The approach to EM seems quite different, more improv-oriented and with a certain 70's Miles-flavor. The Masada melodies almost seem an excuse to develop improvisational ideas.
Isn't that what most improv based music is about? At least ones that use a melodic or chordal reference for the improvisations. Isn't that what the quartet does? Didn't Miles use a riff or simple melody as an excuse to develop improvisational ideas in the 70s? Is this what you mean by your comparison? Or do you mean that they share instrumentation and aesthetics? I find the fidelity incredible. I don't know what more one could expect from a live recording. It's remarkably clear and has lots of detail to mix. Most of my friends who have it were scratching their heads when first listening saying "I thought this was live." It sounds like a studio album at times, at least our ears. It does break new ground, but it is a fun album. It's still Masada, but it is enough different (for me) that it was well worth the purchase.