Zaebos: The Book of Angels, Vol. 11

Martin & Wood Medeski (Artist) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 19, 2008)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Tzadik
• ASIN: B0019R4TK0
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #119,394 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2008 arrival of Vol. 11 - Zabeos: The Book of Angels by Medeski, Martin & Wood. The funkified Jazz trio Medeski, Martin & Wood plays Fusion music by way of the downtown New York Avant scene of the 1990s. John Medeski's fuzzy keyboards are equally indebted to the Meters, Jimmy Smith, Sun Ra, Chris Wood and Billy Martin provide fluid rhythms that can lock in like the JBs if the mood is appropriate. This ability to blend Jazz technique and structures with head-nodding grooves endeared the trio to the "jam band" community and its post-Jerry Garcia figurehead, Trey Anastasio of Phish, who joined the band live on several occasions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars "at turns prowling and meditative", September 18, 2008

By 

nonlinearize (the third coast, usa) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Zaebos: The Book of Angels, Vol. 11 (Audio CD)

I haven't heard other albums in the Book of Angels series, so while I tend to appreciate the work of John Zorn, I approach this record with Medeski, Martin and Wood as the focus of my interest.

And Zaebos IS interesting. Recent MMW studio albums have all involved guitarists, horn sections, turntablists, rigorous production strategies and other additions to create a layered soundscape that simultaneously enfolds and expands the trio's dynamic range. Zaebos, by contrast, is stripped-down and somewhat subdued, and it plays a little like --dare I say it?-- a traditional jazz album, though not without MMW's characteristic edge and energy.

The trio is in elemental form here, and they develop and shape Zorn's compositions without ever being constricted. The result is original and refreshing, at turns prowling and meditative. The melodic structures of Zaebos are distinctly middle-eastern, and while the rhythms are strong, these songs don't seem to groove so much as slink, drift, and whirl, the music of clandestine intrigue and hypnotic reverie. Evocative of the restless excitement and haunting quietude of late nights in distant lands, this album is an excellent addition to MMW's already diverse catalog...

4.0 out of 5 stars Works as both a MMW and Zorn project, February 6, 2011

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The Delite Rancher (Phoenix, Arizona) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Zaebos: The Book of Angels, Vol. 11 (Audio CD)

As a Medeski, Martin and Wood fan, I've come to really appreciate "Zaebos," even if it did take time to grow on me. This is electric Medeski, Martin and Wood (MMW) with a Middle Eastern flavor. Driving through psychedelic darkness, melody and avant-garde find a precarious truce. If nothing else, it works for variety sake. 'Asaliah' is one of my all-time favorite MMW songs and 'Sefrial' is up there as a stunning highlight. 'Agmatia' and 'Chafriel' are two additional sparklers off this album. Comparatively, I believe that "Zaebos" is stronger and certainly more interesting than the "Radiolarians" trilogy. This will instantly resonate with fans of "Edom," a similarly minded John Medeski project. Aside from the inherent charm of the material and performance, this was a gateway album for me. Since this is Book 11 in the Book of Angels, I decided to explore the rest of the discography and what I heard blew my socks off. Previously, I had never really heard anything by John Zorn so I'm grateful to this project for bursting the doors open and introducing me to a new musical hero. As a satisfying MMW album or a rockin' expression of Zorn, "Zaebos" is fantastic.

4.0 out of 5 stars Buzzy, vibrant playing, November 18, 2008

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Anthony Cooper (Louisville, KY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Zaebos: The Book of Angels, Vol. 11 (Audio CD)

Medeski, Martin & Wood's last non-children's CD was "End Of The World Party (Just In Case)". That CD was very studio-sounding, and was hampered by its post-production. For "Zaebos", MM&W take a set of John Zorn-written Masada songs and tear into them. It's a very live-sounding disc, and fun to listen to as a result. The opener "Lagzagel" is almost metallic. The moods from there vary -- some are funky, some soulful, some aggressive -- but they all have a live, vibrant feel. This was a good wake-up for the band, and MM&W fans should pick it up.