John Zorn & Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan: Book of Angels, Vol. 9 (2008) {Tzadik TZ 7364}

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John Zorn & Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan: Book of Angels, Vol. 9 (2008) {Tzadik TZ 7364}

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John Zorn & Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan: Book of Angels, Vol. 9 (2008) {Tzadik TZ 7364}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 382 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 130 Mb
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© 2008 Tzadik | TZ 7364 | Tzadik Archival Series
Jazz / Rock / Funk / Klezmer / Classical / Folk / Avant-Garde / Experimental

Spectacular arrangements of Masada compositions by mad alchemist Trey Spruance, mastermind of Secret Chiefs 3 and one of the most brilliant musicians around. Drawing upon an astonishing array of musical styles from Exotica and Surf to Ethiopian Funk and Gypsy Swing, Trey ’s colorful orchestral arrangements perfectly compliment the lyricism and dynamic rhythmic complexity of Zorn ’s evocative Book of Angels. Featuring some of the best musicians from the Bay Area, LA and Seattle scenes, this is one of the most compelling installments in the entire Masada series.

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John Zorn & Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan: Book of Angels, Vol. 9 (2008) {Tzadik TZ 7364}

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So I've had "Xaphan" for a good week now and I've started and stopped this review maybe half a dozen times as I'm trying to figure out how best to discuss this record. So rather than deferring to my usual review strategy, I'm going to be a bit more general.

Before going any further, I suspect large portions of the audience for this album is going to be unfamiliar with one or the other of the primaries on this record, so a brief introduction to both and the project. John Zorn is a stunningly prolific downtown New York composer and avant-garde luminary, best known for his pioneering (and still 10 years ahead of their time) band Naked City and his exploration of jazz and Jewish melodies, Masada. In late 2004, Zorn composed some 300 songs for his second book of Masada pieces and has invited a number of musicians to record albums of this material, including Trey Spruance. It's worth noting that Zorn is having a downright extraordinary year– this is the fifth record released of his work (including a limited edition benefit performance for his club, The Stone), and each and every one of them has been nothing short of spectacular.

Spruance, best known as the guitarist for the seminal avant-rock band Mr. Bungle, has in recent years been principally absorbed with the Secret Chiefs 3, a project that, like much of Zorn's best work, defies categorization. Spruance has performed for Zorn now and again, although I have to confess that after hearing his criticism of Weird Little Boy (a little digging online will uncover details), I did not expect another collaboration.

But we did get "Xaphan", and am I grateful. Spruance takes eleven of Zorn's Masada compositions and brings them across the world and back again, stray traces of funk, surf, world (particularly Arabic), techno and a thousand other sounds blend seamlessly together to form a cinematic soundscape. The album opens with a deep groove established by bassist Shahzad Ismaily and drummer Ches Smith on opener "Sheburiel" and pretty much never lets go. It manages to be cinematic and mournful ("Barakiel"), full of stunning performances (Rich Doucette's sarangi solo on "Bezriel", Spruance's guitar leads on "Labbiel") and the expected great melodies from Zorn ("Asron" is of particular note). In many ways, the album accomplishes what I felt Koby Israelite's Orobas: Book of Angels, Vol. 4 was trying to do.

I think in the end, this is one that anyone who might be interested in it will be really happy with– "Xaphan" is a fine example of just how extraordinary both Zorn is as a composer but also of the arranging skills of Spruance. Highly recommended.

(a quick side note– any Spruance/Mr. Bungle fans who enjoy this would be highly advised to explore Zorn's work in detail, the aformentioned Naked City is an excellent place to start, but for something in the same vein, At the Mountains of Madness or for the more jazz-minded, 50th Birthday Celebration, Vol. 7 would be a good place to start. Likewise, for Zorn fans, the Secret Chiefs 3 material is well worth investigation– compilation Path of Most Resistance is a fine place to start, and for something wholly other, Mr. Bungle's California is on my short list of essential listening, particularly for any Zorn fan who enjoys his efforts in the vein of The Dreamers).

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John Zorn & Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan: Book of Angels, Vol. 9 (2008) {Tzadik TZ 7364}

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John Zorn & Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan: Book of Angels, Vol. 9 (2008) {Tzadik TZ 7364}

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John Zorn & Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan: Book of Angels, Vol. 9 (2008) {Tzadik TZ 7364}

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