AT THE MOUNTAINS OF MADNESS (ELECTRIC MASADA)

This, second album from John Zorn's Electric Masada project, was recorded during two concerts in Ljubljana and Moscow somewhere in the end of their European tour. All musicians are the same as on project's debut, and all they are great musicians!

Double set is quite long release, but you wouldn't be bored. Zorn's use there his best techniques - combines all possible and impossible music components in hot eclectic mix. What means if you don't like spacey electronic loops of Ikue Mori on the front of the sound, in very few moments they will be changed by hardcore Marc Ribot electric rocking guitars, and you will forget about them.

All concert long this scheme is used, and it works perfectly. Unpredictable changes of sound, genres and rhythms will keep your attention till the very end. In all, this music is quite characteristic for Zorn mix of punk-jazz hardcore, klezmer world fusion, electronic avant and very melodic and easy accessible avant-pop, strongly flavoured by free jazz techniques.

Many times listened to Zorn's Masada series albums, I was attracted, but missed some electric sound and energy in acoustic hot klezmer/free jazz mix. And I got it there, in Electric Masada, where classic Masada's music is strongly mixed with Naked City's hard core energy and electric guitar sound, excellent electric keyboards passages, electronic noise of Hemophiliac and plenty of jazzy sounds from Bar Kokhba. And all the mix is prepared in very inspired, energetic live version, with enough space for long improvs.

As old fan of Zorn's music, I am often asked by newbies, how to find the right key to Zorn's music. The answer isn't easy, but possibly really good answer is - start from this album! Not because this work is Zorn's best ( I think it possibly isn't), but because there Zorn demonstrates in the best possible form almost everything he played for few decades. OK, there are not presented some his interesting series (as movies/soundtracks music, or neo-classical music), but you will find there his hardcore, free jazz, klezmer and free-jazz moments in their best.

If you are new to Zorn, and you want to have his only album, possibly this one is the best choice!

My rating is 4,5 rounded to 5!

This is one of those recordings that needs to be heard to be believed. I'll quote the press release. "ELECTRIC MASADA combines the raw power and manic speed of NAKED CITY, the improvisational edge of COBRA and the spiritual lyricism of the Masada song book. Their second release captures them at the end of a long European tour at the very peak of their powers. Tight as a drum and as hot as a blowtorch, these two incredible live performances will leave you breathless. Astonishing group conductons, searing solos and crazed insanity from one of the most amazing bands Zorn has ever had."

And what a lineup! Two drummers plus a percussionist, guitar, keyboards, electronics, bass and sax. An eight piece that was not only was in tune with each other, but with Zorn, who with hand signals would change the direction of a song in real time. So while it may seem redundant to have two shows on this recording with pretty much the same tracks, these tracks are different enough to make both shows essential. And I like that I can grab one disc or the other to listen to, it doesn't matter, both are off the charts. Disc one is the 2004 show from Moscow, and disc two from the 2004 show from the capital of Slovenia.

I am just starting to get familiar with the musicians involved with Zorn's various projects. And of course I've seen these musicians pop up in different like-minded bands as well like MR BUNGLE, SECRET CHIEFS 3 etc. The music here is a combination of Klezmer, Avant, Free jazz, Brutal Prog and more. I like the change of pace as well. It's not all in your face, but we get space and mellow sections as well. A nice balance. Guitarist Marc Ribot gave the performance of his life here I think. So impressive. Zorn is often doing his best Pharoah Sanders impression.

My favourite track from the Moscow show is "Kedem". The electronics and atmosphere to start. Sax after 2 minutes and it does get a little crazy. A trippy section takes over then it turns more powerful 7 minutes in. It settles again with electric piano over top. So good! Just grooving then a calm 11 minutes in. The guitar comes in lighting up the soundscape then the sax returns around 14 minutes in.

As far as the Slovenia show I have to go with the opener called "Tefukah", and it's the longest piece on this whole recording at 18 staggering minutes. Mind you there are five more tracks on this double disc that are around 15 minutes in length. This one opens with some heaviness and rumbling drums, upfront guitar before Zorn comes in screaming. Intense. Well, until the electric piano takes over but the intensity returns before 8 minutes. More screaming sax and ripping guitar to follow as this plays out.

An incredible recording that is both trippy and very powerful. I do like hearing the audience's reactions as well. A stunning live document.