"444" is the latest avant-garde jazz exploration from the prolific and innovative composer John Zorn, released in 2023 on the Tzadik label. This 46-minute journey through experimental soundscapes features Zorn's signature compositions, arrangements, and conducting, showcasing his enduring ability to push musical boundaries.
The album brings together a powerhouse quartet featuring Brian Marsella on electric piano, John Medeski on Hammond organ, Matt Hollenberg on electric guitar, and Kenny Grohowski on drums and percussion. Their remarkable rapport is evident throughout the eight tracks, each offering a unique blend of free jazz, experimental, and avant-garde elements.
"444" opens with "Splendor Solis," setting the tone for the album's alchemical exploration of sound. Tracks like "Retort," "In Sulphur and in Flame," and "Astral Projection" delve into the quartet's dynamic interplay, while "Civil Disobedience" and "With Blood I Summon Thee" highlight the group's ability to blend intensity with precision. The album concludes with "Salt and Mercury" and "Tayy al-Ard," leaving the listener with a sense of the profound and the provocative.
Zorn's "444" is a testament to his ongoing exploration of new musical worlds, challenging expectations and delivering a sonic experience that is as thought-provoking as it is exhilarating. Whether you're a longtime fan of John Zorn or new to his work, "444" offers a compelling introduction to his unique vision and the incredible talent of the musicians who bring his compositions to life.
Vinylscout