SIMULACRUM - THE PAINTED BIRD

John Zorn's discography either as solo artist, band member, composer, performer/collaborator, director or producer is huge. It will take a life time effort to keep up with it, less write about each release under his blessing. This being the fourth CD in a 12-month period by Zorn's new ensemble (including long time accomplice John Medeski).

So, I do consider myself lucky of having acquired this 2016 "The Painted Bird" release in which traditional Jazz structures and modern Jazz improvisations are reconstructed via the heavy metal way. A clash of 3 musical worlds balanced throughly and to experimental perfection without any kind of condescending attitude towards neither of the styles.

A daring and flawless performance full of extremely well crafted details true to the nature of their roots yet always on the look out for unsuspected detours or musical expression options, as usual with the non-mainstream soul of this musician's projects.

Music composition wise its creative proposals go beyond the mere blending of styles, opposite to that it explores deeply into its own "crossover" encounters but never losing its balanced focus or becoming indulgent. It is extremely experimental yet at the same time friendly, in John Zorn's terms of course.

Anyway, serious fun to call it somehow.

****4 PA stars.