BEN GOLDBERG — Baal: The Book of Angels, Volume 15 (review)

BEN GOLDBERG — Baal: The Book of Angels, Volume 15 album cover Album · 2010 · Avant-Garde Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
After West Coast clarinetist Ben Goldberg in 2009 reformed his old project New Klezmer Trio (with drummer Kenny Wollesen and acoustic bassist Greg Cohen) for his new album, the question when he will touch Zorn's material for his another release became just a question of time. Both Wollensen and Cohen are long time Zorn's collaborators, so no strange their just next release is based on Zorn's Masada material.

Luckily "Baal.." was recorded by quartet, not trio - fourth member this time is NY downtown based pianist Jamie Saft. He added plenty of melodic and rhythmic piano elements to album's music what in combination with strong Zorn's compositions made album really better.

When listening every new Masada's Book Of Angels every new release I believe one could expect to hear almost always quality if a bit predictable mix of klezmer and free-jazz.This album is not an exemption: soulful and melodic klezmer is mixed with free improvs almost 50/50 and the result is predictably attractive. Possibly main moment which makes this release more interesting is Goldberg is one of leading clarinet player nowadays (ok, there are not too many of them on jazz scene), so even more or less know music sound different and more unusual.

In all - not masterpiece,but one more strong Masada's Book Of Angels series' release.
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