Reviewed: 2019-09-09
Genre: Jazz
FCCs: none
Review: One of John Zorn’s most beloved and unique 21st century ensembles, the Gnostic Trio features the distinctive guitar of Bill Frisell, the vibraphone of Kenny Wollesen and the ethereal harp stylings of Carol Emanuel. The sounds are soulful and heavenly and for this, their seventh cd together, they perform nine tunes from the “Book Beri’ah”, the last book of music completing the Masada legacy. Frisell’s magical sonorities dance around harp and vibraphone creating a heavenly improvisational counterpoint. Truly music of the angels.
If You Like: John Abercrombie, Jakob Bro, Collin Walcott, Gary Burton, Edmar Castaneda
Track Review (favorites denoted by *):
**1/ Pirke Avot (5:02) – guitar starts> midtempo jam builds in intensity & complexity to a spacy crescendo, then mellows to fade
*2/ Ha-Murgash (8:36) – vibraphone starts> midtempo jam in constantly evolving slow waves> fade
**3/ Atarah (4:32) – guitar starts> uptempo jam builds in volume with interweaving solos> fade
4/ Shi’ur Koma (4:02) – guitar starts> slow tempo jam swings to midtempo> slow fade
5/ Safra (3:09) – guitar starts on deep note> midtempo jam with ringing vibe notes> slow fade
*6/ Re’cha (4:20) – guitar starts> rocking uptempo jam> sonic guitar solo> uptempo jam> fade
*7/ Merkaba (6:23) – guitar starts> haunting ethereal slow tempo jam> slow fade
8/ Hispashut (4:56) –vibraphone starts> midtempo jam> melody shift> midtempo jam> slow fade
**9/ Olamot (6:01) – guitar starts> hesitant slow tempo jam slowly builds to uptempo> then meloows to midtempo & fades