Search - Frank London :: Hazonos

One of the Most Stunning Albums of the Year

Stephen Silberman | SF, CA USA | 08/07/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On this album, Frank London, a trumpeter associated with John Zorn's downtown NY jazz scene and the Klezmatics, has fused the Jewish art of cantorial singing with instrumental accompaniment that suggests both the ancient, soul-wrenching melodies of the High Holy Days and the most lyrical and reflective avant-garde jazz. The result is one of the most important albums of 2005 -- a giant step forward for London, for Zorn's Tzadik label, and for jazz itself.



On his previous release, Invocations, London deployed mournful trumpet lines against moody but relatively static backgrounds played on harmonium and glass harmonica. It was a very pretty, shimmering, meditative album, but Hazonos is much more intense without losing any of the meditative depth. Here, the monumentally powerful voices of cantors Jacob Ben-Zion Mendelson, Daniel Mendelson, and Simon Shapiro soar above arrangements for harmonium, organ, piano, bass, and drums that swing fiercely at the same time that they maintain the sacred mood. The ecstatic poignancy of the vocals recalls the best performances of Nusrat Fateh Ali Kahn. The cantorial tracks alone, or the instrumental tracks alone, would make worthwhile listening; together, the effect is overwhelmingly passionate and completely fresh.



On his next project, London should certainly try taking this band -- consisting of Anthony Coleman, David Chevan, and Gerald Cleaver -- out of the _shul_. Though jazz tributes have become a tiresomely predictable element of the current scene, an album of deep Wayne Shorter covers by this band (think "Masqualero," "Nefertiti," "Sweet Pea," and "Iris") could be amazing. But for now, London has created one of the best jazz albums in years, even for those who don't think they're interested in "temple music." For fans of progressive jazz who also happen to be Jewish, this recording is a must-buy."