Search - Eyal Maoz :: Edom

A true musical journy

Ran Mov | 11/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 2 words. Amazing effort. Make that 3. Really amazing effort.



This album really shows true musicianship, Very solid and diverse. The band is doing great job supporting outstanding creative guitar work by Maoz. As a Prog Rock fan, I like to be challenged by the music. In that respect, Edom project makes you think.



If you are into exploring new horizens this CD is a must. Maoz spiral into new territoy away from old school Jazz as we know it.



"

Really out there.

Howard R. | Washington, DC | 11/09/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The record starts with a tamed Jewish sounding song - in the tradition of the Tzadik Jewish music. However, as the tracks progress the genre becomes less recognizable. A strong collaboration of Maoz's wailing guitar and the blasting organ of Medeski is apparent (for me it was a rare opprotunity to hear Medeski in a different setting than his beloved MMW). Eyal appears to be a great guitarist and composer with his powerful solos and solid compositions. All in all it's a delightful rock-world music ensemble, that has this Jewish tinge that is very Tzadik, and at times is really out there. Hope for more to come. Highly recommended."

Edom Review from the USC Advocate

Seth D. Weiner | Atlanta, GA | 11/18/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The one sheet accompanying the copy of Edom by Eyal Maoz instructs confused record stores to file the CD under "Jazz, Rock, World, Jam, Radical Jewish Music" - this last being a genre invented by John Zorn for a series of releases on his Tzadik label. Guitarist Eyal Maoz is from Israel but has been living in New York since 1999, and the music certainly acknowledges his roots. Several songs have klezmer-like melodies, and organist John Medeski's solos on these tracks emphasize that sound. Sometimes this doesn't work. The opening track "Innocence" adds a surf-rock resonance to its Jewish-sounding melody and the result comes across as empty pastiche to me, doing justice to neither genre. Songs like "Lost," do it right, recalling a more rock-based version of Zorn's band Masada.



The free sections scattered throughout several songs are less likely to appeal to jam band fans, but to me they are some of the most compelling pieces on this CD. Maoz creates fascinating scrapey soundscapes, Medeski uses the slides and pedals of his Hammond B3 to eerie effect, and the rest of the band knows what they're doing, too. On "Deep," an introduction in free time gives way to a mellow but apprehensive Middle Eastern melody, resulting in the most successful fusion of Maoz's various influences on the album.



Fans of Masada and Medeski Martin & Wood's more adventurous music will find much to enjoy here, as the band is tight and plays well together. Another well-produced CD from Tzadik and hopefully not the last word from Eyal Maoz.



By: Ian Douglas-Moore"