Secret Chiefs 3 - Xaphan: The Book of Angels, Vol. 9
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Free Music Notes for Xaphan: The Book of Angels, Vol. 9
Free Music Review: Cinematic, unexpected, and fantastic.
Hit: 5 Stars
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).
Free Music Review: Two Great Tastes That Taste Great Together
Hit: 5 Stars
As a long-time fan of both Secret Chiefs 3 and John Zorn it is a given I was going to find something to like about this album but, with the sheer breadth of possibilities inherent in the works of these artists, I wasn't taking anything for granted.
I was only half-way through my first listen before I knew it was one of Secret Chiefs 3 best albums yet.
Retaining their signature sound (which is extremely difficult to explain - how much time have you got?), Secret Chiefs 3 takes Zorn's compositions and breathes a life into them as only they can. The arrangements are as fragmented and amazingly whacked as ever and yet the tunes retain a cohesiveness that is as alluring as it is transporting.
Listening to this album is like traveling the world in the company of master magicians - endlessly surprising and utterly captivating.
Free Music Review: Another fine offering from Spruance and company
Hit: 5 Stars
It's been four years since the brilliant Book of Horizons, and this disc is totally worth the wait for the diehard and initiates alike. All of Zorn's Book of Angels CDs are worth picking up, but this disc outshines them all, namely due to Trey's meticulous production and the exquisite musicianship from the ensemble, including longtime collaborators from Estradasphere Timb Harris, Jason Schimmel, and Tim Smolens. The music is typically all over the place, stylistically, from latin gypsy swing/funk to traditional persian /eastern melodies, Bitches Brew-era electro-jazz, and pretty much everything else you could imagine. Put this disc on and hang on for a wild and satisfying ride. If you are one of the faithful, owning this is a no-brainer.Free Music Review: the music's a given,but the awesome packaging!
Hit: 5 Stars
The other reviewers have summed up the perfection that this album is quite well so I'll leave my music comments as theirs.I've gotta put it out there though that the disc is packaged beautifully though!The light pink/lavander cover has hints of sparkly greens and blues that show up in sunlight,and instead of the usual booklet that explains away the album for you,this ones comes with three cards with artwork on them which are interesting to look at while listening to the cd.I applaud Zorn's Tzadik label for making the music experience a more intimate one by giving the listener beautiful packaging,aside from all the great music that it holds!These cd's would've been serious wall art if released as records back in the day.Free Music Review: Secret Chiefs 3's "Xaphan"
Hit: 5 Stars
Secret Chiefs 3's "Xaphan" explores emotive and evocative music from John Zorn's Masada Book Two: The Book of Angels. An album that weaves several musical styles through an intricate tapestry of sound. Listen for the playful percussion and apocalyptic-funk of "Shoel", harp and vocal interplay on "Barakiel", intuitive guitars and gypsy swing of "Asron", bass versus clavinet on "Balberith", klezmer-jazz rhythms of "Omael", plus the heavenly harmonies and soulful seduction for "Hamayal". Trey Spruance is a sonic alchemist; conjuring meticulously crafted rhythms, cultivating musical calligraphy, with a spectacular sound signature from Secret Chiefs 3.
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