Good news! There’s a new Zorn CD out on Tzadik called “O’o” which is named after an extinct Hawaiian bird and is the follow up to The Dreamers. There’s also a new and unplugged Rashanim CD out to quench our thirst after a yearning period of 3 years, and if that’s not enough, there are two new releases by Koby Israelite and Cyro Baptista.

First there’s a new Masada CD, no. 12 on the second Masada book Stolas, which sees the invincible Masada resurrected after 11 years with two new faces pianist Uri Caine and tenor player Joe Lovano, which unfortunately means that Zorn’s not performing once again, apart from a brief part on Rahtiel. However both Lovano and Caine are in top form (as is the rest of the gang unsurprisingly), so you’ll quickly get used to the jazzier and less squeaky playing of Lovano.

“A highly respected traditionalist, Lovano’s inclusion in this Downtown super-group is something of a coup. Interpreting some of Zorn’s most accessible and sublime compositions, Lovano is joined by a quartet of Masada veterans, including trumpeter Dave Douglas, pianist Uri Caine, bassist Greg Cohen and drummer Joey Baron.” All about Jazz

The second CD is “Alhambra Love Songs“, performed by Rob Burger on piano, Greg Cohen on bass and Ben Perowsky on drums. It’s more in tune with the Filmorks series because of its cinematic nature. Beware, it treads like a b&w movie so it might be more suitable for autumn and heartbreaks. If you feel intimidated by Zorn’s complex and often noisy avantjazz, this is your call.

“Largely operating within the same icy realms of urbane coolness as Scandinavian groups such as the Tord Gustavsen Trio or e.s.t., Zorn injects these pieces with doses of Hassidic melody and his unique chutzpah to prevent their dissolution into mere ether muzak. Burger’s ivories pirouette endlessly, leaving vaporous trails of emotion and suave sophistication in their wake, as Perowsky’s ride cymbal flourishes and snare drum shuffles combine with Cohen’s measured bass runs to provide these tracks with their dexterous spine. Record Collector“