If there’s one person I won’t tire composing similar music, it’s John Zorn. His 2008 title The Dreamers is out and it’s basically The Gift No.2 with a lot of great references to genres like exotica and surf with the help of Cyro Baptista‘s mood setting percussions and Marc Ribot’s delicate guitar tone, this time with a little bit more Jewish scales thrown in and there’s some not-so-easy listening compositions (e.g Toys which he actually plays an odd timed but strangely catchy melody or Anulikwutsayl where minimalism and cinematic expression takes over melody). He’s trying to find the perfect balance and he’s quite there as if he’s not actually composing but mixing chemical solutions in flasks: “A little bit of surf twang mixed with some cinematic world music, no scratch that this song needs a bit more funk!.”

Of course his significant luck is working with all the best musicians from NYC starting with Marc Ribot and going over to his long time comrades from Masada and Electric Masada, Joey Baron, Jamie Saft, Trevor Dunn, Cyro Baptista and Kenny Wollesen, the usual suspects are all there. I’m starting to wonder if these guys are a figment of Zorn’s imagination? Are they all living in his head? How the hell do they get on so well musically, to translate his ideas into such gorgeous pieces. Is it John Zorn dreaming?

The Dreamers’ is not on the brink of experimentation unlike some of his works, this is a formula he’s trying to perfect, full of romanticism, sadness, and beauty. His other supergroup Bar Kokhba including Mark Feldman on violin and Erik Friedlander on cello, has also released a new album called Lucifer after years.

Bar Kokhba Sextet plays Lilin

John Zorn’s Dreamers performing Toys