Album Reviews

Shape Shifter

Review by Steve Roberts, SMD.

Israeli born Raviv Gazit has an impressive acv , including film soundtracks, but I'm sure that this is the first release to be available here and pretty impressive it is too, adding to the growing stature of the AD Music label. 'Ov 1' begins the set with layers of interesting percussion treatments, bass synths and a lush, echoed melody which gives way to further rhythmic enhancement before the piece ends at around two and a half minutes. 'Time Stretch' commences with sequencers, a strong rhythm, and a fast cyclic melody. Again, the percussion treatments tend to dominate the mix as the motif is repeated.

'Jumping Air' juxtaposes a fast rhythm with a more sedate motif, but Gazit employs subtle changes in pace and varies the melody and ends by stripping the mix of everything except for the percussion. 'Dice' is an unusual track and clearly demonstrates that Gazit is not afraid to experiment with his palette laying down a dense, oppressive beat, curious melodic inserts and discordant piano improvisations. However, with 'Hyenas' he shows his real potential. Dense powerful, brooding sequencers, atmospheric synth pads which build steadily along with bursts of percussion that snap at your eardrums, then a dynamic bass sequence which raises the tension and the hairs on your neck. At just over the minute mark the piece is transformed, and Gazit goes all Jan Hammer on us with a simple piano motif set against a more lush backdrop but retaining most of the rhythms. It shouldn't work but it does. After this brief middle section Gazit returns to the early sequences and reprises the track with the frenetic sequencing. All this in two minutes and forty eight seconds! It really leaves you wanting more, and my first reaction was to press repeat and turn up the volume.

'Shape Shifter' is a grower, as you get used to the rather eccentric sequencing, the almost subliminal melodies, reminiscent of Tony Banks, begin to seep in and then Gazit demonstrates he can improvise in prog rock mode with the best of them. 'Space Pacer' is another interesting track with Gazit employing more eccentric touches before the main motif breaks through. Like many of the tracks on the album Gazit experiments by exploring the possibilities but usually manages to successfully maintain your interest. 'Zee Rocks' is a good example of Gazit's unique style, rhythmically dynamic, but with strange treatments, and just when you wonder whether it's working Gazit adds powerful orchestration but can't resist further experimentation. Occasions, such as the penultimate cut 'Ah-Ah-Ou-Ah', where the experimentation predominates at the expense of any melodic, or conventional rhythmic interest, are the least successful in my view.

On listening to the final piece 'Unicorn', Gazit's style reminded me a little of Johannes Schmoelling's solo work. Both artists are not afraid to experiment but are more than capable of producing brilliant music, you just wish they'd do it more often and consistently. I am aware it is a phrase I overuse, but there is much here to reward the patient listener and if you want a quicker fix sample tracks 5 and 6. Can somebody introduce Raviv to Edgar Froese?