John Zorn, Mike Patton & Ikue Mori - Hemophiliac (2002) CD- Rip

Tracks

CD1
01. Skin Eruptions
02. Edema
03. Stretch Marks
04. The Stitch
05. Malabsorption
06. High Anxiety
07. Dizzy Spells
08. Mood Swing

CD2
01. Gotu Kola
02. Black Kohosh
03. The Squaw Vine
04. Blessed Thistle
05. Silymarin
06. Red Clover
07. Chlorophyll Enemas
08. The Black Radish
09. Essence of Primrose
10. Dong Quai

Personnel

Ikue Mori: Drum Machines, Electronics
Mike Patton: Voice, Electronics
John Zorn: Saxophone, Voice

This double CD set may be a little difficult to come by, as it is a limited-edition set available exclusively from the Tzadik and Ipecac websites -- the respective labels of John Zorn and Mike Patton. And what a pity this monstrous work was not made more widely available, as it contains some of the more ferocious performances of free improvisation that the members of this trio have put to record throughout their disparate and eclectic careers. In fact, Zorn's saxophone harks back to his very early days as the noisy improvisation maniac of his circa late-'70s youth -- all splutters, screeches, and willful abstraction. Electronics virtuoso Ikue Mori's performances are triumphant manipulations of drum machines and computer noise that are complex and elaborate, providing plenty of spiky edges for Zorn's sax and Patton's vocals to spar with. With a total playing time of over 100 minutes over two CDs, this collection contains highlights of the trio's intense live performances. The disc comes packaged in a handmade cardboard sleeve, each of the 2,500 copies of the limited-edition package signed and numbered by the artists, making this a cherished collector's item.

Dean McFarlane