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20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Yet another stunning release in the 'Book of Angels'., March 18, 2008
2008 has been an embarrassment of riches for John Zorn fans, with pretty much everything Zorn has put out thus far this year being of stunningly high quality-- both Film Works, Vol. 19: The Rain Horse and The Dreamers are superb records, and likewise "Lucifer", the latest entry in Zorn's Masada Book II: The Book of Angels is no exception. Performed by his Bar Kokhba sextet-- the Masada String Trio (violinist Mark Feldman, cellist Erik Friedlander and bassist Greg Cohen) augmented by guitarist Marc Ribot, drummer Joy Baron and percussionist Cyro Bapista, Zorn presents ten new Masada compositions.
Zorn's stated goal with the new Masada songbook was not to make a band the focus of the project but rather the music and in this he really succeeds-- covering a range of moods and influences while being both uniquely Jewish and uniquely John Zorn (and readily identifiable as Masada). I haven't really touched on this much in discussing the other Book of Angels records, but the level of diversity of this material is fairly staggering, and this volume is just another illustration of this.
The album hits the ground running-- opener "Sother" splits the theme between pizzicato strings and arco ones supporting guitar. But Masada is less about themes and more about being a springboard for improvisation like any great jazz composition and we get there fast-- Feldman takes an extended, powerful, and fierce solo, completely on fire and nudged along by Ribot. And really, these are the keys to what makes this record fantastic-- great playing and great support as a band whose level of interaction is a mix between near psychic response and Zorn's unique exertions over them (everything from switching accompaniment from arco to pizzicato to not at all to conducting triangle strikes and extending brilliant solos). The disc provides some great moments of sound and contrast, recalling old western themes ("Zazel"), high cinematic drama ("Mehalalel") and a playfulness not often found on Zorn records until recently (the sing-song "Azbugah", which evolves quickly into a brush feature for Baron, who creates a gentle, playful and understatedly brilliant performance). Along the way, we get a series of staggering performances on all instruments, although Feldman seems to steal the show pretty much consistently-- from his frantic performances on the opener and closer ("Abdiel") to his Nashville strains on "Rahal". The only real exception being Ribot's blues-drenched feature "Zechriel", where he digs deep and finds some of his more powerful blues exertions with Zorn swirling the band around him.
I originally started writing reviews on Amazon because I was frustrated with the glowing fanboy commentary that every album that was released seemed to get, but really, there's been nothing but great things to say about Zorn's most recent output, and "Lucifer" is no exception. Highly recommended.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
My favorite Book of Angels, February 15, 2009
For me, the Book of Angels has become one of the most deeply rewarding musical odysseys. Having listened to all of the Second Masada, I've decided that not only is "Lucifer" my favorite, but it it's one of my new all-time favorites. I'm talking about one of those discs that you can play four times a day for months. The Bar Kokhba Sextet plays Middle Eastern Jazz. In less able hands, the execution might be kitschy. These fellows pull it off with dignity, inventiveness and elation. Bar Kokhba is nothing less than an all-star band. Half of the group (Mark Feldman, Erik Friedlander & Marc Ribot) have their own Book of Angels releases. Those who don't (Cyro Baptista, Joey Baron & Greg Cohen) are long time John Zorn collaborators. Perhaps because most of these musicians played on the initial "Bar Kokhba" album and on the "50th Birthday Celebration" live release, this group has chemistry. Together, these guys are greater than the sum total of their parts. For example, while "Malphas" was one of my least favorite Book of Angels, I believe that Mark Feldman is the real star in this group. His playing is articulate, enchanting and passionate on a rare level. I don't recall being as moved by a Jazz violin since hearing Stéphane Grappelli play with Django Reinhardt's Quintette du Hot Club de France. More over, while "Asmodeus" is another of my least favorite releases, Marc Ribot shines in this project. While accessible, these compositions are exciting and allow the band to stretch out. The audio quality is much better when compared to the "50th Birthday Celebration." In contrast to both previous releases, this is more honed, tighter and melodically satisfying. "Lucifer" is more succinct with stronger compositions, a better production and it sounds less Jewish with more of a pan-Middle Eastern sound. I could go on and gush about "Lucifer" but I think that you get the idea. The demon Lucifer was believed to seduce by appealing to human desires. Let yourself be sonically seduced because the dark side never sounded so good!
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1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
More Essential Zorn, October 17, 2008
This is just superb - great grooves as ever (Zorn can conjure up perfect basslines at will it seems - 'Lilin' springs immediately to mind, but the Masada Books contain so many others), intense yet always sensitive drumming and percussion, and, of course, endlessly beautiful soloing and comping from Ribot, Feldman and Friedlander.
Only Zorn is coming up with music this vital, this engaging and this seriously committed, again and again. And when he's not releasing this series, he's releasing his consistently good Filmworks stuff - it's enough to convince you that you're witnessing a Golden Age in music.
Now we just need the Electric Masada, Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz and Trevor Dunn/Shelley Burgon takes on Masada Book Two.
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is one of Bar Kokhba Sextet's 
