Customer Reviews

Masada, Vol. 8

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This is the best John Zorne CD I have heard yet. If you like more traditional Jazz (vs. the Naked City, etc. stuff) I strongly urge you to check this one out. I've had it for two years, and its one of the few CD's I consistently take off the rack.

An unusual record in the Masada catalog after the overtly Stalling-influenced seventh record, "Het" is a very sedate record, almost the West Coast/cool jazz take on Masada. There's still some pyrotechnics, but its largely calmed down and feels out of place. Masada (John Zorn- alto sax, composer, Dave Douglas- trumpet, Greg Cohen- bass, Joey Baron- drums) is a jazz project exploring melody in the "Jewish scales". While the Masada performances are typically dense with entwining improvisations, the structure has loosened up a bit here, with solo lines often being more distinct. It is definitely a very different record.

No more apparent is this than the opening trio-- "Schechem", "Elilah" and "Kodashim" are much more mellow than most previous Masada pieces, with a delicate swing, overt cinematic (Morricone?) influences, and really a clear influence from '50s West Coast jazz. While the playing isn't nearly as firey as it had been in the past, there is a heavy infusion of passion, especially from Zorn, who really seems to dig in heavily to the form. A similar feel is present in "Abed-Nego", a dark, odd song, haunting and quiet, with a march beat and Douglas playing his heart out.

Of course, it is a John Zorn piece, so a bit of the jump cut cartoon influence is present, "Halom" feels bizarrely out of place, but its quite a bit of fun as a piece, and "Ne'eman" has a skipping rhythm to the theme further accentuated by short note lengths. For those craving the more Masadaish standard fare, there's a couple selections that fit the bill, including the propulsive "Tohorot", which rages and finds the 3/4 of the band fiercly building and threatening to come loose but keeping anchored by Cohen's bass.

Its not the best effort by the band, but its certainly one of the most unique records in the Masada catalog. Try the second or seventh album for a better introduction to the project, but this one may be a good second or third, even if others are better, its unique and quite digestable.