JOHN ZORN — Ipsissimus (with Moonchild Trio) (review)

JOHN ZORN — Ipsissimus (with Moonchild Trio) album cover Album · 2010 · Eclectic Fusion Buy this album from MMA partners
4/5 ·
snobb
John Zorn's and related projects discography contains very big amount of releases, often even hot fans are not familiar with his every work.During last few years Zorn's releasing few albums every year,2010 was a peak with more than 10 albums released!It's understandable for casual listener it's not easy at all to navigate in Zorn's world of music.

Ipsissimus is an album recorded by The Moonchild team - Zorn's musical project,started in 2006 with four albums released till now. As often with Zorn, you will find well-known names there on board: Mark Patton is well known in rock world as lead vocalist of Faith No More (from 1989), later he sung in Mr.Bungle,Fantômas and was a member in Zorn-related bands Hemophiliac,Naked City and Painkiller.He is without doubt one of most interesting and radical vocalist in modern avant-garde jazz and rock related music.

Bassist Trevor Dunn was Mr.Bungle co-founder (with Mike Patton), played on Zorn albums and is a member of Secret Chiefs 3.Joey Baron is avant-jazz drummer,played with Stan Getz,Bill Frisell and John Zorn, between others. Initially Moonchild Trio consisted of Patton,Dunn and Baron, later more musicians were collaborated on project, as Zorn himself, electronics wizard-freak Ikue Mori,NY down town keyboardist Jamie Saft,guitarist Marc Ribot, some vocalists."Ipsissimus" is recorded by Moonchild quintet of Patton,Dunn,Baron,Ribot and Zorn.

Album's music is concentrated collection of everything Zorn played during last decade,melted in one high energy noisy melodic avant fusion.Initial Moonchild trio is still the heart of all sound there,with Patton screaming and growling wordless vocals and distorted groove coming from Dunn and Baron. Zorn's free sax fast and sharp attacks on some compositions really add enough spices to the sound, as much as Ribot heavy scratching guitar. It's great that album is not a collection of noisy distorted improvs - melodic element is quite important and makes all the music much more attractive and not such a radical listening.

Being a real gem for Zorn's fans, this album is in fact quite experimental and radical listening for more conservative listener. Patton growls and screams in combination with quite distorted sound of some instruments are the question of taste. If you are not afraid of that, I believe you will listen this album with serious interest. For those more familiar with Zorn's music "Ipsissimus" is possibly the best Moonchild project's release and one between best Zorn's albums coming from 2010.
Share this review

Review Comments

Post a public comment below | Send private message to the reviewer
Please login to post a shout
No shouts posted yet. Be the first member to do so above!

JMA TOP 5 Jazz ALBUMS

Rating by members, ranked by custom algorithm
Albums with 30 ratings and more
A Love Supreme Post Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
Kind of Blue Cool Jazz
MILES DAVIS
Buy this album from our partners
The Black Saint and the Sinner Lady Progressive Big Band
CHARLES MINGUS
Buy this album from our partners
Blue Train Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners
My Favorite Things Hard Bop
JOHN COLTRANE
Buy this album from our partners

New Jazz Artists

New Jazz Releases

Tot Celebrant Tete Big Band
IGNASI TERRAZA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Music Caravan Bop
BILLY TAYLOR
Buy this album from MMA partners
Terceiro Mundo World Fusion
NOMADE ORQUESTRA
Buy this album from MMA partners
Chateau Post-Fusion Contemporary
LUIZ AVELLAR
Buy this album from MMA partners
Gratitude Pop/Art Song/Folk
LUIZ AVELLAR
Buy this album from MMA partners
More new releases

New Jazz Online Videos

Raw Blues 2 Promo
DOUG MACLEOD
js· 2 days ago
All I Had Was The Blues
DOUG MACLEOD
js· 2 days ago
Barbara Blue - Sweet, Strong & Tight
BARBARA BLUE
js· 3 days ago
More videos

New JMA Jazz Forum Topics

More in the forums

New Site interactions

More...

Latest Jazz News

members-submitted

More in the forums

Social Media

Follow us