From Silence to Sorcery
John Zorn · 2007
36 min · 10 tracks · avant-garde jazz
A labyrinthine exploration of avant-garde textures, merging jazz improvisation with a haunting sense of ritual and mystique.
Top tracks — play these first
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Goetia, Part I Start here — establishes the sonic palette early
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Gris-Gris — This track stands out with its extended length and complex layering, serving as a centerpiece that encapsulates Zorn's wide-ranging influences from jazz to world music.
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Shibboleth — As the longest piece on the album, it showcases Zorn's intricate compositional techniques and offers an immersive experience filled with dynamic shifts in tempo and mood.
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Goetia, Part VII — This segment features rapid-fire improvisation that highlights the ensemble's technical prowess while maintaining an eerie atmosphere that permeates the album.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
InstrumentalThe album's innovative structure and unique sound make it a standout in avant-garde jazz.
What we noticed
- The album consists of eight short pieces that gradually build into longer compositions, creating a sense of progression and development.
- The use of silence and sparse instrumentation in several sections creates a haunting atmosphere, enhancing the ritualistic quality of the music.
- Composition 25% of the score
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8/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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9/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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8/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- wave-like pacing with dynamic shifts
- immersive journey through improvisation
- mystical undertones for deep focus
- short tracks inviting attentive listening
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer predictable song structures
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Experimental — Deliberate departure into avant-garde textures, merging jazz with ritualistic elements.
- Career context
- When 'From Silence to Sorcery' was released in 2007, John Zorn was well-established as a leading figure in avant-garde music, having already garnered acclaim with works like 'Naked City' and 'The Dreamers'. This album marked a continuation of his prolific output during the 2000s, showcasing his ability to blend various genres while pushing boundaries further.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Mike Patton· The Thing· Merzbow
Tracklist
- 1 Goetia, Part I Start here 0:57
- 2 Goetia, Part II 2:46
- 3 Goetia, Part III 1:07
- 4 Goetia, Part IV 1:42
- 5 Goetia, Part V 1:12
- 6 Goetia, Part VI 1:54
- 7 Goetia, Part VII 2:53
- 8 Goetia, Part VIII 1:20
- 9 Gris-Gris 9:41
- 10 Shibboleth 12:37
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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