Label: Tzadik, 2023

Personnel - John Zorn: alto saxophone; Bill Laswell: electric bass.

Saxophonist John Zorn and bassist Bill Laswell, stalwart figures of the New York’s downtown scene, have been close collaborators since the mid-‘70s. In their recent duo effort, Memoria, they pay homage to three late visionaries of jazz and improvised music. Working together in the spirit of trust, they transcend in their tantrums, creating an intense and evocative journey that explores new musical territory. The results are no less than telepathic.

In “Pharaoh Sanders”, Laswell's washing bass chords limned with synth effects provide a backdrop for an explosive saxophone performance. Zorn explores in feral fury with piercing squeaks, contrasting with Laswell's long, reflective notes. The saxophone pitch is manic, creating an astonishing density. The circular, spectral, and enigmatic bass texture transforms into atmospheric harmonics, pedals, and vamps, inviting Zorn to deliver intricate coils and rebellious shouts that challenge comfort zones.

“Milford Graves” features Zorn working on circular breathing techniques with fast notes over Laswell’s expert ambient treatment. The deep foundational underpinning of the bass brings uncanny feelings, encouraging Zorn to explore inventive phrases, patterned imprints, and circular arches. The result is an atmospheric ride suffused with restless tones.

In “Wayne Shorter”, there’s a mindfulness to melody, and the saxophone lines rest atop an effect-drenched, spaced-out haze that never loses its dark edges and exoteric spirituality. The propulsive, rippling fluxes of the bass invite fabulous interplay as Zorn blows his horn with authoritative power. This duo, with nothing to prove, does great things within experimental free jazz and structured improvisation.

Favorite Tracks:
02 - Milford Graves ► 03 - Wayne Shorter

Label: Tzadik, 2019

Personnel - Brian Marsella: piano; Trevor Dunn: bass; Kenny Wollesen: drums.

The Hierophant is a collection of John Zorn compositions performed by a tight classic piano trio composed of Brian Marsella on piano, Trevor Dunn on bass and Kenny Wollesen on drums. Active for 40 years, the prolific Zorn has earned his stripes as one of the most creative composers of our times and this album, inspired by the mystic world of tarot, gives us another reason to be head over heels for his music.

The title cut sets everything in motion as a fervent, kinetic, turbulently swinging post-bop effort where impetuous piano notes race across the harmony. Its progressive vision is shared by the longest track, “The Hanged Man”, one of my favorite compositions. Here, the artistry of the trio is demonstrated with intense moments loaded with serial spinning movements, challenging rhythms, and pronounced accentuations. Also noticeable is a passage where Wollesen’s burgeoning mallet percussion comes to the fore, pinned by regular hi-hat intermittence.

Contrasting with the described atmosphere, there’s the surreptitious avidity of “The Devil”, a sheer avant-garde experience with weirdly scratching bass noises, patterned piano convolutions, and expandable drumming. “The Death” also falls into this darker category, presenting spine-chilling prepared piano strokes and oppressive arco bass, whereas “The Hermit”, a showcase for Marsella’s solo piano, has its improvised sense of mystery regularly disrupted by heavy, low-pitched chordal routines.

A mindset of reverie is not only achieved by the illusory kind of waltz delivered on “The High Priestess”, which combines beaming pianism, assured bass lines, and scintillating brushed drums, but also by the classical arpeggiated nuances of “The Magician”.

After the relentless, hard-swinging “The Tower”, where the rhythm bounces and melodic ideas collide, the trio rounds out the proceedings with “The Lovers”, a breezy, passionate, and rapturous treat with the capacity to urge us into a daydream state of mind.

The Hierophant perfectly integrates scored parts with intense moments of improvisation, and its expansive directions are no less than breathtaking. The variety of the picturesque moods results in an exciting and adventurous listening experience.

Favorite Tracks:
01 - The Hierophant ► 02 - The High Priestess ► 06 - The Hanged Man