IGNEO

When listening to this Zu album, I thought what their music is like. First influence is very clear - it's John Zorn. Not Masada, or Filmworks, but more Painkiller or Naked City. Sounds attractive?

Italian trio from Rome is playing very unusual music for Italy. I don't mean RIO/avant in whole, but I am speaking about THEIR kind of experimental music. We all awaiting high level of musicality from any Italian band. There is wrong example on this album. They are playing free-jazz heavily mixed with punk, hardcore, noise and whatever else you want.

Musicians are all highest class, plus they have special American guests on few tracks: Jeb Bishop (trombone) and Ken Vandermark (sax). Brutal combination of punkish drums attacks and brass cacophonic solos instead of soloing guitars. Sound games as well.

For sure this kind of music is known. John Zorn in some his works demonstrated great success in this field. But the big difference is musicality. Zorn's genius bring musicality even in his playing noise and chaos. There you wouldn't find musicality. Almost no traces.

Is it so bad? Don't think so. This album is radical experimental work in the hottest field of modern jazz - punk-free-jazz. And some moments there are interesting enough. But - I am saying interesting, no way great. There are many interesting figures, experimenting with similar music ( and I like Mats Gustafsson or Barry Guy really more), but very a few of them can produce music, not pure experimental sound.

Radical experimental album, could be in interest of free-jazz and experimental jazz lovers. Can shock those thinking that musical composition should have melody, structure or any other form.