John Zorn - Transmigration Of The Magus (2014)

Bill Frisell, John Medeski, Kenny Wollesen, Al Lipowski, Carol Emanuel, Bridget Kibbey. This newest release by The Gnostic Trio expands the group into a sextet of two harps, two vibraphones, guitar and organ. Drawing inspiration from various Gnostic philosophies of the Nag Hammadi library, Transmigration of the Magus is a musical evocation of the mystical journey of the soul through the bardo. Lyrical, tender, flowing and intensely emotional, the music has a lush orchestral sweep and features Bill Frisell and John Medeski reveling within the magical sonorities of vibraphones, bells and harps. Created to help the passing of Zorn's dear friend Lou Reed through the bardo realms, and released on the one year anniversary of his passing, Transmigration of the Magus is a memorial tribute to one of Zorn's musical mentors, and is one of his most touching and emotional projects truly music of the angels.