Naked John Zorn

Marc Ribot - Shrek (1994) {Avant Japan Avan 033}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 272 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 145 Mb
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© 1994 Avant / Disk Union Japan | Avan 033
Jazz / Rock / Avant-Garde / Experimental / Guitar

Although Marc Ribot has lent his incomparable six-string idiosyncracy to any number of studio ensemble projects, Shrek is his first attempt to assemble a solid group of his own. Shrek's more or less stable lineup includes guitarist Chris Wood (of Medeski, Martin, and Wood), bassist Sebastian Steinberg, drummer Jim Pugliese, and percussionist Christine Bard. The group's debut shifts restlessly among animated jazz, rock, punk, and warped blues themes, filling the inevitable cracks with instrumental textures, minimal vignettes, and formless noise, similar in some respects to John Zorn's Naked City (though with considerably more focus…hell, with focus period!). The group is joined on three tracks by sampler collage artist David Shea.

Drummer Øyvind Skarbø’s trio Bly de Blyant, with Icelandic guitarist Hilmar Jensson and Brooklyn-based multi-instrumentalist Shahzad Ismaily (Marc Ribot, Will Oldham, John Zorn), have received glowing reviews for their two previous albums, “ABC” and “Hindsight Bias”. On their third album, called simply “The Third Bly de Blyant Album”, they have brought in percussionist Ches Smith (Marc Ribot, Mr. Bungle, Xiu Xiu) as a guest, and together they take the music in a whole new direction. The band’s third album is their most cohesive release to date.

Excellent Chilean quintet ultilizing guitar, bass, drums and dual sax players. Very much influenced by King Crimson and even by the "KC Projekts", Akinetón Retard play an aggressive forn of angular, modern prog that has few if any equals on the current scene. There is also something of the NY 'downtown' scene present in their uniquely avant-garde take on the prog rock genre. Maybe hints at Curlew or even John Zorn's groundbreaking ensemble Naked City.

Mike Patton - Adult Themes For Voice (1996) {Tzadik TZ 7015}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 208 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 105 Mb
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© 1996 Tzadik | TZ 7015 | Tzadik Composer Series
Avant-Garde / Experimental / Sound Collage / A Cappella / Noise / Free Improvisation

Famous as the vocalist of Faith No More, notorious as the singer of Mr. Bungle, Mike Patton goes one step further with a debut album of experimental sounds never imagined possible from just voice and microphone. Recorded and mixed in hotel rooms using 4-track cassette deck, Adult Themes is a classic which will both surprise and delight Patton fans and newcomers alike. Compositions such as "Catheter", and "Orgy In Reverb" live up to their titles. In addition to his successful day job, Mike Patton has moonlighted with various ensembles and composers including Kronos Quartet, Bob Ostertag, Rova Saxophone Quartet, David Shea, Arto Lindsay, Bill Laswell, Boo-Yaa Tribe, Sepultura, John Zorn and Naked City (filling in for Yamatsaka Eye).

With a tremulous voice, poetic lyrics, and a fine band, Robin Holcomb put together an impressive debut album. A lot of credit for the distinctive sound of this record must be laid at the feet of organist (and Holcomb's husband) Wayne Horvitz and guitarist Bill Frisell, both alumni of John Zorn's Naked City. The playing of Horvitz and Frisell fits in beautifully with Holcomb's otherworldly voice, one that at times evokes Elizabeth Fraser of the Cocteau Twins.