Track Listing

1. Lagzagel
2. Sefrial
3. Agmatia
4. Rifion
5. Chafriel
6. Aba�
7. Asaliah
8. Vianuel
9. Jeduthun
10. Halach Ha-Sopher
11. Tutruza'i

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #82621 in Music
• Released on: 2008-08-19
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .13 pounds

Album Description
2008 arrival of Vol. 11 - Zabeos: The Book of Angels by Medeski, Martin & Wood. The funkified Jazz trio Medeski, Martin & Wood plays Fusion music by way of the downtown New York Avant scene of the 1990s. John Medeski's fuzzy keyboards are equally indebted to the Meters, Jimmy Smith, Sun Ra, Chris Wood and Billy Martin provide fluid rhythms that can lock in like the JBs if the mood is appropriate. This ability to blend Jazz technique and structures with head-nodding grooves endeared the trio to the "jam band" community and its post-Jerry Garcia figurehead, Trey Anastasio of Phish, who joined the band live on several occasions.

Customer Reviews

"at turns prowling and meditative"

I haven't heard other albums in the Book of Angels series, so while I tend to appreciate the work of John Zorn, I approach this record with Medeski, Martin and Wood as the focus of my interest.

And Zaebos IS interesting. Recent MMW studio albums have all involved guitarists, horn sections, turntablists, rigorous production strategies and other additions to create a layered soundscape that simultaneously enfolds and expands the trio's dynamic range. Zaebos, by contrast, is stripped-down and somewhat subdued, and it plays a little like --dare I say it?-- a traditional jazz album, though not without MMW's characteristic edge and energy.

The trio is in elemental form here, and they develop and shape Zorn's compositions without ever being constricted. The result is original and refreshing, at turns prowling and meditative. The melodic structures of Zaebos are distinctly middle-eastern, and while the rhythms are strong, these songs don't seem to groove so much as slink, drift, and whirl, the music of clandestine intrigue and hypnotic reverie. Evocative of the restless excitement and haunting quietude of late nights in distant lands, this album is an excellent addition to MMW's already diverse catalog...

Buzzy, vibrant playing
Medeski, Martin & Wood's last non-children's CD was "End Of The World Party (Just In Case)". That CD was very studio-sounding, and was hampered by its post-production. For "Zaebos", MM&W take a set of John Zorn-written Masada songs and tear into them. It's a very live-sounding disc, and fun to listen to as a result. The opener "Lagzagel" is almost metallic. The moods from there vary -- some are funky, some soulful, some aggressive -- but they all have a live, vibrant feel. This was a good wake-up for the band, and MM&W fans should pick it up.

awesome addition to the book of angels
I agree with most everything the other reviewers have said except for the rating. This disc is diverse and full of passion. I love the subtleties of so many of the tunes. Its so satisfying to hear mmw play within these structures. For me the one of the most welcome additions is medeski's piano playing. the piano sounds so good on the fourth track. I'm glad they didn't turn everything funky- some of the tunes demand a different rhythmic edge. It's not as elegant or quite as colorful as vol. 10, but energy, ideas, and interplay are all on display.