DAVE HOLLAND | EVAN PARKER | CRAIG TABORN and CHES SMITH - Uncharted Territories (2018) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Tracklist :
1-1    Thought On Earth    7:37
1-2    Piano - Bass - Percussion T1    5:47
1-3    Q&A    4:40
1-4    Tenor - Percussion W2    3:25
1-5    QT12    6:10
1-6    Tenor - Bass W3    2:44
1-7    QW2    8:17
1-8    Tenor - Piano - Bass T2    5:36
1-9    Organ - Vibes W1    6:14
1-10    Bass - Percussion T2    5:07
1-11    Tenor - Piano - Percussion T1    9:35
2-1    QT13    6:25
2-2    Tenor - Piano - Percussion T2    4:10
2-3    Piano - Percussion W3    5:01
2-4    QT5    6:54
2-5    Tenor - Bass W1    4:16
2-6    Piano - Bass - Percussion T2    5:37
2-7    Unsteady As She Goes    5:38
2-8    Bass - Percussion T1    6:03
2-9    QW5    2:26
2-10    Tenor - Bass - Percussion T1    5:18
2-11    Tenor - Bass W2    3:46
2-12    QW1    10:01
Credits :
Bass – Dave Holland
Composed By – Ches Smith (pistas: 1-1, 2-7), Dave Holland (pistas: 1-3)
Percussion – Ches Smith
Piano, Organ, Keyboards, Electronics – Craig Taborn
Tenor Saxophone [Tenor Sax] – Evan Parker

CHES SMITH | CRAIG TABORN | MAT MANERI - The Bell (2016) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Despite appearing on more than 50 recordings since the beginning of the 21st century, drummer/percussionist Ches Smith has led only a handful of dates. His credits sprawl across the catalogs of indie rock acts such as Xiu Xiu, Mr. Bungle, and Carla Bozulich as well as modern jazz artists John Zorn, Marc Ribot, Wadada Leo Smith, and Mary Halvorson, and he's a member of Tim Berne's Snakeoil. (The saxophonist also plays in Smith's These Arches.) The Bell is his ECM debut as a leader. Smith chose pianist Craig Taborn and violist Mat Maneri as his companions into this foray of composition and improvisation. Taborn and Maneri have worked together before on the pianist's Junk Magic set for Thirsty Ear in 2004. Smith originally formed the group for a lone New York gig, but the collective language they discovered on-stage led him to write specifically for them in the studio. Produced by Manfred Eicher, The Bell is steeped in mystery but it is focused, cohesive, rife with risky maneuvers. Some pieces are more thoroughly composed than others, but it's difficult to know which. Smith, who plays timpani and vibraphone in addition to drums, is content as a member of the ensemble rather than its soloist/leader. The title track opener is, for most of its nine-and-a-half-minute length, nearly speculative. But Maneri's viola offers enough of a lyric frame for Taborn to build on with texturally engaging, pulsing chords. Smith's various instruments build a bridge inside this subtle, insistent tension-building force. The trio finally cuts loose in the final moments and delivers the full measure of surprise. "Isn't It Over?" offers the barest hint of a compositional guideline, revealing confidence in the group's intuition in a gradually ascendant trajectory along hairline harmonic lines. Their discourse blossoms in the final third amid dark, seductive rhythmic interplay. "I'll See You on the Dark Side of the Earth" is also initially deceptive. The first half is filled with angular questions posed by Maneri and Taborn before Smith, riding a striated rock beat, answers with declarative authority. The circular movement in "Wacken Open Air" offers a more poignant dialogue with fleet arpeggios from Taborn and cymbal dances from Smith. "It's Always Winter Somewhere" begins in ether yet quickly finds rotational movement via Taborn's left-hand bassline annotations and colorful upper-middle-register chord patterns. Smith's snare and hi-hat flourishes encourage and underscore Maneri's timbral staccato phrasing. The engagement with post-bop occurs between Taborn and Smith, but like everything else here, it's an elusive moment; it exists as simply another woven thread in The Bell's labyrinthine space. Though all three men are expansive improvisers, in this intimate environment they are masters at discovering and articulating melody no matter how marginal or tenuous the origins. The Bell is not only an auspicious beginning for Smith as a leader, but for the possibilities of this trio going forward.
>This comment is posted on Allmusic by Thom Jurek, follower of our blog 'O Púbis da Rosa'<
Tracklist :
1    The Bell 9'29
(Ches Smith)
2    Barely Intervallic 7'43
(Ches Smith)
3    Isn’t It Over? 13'11
(Ches Smith)
4    I'll See You On The Dark Side Of The Earth 10'47
(Ches Smith)
5    I Think 9'31
(Ches Smith)
6    Wacken Open Air 5'16
(Ches Smith)
7    It’s Always Winter Somewhere 5'32
(Ches Smith)
8    For Days 6'38
(Ches Smith)
Credits :
Ches Smith   Drums, Vibraphone, Timpani
Craig Taborn   Piano
Mat Maneri   Viola

JOHN ZORN - Xaphan : Book of Angels Volume 9 (Secret Chiefs 3) (2008) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Spectacular arrangements of Masada compositions by mad alchemist Trey Spruance, mastermind of Secret Chiefs 3 and one of the most brilliant musicians around. Drawing upon an astonishing array of musical styles from Exotica and Surf to Ethiopian Funk and Gypsy Swing, Trey ’s colorful orchestral arrangements perfectly compliment the lyricism and dynamic rhythmic complexity of Zorn ’s evocative Book of Angels. Featuring some of the best musicians from the Bay Area, LA and Seattle scenes, this is one of the most compelling installments in the entire Masada series. TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Sheburiel    5:44
2    Akramachamarei    5:46
3    Shoel    6:18
4    Barakiel    5:49
5    Bezriel    4:37
6    Kemuel    4:23
7    Labbiel    4:23
8    Asron    3:32
9    Balberith    6:31
10    Omael    3:57
11    Hamaya    4:28
Credits :
Composed, Producer – John Zorn
Arranged, Baritone Guitar, Electric Guitar, Organ, Percussion, Synthesizer, Autoharp, Piano – Trey Spruance
Bass – Shahzad Ismaily, Trey Spruance (pistas: 2, 3)
Cello, Double Bass [Upright Bass] – Tim Smolens
Clavinet – Adam Stacey
Drums, Congas – Ches Smith
Guitar – Jason Schimmel
Harp – Monica Schley
Sarangi – Rich Doucette
Violin, Trumpet – Timb Harris
Voice, Viola - Elena Doroftei
Illustration – Jarrault

JOHN ZORN : Voices In The Wilderness (2003) 2CD | FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

As John Zorn’s most popular project reaches its tenth year, Tzadik celebrates the Masada songbook with a series of all-star tributes. Following Masada Guitars, Volume 2 is an eclectic and powerful collection of almost two dozen Masada classics artfully arranged by some of the downtown scene’s most creative performers. Zorn’s catchiest and most lyrical tunes performed by rock bands, klezmer groups, vocalists, jazz. TZADIK
Tracklist 1 :
1    Pharaoh's Daughter–    Karaim 4'19
Bass – Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz
Cello – Noah Heoffeld
Guitar – Ben Oir
Melodica, Recorder – Daphna Mor
Oud, Vocals – Basya Schechter
Percussion, Vocals, Producer – Daniel Freedman
Violin – Meg Okura
2    Ben Perowksy Trio–    Kisofim 6'45
Bass – Drew Gress
Drums, Arranged By – Ben Perowsky
Piano – Uri Caine
3    Cracow Klezmer Band–    Meholalot 4'57
Accordion, Arranged By – Jaroslaw Bester
Accordion, Clarinet, Percussion – Oleg Dyyak
Double Bass – Wojciech Front
Engineer – Jacek Mastykarz
Violin – Jaroslaw Tyrala
4    Rova Saxophone Quartet–    Lakom 4'07
Baritone Saxophone – Jon Raskin
Engineer – Myles Boisen
Sopranino Saxophone – Steve Adams
Soprano Saxophone – Bruce Ackley
Tenor Saxophone, Arranged By – Larry Ochs
5    Zony Mash–    Tekufah 6'23
Bass – Keith Lowe
Drums – Andy Roth
Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes] – Wayne Horvitz
Engineer – Mel Detmer
Engineer [Assistant] – Randall Dunn
Guitar – Timothy Young
6    Naftule's Dream–    Paran 5'10
Clarinet – Glenn Dickson
Drums – Eric Rosenthal
Guitar – Brandon Seabrook
Piano – Michael McLaughlin
Trumpet – Gary Bohan
Tuba – Jim Gray
7    Kramer–    Khebar 2'20
Voice, Arranged By, Instruments – Kramer
8    Satlah–    Nevalah 3'39
Bass – Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz
Drums – Kevin Zubek
Soprano Saxophone, Arranged By – Daniel Zamir
9    Jewlia Eisenberg–    Abidan 3'53
Engineer – Dan Rathburn
Percussion – Wesley Anderson
Voice, Arranged By – Jewlia Eisenberg
10    Pachora–    Tirzah 5'06
Bass, Guitar – Skúli Sverrisson
Clarinet – Chris Speed
Drums, Percussion – Jim Black
Organ, Engineer – Jamie Saft
Tambura, Baglama [Saz], Guitar – Brad Shepik
11    Lemon Juice Quartet–    Peliyot 5'49
Bass – Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz
Drums – Kevin Zubek
Engineer – Fabrice Dupont
Guitar – Eyal Maoz
Trumpet – Avishai E. Cohen
12    Steven Bernstein–    Shebuah 8'27
Clarinet – Doug Wieselman, Marty Erlich
Cornet, Arranged By – Steven Bernstein
Engineer – Sam Berkow, Steve Sockey
Shaker [Shakers] – Aaron Johnson
Vocals, Guitar – Doug Wamble
Tracklist 2 :
1    Medeski Martin & Wood–    Ziphim 7'16
Bass – Chris Wood
Engineer – David Baker, Michael Fossenkemper
Keyboards – John Medeski
Percussion – Billy Martin
2    Rashanim–    Avodah 5'32
Bass – Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz
Drums, Percussion – Mathias Künzli
Guitar – Jon Madof
3    Davka–    Rokhev 3'16
Bassoon – Paul Hanson
Cajón – Kevin Mummey
Cello – Moses Sedler
Engineer – Andre Moran
Violin – Daniel Hoffman
4    Tin Hat Trio–    Tannaim 3'29
Accordion, Bass Harmonica – Rob Burger
Guitar, Dobro, Banjo, Percussion – Mark Orton
Violin, Viola – Carla Kihlstedt
5    Peter Apfelbaum–    Acharei Mot 7'32
Bass – Patrice
Drums – Dafnis Prieto
Engineer – Aaron Johnston
Guitar – David Phelps
Organ – Hiawatha Lockport
Organ, Tenor Saxophone, Percussion, Arranged By – Peter Apfelbaum
Violin – Charles Burnham
6    Mephista–    Malkut 3'30
Computer [Laptop] – Ikue Mori
Drums – Susie Ibarra
Engineer – Jim Staley
Piano – Sylvie Courvoisier
7    Mike Patton–    Kochot 3'47
Percussion – William Winant
Voice, Instruments, Arranged By – Mike Patton
8    Ben Goldberg Trio–    Jair 5'22
Bass – Devin Hoff
Clarinet, Arranged By – Ben Goldberg
Drums – Ches Smith
9    The Wollesens–    Ne'eman 6'54
Alto Saxophone – Dave Binney
Bass – Jesse Murphy
Drums – Kenny Wollesen
Guitar – Steve Cardenas, Tony Scherr
Organ – Brian Mitchell
10    Professionales–    Tahah 3'45
Bass – Brad Jones
Drums – Roberto Rodriguez
Piano – Anthony Coleman
11    Jenny Scheinman–    Tiferet 5'02
Bass – Todd Sickafoose
Drums – Scott Amendola
Engineer – Jeff Cressman
Guitar – Nels Cline
Violin, Arranged By – Jenny Scheinman
12    Jamie & Vanessa Saft–    Kedem 7'29
Keyboards, Bass, Guitar, Programmed By, Engineer, Arranged By – Jamie Saft
Vocals – Vanessa Saft
Credits :
Composed, Producer – John Zorn
Painting [Cover Painting (Morocco. 2000)] – Karen Liebowitz

JOHN ZORN : The Painted Bird (2016) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

The fourth CD in a 12-month period by Zorn’s most powerful new ensemble presents nine genre-busting compositions mixing jazz, metal, classical, world music and more. This time their trademark sound is augmented by the ringing tones of Kenny Wollesen’s vibraphone to create their wildest, most insane CD to date. Juxtaposing complex atonal lines, driving vamps, heavy metal riffs, improvisational madness, shredding solos and moments of profound lyricism, The Painted Bird is a surreal and expressive new world in sound. Moonchild meets Nova Express! TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Snakeskin    7:46
2    Plague    2:58
3    Ravens    3:52
4    Comet    3:21
5    Cinders    3:23
6    Nettles    3:07
7    Night    5:19
8    Spike    3:28
9    Missal    4:28
Credits :
Artwork [Digipak Artwork] – Hieronymus Bosch
Artwork [Disc Artwork], Composed By [All Music Composed By], Arranged By [All Music Arranged By], Conductor [All Music Conducted By], Producer [Produced By] – John Zorn
Congas – Ches Smith (pistas: 7)
Drums – Kenny Grohowski
Drums [Voudun Drums] – Ches Smith (pistas: 8)
Ensemble – Simulacrum
Guitar – Matt Hollenberg
Organ – John Medeski
Vibraphone [Vibes] – Kenny Wollesen

JOHN ZORN : The Urmuz Epigrams (2018) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

With The Urmuz Epigrams Zorn returns to his roots, using the recording studio as instrument to create an intensely personal suite of compositions in the style of his legendary File Card compositions and Zoetropes. Dedicated to the visionary Romanian writer Urmuz whose small, scattered body of work predated Dadaism by decades, The Urmuz Epigrams is a suite of surrealistic miniatures more akin to philosophical aphorisms than actual music. The pieces are presented here in two iterations, as a set of “rare 78rpm records” complete with surface scratches and limited dynamic range, and as a modern reconstruction of same with the full blown studio sound presented in all its perplexing glory. Some of the craziest music in the Zorn catalog! TZADIK
The Urmuz Epigrams—Modern Reconstructions    
1    Disgusted With Life    2:48
2    This Piano Lid Serves As A Wall    3:52
3    With Wet Clothes And Disheveled Hair He Wandered In The Dead Of Night In Search Of Shelter    3:02
4    Then Again, Who Amongst Us Can Complain    3:40
5    A Rain Of Threats And Screams    3:43
6    The Pelican Or The Pelicaness    3:06
7    After That The Funnel Became A Symbol    2:55
8    Desperate From Having Been Left Without A Bladder    1:28
The Urmuz Epigrams—Original Versions, Privately Pressed On The Romanian Pahuciphone Label Circa 1923    
9    Disgusted With Life    2:50
10    This Piano Lid Serves As A Wall    3:56
11    With Wet Clothes And Disheveled Hair He Wandered In The Dead Of Night In Search Of Shelter    3:05
12    Then Again, Who Amongst Us Can Complain    3:48
13    A Rain Of Threats And Screams    3:50
14    The Pelican Or The Pelicaness    3:11
15    After That The Funnel Became A Symbol    2:57
16    Desperate From Having Been Left Without A Bladder    1:20
Credits :
Producer [Produced By], Saxophone, Piano, Organ, Effects [Sound Effects], Guitar, Bass, Wind [Game Calls], Percussion, Voice, Composed By [All Music Composed By], Arranged By [All Music Arranged By], Conductor [All Music Conducted By] – John Zorn
Drums, Percussion, Vibraphone, Glockenspiel, Voice – Ches Smith

JOHN ZORN : In a Convex Mirror (2018) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

“In a Convex Mirror” features Zorn’s unique saxophone playing and keyboard stylings in an extended foray into the nexus of voudun and downtown improvisation. An intense student of Haitian drumming and a regular at ceremonies from NYC to Port-au-Prince Haiti, Ches Smith weaves a hypnotic tapestry of polyrhythms that are constantly in flux. The result is an exciting new context for Zorn the performer. With special guest Ikue Mori creating moody electronic soundscapes, the music is as hypnotic as it is exhilarating. Three pieces of sonic voodoo for the 21st century! TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Veve    18:29
2    Through A Glass, Darkly    16:03
3    Le Tourbillon    9:46
Credits :
Alto Saxophone, Electric Piano [Fender Rhodes Piano], Music By, Producer [Produced By] – John Zorn
Drum [Haitian Tanbou], Bells [Bell], Cymbal [Cymbals] – Ches Smith
Electronics – Ikue Mori (pistas: 1)
Painting [Painting By] – Parmigianino

JOHN ZORN : Les Maudits (2020) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Les Maudits presents three dynamic chamber pieces inspired by heroic "cursed" artists of French culture. Demolishing all boundaries and pushing the artistic envelope beyond all expectations Ubu is a triumphant return to the file-card studio technique that produced such masterpieces as Spillane, Elegy, Kristallnacht and Femina. A bizarre musical portrait of the subversive writer Alfred Jarry, Ubu is one of Zorn's greatest and most outrageous creations.Also included are two pieces performed by the International Contemporary Ensemble--one inspired by radical French poet Charles Baudelaire, and Oviri, a touching elegy to artist Paul Gauguin. TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Ubu 20'08
Drums, Vibraphone [Vibes], Glockenspiel, Drum [Haitian Tanbou], Percussion, Vocals – Ches Smith
Guitar [Guitars], Bass, Piano, Accordion, Cello, Percussion, Performer [Toilet], Jew's Harp, Whistling, Vocals – Simon Hanes
Saxophone [Sax], Organ, Piano, Percussion, Vocals – John Zorn
2    Baudelaires 12'04
Bassoon – Rebekah Heller
Cello – Kivie Cahn-Lipman
Clarinet – Joshua Rubin
Conductor [Conducted By] – David Fulmer
Ensemble – International Contemporary Ensemble
Flute – Claire Chase
Guitar – Dan Lippel
Harpsichord – Cory Smythe
Viola – Miranda Cuckson
Violin – Erik Carlson
2.1    I. Paris Spleen    
2.2    II. Flowers Of Evil    
2.3    III. Artificial Paradises    
3    Oviri 9'38
Clarinet – Joshua Rubin
Conductor [Conducted By] – David Fulmer
Electronics – Ikue Mori
Ensemble – International Contemporary Ensemble
Flute – Alice Teyssier
Horn – David Byrd-Marrow
Percussion – Nathan Davis, Ross Karre
Recorded By – Jessica Slaven
Trombone – Michael Lormand
Tuba – Andrew Madej
Credits :
Artwork [Oviri Sculpture By, Oviri Woodcut (Under Tray) By] – Paul Gauguin
Composed By [All Music Composed By], Producer [Produced By] – John Zorn
Text By [Quotes On Enclosed Cover Cards] [English] – Alfred Jarry, Charles Baudelaire, Paul Gauguin

JOHN ZORN : Heaven And Earth Magick (2021) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Heaven and Earth Magick showcases Zorn’s fabulous and compelling blending of classical virtuosic instrumental writing with the improvisational world of Jazz. Completely notated works for piano and vibraphone brilliantly performed by Steve Gosling and Sae Hashimoto are set against a dynamic improvisational rhythm section of Jorge Roeder and Ches Smith. An exciting new musical world filled with an exhilarating sense of drama and a mischievous wit. Zorn’s unique mastery of instrumental writing and wild improvisational conducting skills are here in all their thorny complexity. Essential! TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Auto-Da-Fé    7:59
2    Acéphale    10:36
3    Asclemandres    8:14
4    Descent Into The Maelstrom    8:26
5    Konx Om Pax    10:05
6    Casting The Runes    9:07
Credits :
Bass – Jorge Roeder
Composed By [All Music Composed By], Arranged By [All Music Arranged By], Conductor [All Music Conducted By], Producer [Produced By] – John Zorn
Drums – Ches Smith
Piano – Stephen Gosling
Vibraphone – Sae Hashimoto