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Tzadik is a not-for-profit, co-operative record label. Tzadik is dedicated to releasing the best in avant garde and experimental music, presenting a worldwide community of contemporary musician-composers who find it difficult or impossible to release their music through more conventional channels.

Tzadik believes most of all in the integrity of its artists.
What you hear on Tzadik is the artists' vision undiluted.

Founded in 1995 by John Zorn in co-operation with Kazunori Sugiyama.

More Information and Online Store at [www.tzadik.com]

NEW RELEASES

Evan Parker : House Full of Floors Evan Parker is one of the world's greatest saxophone virtuosos, a revolutionary innovator who has almost single handedly changed the language of the instrument. House Full of Floors is the exciting follow up to his incredible studio composition Time Lapse, released to great acclaim on Tzadik in 2006. Working with three of London's most accomplished improvisers, Evan has fashioned a new world of sound in this exciting new recording. Radical soundscapes from one of the most important musical figures in contemporary music. Key Series

Jose Maceda : Ugnayan An important discovery of the original 1974 recording of a Maceda masterpiece! Recorded as 20 channels broadcast simultaneously on all of Manila's radio stations to the population gathered in public spaces with hand-held transistor radios, Ugnayan was a massive production supported by the Marcos regime intended to meld values of indigenous Filipino culture with modernist aesthetics. Though politically problematic and largely misunderstood, the effort involving the public in an avant garde, environmental music performance was an unprecedented achievement that has not yet been surpassed. Xenakis-like clouds of sounds from bamboo instruments, cymbals, gongs and voices are precisely notated in a 100-page score using complex polyrhythmic relationships that realize Maceda's unique textural style in its most concentrated and intense form. The composer supervised the separate recording for each radio channel onto high quality analog tapes and the result is the most stunning example of this important and neglected composer’s work yet released. Essential. Composer Series

Meredith Monk : Beginnings An unprecedented collection of recordings charting the earliest years of one of the world’s most innovative and exciting renaissance women—composer, singer, performer, film director, visual artist and auteur Meredith Monk. Hand selected by Meredith from her personal archives, this fascinating compilation ranges from her first solo vocal performances in the mid-'60s, to ground-breaking works from the '70s up through 1980. An essential portrait of a vocal pioneer at her virtuosic and exploratory best. Oracles

LATEST RELEASES

David Gould : Feast of the Passover The Reggae master from Adonai in Dub returns to Tzadik with another fascinating program of Jewish music—Reggae style. Feast of the Passover is a collection of songs commonly sung during the Passover seder. Beautifully recorded in Boston, Ithaca, and Jamaica it features a fabulous band of David’s longtime associates as well as the critically acclaimed Romanian saxophonist Yuri Yunakov and the legendary Leonard "Sparrow" Dillon (of the Ethiopians) and the Silvertones on vocals. Incredibly varied and spiritually inspired music connecting the Rasta and Jewish traditions through the miracle of music, this is the perfect background to anyone's 21st century seder. Radical Jewish Cultures | myspace

David Simons : Fung Sha Noon David Simons is an enigmatic figure in the Moondog/Partch mold who has been doing things his own peculiar way for decades. An instrument builder and virtuoso thereminist, David has written music for theater, dance, film, sound installations and classical concert ensembles. The pieces for his second Tzadik CD are some of his most ambitious to date, and feature compositions for large ensemble, string quartet, gamelan, theremin, garbage cans and empty bottles. Complex music at the nexus of classical and world music by this remarkably unique musical thinker! Composer Series | website

Jessica Pavone : Songs of Synastry and Solitude Brooklyn-based string instrumentalist/composer Jessica Pavone is known for her sparse, melodic music inspired by folk music, improvisation and minimalism. Modeled after the legendary Leonard Cohen album Songs of Love and Hate, these eleven marvelous and lyrical songs for string quartet use hauntingly simple beauty to evoke the ghosts of things lost. Performed by the brilliant young members of the Toomai String Quintet, this is lovely and expressive instrumental music from this eloquent voice out of the downtown scene. Oracles | website

Minamo : Kuroi Kawa~Black River Since the late 1980's, Carla Kihlstedt and Satoko Fuji have been at the forefront of New Music, performing, recording and touring in Big Bands, rock groups, jazz bands, classical ensembles and improvisational units all over the world. They now get together for a remarkable duo collaboration. This specially priced 2CD set presents compositions and improvisations for violin and piano by two of the most talented women in New Music. With one CD presenting the meticulous detail of the recording studio, and the other the wild passion and improvisational exploration of a live concert, this is new cutting edge chamber music for the 21st century. Oracles | myspace

John Zorn : Femina Structured as a colorful tribute to women in the Arts, Femina is a triumphant return to the file card technique that has produced some of Zorn's most shockingly original compositions. Much like an aural film, the music jumps from scene to scene with breathtaking precision, following its own peculiar logic. Hildegard von Bingen, Meredith Monk, Simone de Beauvoir, Frida Kahlo, Madame Blavatsky, Isadora Duncan, Hélène Cixous, Gertrude Stein, Abe Sada, Sylvia Plath, Louise Bourgeois, Margaret Mead, Loie Fuller, Dorothy Parker, Yoko Ono and the moon goddess En Hedu’Anna are just a few of the figures who are referenced, reflected and summoned in this soulful and exhilarating tribute to some of the greatest hearts and minds that ever lived. Featuring an all-woman band of some of the downtown scene's most creative and talented musicians, Femina is one of Zorn's deepest and most profoundly beautiful creations. Unique packaging contains artwork and a booklet of images by Kiki Smith, one of the world’s greatest and most important art visionaries. Archival Series | myspace

Ahleuchatistas : Of the Body Prone A new recording by this dynamic young band of hardcore improvisers. Hot off a long tour, Of the Body Prone finds them in a blazing fury. Mixing improvisation and tightly controlled jump cut compositional complexity, Ahleuchatistas are one of a handful of rock groups that can give the Ruins, Meshuggah and Naked City a run for their money. Fascinating and powerful compositions passionately performed and beautifully recorded, this is the New Rock Complexity at its very best! Composer Series | myspace

Jelly Roll Morton : Freakish - Anthony Coleman plays Jelly Roll Morton One of the greatest, and perhaps the very first composer in Jazz history, Jelly Roll Morton was a charismatic and influential figure that helped define Jazz music in its critical early years. Combining ragtime, Latin inflections and more, his music is complex and strikingly original. Anthony Coleman approaches these pieces with a modern composer's ear, bringing out melodic, rhythmic and harmonic nuances that give them an exciting fresh new edge. Five years in the making, this is a classic recital of essential music from the early 20th century by a brilliant modern composer/pianist who feels the music with a deep and profound passion. Key Series

Mario Diaz de Leon : Enter Houses Of Composer Mario Diaz de León is a talented young composer who has studied with Maryanne Amacher and George Lewis. His work focuses on acoustic/electronic hybrids that often fuse the two elements into unified meta-instruments. Often structured as walls and gestures of shimmering sound, his work is influenced by contemporary composers Scelsi, Ligeti, Dumitrescu and Radulescu as well as a wide range of electronic music, free improvisation, black/drone/doom metal and American noise bands like Metalux and Sejayno. Hypnotic and ritualistic, the music relates to altered consciousness and the movement between vision states. Composer Series | myspace

John Zorn : Arcana IV Now in its fourth installment, with a fifth in preparation, John Zorn's acclaimed ARCANA series has become a major source on new music theory and practice in the 21st century. Rather than an attempt to distill or define a musician's work, Arcana illuminates via personal vision and experience through the undiluted words and thoughts of the practitioners themselves. Elucidating through manifestoes, scores, interviews, notes and critical papers, composer/performers address composing, improvising, teaching, living, touring and thinking in and through music. Essential for composers, musicians, students and fans alike, this challenging and original series provides insight into the work and methodologies of some of the most remarkable creative minds of our time. Tzadik Books

Ben Goldberg : Speech Communication One of the most important and talented clarinetists in the world today and a distinctive composer, Ben Goldberg returns to his roots with this first new CD from his legendary band New Klezmer Trio in almost ten years. Joined here by two of New York's finest musicians, Greg Cohen and Kenny Wollesen, and still at the top of his form, Ben proves once again that he is one of the true masters of modern Jewish clarinet. Jazz, klezmer and more from this pioneer voice of Radical Jewish Culture. Essential! Radical Jewish Culture

David Taylor : Red Sea David Taylor is one of the world's greatest virtuosos on the bass trombone—a musician of incredible charisma and eclecticism who has worked with everyone from Gil Evans, Charles Wuorinen, and Frank Sinatra, to Yo-Yo Ma, Barbara Streisand, Duke Ellington and Pierre Boulez. Accompanied by a fabulous band, his Tzadik debut Red Sea is a creative and exciting blend of original music, Hasidic melodies, improvisation and ambient soundscapes. Inspired by the music of the legendary Cantor Pierre Pinchik, this is a moody and dynamic album evoking the ecstasy of cantorial fervor. Radical Jewish Culture

Eyal Maoz's Edom : Hope and Destruction Maoz is a guitarist, bandleader and composer of great intensity and vision. Produced by Shanir Blumenkranz, this second CD by his band Edom pushes Radical Jewish Culture to exciting new places with the addition of keyboard maniac Brian Marsella and Israeli drummer Yuval Lion. Tight, driving and intense, Hope and Destruction presents powerful Jewish rock instrumentals from a cutting edge guitarist who combines the harmonic lyricism of Bill Frisell with the angst and skronk of Marc Ribot. Radical Jewish Culture | myspace

On Ka'a Davis : Djoukoujou! Raw, wild and untainted, this is a new world envisioned, produced and realized by the mystical figure On Ka'a Davis. Drawing inspiration from the outer realms of Blackness, On Ka'a channels Sun Ra, P-Funk, Hendrix, Fela Kuti and more into the squat politics of the East Village basement jam. Accompanied by a wild array of stylish zanies, freedom rings with poetry, polyrhythmic complexity and primal passions. Another world never imagined possible from the undying, ever growing counter culture crucible of Downtown New York. Lunatic Fringe

John Zorn : Music for Children—10th anniversary edition REVISED AND REMASTERED FOR ITS 10TH ANNIVERSARY! There has never been a CD quite like Music For Children. The first installment of Zorn’s challenging and controversial Music Romance trilogy (that includes Taboo and Exile and The Gift) it is easily one of the most eclectic CDs ever made. The music includes three short Torture Garden compositions performed by Zorn with the scorching hardcore band Prelapse; a soulful piece of Masada exotica; a virtuosic classical chamber piece for violin, piano and percussion; a poly-rhythmic etude for voice and percussion and a charming nostalgic lullaby for music box. The highlight of this re-release is a revised version of Zorn's infamously epic ear-bender Cycles du Nord, which takes on new intensity through overdubbed bass drums and a newly recorded noise guitar track by none other than the master of feedback himself—Lou Reed! Intensely intriguing, Music For Children is an unbelievable musical roller coast ride that takes you from the sublime to the ridiculous and back again in sixty jam-packed minutes. Archival Series

Cyro Baptista's Banquet of the Spirits : Infinito One of the greatest Brazilian percussionists working today, Cyro Baptista has worked closely with many of the world's most acclaimed musicians including Herbie Hancock, Paul Simon, Nana Vasconcelos, Medeski Martin & Wood, Wynton Marsalis, Yo-Yo Ma, Laurie Anderson and countless others. His newest band Banquet of the Spirits is augmented here by an array of his most distinguished musical associates in a delightful program of experimental Brazilian pop songs. Another wonderful CD from this master songwriter and percussionist, the driving force of Beat the Donkey, Vira Loucos and so much more. Key Series | myspace

John Zorn : O'o Named for an extinct Hawaiian bird whose delightful song will sadly never be sung again, O'o is the exotic follow up to The Dreamers, one of Zorn's most popular and appealing musical projects. Featuring the same dynamic band of masters from Zorn's inner circle, O'o presents twelve more lyrical and adventurous instrumentals combining world music, surf, exotica, soundtracks, easy listening, minimalism and more into a fabulous and exciting new music. Beautifully packaged in original artwork by Chippy, this is charming and adventurous music passionately performed by a downtown super group. Archival Series

Koby Israelite : Is He Listening? The fourth Tzadik release by this ever-creative Israeli musician features more powerful originals of mixup and mayhem. A student of jazz, classical, punk, heavy metal, gypsy, Balkan, reggae and more, Koby effortlessly blends it all into a unique and vibrant new music. Filled with wit, passion and a surreal sense of humour, Is He Listening? is Koby's sly take on easy listening. A master of no less than eight instruments, he records in his own London studio and here calls in several special guest musicians, including the fabulous Roumanian accordionist from the gypsy dynasty Taraf de Haidouks. Radical Jewish Culture | myspace

Rashanim : The Gathering Rashanim is one of the most exciting young bands exploring New Jewish Music. Combining the intensity of rock with the spontaneity of improvisation, deep Middle Eastern grooves, and mystical Jewish melodies, their first three CDs on Tzadik are some of the most popular on the label. For their fourth release they go unplugged, delivering a powerful acoustic recording that is perhaps their best to date. Lyrical and beautiful, Rashanim joyfully celebrates the Jewish experience with passion, lyricism and a profound sensitivity. Radical Jewish Culture | myspace

Masada Quintet : Stolas: The Book of Angels Volume 12 For this very special release in The Book of Angels series, Zorn has brought together five of the most acclaimed musicians in modern jazz to perform nine of his most distinctive and lyrical compositions. Truly a jazz supergroup, these five master musicians (Joe Lovano, Dave Douglas, Uri Caine, Greg Cohen, Joey Baron) explore Zorn's beautiful and exotic tunes with profound melodic and harmonic knowledge and a depth of feeling that is a joy to hear. One of the most breathtaking CDs in the entire Masada series—a touch of the sublime from the beautiful new Masada Quintet! Featuring John Zorn on Alto. Archival Series

Perry Robinson and Burton Greene : Two Voices in the Desert Close friends since the mid 1960's, Burton Greene and Perry Robinson are two of the most infamous and legendary pioneers of free jazz and the downtown scene. Performing together in a wide variety of bands and ensembles for over four decades, their telepathic rapport is in sharp focus in this intimate duo recording—their first! One of the greatest modern jazz clarinetists in the world meets virtuoso pianist Burton Greene in this historic new installment to Radical Jewish Culture. Radical Jewish Culture

Tim Sparks : Little Princess Another fabulous CD of traditional Jewish music arranged for fingerstyle guitar and performed by the wonderful trio of Tim Sparks, Greg Cohen and Cyro Baptista, whose CD Tanz was released in 2000 to great acclaim. Focusing this time on the traditional repertoire of the great Klezmer clarinetist Naftule Brandwein, the arrangements are delightful, highlighting Tim's elegant guitar style and fine ear for detail and harmonic sophistication. Naftule features colorful and lyrical music that takes the Jewish tradition into the 21st century with style, originality and a charming sense of wit. Radical Jewish Culture | myspace

Henry Hills : Selected Films 1977-2008 Moving to New York in 1978, filmmaker Henry Hills formed a strong alliance with the Downtown improvisers and the “Language” poets, guiding his film work toward a rhythmic, multilayered world filled with unpredictable changes and a striking improvisational edge. The very best of his short, intense films are presented here—from the downtown all-star Money to structural dance films like The Little Lieutenant and Bali Méchanique. A major force in new cinema, these films are brilliantly visual, crammed with image and double meaning. Also included is his 1990 music video for the band Naked City, Gotham. DVD Edition | website

Frank London/Lorin Sklamberg : Tsuker-zis At the epicenter of the klezmer revival and the New Jewish Music scene, Frank London and Lorin Sklamberg have masterminded some of the most exciting Jewish music bands of the past two decades, including The Klezmatics. This third installment of their Nigunim projects focuses on Hasidic holiday songs. Featuring guitarist Knox Chandler of the Psychedelic Furs, legendary oud player Ara Dinkjian and Indian percussion virtuoso Deep Singh, the songs on tsuker-zis (sugarsweet) will delight one and all with their authenticity and creativity. Radical Jewish Culture

Ikue Mori : Class Insecta One of the pioneers of laptop electronics, Ikue Mori has been breaking new ground on the musical frontier for three decades. From her early days in the landmark No Wave band DNA, to her years as a regular in the downtown improvisation community and more recently as one of the epicenters of the international laptop electronic scene, Ikue has become an underground hero—yet her work is still sorely underappreciated. This newest solo CD features Ikue’s idiosyncratic take on contemporary dance rhythms and electronica. Fascinating ambient textures, detailed improvisations and pulsing hypnotic rhythms clash and combine in this complex and charismatic electronic masterpiece. Key Series | myspace

John Zorn : Alhambra Love Songs In an easy listening mode, Alhambra Love Songs is Zorn’s touching and lyrical ode to the San Francisco/Bay Area and the wonderful artists who have made it their home. Including tributes to artists as diverse as Vince Guaraldi, Clint Eastwood, David Lynch, Mike Patton and Harry Smith, the music is some of the most beautiful and soothing Zorn has ever written. Touching on the jazz/pop/funk trios of Vince Guaraldi and Ramsey Lewis, the music is scored for a remarkable piano trio of Rob Burger (Rufus Wainwright, Marianne Faithfull, Laurie Anderson), Greg Cohen (Ornette Coleman, Masada, Burt Bacharach) and Ben Perowsky (Uri Caine, Steve Bernstein, John Lurie). Evocative and endlessly listenable, this is perhaps the single most charming cd in Zorn’s entire catalog, and will appeal to fans of Vince Guaraldi, Ahmad Jamal, Henry Mancini and even George Winston! Archival Series

Roberto Rodriguez : Timba Talmud Composer/percussionist Roberto Rodriguez’s imaginative Cuban-Jewish fusion is some of the most charming and popular music on Tzadik. Continuing his creative reading of imaginary music from Havana’s Jewish community, Roberto draws upon several traditions in Timba Talmud, his best CD yet. Performed by a tight band of musical all-stars, Son Montuno and Guaracha meet the Jewish tradition in this beautiful and sensitive collection of Latin Klezmer. Radical Jewish Culture | myspace

Wadada Leo Smith/Jack Dejohnette : America Two creative music legends who share a remarkable spiritual connection in their first duo outing. Originally proposed to ECM in 1979 and rejected, this rare musical treasure is a project that has been brewing for thirty years. Featuring six new compositions by one of the most consistently brilliant composer/performers out of the legendary AACM, and telepathic interplay by two virtuoso instrumentalists who have been pushing the musical envelope since the 1960s, Red Trumpet is one of the highlights of this or any other year. Recorded at Bill Laswell's New Jersey studio, the sound is impeccable and the music incendiary. Key Series

Pissuk Rachav : Eretz Hakodesh Channeling Serge Gainsbourg through the lens of Hassidic porn and the loving erection of the soul, Pissuk Rachav is the bastard child of Holy Land poetic visions and Brahmachari Circus Music. Marimba, ney, theremin, drums and voice weave a remarkably original and hilariously serious musical universe that seems so perfect one wonders why it has never happened before. French Israeli Jeremy Fogel is an instant superstar, styled in the mold of his hero Serge Gainsbourg. In their own words "perambulations through the existential crisis experienced by post-menopause and suddenly somewhat melancholic Bruria heroine. We would advise all listeners to work out their own salvation with diligence and would like to dedicate all we say, write, sing, play or do to the eternal landlord of the soul." Who knew? This is their debut CD, and it is a must hear for all interested in the outer realms of sanity, Jewish or otherwise! Also features avant superstars Marc Ribot and John Zorn as special guests. Radical Jewish Culture | myspace

Robert Burger : City of Strangers Robert Burger has worked with Laurie Anderson, Rufus Wainwright, Lucinda Williams, Iron & Wine, and was a founding member of chamber music collective Tin Hat Trio. His first Tzadik CD Lost Photograph was released in 2002 to great acclaim. Performing on a multitude of instruments, and complemented by some of the greatest names in new music, Robert presents City of Strangers, a deep and eclectic collection of film cues that reveals, once again, the boundless and potent gifts of an important contributor. Film Music | myspace

Stabat Akish : Stabat Akish Maxime Delporte is a passionate and talented young composer based in Toulouse, France who combines jazz, rock, classical and more into a crazy new music filled with compositional surprises, brilliant solos and wild juxtapositions. Written for and performed by his astounding band Stabat Akish, the music is tight, virtuosic and powerful—perfect for fans of Zappa, Zs and Zorn. This newest installment of the Full Force series is a dynamic debut by this young band of musical misfits. Composer Series | myspace

Bill Laswell : Invisible Design II In addition to being one of the most unique producers in contemporary music, (Iggy Pop, Herbie Hancock, George Clinton, the Rolling Stones, Laurie Anderson), Bill Laswell is also one of the world’s most original and creative bassists. Here he brings his prodigious technique, massive sound and renegade conception to the fore in this intense and virtuosic outing for solo bass. Armed with four-string and eight-string bass and a barrage of effects and distortion boxes, his skill as a player has never been more evident. A dynamic follow-up to his 1999 release Invisible Design, this is an intimate view into the mind of one of the greatest musicians of our time. Composer Series

Guy Klucevsek : Dancing on the Volcano Guy Klucevsek is one of the world’s first and foremost accordion virtuosos, performing with the likes of Laurie Anderson, Anthony Braxton, Dave Douglas, Bill Frisell, Fred Frith and the Kronos Quartet, among many others. His music has graced theater productions, films, dance concerts and he has toured with his ensembles the world over. Guy’s third CD for Tzadik presents a series of charming new compositions filled with the patented Klucevsek wit and humor, and is scored for a fabulous quartet of some of his closest collaborators. A new CD from Guy is always a delight, and this is one of his very best. Key Series | myspace

Greg Wall's Later Prophets : The Kook Project A leading figure in the Jewish music scene for over thirty years, Greg Wall is one of the pioneers in blending Jewish music with jazz. His newest recording with his powerful ensemble Later Prophets is a colorful and provocative mix of jazz and Jewish poetry and features the spiritual writings of Rabbi Avraham Itzchak HaCohen Kook, recently voted the most influential figure in the shaping of modern Israel. Kook was a unique blend of the traditional and the modern—and the music follows suit, with funky grooves, improvisations and even a few of Kook’s own compositions. With texts read by one of the greatest living scholars on Kook and his milieu, this is an important document of Jewish mysticism. Radical Jewish Culture

Tafillalt : Tafillalt Sacred texts from the Mishnah, prayers from North Africa and the Middle East, modern Hebrew poetry and even a letter found in the streets of Jerusalem all serve as the basis for this exciting exploration of the roots of Hebrew song by these innovative young Israeli composer/performers. Original members of Haoman 18, an Israeli counterpart to Radical Jewish Culture, these three musicians combine traditional music with improvisation and contemporary composition in adventurous arrangements. Exotic and passionate new music from the Holy Land featuring middle eastern percussion, mediaeval strings and voices. Radical Jewish Culture | myspace

Richard Foreman : Sophia:The Cliffs/35+ Year Retrospective Compilation Since the late 1960’s Richard Foreman has been writing, designing and directing one of the most important and innovative theater experiences in the world. Documenting dozens of productions, and replete with commentary and interviews, this first release in a series of DVDs from the Ontological Archives is an inner view into the mind of one of the world’s greatest and most acclaimed theatrical geniuses. This special edition contains a retrospective of three decades of work, and a document of one of Richard’s earliest plays complete from beginning to end. DVD Edition