The Circle Maker is a double album by John Zorn featuring Zorn's Masada compositions performed by the Masada String Trio (on Disc One: Issachar) and the Bar Kokhba Sextet (on Disc Two: Zevulun) which was released in 1998 on the Tzadik label.Tzadik catalogue Reception
The Allmusic review by Joslyn Layne awarded the album 5 stars stating "Zorn skeptics will find the superb and elegant music on The Circle Maker surprisingly stable and accessible...
All of these musicians are accomplished in jazz and improvised music, and have performed extensively in world and/or classical settings as well.
The Circle Maker is a very necessary recording for all appreciators of chamber jazz, new Jewish music, or any of these stellar musicians."
Layne, J. Allmusic Review accessed November 7, 2013 Track listing
All compositions by John Zorn
Disc One: Issachar
"Tahah" – 2:30
"Sippur" – 3:21
"Karet" – 1:21
"Hadasha" – 5:36
"Taharah" – 3:51
"Mispar" – 2:47
"Ratzah" – 4:36
"Zebdi" – 1:51
"Yatzar" – 8:14 - misspelled as "Yatzah" on album sleeve Masada World: Issachar, accessed January 6, 2020
"Malkhut" – 1:57
"Hodaah" – 3:49
"Elilah" – 3:21
"Meholalot" – 4:54
"Kochot" – 4:58
"Lachish" – 1:30
"Shidim" – 4:32
"Aravot" – 2:58
"Moshav" – 5:06
Disc Two: Zevulun
"Lilin" – 6:58
"Hazor" – 4:45
"Kisofim" – 7:23
"Khebar" – 4:54
"Laylah" – 2:57
"Teli" – 4:14
"Tevel" – 4:27
"Eitan" – 2:02
"Ner Tamid" – 2:38
"Idalah-Abal" – 7:41
"Gevurah" – 6:51
Disc One: Issachar – Recorded December 6, 1997 at Avatar Studio, New York City
Disc Two: Zevulun – Recorded December 7, 1997 at Avatar Studio, New York City
Personnel
Disc One: Issachar – All tracks performed by the Masada String Trio
Mark Feldman – violin
Erik Friedlander – cello
Greg Cohen – bass
Disc Two: Zevulun – All tracks performed by the Bar Kokhba Sextet
Marc Ribot – guitar
Cyro Baptista – percussion
Joey Baron – drums
Mark Feldman – violin
Erik Friedlander – cello
Greg Cohen – bass
Production
Produced by John Zorn
Kazunori Sugiyama: Associate Producer
Jim Anderson: Sound Engineer
References
