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avestin wrote: But I digress.Anyone cares to comment on the above question about Zorn?

I'm only familiar with Zorn's more recent stuff - the earlier material you ask about I don't know. I'm a sizeable Zorn fan, but mostly of his Masada-related stuff. Aside from that material, I like Naked City and that's about it, although the most recent Painkiller release (in the 50th birthday series) is AWESOME despite the fact that I actually kind of hate the original Painkiller stuff.

Of the Masada stuff, Bar Kokhba Sextet and Electric Masada are my favorites (both have discs in the 50th birthday series that are excellent). But it's pretty hard to go wrong with any of the (practically hundreds) of Masada-related releases out there, at least until listener fatigue sets in and it all starts sounding the same.

I have Moonchild and it's ok, but I'm starting to get tired of Mike Patton's shtick. There are more captivating Patton performances on that 50th Birthday Celebration Painkiller disc (for instance) anyway.

avestin wrote: To move on, I have the album Garmonbozia by Ensemble Nimbus and I find it to be a good album although not something too exceptional and groundbreaking (the first track which is also the only long length track is vrey good and there are several others in the same level). Another band with Bruisson in the lineup, btw. I was wondering if anyone has heard their previous Scapegoat and whether it is similar to Garmonbozia?

Hmm, I have Scapegoat and it's pretty good, but I haven't heard Garmonbozia. I also have their debut, Key Figures, and like it the best of what I've heard from them; unfortunately it's on APM and so is doubtless long out of print.

Cool band though, vaguely Samla-esque which is unsurprising given the presence of Hasse Bruniusson. Also they kind of remind me of Daniel Denis' solo efforts at times.

avestin wrote: Well then, seems like I'll be getting Taboo and Exile then.   Anyone else knows his other numerous releases?   What are his first releases like? I'm refering to his albums between 1980 to 1985 (Pool, Archery, Locus Solus, The Classic Guide To Strategy, Volume One, Ganryu Island (with Michihiro Sato)).   Also, did anyone listen to his 2006 release Moonchild? I know MikeEnRegalia did and I remember him praising it.

In regards to Ganryu Island (with Michihiro Sato), just look above I really like this album, though quite experiemental. Even though I have not heard Pool and Archery I know they are part of his collection of "games pieces". So I'm thinking they are going to have some of the same compositional values as Cobra.

Moatilliatta wrote: OK, here is what I'm down to for my next purchase (that are RIO/Avant Garde, or still along more experimental lines):   Ahvak - s/t Deus ex Machina - Cinque Far Corner - s/t Guapo - Five Suns Krakatoa - We Are the Rowboats Matching Mole - s/t Miriodor - Parade Thinking Plague - In Extremis   I've put a handful off for later, but I'm stuck narrowing my list down for this one. If some of you can choose 3-5 off this list that would be the best choices I would appreciate it

Thanks for the comments about the review.

Anyway, now to get on topic...
These are the John Zorn Albums I own.

- Ganryu Island (with Michihiro Sato)
- The Big Gundown: John Zorn Plays The Music Of Ennio Morricone (I'm not farmiliar with this piece as yet, I only brought it today!)
- Cobra
- Naked City
- Taboo and Exile (V.A. Music Romance vol.2)

Along with two painkiller albums.

Ganryu Island Is a collaboration between Zorn and Michihiro Sato. Michihiro Sato throughout the album plays what is sited to be a shamisen. I'm not to knowledgable to what this instrument is but it sounds like some from of ethnic guitar? in a very peculiar fashion. For me this contains some of the most interesting and inventive aways of playing the sax and other reed instruments I have ever heard. This again is not a easy listening, but very rewarding.

Taboo and Exile (V.A. Music Romance vol.2) This would have the be my favourite John Zorn album I own. I find this album has an arua of darkness surrounding the music... this is something I am greatly drawn towards. Over all I find this a very easy album to get into.

These are the two recommedations I can give from the material I have heard.

Also for those interested a little video of Naked City live.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ajS3cbkoZX0&search=sob

For RIO you have to start with Henry Cow. Henry Cow is an excellent example of both complicated and practical music. Unrest and In Praise Of Learning are excellent albums.

Black Velvet wrote: Just another little question about Krakatoa. I went to their site to be delighted to find a few songs to download from their lastest album..We Are the Rowboats along with Togetherness. I found great joy in the two tracks off Togetherness, but tended to feel rather bored while listen to the tracks off their new album. I'm just wondering if anybody else felt this, to me they just felt like they were going through the motions, there seemed to be something missing. I think I will have to have a little more of a listen. I'm sure it is one of those bands that grow on you.

Edited by Moatilliatta - June 12 2006 at 19:33

After reading Cesar Inca's thread about Bubu not being symphonic but more leaning to a RIO sounding band (and still maintaing some hallmarks of symphonic genre, thus making them art rock), I went back to the album and re-listened to it thoroughly.
First of all, it is a brilliant album and I was thinking what a shame it was that this is the only album they released (it was a rather large band). Second, Coming from Argentina and recording this in 1978 must have put this album in recluse from the rest of the world. Perhapse in other circumstances they would have been part of the original RIO movement and even appeared in the RIO original festical in March 12, 1978 .
Third, I am convinced this is not pure symphonic prog and I am also that this has RIO sounds and elements in it, but the mixing of styles make it not quite a full RIO/Avant style album, althuogh it is strongly linked to it. It is RIO/Avant-Related
What do you think?

Another thing, what do you think of the band Fulano?
Here is their bio from this site:
Considered the top Chilean fusion jazz-rock band. Their compositions range from an experimental pop-rock to acid jazz with an avant-garde background. A complex top-notch rock style featuring female vocals.
Now I have their album Vivo. And while it is a fusion album, it has an avant-prog quirkiness to it and therefore this may appeal to many Avant-prog fans. I know I enjoy this album.

Just another little question about Krakatoa. I went to their site to be delighted to find a few songs to download from their lastest album..We Are the Rowboats along with Togetherness. I found great joy in the two tracks off Togetherness, but tended to feel rather bored while listen to the tracks off their new album.

I'm just wondering if anybody else felt this, to me they just felt like they were going through the motions, there seemed to be something missing. I think I will have to have a little more of a listen. I'm sure it is one of those bands that grow on you.

Looks like I am going to be finding myself some "This Heat" as well!

You got me very curious on Krakatoa. I have to find it now!