‘Solo
View’ is the work of Los Angeles based, Moscow born “classical
avant-garde” composer and guitarist, Igor Grigoriev. Originally
inspired by Charlie Parker and fascinated by the practices of
John Cage, Grigoriev has been involved in both free-improv as
well as more conventional jazz and classical contexts. After leading
the trio ‘Roof’ and the group ‘Asphalt’
whose works can both be found on Melodia Records, Grigoriev joined
ranks with Rod Oakes to form OGOGO- a vehicle through which to
perform improvised music. ‘Solo View’ is the latest
release composed and delivered (as the title suggests) solely
by Grigoriev and with it Grigoriev has continued his space-exploring
Sun Ra meets John Cage antics by carving out 8 unique compositions
where tectonic psyche-rock meets electro-acoustic avant-garde,
and whose sum is delivered within a drone-laden baroque aesthetic.
The opener ‘Dollar E’ is enough
to send drug-addled listeners over the edge with its uncompromisingly
leftfield yet subtly harmonious excursions. Melodic strings cascade
with mesmerising kraut-esque repetition amidst a wind-swept landscape
of swirling glitches, sci-fi manipulations and resonant organ
notes. On ‘For a Better Future’, surging yet delicate
waves of distressed sound waves provide an inviting tapestry under
which remote melodic guitar clusters splutter and droney church
bells clatter. The overall sound has an out-of-sync quality about
it which when combined with the delicate nature of the soundscape,
adds to the psyched-out quality of the track. ‘Whatever
Parker Wants’ takes psychedelica-tinged jazz-rock fusion
into chaotic (albeit more unhurried) Luttenbacher-territory whilst
still leaving a tuneful core for listeners to hang-on to. Towards
the end of the album you’ll find ‘After a Long Day’
which takes the melodic-core of The Police’s ‘Message
in a Bottle’ and turns it into a dubbed out and cosmic piece
that fully captures the attention thanks to its perpetual Gottsching-esque
string clusters and peripheral sound warpage. The tumbling bass
swirls of closing track ‘White Doll’ creates an unsteady
and hallucinogenic soundsphere through which a variety of spaced-out
effects, from mechanical drillage to swirling phasers, soar past
whilst drunken guitar melodies occasionally pipe-up to add to
the overall inebriated nature of the sound.
What could have easily been a sloppy and
unfocused instrumental pile-up in the hands of a lesser composer
is instead a thoroughly engaging slice of electro-acoustic experimentation
thanks to its exquisite arrangement and a keen sense of melody.
Ultimately, ‘Solo View’ proves to be a claustrophobically
dark affair bristling with distant battles between restrained
melodic motifs and brooding electroid skree. Best compared to
a manic robot composing epic sound-battles from the secluded comfort
of a haunted church, ‘Solo View’ will leave you feeling
perplexed and turned inside-out, yet totally invigorated. (KS)
For fans of: Sun Ra, John Cage, Xenakis
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