After a relatively
disappointing volume 4, John Zorn and Masada decided to reconvene and show
their best hand yet with volume 5, ‘Hei’.
Whereas the first
four volumes came from two recording sessions (with one session providing
material for a whole three and half of those),
‘Hei’ comes from two entirely new fresh sessions, and it shows, with the
band now having developed a much stronger and tighter sound, and arguably more
confidence.
Zorn and trumpeter
Dave Douglas shine even brighter than previously, referencing Ornette Coleman
and also touching more on plenty of Middle Eastern melody and harmony, beautifully
subtly on the opening ‘Paran’ but much more obviously as the album goes on.
‘Hobah’ returns
the quartet to their more aggressive identity, shaking things up, but also
crucially keeping things fresh. It is on album highlight ‘Beeroth’ though that
bassist Greg Cohen and drummer Joey Baron really get to play like men
possessed, propelling the music forward with such power that Zorn and Douglas
almost sound like they might need to reassert themselves.
A gloriously
thrilling album, and arguably the pinnacle of Masada’s studio work (although
there are easily a good number of potential rivals) it is also without doubt
one of Zorn’s most melodic recordings, and for any fan of each of the men here,
free jazz, Middle Eastern fusion, or even just new and exciting music, this is
a great collection worth investing some serious time in.
*****
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