Album Description: 2008 arrival of Vol. 11 - Zabeos: The Book of Angels by Medeski, Martin & Wood. The funkified Jazz trio Medeski, Martin & Wood plays Fusion music by way of the downtown New York Avant scene of the 1990s. John Medeski's fuzzy keyboards are equally indebted to the Meters, Jimmy Smith, Sun Ra, Chris Wood and Billy Martin provide fluid rhythms that can lock in like the JBs if the mood is appropriate. This ability to blend Jazz technique and structures with head-nodding grooves endeared the trio to the "jam band" community and its post-Jerry Garcia figurehead, Trey Anastasio of Phish, who joined the band live on several occasions.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating:
Rating: - Buzzy, vibrant playing
Medeski, Martin & Wood's last non-children's CD was "End Of The World Party (Just In Case)". That CD was very studio-sounding, and was hampered by its post-production. For "Zaebos", MM&W take a set of John Zorn-written Masada songs and tear into them. It's a very live-sounding disc, and fun to listen to as a result. The opener "Lagzagel" is almost metallic. The moods from there vary -- some are funky, some soulful, some aggressive -- but they all have a live, vibrant feel. This was a good wake-up for the band, and MM&W fans should pick it up.
Rating: - "at turns prowling and meditative"
I haven't heard other albums in the Book of Angels series, so while I tend to appreciate the work of John Zorn, I approach this record with Medeski, Martin and Wood as the focus of my interest.
And Zaebos IS interesting. Recent MMW studio albums have all involved guitarists, horn sections, turntablists, rigorous production strategies and other additions to create a layered soundscape that simultaneously enfolds and expands the trio's dynamic range. Zaebos, by contrast, is stripped-down and somewhat subdued, and it plays a little like --dare I say it?-- a traditional jazz album, ... Read More
Rating: - awesome addition to the book of angels
I agree with most everything the other reviewers have said except for the rating. This disc is diverse and full of passion. I love the subtleties of so many of the tunes. Its so satisfying to hear mmw play within these structures. For me the one of the most welcome additions is medeski's piano playing. the piano sounds so good on the fourth track. I'm glad they didn't turn everything funky- some of the tunes demand a different rhythmic edge. It's not as elegant or quite as colorful as vol. 10, but energy, ideas, and interplay are all on display.
Rating: - More BOA than MMW
I have been a cult fan of Zorn's "Book of Angels" series since the Feldman/Courvoisier disc came out in 2005. So it was with considerable excitement that I read that Volume 11 would be performed by the Medeski, Martin, and Wood. I was excited to to hear the Book of Angels material interpreted with a funky backbeat. To that end, the disc is a disappointment; MMW did a masterful job in their interpretation of Zorn's music, but the boys have unfortunately left the funk at home. In short, it sounds like a Zorn record. There are HINTS of the signature Medeski, Martin, and Wood groove throughout. "Sefrial" ... Read More
Rating: - 3 1/2 stars-- diverse, but ultimately missing something for me.
In the past few years, composer John Zorn breathed new life into his Masada project by composing a second book of songs for it: the Book of Angels-- some 300 jazz heads written using "Jewish scales", performed by musicians in and out of Zorn's downtown community. Referred to on the record label's website as "three prodigal sons...returning to the fold", keyboardist John Medeski, bassist Chris Wood and drummer Billy Martin at one time or another were associated with the downtown community, but found success as part of the jam band scene. "Zaebos" finds them performing eleven of Zorn's Book of Angels compositions. ... Read More
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