Yannis Kyriakides

Marta Warelis/Andy Moor
Escape
Relative Pitch Records RPR 118

Best-known as for his long-time membership in the Ex, Netherland-based British guitarist Andy Moor participates in numerous side project, which range from chamber free improv to comprehensive groups efforts. Hypnokaséta is one of the first, as Moor and Montréal’s Quatuor Bozzini (QB) interpret a six-part composition by Moor’s long-time associate Yannis Kyriakides, who add electronics to the tracks. Escape is a different matter, seven straightforward improvisations from Moor and Polish pianist Marta Warelis.

All Hypnokaséta’s tracks are sectioned in sequences with titles that reflect the theory that dreams are encoded like music cassettes that play during sleep – Hypnokaséta translates as sleep cassette. What that means however is that Moor’s metallic strums and hocketing string twangs are less upfront than the others’ sounds. When not harmonizing, the QB’s members are often split in two. Violinists Clemens Merkel and Alissa Cheung provide linear expression and multi trimbral affiliations, while violist Stéphanie Bozzini and cellist Isabelle Bozzini provide a lower-pitched sliding continuum, seconded or superseded at times by voltage shuffles and pseudo-percussive electronic oscillations. As the themes undulate horizontally, rubs and abrasions pinpointed by guitar twangs or pizzicato string plucks stretch the interface at the same time as intertwined arco flutters maintain linear motifs. Organ-like tremolo affiliations and contributions from all QB members lead to a crescendo of restrained tones during the penultimate sequence, until signalled by guitar picking the interface become thinner. With the final track consisting of contrasts, from the string quartet output juddering into a near folksy obbligato; corkscrewing gargles and whistles and overriding pressure from electronics; the guitarist’s concluding reflections and remembrances are also highlighted. Among the extended and horizontal vibrations output by the sextet, a brief string-propelled coda references the initial theme.

On Escape, tone compounding and provocation is more obvious as Warelis and Moor build up a series of broken octave duets which call on chordal elaborations as well as challenging asides from each. Taken at various tempos, Moor’s frails range from bottleneck-like echoes to full rounded notes, while Warelis moves from exposition elaboration with full keyboard expression to note slapping or vibrating metal objects on the pianos’ internal string set. Crucially both tendencies are expressed simultaneously as on “Imbue”. The piano part ricochets from pedal clunks, stopped keys and pointed shakes emanating upwards from the soundboard to brief, formal almost concerto-like motifs. Adding to this cacophony Moor’s energetically chords slaps, thumps and frails with additional hisses and drones from amp reverb.

Extracting unexpected noises by scraping the guitar’s reverse side or sliding a bow across the strings are other of Moor’s expressions . He also pumps out thick double-bass-like thumps from his instrument’s lowest strings. When those twangs get louder, Warelis responds with tinkling glissandi, or elsewhere, as on “Commitment Keys” when Moor reduces his clanks to steel-guitar-like echoes, Warelis brings out thicker pumps and frails that confirm the narrative’s power. Again like many other excursions into so-called avant-garde improvising, a melodic leitmotif remains among abrasive motifs. This is expressed most succinctly on the concluding “Apocalyptic TV” as dancing keyboard variations overtake the guitarist’s pointed string clangs to lighten the program and signal the finale with a single key click.

Two views of Moor’s guitar styling also show off two methods of approaching modern improvising with decisive and defining manners.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: Hypnokaséta: 1. Hypnokaséta /The government’s new cultural schem  All roads to the airport are blocked/Everyone is nervous, everyone is lost 2. Hypnokaséta II /London is covered in mud/ Coffee orders/ Invisible games/ Ingesting paint particles 3. Hypnokaséta III / The reluctant hotel manager / She lifts the mountain 4. Hypnokaséta IV / Bridges are being dismantled 
across the city/ Body swap opera 5. Hypnokaséta V / Swimming pool synthesis / The concert promoter complains that not much happens in the piece / Tranquilizer 6. Hypnokaséta VI / Mutations on an empty grid/ A harpsichord in a derelict palace

Personnel: Hypnokaséta: Quatuor Bozzini: Clemens Merkel and Alissa Cheung (violins); Stéphanie Bozzini (viola); Isabelle Bozzini (cello); Andy Moor (guitar and tapes) and Yannis Kyriakides (electronics)

Track Listing: Escape: 1. Thaw Bush 2. Highway Trajectory 3. Maintenance Cabbage 4. Imbue 5. Commitment Keys 6. Incunabula 7. Apocalyptic TV

Personnel: Escape: Marta Warelis (piano) and Andy Moor (guitar)