Masada’s ‘Live In Middleheim’ gives us the band possibly at the
peak of their powers, in 1999, where the quartet had developed such an
interplay together that anything they would play live would be bound to
guarantee a high level of excellence.
The group absolutely explodes into action with the thrilling ‘Nevuah’,
with John Zorn and Dave Douglas playing a dual solo lead that has a thunderous
backing courtesy of Greg Cohen’s bass and Joey Baron’s storming drums. If you
ever doubted Baron’s potential as best contemporary jazz drummer then this
alone should convince you otherwise. ‘Sippur’ too maintains the intense nature
of the music, albeit in a slightly quieter fashion, while after this things
tend to ease off a little bit.
‘Kochot’ showcases Dave Douglas playing with a highly understated,
yet enormously beautiful trumpet, that shows exactly why he’s been in so much
demand for his entire career, while ‘Kedushah’ is Greg Cohen’s biggest moment
in the sun, perfectly blending yearning beauty with full-blooded aggression.
Everywhere on here shows us a perfect melding of Eastern sounds
and the avant jazz world, with the best pieces here being a very fine and
deep-grooved ‘Ne’eman’, highlighting Zorn at his restrained and more-minimal
best, and the stunningly gorgeous ‘Ashnah’ that surely is one of the very best
group performance pieces by this quartet.
‘Live In Middelheim’ is without doubt one of the strongest, if
shorter, of the Masada live albums (possessing just the one set/disc, as
opposed to the usual two), and is a clear example of the musical telepathy
displayed by the four men – all the more breathtaking given that this
performance was their first appearance together in almost a whole half year. The
recording quality too is pristine, giving us some deeply inspired solo and
group playing with a full rich palette of sound. An ideal starting point for
anyone interested in some Masada, live or otherwise, this is essential for
anyone who counts themselves a fan of any of the musicians here, and even
godfather of free-jazz Ornette Coleman. It’s that good.
*****
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