Jon Madof Our Ancient Stones Are Not Silent (2024) The third and final single from the Urim’ EP, 'Our Ancient Stones Are Not Silent' is a short, poetic statement anchored by otherworldly guitar chords, pulsating beneath a shimmering keyboard melody and crackling electronic percussion. The original theme is answered by a solo played by Madof on classical guitar to finish the track. If Ry Cooder met Jonny Greenwood on the set of a Jim Jarmusch film, it might sound like this.
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Jon Madof Like a Man Drowning on Land (2024) The second single from the Urim’ EP, 'Like A Man Drowning on Land' begins in a meditative, dark space. It's the soundtrack to an imaginary short film about a human contemplating his life, trapped in the prison of his own mind in a black-and-white, film noir world. A melodic figure inspired by the music of Twin Peaks emerges and repeats. There is no way out, until a beat emerges from deep left field, bringing vibrant color back to the world and changing everything…
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Jon Madof Urim (2024) ‘Urim’ is the first single from Madof’s latest project Modum (pronounced ‘MAH-dum’), a radical departure from performing and recording music in a live setting. Drawing on influences including Brian Eno, Bill Laswell and Jon Hassell, he embraces the idea of using the recording studio as an instrument, with nods to electronic music, post-rock, and minimalism. But Madof still manages to keep his guitar at the center, a sound that seamlessly ranges from gentle lyricism to searing distortion, often in the span of a single song.
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Frank London + Jon Madof: Kol Nidre (Chant Records, 2023) One of the most significant Jewish rituals is the communal chanting of “Kol Nidre” on the sacred night of Yom Kippur, when tradition maintains that one’s life is in the balance. Radical/traditionalist renegades Frank London (The Klezmatics, Hasidic New Wave) and Jon Madof (Zion80, John Zorn) take this incantation from intimate and haunting to violent and earth shattering in an imaginary meeting between Lester Bowie and Sunn O))) in an ancient synagogue. Originally released in 2020, the Third Repetition was remixed and mastered in September 2023 by Francisco Vallina.
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Zion80: Warriors RMX (Chant Records, 2021) A reworking of songs from Zion80’s 2017 Warriors EP. The 10-piece band’s signature groove-heavy sound lends itself very well to the art of the remix. The album kicks off with a mix of “Pardes” by Curha (aka Curtis Hasselbring), adding a dose of quirky electronica to the song’s Latin-jazz groove. The album’s only vocal track is a mix of “In Our Youth” by producer Smoke M2D6, featuring indie rapper/poet ePHRYME. Madof takes the reins on a dub-heavy mix of “Wandering Stone,” with nods to Bill Laswell and King Tubby. London-based producer and multi-instrumental wizard Koby Israelite runs “Holy Brother'' through the mashup meat grinder, adding blast-beat drums and chaotic jump-cuts along the way. The album finishes with an instrumental version of “In Our Youth.”
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Ruthless Cosmopolitans: Ruthless (Chant Records, 2020) Ruthless Cosmopolitans is a collaboration between Jon Madof and rapper/poet ePHRYME (aka Eden Pearlstein). Recorded and released in the tumultuous year of 2020, Ruthless is a cathartic/parodic/prophetic response to the spiraling state of our nation, and the world. Music, poetry, performance and imagery are the mediums employed to spread this synaesthetic form of sympathetic magic.
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John Zorn + Zion80: Hod - The Book Beri'ah vol 8 (Tzadik Records, 2019) The brainchild of guitarist Jon Madof, Zion80 is a dynamic 10-piece ensemble that explores the Jewish tradition through the lenses of afro-beat, funk, rock and jazz. Drums and percussion drive this tight band of horns and guitars into a polyrhythmic intensity as driving grooves blend with the madness of the Downtown scene. Spiritual, grooving and endlessly exciting, this is essential Jewish music for the 21st century. With Zorn guesting on one intense track, “Hod” is a dynamic highpoint to the Beri’ah series! Masada meets afro-beat.
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Zion80: Warriors (Chant Records, 2017) Called ‘a truly spiritual experience’ by The New York Times and ‘a marvelous mashup’ by The Village Voice, Zion80’s horn-heavy, polyrhythmic sound has earned them a dedicated legion of worldwide fans. Zion80’s new album Warriors (their third, following two albums on John Zorn’s Tzadik Records), focuses on bandleader and guitarist Jon Madof’s original songs and finds the band delving deeper into their singular mix of deep Afrobeat grooves, mystical Jewish melodies and improvisational madness.
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John Zorn + Zion80: Adramelech - The Book of Angels vol. 22 (Tzadik Records, 2014) Zion80 is the brainchild of guitarist Jon Madof, a wildly popular project that seamlessly blends the Afro-pop stylings of the legendary Fela Kuti with the Jewish tradition. Featuring an exciting 11-piece all-star band, Madof masterfully blends horns, guitars, keyboards and percussion, mixing the polyrhythmic intensity of Afrobeat with the freewheeling madness of the Downtown scene. A one of a kind ascent into the unknown, Madof’s creative arrangements of 8 tunes from Zorn’s “Book of Angels” are spiritual and endlessly exciting.
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Jon Madof: Zion80 (Tzadik Records, 2013) Zion80 explores the music of Rabbi Shlomo Carlebach through the lens of the Afrobeat funk master Fela Anikulapo Kuti. Led by Jon Madof of Rashanim, the 13-piece band arranges Carlebach’s beautiful melodies usng the polyrhythmic intensity of Afrobeat, blended with the improvisational madness of the Downtown scene. Madof’s most ambitious project to date, Zion80 is blazing hot and tight as a drum. Spiritual, grooving, and endlessly exciting, this is essential Jewish music for the 21st century.
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Rashanim: The Gathering (Tzadik Records, 2009) Rashanim is one of the most exciting young bands exploring New Jewish Music. Combining the intensity of rock with the spontaneity of improvisation, deep Middle Eastern grooves, and mystical Jewish melodies, their first three CDs on Tzadik are some of the most popular on the label. For their fourth release they go unplugged, delivering a powerful acoustic recording that is perhaps their best to date. Lyrical and beautiful, Rashanim joyfully celebrates the Jewish experience with passion, lyricism and a profound sensitivity.
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Rashanim: Shalosh (Tzadik Records, 2006) With its exciting blend of rock, jazz and jewish music, Rashanim has quickly become one of the most dynamic bands in the Jewish New Music scene. Their last release Masada Rock has garnered them much well deserved attention, and after extensive touring through Europe the band is more than ready for their third studio recording on Tzadik. Tighter than ever, this Jewish power trio rips through an electrifying program of mystical jewish melodies and middle eastern grooves.
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John Zorn + Rashanim: Masada Rock (Tzadik Records, 2005) Rashanim is one of the hottest young bands in the New Jewish Renaissance and for their second Tzadik release guitarist Jon Madof has turned his versatile arranging talents to ten unknown songs from Zorn’s original Masada songbook. The music jumps from heavy rock to Jewish jazz, classical to world beat to create an eclectic program of modern Jewish music in the Zorn tradition. Featuring long time Masada veteran Marc Ribot on several tracks, this is one of the most powerful and dynamic readings of Masada music on disc.
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Jon Madof: Rashanim (Tzadik Records, 2003) This dynamic NY guitar trio covers a range from Jim Hall ballads to Blood Ulmer funk harmolodics. Complex compositional originals alternate with gorgeous renditions of classic Jewish melodies making this an extraordinary program from start to finish. Beautifully recorded, with mix translations by Bill Laswell.
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Other Credits:
John Zorn
Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 2: Voices in the Wilderness (Tzadik Records, 2003)
Track with Rashanim
John Zorn
Masada Anniversary Edition Vol. 3: The Unknown Masada (Tzadik Records, 2003)
Track with Rashanim
Various Artists
Great Jewish Music: Jacob do Bandolim (Tzadik Records, 2004)
Track with Rashanim
John Zorn
Filmworks XVII (Tzadik Records, 2006)
Guitar
Sean Noonan Brewed By Noon
Stories to Tell (Songlines, 2007)
Guitar
Moshe Sobol Band
Geula Vision (2022)
Guitar
Oren Neiman
Serenity Now (2023)
Co-Producer
Moshe Sobol Band
Aharon Achicha (2024)
Guitar
Moshe Sobol Band
The King’s Decrees (2024)
Guitar