DREAMACHINES

His own concept of Jazz, but it is still Jazz and I like it!

Very close to Art Tatum, Lionel Hampton and Buddy Rich's Trio, energy and direction, he reinforces the dymamics and textures of the "modern Jazz" concept, with a depth of range, Tatum's trio could not think of, because in their days, recording techniques were not so sophisticated, but their "spirit" is breathed in this amazing record.

Never stopping intelligent and attractive melody lines, which are both delightful and menacing, in the best kind of energetic performance, that I have rarely testified in many "new Jazz" and RiO projects. The album travels in an intensive procession of Brubeck-like broken keyboard "riffs" alongside a fast and never ceasing drumming, counterpointed by the vibraphone's linear and rhythmical voice, coming upfront as the guiding voice of the "concept" of the album.

Now, to to tag, forget this album, John Zorn's discography, to this or that sub-genre is almost impossible. For starters he comes out with 3 to 5 records a year (sometimes more), and each one has always an specific orientation, different from the others. So he plays from this kind of "modern Jazz", to at least 3 different kind of styles, the "RiO" one, the "Experimental" and the "Classical" ones. Add up to that, his "group" projects. (in this PA page, some of his "solo" records, are still missing).

So, to be clear, even though he has this singular ability to travel different routes the same year, in different productions, he almost never by rule, mixes things up. If you expect Jazz, that is what you get, no crossovers of different pictures. He is a focused composer, who happens to have a natural dominion over different styles of music, but above everything else, he is the owner of his own musical language.

This "Dreamachines" is not "dreamy", in the common understanding of the word, it has to do more with frantic-machinery, that sets you "dreaming" into wild space more than into peaceful environments. Fast and fiery, impeccable virtuous performances, intense and merciless in beauty and controlled frenzy.

Easy, ****4 plus something, PA stars. Don't miss!