Stars Have Shapes

EXPLODING STAR ORCHESTRA: Stars Have Shapes
Delmark, 2010

AVANT-FUSION – Wow… Rob Mazurek’s arresting 14-piece electro-acoustic ensemble features several leading lights of Chicago’s rich avant scene, including Nicole Mitchell, Jeb Bishop, Mike Reed, others. This is unique, futuristic music, involving surging electronic noise, layer upon layer of loops and intricate group improv in the longer tracks, or accessible melodic ensemble work in the shorter tunes.

Fo’s Picks: all tracks very interesting.

1. 20:14 – meditative loops build up into massive electronic swirl: trumpet, flute, drums are barely audible within it; fades into skittering group improv with ~12:00 to go, then a ballad melody slides briefly on top of the quiet chaos; burbles madly away through the second half.

2. 4:48 – strong circular groove, 3-way melody, layered sound w/flute solo

3. 18:41 – dreamlike swirl & flutter with tiny improvised snippets; grows harsh but switches to serene harmonic drone with ~13:00 to go; ghostly flute cries begin at halfway mark, drone returns as trumpet scurries underfoot, then arco bass; floats to conclusion

4. 6:33 – gentle spiral, thoughtful horn melodies balance amorphous improv

[ Fo ] 11/20/10