyond. With Moloch he interprets tunes from Zorn’s Book of Angels in a breathtaking outing for solo piano. Virtuosic and soulful, this latest volume of material from Masada Book Two is an absolute tour-de-force. Fifteen musical miniatures by one of the world’s greatest piano virtuosos.

Composer Series

Earle Brown: Folio and Four Systems [#8028]

A spectacular collection of musicians from all over the map, including Leo Smith, Joan La Barbara, Mark Feldman, Morton Subotnick and Merzbow perform dynamic interpretations of compositions by one of America’s greatest musical experimentalists. Influenced by the work of Jackson Pollock and Alexander Calder, Brown pioneered graphic, improvisational and open form scores in contemporary concert music as early as 1952. This heartfelt tribute, organized by the Earle Brown Foundation to commemorate Brown’s 80th birthday, brings together musicians and ensembles from rock, jazz and classical backgrounds in exciting and varied realizations of Brown’s groundbreaking open form work, Folio and Four Systems.

Lee Hyla: Wilson's Ivory-Bill [#8027]

Another classic CD of exciting chamber work by one of the most consistently imaginative and original composers around. Featuring some of the best performers out of the excellent Boston New Music scene, Wilson’s Ivory-Bill presents four extended compositions of color, meticulous detail and dramatic fireworks, including a bizarre piece for voice, piano and birdsong and an intense new string quartet. This is a remarkable and varied CD of new classical music at its adventurous best.

Key Series

Henry Kaiser / Charles K. Noyes / Sang Won Park: Invite the Spirit 2006 [#7617]

One of the most evocative and successful meetings of East and West reunites to weave their magic spell via kayagum, electric guitar and percussion. Invite the Spirit was a sensation when it was first released in 1983 and now over twenty years later they are sounding better than ever. Joined by two scintillating Korean P’ansori vocalists on several tracks this is a whole new take on the Korean shamanistic tradition. Over seventy minutes of timeless, ecstatic, magical music unlike anything you’ve ever heard.

Radical Jewish Culture

Alon Nechushtan and Talat: The Growl [#8113]

Talat is a dynamic new ensemble based in New York that plays original music crossing the borders of Jazz, Middle Eastern Groove and Klezmer. Featuring a quintet of some of the most talented players out of the new generation, this is a brilliant debut CD that will delight fans of Masada, Rashanim, Satlah and the Hasidic New Wave. Loping melodies, catchy hooks and improvisational fireworks from a new generation bringing Jewish music to exciting new places.

Rashanim: Shalosh [#8112]

With its exciting blend of rock, jazz and jewish music, Rashanim has quickly become one of the most dynamic bands in the Jewish New Music scene. Their last release Masada Rock has garnered them much well deserved attention, and after extensive touring through Europe the band is more than ready for their third studio recording on Tzadik. Tighter than ever, this Jewish power trio rips through an electrifying program of mystical jewish melodies and middle eastern grooves.

[7/4]

Henry Kaiser / Charles K. Noyes / Sang Won Park: Invite the Spirit 2006 [#7617]

One of the most evocative and successful meetings of East and West reunites to weave their magic spell via kayagum, electric guitar and percussion. Invite the Spirit was a sensation when it was first released in 1983 and now over twenty years later they are sounding better than ever. Joined by two scintillating Korean P’ansori vocalists on several tracks this is a whole new take on the Korean shamanistic tradition. Over seventy minutes of timeless, ecstatic, magical music unlike anything you’ve ever heard.

I'll be getting this, wouldn't mind finding a copy of the original 70s/80s edition on CD.

[king ubu]

A few months ago I bought the above mentioned It's In The Twilight by Paul Shapiro - excellent!

[Bright Moments]

A few months ago I bought the above mentioned It's In The Twilight by Paul Shapiro - excellent!

me too! (on the strength of a recent BFT cut!!!)

[Kalo]

A few months ago I bought the above mentioned It's In The Twilight by Paul Shapiro - excellent!

me too! (on the strength of a recent BFT cut!!!)

Got this as a promo a few months ago and was pleasantly surprised. Time to listen again...

[AmirBagachelles]

I have really enjoyed some tasty Tzadik discs by Bailey, Leo Smith and most recently Ruins. I am sure I'll hear 2-3 more good things on Tzadik every year til I die. As for Ruins and one other New Japan series disc, I am also very hot on guitarist Uchihashi Kazuhisa. If you like Ruins, try these for sure: Ruins + Kazuhisa (FMN Sound Factory) and Improvisations, Kazuhisa w/ Yoshida Tatsuya (label?, avail at DMG and Aquarius in SF).

[Bright Moments]

Paul Shapiro - It's in the Twilight - unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Man with the Golden Arm]

Paul Shapiro - It's in the Twilight - unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you seem to like this...

just to sample i loaded up "Oy Veys Mir" from emusic - choy boyh it's a shavingah! I already stomped on my coffee cup!

[king ubu]

Paul Shapiro - It's in the Twilight - unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you seem to like this...

just to sample i loaded up "Oy Veys Mir" from emusic - choy boyh it's a shavingah! I already stomped on my coffee cup!

you'll like it, too, once you get yourself a copy! now move your assa out to the shoppe to do so!

[Guy Berger]

Paul Shapiro - It's in the Twilight - unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

you seem to like this...

just to sample i loaded up "Oy Veys Mir" from emusic - choy boyh it's a shavingah! I already stomped on my coffee cup!

Hmm... I may have to check this one out.

Guy

[vanbeat]

Shapiro's "Midnight Minyan" is a real corker, too.

[B. Clugston]

Also on the Tzadik front, I'm quite enjoying John Zorn's Astronome with Patton/Dunn/Baron.

[jlhoots]

Shapiro's "Midnight Minyan" is a real corker, too.

I have that one & agree.

I'll have to get this new one.

[Man with the Golden Arm]

Also on the Tzadik front, I'm quite enjoying John Zorn's Astronome with Patton/Dunn/Baron.

...but with 'ears' instead!

[WD45]

I would like to once again plug Evan Parker's latest release, Time Lapse, on Tzadik.

Superb!

[Man with the Golden Arm]

[B. Clugston]

Actually it's Bar Kokhba Sextet. Damn good, too.

[Man with the Golden Arm]

i was just linking it as to the masada "book" so to speak, actually.

[Guy Berger]

A few months ago I bought the above mentioned It's In The Twilight by Paul Shapiro - excellent!

Gotta agree with Ubu and Bright Moments -- this is a very nice album.

My first ever Tzadik CD.

Guy

Edited April 22, 2007 by Guy

[Larry Kart]

Don't know if it's been mentioned here, and it's not jazz, but the Tzadik recording of Morton Feldman's Patterns in a Chromatic Field (for cello and piano) is a gem, so much better than the other one I know (on a German label, where it's called Untitled Composition for Cello and Piano) that it's hard to tell it's the same compositon (in case you're wondering, given the nature of late Feldman, it is the same piece). And what a piece it is -- far more active and in more clearly differentiated sections than any other late Feldman I know (it's from 1981), though there's nothing wrong with less active, less differentiated late Feldman works IMO, provided the inspiration is high, as it usually is.

[7/4]

Don't know if it's been mentioned here, and it's not jazz, but the Tzadik recording of Morton Feldman's Patterns in a Chromatic Field (for cello and piano) is a gem, so much better than the other one I know (on a German label, where it's called Untitled Composition for Cello and Piano) that it's hard to tell it's the same compositon (in case you're wondering, given the nature of late Feldman, it is the same piece). And what a piece it is -- far more active and in more clearly differentiated sections than any other late Feldman I know (it's from 1981), though there's nothing wrong with less active, less differentiated late Feldman works IMO, provided the inspiration is high, as it usually is.

[B. Clugston]

Don't know if it's been mentioned here, and it's not jazz, but the Tzadik recording of Morton Feldman's Patterns in a Chromatic Field (for cello and piano) is a gem, so much better than the other one I know (on a German label, where it's called Untitled Composition for Cello and Piano) that it's hard to tell it's the same compositon (in case you're wondering, given the nature of late Feldman, it is the same piece). And what a piece it is -- far more active and in more clearly differentiated sections than any other late Feldman I know (it's from 1981), though there's nothing wrong with less active, less differentiated late Feldman works IMO, provided the inspiration is high, as it usually is.

[Aggie87]

I recently picked up Zorn's "Six Litanies for Heliogabalas", which is the third in a series following "Moonchild" and "Astronome". I haven't heard those two (which are just the trio of Patton/Dunn/Baron), but this recording is intense! From Jurek's review at allmusic: "this is music equal parts classical, heavy metal, hardcore thrash, free jazz, and structured improvisation simultaneously." I will warn anyone who's not a fan of Patton to avoid this one.

John Zorn: Alto Sax, Composer

Joey Baron: Drums

Trevor Dunn: Bass

Ikue Mori: Electronics

Mike Patton: Voice

Jamie Saft: Organ

Martha Cluver: Voice

Abby Fischer: Voice

Kirsten Soller: Voice

PS - Heliogabalas is quite an interesting character. I wasn't very familiar with him before picking this cd up. Also, I think the cd packaging is perfumed to match it's look, too.

Edited October 16, 2007 by Aggie87

[B. Clugston]

I recently picked up Zorn's "Six Litanies for Heliogabalas", which is the third in a series following "Moonchild" and "Astronome". I haven't heard those two (which are just the trio of Patton/Dunn/Baron), but this recording is intense! From Jurek's review at allmusic: "this is music equal parts classical, heavy metal, hardcore thrash, free jazz, and structured improvisation simultaneously." I will warn anyone who's not a fan of Patton to avoid this one.

John Zorn: Alto Sax, Composer

Joey Baron: Drums

Trevor Dunn: Bass

Ikue Mori: Electronics

Mike Patton: Voice

Jamie Saft: Organ

Martha Cluver: Voice

Abby Fischer: Voice

Kirsten Soller: Voice

PS - Heliogabalas is quite an interesting character. I wasn't very familiar with him before picking this cd up. Also, I think the cd packaging is perfumed to match it's look, too.

My favourite of the Patton/Dunn/Baron group. But I've found this gets diminishing returns after a few spins. Still, it's a lot of fun if you like this kind of stuff.