Tzadik
 

For being started by one of my favorite musicians of all time, the Tzadik record label fails to consistantly produce things that I really enjoy. Most Zorn stuff of course is good, as well as ones that I have always liked, such as Frith, Bailey, Kondo, etc., but for every album on Tzadik that I love, I can easily find 20 that I can't listen to.

I know it's all about avant-garde and experimental, and this obviously means that you can't streamline your label's style, because these come in many forms and fashions. It just seems funny to me because with somebody like Zorn making the choices, I would think I would enjoy more of what they put out.

I know what you mean. I really like the classical stuff they release though, most of it is pretty decent.

Tzadik released the first Kayo Dot album and Time of Orchids' Sarcast While so they're alright in my book heh.

Haha, I understand you. I love a lot of Tzadik's stuff, and that was kind of my point, because as much as I absolutely love some of the stuff they put out, there is so much that I can't stand as well.

Sometimes when I get bored and am in need of new music, I just type "Tzadik" into soulseek and download a random release and am almost always blown away. Actually, thinking about it for just a second, Tzadik is probably my favorite record label. At the top of my head: Seeiichi Yamamoto, Xtatika, Melt Banana, Kayo Dot, Derek Bailey, Time of Orchids, Merzbow, Keiji Haino, Ruins, Otomo Yoshihide, Marc Ribot, Bill Laswell, Brown Wing Overdise, Dion Mcgregor, Mike Pathos, Cyro Baptista, Massacre, Phantom Orchard, Mr. Dorgon, Ikue Mori, Harry Partch (17 Lyrics of Li Po! What an amazing album!!!!), Eyvind Kang, David Shea, Fred Frith, Mystic Fugu Orchestra, Rabbanical School Dropouts, Frank London, New Klezmer Trio, Boredoms, Gary Lucas, Toby Driver, Cracow Klezmer Band, Oren Ambarchi, Yasauno Tone, Zakarya, Evan Parker, Limited Express (Has Gone?), Z'Ev, Tim Sparks, Koby Israelite (bolding this stuff because it's particular amazing!), Death Ambient, Rovo, Synapse, Naked City, Jamie Saft, and probably a whole fuckload of amazing artists I'm missing have all released GREAT albums on this label. I'm not really into label worship, but this label has consistently put out the most mind blowing albums I've ever heard. Also, it seems to primarily be a very musical label, there isn't even much noise or "avant-garde" releases that I've personally heard (besides, obviously, some of the "Lunatic Fringe" stuff). I'm not even a huge Zorn fan, but a lot of his Film Works releases are incredible. What an amazing label. I mean, you're talking about a label with like 500 releases or something. I don't know how much more consistent they can be with that many releases.

i agree, theyve had some great stuff but lately its just stuff im not into (death ambient, rovo, kayo dot) just not my thing. of course they put out what i consider the best merz record ('1930'), released "hydromosigroningem" by ruins which is a record i love because its magma influenced crazed prog, all bailey's stuff on the label, all keiji's stuff, partch, etc..

Yeah these two are the only albums I know from Tzadik so far, but if the rest of the label has anything remotely close in quality then I'll like it

tzadik is great , wadada leo smith ftw

I'll add Afrirampo. Indeed this is a good label.

First Mono LP was on Tzadik, which makes anything poor that the label might release totally forgiveable in my book.

tzadik
tzadik
tzadik
is rather
sweet

I was about to post something like that. The Kidnapper Bell is worth an entire catalogue he eh ;).

I love this label. Of course their music spectrum is so broad that it's no wonder you only enjoy a slice of it, but they've put out some incredible albums, the New Japan series being my favorite releases. Listen to Korekyojinn or the Ground Zero release from this label. If all you did was listen to music from Tzadik you could still have an amazing collection.

Finally, another korekyojin fan.

fantastic label..those gold borders is a sign of beauty and genius.

We're a rare breed.

Incidently, is there any significance to the added 'n' or lack there of in their name? I've seen it spelled both ways (on the Tzadik website) for no apparent reason.

Hm, maybe it's a translation error? No idea.