ERIK FRIEDLANDER — Volac: Book of Angels, Volume 8 (review)

ERIK FRIEDLANDER — Volac: Book of Angels, Volume 8 album cover Album · 2007 · Avant-Garde Jazz Buy this album from MMA partners
3.5/5 ·
snobb
Cellist Erik Friedlander grew up in a Atlantic Records albums covers photographer's family. He played music from early years and it looks for years he searched for possibilities to play cello in modern music and jazz. After he met John Zorn in early 90s, he got the chance to realize his visions. Still playing classical music, he recorded all series of avant-garde jazz albums (most often on Zorn's Tzadik label).

"Volac" is eighth album from Zorn's initiated post-Masada "Book Of Angels" series, where John ask different musicians to record Masada-influenced music on a way they feel it.

As rule,cello isn't very "jazzy" instrument."Volac" is even more unique because it is cellist solo album (no other musicians or instruments were involved). Warm, deeply acoustic, this album combines classic cello's timbres with lot of jazz improvs and melancholic, hot and explosive in moments klezmer material,coming from Masada roots.

For sure,this album doesn't sound as just regular jazz release. Without rhythm section at all, it possibly is closest to some acoustic guitarists works.But it's so great to listen talented cellist when he demonstrates his naked best sound, full of emotions, sometimes sad and almost lazy, and explosive and scratchy in rare moments. Musical material is good as many coming from Zorn's hand, and it's even more interesting to hear it sounding so unusual.

Really good album for everyone interested in acoustic experimental (and very different)jazz (from Indian raga-bop to NY downtown's avant-klezmer).
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