THE BRIBE - VARIATIONS AND EXTENSIONS ON SPILLANE

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.