The Stone is awesome; that said, I don't go that often. Zorn doesn't choose the musicians there (in general), but I believe he does choose the curators who choose the musicians.
And I've heard there are issues with some musicians getting gigs and those who don't, but they moan about that regarding VisionFest and Tonic and ToddP. I'm not sure what the anonymous person is claiming (bitching about), but it is my understanding the artist does get all the door money for their set. They can play whatever they want and with whomever they want. The bills get paid from CD sales and Zorn's monthly concerts. The guy at the door is a volunteer. For a music listener it is great because people don't talk, it is usually an adult audience unlike the alcohol clubs, although it can be very hot or cold in there depending on the weather.

The problem is more that it's not the 'free-flowing rainbow of ideas' that it seems. Ok, so financially it might be pretty spot-on for the artists, but I've heard it a few times that it's a creatively stifling environment.

Is it not curated monthly by acknowledgable musicians? Or is it precisely that which adds into the equation?

http://rateyourmusic.com/list/silent...ik___new_japan

I have heard just about every album on this list, and they are all FUCKING BRILLIANT. Check out Smoke by Jon, it sounds like a 10 year old palying an organ and singing about a dog.

I'm actually in the process of listening to some albums I've missed like Ni Hao's "Gorgeous" (Limited Express Has Gone side project with two bass players) and Sajjanu's "Pechiku!!" (imagine RUINS, Yowie, Scissor Shock, U.S. Maple, Hella old Boredoms collaborating -- some of the most complex music ever created!). Tzadik never fails to blow my mind.

Yep, DEREK, get Sajjanu's "Pechiku!!" asap. MINDBLOWING ALBUM.

I upped pechiku:
http://www.sendspace.com/file/j5imk8

I also highly reccomend that ADACHI TOMOMI ROYAL CHORUS album "Yo". Basically, weird cartoon type music as performed with experimental vocalists. Like Zubi Zuva but goofier (?!).

I love a lot of albums in that list. I've not heard that Muddy World album in years, I forgot it even existed.