About a decade ago a friend introduced me to the concept of a “tone poem” with a 10-minute piece called Corkscrew by experimental musician and guitarist Oren Ambarchi. I never verified if the label was correct but I loved the idea; it indicates that Ambarchi’s work is best appreciated via deep listening.
That changes with Hubris, which yields its gratifications far more generously and features a cast of collaborators including Jim O’Rourke, Crys Cole, Arto Lindsay, Keith Fullerton Whitman and Joe Talia.
While Hubris 3 will enthrall fans of heady skronking noise-jazz, the airier Hubris 1 appeals most to me, playfully revealed only in its last moments to be centered around a loop (presumably) of muted guitar plucking. Its mood is light yet hypnotic; it could soundtrack a film sequence in which a high stakes code-cracking marathon ensues. While it is similar in kosmiche flavour to the effervescent synth jams of Edition Mego labelmates Emeralds, it is truly satisfying to hear it build so seamlessly over 20 fast-passing minutes.
