50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION VOLUME 4: ELECTRIC MASADA

Debut release of real NY down town supergroup. Besides of many John Zorn different projects, Electric Masada stays at very special position: band's members are most powerful avant-jazz musicians ever played with Zorn, including excellent guitarist Marc Ribot and electronic-avant guru Ikue Mori. And , differently from his many other projects, John Zorn plays there himself as well.

Musical mix you will hear there on this album in fact isn't new at all - it's same combination of klezmer and free-jazz you could listen in any Masada's album. The main difference is there are presented just two regular musicians from Masada quartet - drummer Joey Baron and John Zorn himself. All other musicians are regular Zorn's collaborators as well, but outside of Masada - in Hemophiliac, Bar Kokhba Sextet or Zorn solo recordings. And this time Masada has a guitarist and goes electric!

I believe this album contains all the best Zorn played for years - starting from Naked City-like sax speedy hardcore to electric guitar avant-jazz free rocking, and all based on hot klezmer melodies!

Very often in the past when listened to great Masada's albums, I thought how great it would be to add in that music guitar and some electric rock drive. There it happened - on this live album, John Zorn's 50-th birthday celebration series' release!

There are no traces of Zorn's movies soundtracks series, and some other works, but this album is very representative for big part of his music from last few decades. And happily it's not a collection, it's electrified live show with great musicians, great material and as often - with many surprises for listener.

One of great Zorn's release, very recommended. My rating is 4,5 rounded to 5!