50TH BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION VOLUME 6: HEMOPHILIAC

This is the sixth in a series of live recordings the Tzadik label has released documenting the month-long celebration of music composer John Zorn's 50th birthday. Hemophiliac is an avant-garde supergroup of sorts featuring the trio of Zorn on saxophone (of Masada and Naked City fame), laptop/electronic-music composer Ikue Mori (formerly of the band DNA and who has released several solo recordings), and vocalist Mike Patton (of Tomahawk and Fantomas). Though I was familiar with the musical histories of each contributing member, I was not prepared for what was to hit my ears during the following 50 minutes of this CD...

Right from the start is a sonic assault from all three members, with Zorn's familiar horn blasts squealing loudest. Mori's unworldly sonic manipulations sounds like she's twisting metal like taffy at one moment or harnessing electronic droplets of water the next. Patton is unpredictable as a vocalist who whimpers, belches and hyperventilates his way throughout this very unusual performance.

The concert ebbs and flows with wild freak-outs and peaceful ambient moments throughout, with each of the 7 songs tending to focus on one extreme or the other. (The song titles are another matter entirely, with head-scratching codes like "\/\/\///\/\/\/\\/\///\\/\" and "@:<>:@" .) The 5th song is my fave, perhaps the most "meditative" offering here. The roar of race cars zooming through early on this track are actually quite soothing, and Zorn solos beautifully at the song's conclusion. The final track is a hilarious riot, which sounds like a tropical paradise on Mars.

Hemophiliac's only other official release was a limited-run CD that has since sold out (it was also comprised of live recordings). It is uncertain at this point if this trio will collaborate on a studio recording or continue performing live.

If you are an adventurous music-buyer with an ear for the bizarre and experimental then I don't think you will go wrong with purchasing this CD.