Marc Ribot
Asmodeus: Book Of Angels Volume 7

THE REVIEW

Remembering that in 2004 John Zorn composed over 300 themes for the Masada project and then entrusted (or is still entrusting) them to the interpretation of various musicians in order (and this is my opinion...) to best enhance them and avoid an excessively standardized reading, let's say that the seventh volume of what has been called the "Book Of Angels," which in this specific case is named "Asmodeus," finds a more than dignified realization through a remarkably significant trio led by the extraordinary guitarist Marc Ribot.

Where his adventure companions go by the names of Trevor Dunn (on bass; Mr. Bungle, Fantômas, Naked City, Melvins, etc.) and G. Calvin Weston (on drums; Ornette Coleman, James Blood Ulmer, Tricky, The Lounge Lizards, etc.). Talking about a power trio is the least one can do, especially if such a definition is applied to a hard rock context (jazz is often distant), where physicality prevails over embellishments, but where everything is born from an intellect always agile in pairing inventiveness and richness of instrumental content with exquisite interpretive clarity. In the specific case of the ten tracks the choice was to favor a performance in which the "strength" of the three instrumentalists could emerge clearly, going, on one hand, in a more homogeneous and even monolithic direction and, on the other, towards a sound capable of imposing itself by virtue of an underlying depth.

Considering this, I would recommend purchasing the album to all those who, although making avant-garde sonic choices, tend to prefer full-bodied and robust sounds, also because they will find plenty of them here!