Monday, September 1, 2014

Abraxis, Psychomagia, Abraxis Plays John Zorn

Shanir Ezra Blumenkranz leads the band Abraxis on a trippy sort of journey into the land of Psychomagia (Tzadik), which is in fact their second album, consisting entirely of the music of John Zorn.

Aram Bajakian and Eyal Maoz play some very excellent out psycho-delicatessen electric guitars as the band gives us a sort of Jewish-meets-surf-meets-wired-out-psychedelia mix that is nigh irresistible.

Zorn and this very capable band of gypsys give us something that works exceptionally well. The mix of styles sounds completely natural, the guitar work is blisteringly hot half the time, then crisply surf-oriented, depending on the moment.

It's what makes New York more than a melting pot. For melting is all well and good, and other people do it elsewhere all the time, but it's critical what you do with the melt, as any tuna melt fan knows only too well.

This melt is beautifully worked. I find myself smiling every time I hear it. It's not that easy to make me smile every time out! This does that.

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