Spyra Excerpts Vol 1 Play: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi   Download: Lo-Fi   Mid-Fi   Hi-Fi (Excerpt from track 'Technische Etude 3/4')

This was an early release by Spyra, just 50 copies being available on cassette and I think it would be fair to say that if you are not already acquainted with his work it would not be the place to start as some of it is either experimental or just plain 'unusual'. This isn't to say that it is a bad album however; just different to what you might have heard from him before. 'Level Voice' begins with a looped two syllable vocal sample which forms a rhythm all of its own through which drone and subtle percussion are added. We then get deep, faintly melodic, dramatic stabs which leap out from what has now become a very hypnotic backing. Even though it is a track that seems to take over the senses, almost shouting at you in some ways, I still rather liked it.

Now for something completely different as 'Hush Hour (Excerpt 1)' starts with a bass sax solo- all very jazzy it is too! If you have all Spyra's other works you will know that this isn't the first time he has 'sneaked' such touches onto an album. The sax subsides to be replaced by a collage of soft tones, strings and other effects. It's a complete contrast to what has gone before. There is then what sounds like someone knocking a post into the ground to finish off- seriously weird! 'Wenn (2nd Version) (Excerpt)' begins with more clangs and what could be a faint siren. These disappear as a ticking rhythm mixes with rather faint vocal colouring then very briefly more sax and drones. The drones become increasingly prominent and more percussion is brought into play. This is very visual music sounding a little like walking through a strange city at night. It's quite relaxing actually; the rhythm being intriguing rather than intrusive and I even found my hand moving to it, tapping on the table.

'Ormuzd' starts with some large nocturnal beast heard from far away. This is then mixed with sawing cello type sounds which build quite dramatically. A slow drumbeat comes in momentarily then the mood changes completely becoming more tranquil for a while before we get superb melodic power chords. The rhythm builds making its presence felt again, becoming more exciting, like some of the more dramatic moments (though with more modern sounds) from Tangerine Dream's 'Atem'. In complete contrast there is even nice piano detail near the end which finish off an already excellent track very nicely. 'Technische Etude ¾' features quirky plucked strings around which other rhythms and percussion build then mutate developing into quite a syncopated groove. Progress is interrupted from time to time for little xylophone type interludes which eventually become looped to form the main feature, bouncing along over some really excellent pads. This is the most easy to get on with track on the album so far. Lovely cosmic winds get 'Hush Hour (Excerpt 2)' underway followed by more rapid sawing string. The sound of chains and other large slabs of sound give a rather dark and ominous feel, again with a very visual quality. This time the images created were of walking through an old derelict building somewhere on a desolate wind swept moorland.