Kersti Abrams / Andrew Joron / Thomas Harrison Jr. / Mark Pino

Expressive in its mixture of nostalgia and futurism is this eight-part improvisation produced by a quartet with infrequently affiliated instruments. Vigorous, energetic and noisy, the M-Kat Ensemble arguably couldn’t arise anywhere else than the Bay area since the sequences’ screechy elevated textures which reach back to the heyday of The New Thing share space with projected oscillations from the realm of electronic. Part of California’s underground underground, ensemble members bring slices of Rock, reductionist, drone and ethnic intimation to the tracks. Alto saxophonist/flutist Kersti Abrams has played with Elliot Levin and bands like Cartoon Justice; Theremin player Andrew Joron also writes poetry and sci-fi; while drummer Mark Pino and bass guitarist Thomas Harrison Jr, have played in many local groups.

Throughout the CD the four strive to create unexpected textures whether through ratamacues and shuffles from the drummer, clanging bass riffs the sometimes take on lead guitar properties and contrapuntal Maghrebian-styled projections from Abrams and other sonic detours. All of this evolves on top of buzzing Theremin vibrations. Stylistically the extended techniques are closely allied and there are points at which it’s impossible to attribute tones to strings, reed or electronics. Although the ambient drone suggests a solid if layered mass, enough leavening and timbral decoration exist to confirm forward motion. Climatic modifications arise on “Duration 4” and “Duration 6”. The first is notable for mixing the Theremin’s banshee wails-like with tough flute puffs and bellicose string strums; while the other melds gong-like percussive echoes and tremolo vibrations from the electronics as layered saxophone scoops and flute flutters preserve the exposition.

Except for a brief solo drum sequence on “Duration 7” quartet interaction is paramount. Without highs and lows, fascination lies in following the four-part sonic interaction from beginning to end.

–Ken Waxman

Track Listing: 1. Duration 1 2, Duration 2 3. Duration 3 4. Duration 4 5. Duration 5 6. Duration 6 7. Duration 7 8. Duration 8

Personnel: Kersti Abrams (alto saxophone and flutes); Andrew Joron (Theremin); Thomas Harrison Jr. (bass guitar) and Mark Pino (drums)