THE BRIBE - VARIATIONS AND EXTENSIONS ON SPILLANE

An interesting album that is more or less a continuation of the Zorn album Spillane (hence the album covers are similar and the subtitle of the album is Variations on Spillane). Anywho, this album takes the overall feel of the film-noir jazz epic that dominated said album and expands it into various atmospheres and textures. While not borrowing any music from the piece Spillane, one can definitely hear the various similarities with the album as a whole and the title track of Spillane.

If I were to choose highlight pieces, they would probably have to be the various recurrences of Gill's Theme throughout the entire album. This moody, gritty little ditty of acoustic bass and light piano melodies really sets a tone for nearly the entire album, since this motif is repeated at various points throughout. Other favorites of mine include the 11 minute Dreams of the Red Chamber, which invokes images of medieval Japan and broods about creating a tense but powerful atmosphere; the other favorite of mine is Strip Central. This piece is filled with raunchy yet subtle guitar lines that have a surf-guitar sound (a la Dick Dale) and create a vibrant atmosphere that can be only described as the song title suggests, like you were in the Red Light District of some city.

In the end, The Bribe is essential to those who enjoyed Spillane, as it takes everything Spillane had to offer, tweaks and expands upon it, and makes it ultimately something worthwhile to listen to. It may not be the best starting point for John Zorn, but once you've delved into his jazzier and easier works, this will be a piece of cake and a fulfilling listen. Highly recommended.

Eleven years after Zorn's "Spillane" album was released, he returned back to his very early formula mixing film-noir soundtrack-like music with be-bop, some jazz fusion and even neo-classic and avant-electronic elements. Team of musicians are great as often, so any fan with love to Zorn's soundtracks series will find there all he expecting. And most important - different and never boring music.

But after listening tens of Zorn works, I feel some nuances on this album, which doesn't give me the possibility to name it great album.

Everyone familiar with Zorn's discography knows that he likes to release short albums, quite often of old LP size ( between 35 and 45 minutes). And even not all of them are always concentrated enough. This album is unusually long, almost 80 minutes. It contains plenty of excellent moments and ideas, but big part of its 26 compositions are filled just with fillers. In total, this work doesn't sound concentrated at all, and looks more as collection of out-tracks and rehearsals, recorded during "Spillane" recording process. I am not sure, if it is truth, but in fact I have such feeling every time when I am listening this album.

It doesn't mean that music isn't good enough, for heavy Zorn's fans there are plenty to listen for, but in real life it reminds me "Bitches Brew Sessions" album, collection of 4 CD, released some years after huge success of Miles Davis "Bitches Brew". Again, great album for hard fans and researchers, but original is really enough for regular listener.

So, I think "Spillane" is great album and good enough for many listeners, and "The Bribe ..." is just a release for those, who is happy with "Spillane" , but want to dig deeper. But 3+ for sure.