Artist: Hypercolor
Title: Hypercolor
Label: Tzadik Rec
Genre: free style/free rock/noise
CD review by Dawoud Kringle
Tzadik has released a CD by the newest of the Downtown No-Wave improv scene: Hypercolor.
Eyal Maoz (guitar), is a Tzadik and Ayler Records artist and member of John Zorn’s 
Cobra. Eyal performed in New York City, Tel Aviv, China, Vienna, Austria, and London. James Ilgenfritz (bass), has been active in the music since the late 90s. He’s played with Lukas Ligeti, Pauline Oliveros, John Zorn, and Anthony Braxton, and received grants and residencies from Issue Project Room, the American Composers Forum, and OMI Arts Center. Lukas Ligeti (drums & percussion) utilizes contemporary classical music, jazz, electronica, and world music (particularly African), and other non-Western elements.
On the first track, “Squeaks,” these guys come out swinging. A fast and furious rock-ish figure sets the pace, while Maoz’s guitar lays down a chord melody. The angular, wobbly, and chaotic abandon reach an apogee, and then the track suddenly ends.
“Chen” follows this, attacking the spastic, angular vibe this band creates from a different, and slightly less frantic perspective; as if they felt they’d already had their opponent on the ropes; no need to knock him out in the first round.
The next track, “Forget” begins with a moody and solemn chord melody. The drums come in, and immediately starts driving the music to a rocked out slam dance. But the guitar and bass aren’t taking the bait. At times during the guitar solo, the guitar dances a bit with the drums on its terms, but moves back to a mellower feel. An eloquent and melodically solid bass solo has its say over some chords that one wonders how they got there.
As the CD progresses, it’s clear that these guys like to have fun smashing genres and expectations of music into small pieces and reassembling them in a Picasso-esque manner. “Palace” places improve free jazz into a punk framework. “Far Connection” begins as a structured piece and disassembles and reassembles itself into fascinating patterns. “Little Brother” begins with some beautiful electronic guitar work, and explores a gentle side of the trio’s music one wouldn’t have expected.
Moaz had done his homework with the Sonny Sharrock school of guitar playing. He makes very imaginative use of effects and his melodic and harmonic concept is very together. Ligeti is a very adventurous drummer. He shifts gears and changes approaches on a dime, and evidently likes to throw surprises at everyone. Ilgenfritz is an excellent bass player, and knows how to remain both solid and fluid in the face of apparent chaos raging around him.
Hypercolor is a fascinating CD. Very recommended for those listeners who are not afraid to take some adventurous music out for a wild ride in the night.
