JOHN ZORN — Astaroth : Book Of Angels Volume 1 (Jamie Saft Trio Plays Masada Book Two) (2005) Archival Series | Two Version | FLAC (image+.tracks+.cue), lossless

In the final months of 2004, John Zorn wrote over 300 new tunes for his popular Masada project, and he now initiates a new series of recordings featuring the best players out of the burgeoning Masada family in dynamic units performing compositions from Masada Book Two—The Book of Angels. This first volume features Jamie Saft in an acoustic piano trio reminiscent of the best in the genre. Bill Evans, Paul Bley, Herbie Hancock, Vince Guaraldi and even the Bagels and Bongos of Catskills pianist Irving Fields become touchstones for this remarkably interactive group that includes Greg Cohen (Masada, Ornette Coleman) on bass and Ben Perowsky (Uri Caine, John Scofield) on drums. Playing with the fire and passion one has come to expect from the Masada family, this soulful and imaginative trio sets new standards for versatility and excellence in the piano trio format. This group is pure magic and they have created one of the most exciting and enjoyable CDs in the Tzadik catalog. Absolutely breathtaking. TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Shalmiel    5:26
2    Ygal    3:09
3    Astaroth    6:10
4    Ezeqeel    4:21
5    Ariel    6:28
6    Sturiel    5:05
7    Baal-Peor    7:10
8    Pursan    2:22
9    Lelahel    9:02
10    Beleth    5:59
Credits :
Piano – Jamie Saft
Bass – Greg Cohen
Drums – Ben Perowsky
Composed, Producer – John Zorn
Illustration – Jarrault

JOHN ZORN : Alhambra Love Songs (2009) Archival Series | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

In an easy listening mode, Alhambra Love Songs is Zorn’s touching and lyrical ode to the San Francisco/Bay Area and the wonderful artists who have made it their home. Including tributes to artists as diverse as Vince Guaraldi, Clint Eastwood, David Lynch, Mike Patton and Harry Smith, the music is some of the most beautiful and soothing Zorn has ever written. Touching on the jazz/pop/funk trios of Vince Guaraldi and Ramsey Lewis, the music is scored for a remarkable piano trio of Rob Burger (Rufus Wainwright, Marianne Faithfull, Laurie Anderson), Greg Cohen (Ornette Coleman, Masada, Burt Bacharach) and Ben Perowsky (Uri Caine, Steve Bernstein, John Lurie). Evocative and endlessly listenable, this is perhaps the single most charming cd in Zorn’s entire catalog, and will appeal to fans of Vince Guaraldi, Ahmad Jamal, Henry Mancini and even George Winston! TZADIK
Tracklist :
1.    Mountain View (For Vince Guaraldi)    5:08
2.    Novato (For Mike Patton)    3:49
3.    Pacifica (For Harry Smith)    5:16
4.    Benicia (For Paul Canales)    4:16
5.    Half Moon Bay (For Lyn Hejinian)    4:39
6.    Moraga (For Clint Eastwood)    3:50
7.    Tamalpais (For Elissa Guest)    4:07
8.    Larkspur (For Willie Winant)    3:39
9.    Alhambra Blues (For Mo Siegel)    4:23
10.    Miramar (For Terry Riley)    1:23
11.    Tiburon (For David Lynch)    5:28
Credits :
Bass – Greg Cohen
Composed By, Arranged By, Producer – John Zorn
Drums – Ben Perowsky
Piano – Rob Burger

JOHN ZORN : In Search Of The Miraculous (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Inspired by esoteric spiritual practices, white magic, ritual, traditional myths and ancient legends, Zorn brings together a life long interest in mysticism with powerful lyricism to fashion this dynamic and evocative series of Odes for the New Millennium. Featuring the landmark extended composition The Magus, one of Zorn's most exciting new works, the music takes on a scintillating new edge—dramatic, hypnotic and mysterious. Performed by the remarkable Alhambra Trio enhanced by special guests Kenny Wollesen on vibraphone, Carol Emanuel on harp and Shanir Blumenkranz on Fender bass, In Search of the Miraculous is a deeply moving listening experience—ecstatic music for young and old that touches on the sublime! TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Prelude: From A Great Temple    4:15
2    Sacred Dance (Invocation)    4:47
3    The Book Of Shadows    5:14
4    Affirmation    5:05
5    The Magus    9:08
6    Hymn For A New Millennium    5:31
7    Journey Of The Magicians    4:03
8    Mythic Etude    7:27
9    Postlude: Prayers And Enchantment    5:58
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Greg Cohen
Composed By, Arranged By, Conductor, Producer – John Zorn
Drums – Ben Perowsky
Electric Bass – Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz
Painting – J.M.W. Turner
Piano, Organ – Rob Burger
Vibraphone – Kenny Wollesen
 

JOHN ZORN : The Goddess - Music For The Ancient Of Days (2010) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Continuing in the mystical tradition of In Search of the Miraculous, The Goddess is a stunning collection of Odes in celebration of Women in Myth, Magick and Ritual throughout the Ages. Expanding the ever-growing Alhambra ensemble with the searing guitar of Marc Ribot and the evocative harp of Carol Emanuel, the music takes on a lush orchestral sound and more than a touch of the feminine. Blending an hypnotic minimalist propulsion with the complex cinematic sweep of Zorn's fast changing extended file card compositions, the music develops from moment to moment in ways both surprising and inevitable. Breathtaking and hauntingly beautiful, The Goddess is a lyrical treat for your ears! TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Enchantress    7:44
2    Ishtar    5:36
3    Heptameron    5:18
4    White Magick    6:37
5    Drawing Down The Moon    5:49
6    Beyond The Infinite    11:51
7    Ode To Delphi    4:44
Credits :
Artwork – Akino Kondoh
Bass – Trevor Dunn
Composed By, Arranged By, Conductor, Producer – John Zorn
Drums – Ben Perowsky
Guitar – Marc Ribot
Harp – Carol Emanuel
Piano – Rob Burger
Vibraphone – Kenny Wollesen

MIKE STERN — Odds or Evens (1991) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This is a powerhouse date of high-powered fusion, mixing together the sound of rock with the musicianship and improvising of jazz. With the assistance of tenor saxophonist Bob Berg, keyboardist Jim Beard and a rhythm section, guitarist Stern jams through a set of originals that serve as jumping-off devices for fairly long solos. The musicians really stretch themselves within the idiom and even the quieter numbers are full of intensity. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Keys    7:28
Mike Stern
2.    D.C.    7:40
Mike Stern
3.    Common Ground    6:05
Mike Stern
4.    Odds Or Evens    7:08
Mike Stern
5.    Seven Thirty    6:26
Mike Stern
6.    If You Say So    7:36
Mike Stern
7.    Sandbox 3:59
Leni Stern
8.    Walkie Talkie 6:57
Mike Stern
Credits :
Bass – Anthony Jackson (tracks: 2, 4, 6), Lincoln Goines (tracks: 1, 3, 5, 8)
Drums – Ben Perowsky (tracks: 1, 5, 8), Dennis Chambers (tracks: 2, 3, 4, 6)
Percussion – Don Alias
Piano, Synthesizer, Producer – Jim Beard
Saxophone – Bob Berg

MIKE STERN — Is What It Is (1994) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Mike Stern is one of the more creative fusion guitarists, playing with the power of rock but often taking sophisticated improvisations. On this passionate set (which consists of nine of his originals), Stern is joined by the keyboards of Jim Beard, bassist Will Lee, Dennis Chambers or Ben Perowsky on drums and (on three songs apiece) the tenors of Michael Brecker and Bob Malach. Overall this is one of Mike Stern's better recordings. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Swunk - 7:53
Mike Stern
2.    A Little Luck - 6:36
Mike Stern   
3.    What I Meant To Say - 6:20  
Mike Stern   
4.    Showbiz - 5:43
Mike Stern
5.    Believe It  - 4:32  
Mike Stern
6.    Wherever You Are - 5:32
Mike Stern
7.    Ha Ha Hotel - 6:10  
Mike Stern  
8.    Signs - 7:48
Mike Stern
9.    55 Dive - 5:44
Mike Stern
Credits :
Mike Stern - Guitar
Michael Brecker - Saxophone
Jim Beard - Synthesizers, Piano, Hammond Organ, Wurlitzer Piano, Production, Additional Engineering
Will Lee - Bass
Dennis Chambers - Drums
Ben Perowsky - Drums
Harvie Swartz - Acoustic Bass
Bob Malach - Saxophone

MIKE STERN — Play (1999) APE (image+.cue), lossless

 Mike Stern is a preeminent guitarist for two key reasons: One, he can play all styles very well and with equal command; and two, he plays very well with all other players. He always shows great respect for those with whom he is playing and gives them each the time and space to develop their musical ideas. Stern displays these two qualities in abundance on Play. Several notable guests join Stern and his core band for this release. Guitarists John Scofield and Bill Frisell and drummer Dennis Chambers each team with Stern on several tracks. If you enjoy straight-ahead jazz, listen to Stern and Scofield on the title track, or mix in Bob Malach's tenor sax on "Outta Town." If you like your guitar music slightly more spacious and lyrical, try Stern and Frisell on the hypnotic "Blue Tone" or the pensive "All Heart." Finally, if you want to turn up the heat and move into some rock/funk-influenced fusion, then check out the groovy "Tipatina's," the bold rocker "Link," or the intensely funky "Big Kids." It is no surprise, based on his other work, that Chambers, in particular, gives the band a kick in the musical pants inspiring bassist Lincoln Goines to enjoy the ride. Play is an outstanding guitar album from the highly accomplished and incredibly versatile Mike Stern. It is highly recommended.  Brian Bartolini  
Tracklist :
1.    Play    7:15
 Mike Stern
2.    Small World    5:23
 Mike Stern
3.    Outta Town    6:09
 Mike Stern
4.    Blue Tone    6:43
 Mike Stern
5.    Tipatina's    6:35
 Mike Stern
6.    All Heart    6:22
 Mike Stern
7.    Frizz    5:41
 Mike Stern
8.    Link    6:50
 Mike Stern
9.    Goin' Under    4:10
 Mike Stern
10.    Big Kids    7:29
 Mike Stern
Credits :
Bass – Lincoln Goines
Drums [Pearl], Cymbal [Zildjian] – Dennis Chambers (tracks: 5, 8, 9)
Drums, Cymbal [Zildjian] – Ben Perowsky (tracks: 1 to 4, 6, 7, 10)
Guitar – Bill Frisell (tracks: 4, 6, 7, 10), John Scofield (tracks: 1 to 3)
Guitar [Yamaha] – Mike Stern
Keyboards – Jim Beard (tracks: 1 to 3, 5, 6, 8, 9)
Tenor Saxophone – Bob Malach (tracks: 3, 5, 6, 8, 9)

MIKE STERN — Standards (and Other Songs) (1992) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

Guitarist Mike Stern, best-known for playing rock-oriented fusion and in more commercial settings, surprised many listeners by recording an album dominated by standards. Actually, there are three originals included among the 11 pieces, but Stern also digs into such songs as "Like Someone in Love," "Moment's Notice," Chick Corea's "Windows," and "Straight No Chaser." Among Stern's sidemen on this fairly straight-ahead but adventurous set are trumpeter Randy Brecker, Bob Berg on tenor, and keyboardist Gil Goldstein. This little-known release is well-worth acquiring. Scott Yanow
Tracklist :
1.    Like Someone in Love 6:39
Johnny Burke / James Van Heusen
2.    Source 1:48
Mike Stern
3.    There Is No Greater Love 9:13
Isham Jones / Marty Symes
4.    L Bird 5:48
Mike Stern
5.    Moment's Notice 4:41
John Coltrane
6.    Lost Time 6:46
Mike Stern
7.    Windows 6:29
Chick Corea
8.    Straight, No Chaser 5:26
Thelonious Monk
9.    Peace 5:17
Horace Silver
10.    Jean-Pierre 1:44
Miles Davis
11.    Nardis 7:37
Miles Davis
Credits :
Acoustic Bass – Jay Anderson, Larry Grenadier (tracks: 6, 11) 
Drums – Al Foster, Ben Perowsky (tracks: 6, 11) 
Guitar – Mike Stern
Saxophone – Bob Berg
Trumpet – Randy Brecker