The Sorcerer's Apprentice: 2013's First Few Great Albums, Part Six

6. Pat Metheny/John Zorn - Tap: John Zorn's Books of Angels, Volume 20

Alchemy isn't exclusive to potions or metallurgy. Aural herbalist John Zorn continues his Book of Angels series with six-string magician Pat Metheney, and damn if they don't invoke a few spirits along the way.

Highlights include "Tharsis," whose swirling twirling melody nicely grounds the work in its native mysticism; and "Sariel," which is probably the most accessible track on the whole album, working as the center-piece of the whole arrangement. Metheny grounds his more conservative audience with a very nice middle-section in "Sariel," bringing us from the ether back into the comforts of the jazz den. But watch out for his leads in this one - holy shit. Oh, and the ending is weirdo-feedback perfection.

Think soundtrack music meets, well, John Zorn and you'll be about half-way to Tap. If Marc Ribot, Adrien Belew and Pat Metheny ever make a record together, Jimi Hendrix will have to work his way out of the dirt so he may shake each of their hands.