Locus Solus CD

John Zorn is surely one of the most singular, fascinating and confounding figures on the cutting-edge of contemporary music. Jazz, rock, experimental, hard-core punk, modern classical--all have been used to describe Zorn's musical output. No tag is really appropriate, however, because Zorn jumps from--and combines--a staggering variety of styles and genres of music, from the notated (written-out) to the totally improvised. LOCUS SOLUS is a crazy-quilt example of the latter.

Here Zorn gets together (in the early 1980s, when this album was originally released) with assorted fellow travelers. The cast of characters includes jazz and improvisational players like keyboardist Wayne Horvitz, rock drummer Anton Fier (of the Golden Palominos, formerly of the Feelies and Pere Ubu), noise-rock guitarist/Brazilian music producer Arto Lindsay and hip-hop turntable-player Whiz Kid. The results are fleet, nightmarish, feverish, daffy, contorted, scary, exhilarating, bizarre and twisted: Everybody makes it up as they go along. It's not for everyone, but for lovers of extreme (think of Frank Zappa or the Residents more "out there" material), LOCUS SOLUS can be one wild ride.

Digitally remastered by Bob Ludwig.

Recorded at Transistor 8 Studio, New York, New York in February 1983; OAO Studio, Brooklyn, New York in April, May & September 1983; Live in April 1983. Includes liner notes by John Zorn.

Personnel: John Zorn (whistling, clarinet, soprano saxophone, alto saxophone); Arto Lindsay (vocals, guitar); M.E. Miller (vocals, drums, congas); Peter Blegvad (vocals); Christian Marclay (recorder, turntables); Wayne Horvitz (organ); Ikue Mori, Anton Fier (drums); Whiz Kid & YSL (turntables).

Audio Mixer: M.E. Miller.

Audio Remasterer: Bob Ludwig.

Recording information: Oao Studio, Brooklyn, NY (04/1983-09/1983).

Personnel: John Zorn (vocals, soprano & alto saxophones, clarinet, sound effects); Arto Lindsay (vocals, guitar); Peter Blegvad (vocals); M.E. Miller (vocals, acoustic & electronic drums, congas); Wayne Horvitz (organ); Anton Fier, Ikue Mori (drums); Christian Marclay, Whiz Kid (DJ).

Engineers: Michael Lytle, Martin Bisi, Stevie McAllister.