Blackhawk Circle #3

Sonic Curiosity - Quarkspace: Spacefolds 1

QUARKSPACE: Spacefolds 1 (CD on MP3.com)

Long out-of-print, the first four "Spacefolds" releases have recently been reissued on CD by MP3.com. "Spacefolds 1" features 28 minutes of the band's first between-projects cassette release from 1996.

Although somewhat raw and lacking in the band's current compositional brilliance, this early music displays strong prog rock tendencies pushed to the limit, spilling the tuneage into the void of outer space where it unfurls with dynamic verve.

Powerful drumming acts as a foundation here, while searing guitar spirals and keyboard sweeps cavort with engaging appeal. Basslines snake through the dense mix, rumbling with earthy tones.

While the structure is often abstract, this music inevitably flows into a pulsating unity that dazzles the listener with severe peaks and emotional performance.

Expose Magazine - Quarkspace: Spacefolds 1 and 2

While the material on Quarkspace's CD release (see review in issue #11) has more of a song focus, these tapes feature the band's more improvisational and spacey side. All of the matenal on both Spacefolds tapes are extracts from hundreds of hours of purely instrumental space explorations by this Ohio based five-piece. In general, with Spacefolds 1, their approach is not of the driving rock type, but rather a more spaced and tnppy free-fomm style, that sort of half-dream state dual guitar propelled sound that one might find on early albums of Amon Duul 2, or the Grateful Dead around the time of their second or third album. A swirling maelstrom of psychedelic guitars, bass and keys, with solos floating in and out of view. The Percussive element is varied throughout, which keeps the output interesting over the duration. On Spacefolds 2, there is a slightly more prominent role for keyboards and synths in the scheme of their improvisational style. Also, they dabble with sampled voice elements and a dancier beat on one track. In all, these are two outstanding collections, and in some ways the material here might equal or even surpasses that on their disc. Apparently the band plans for Spacefolds to be a quarterly series. Definitely should be of interest to enlightened space travelers, to whom I can recommend these highly.

Aural Innovations - Quarkspace: Spacefolds 1

The Spacefolds series (now up to 7 CD's) is a collection of instrumental studio improvisations by Quarkspace. Some of the tracks are earlier versions of tracks that would appear later on both studio and live albums, others are unique pieces unto themselves. As such, the Spacefolds series is an important document of the ongoing development of one of the US's most exciting space rock bands of the present era.

Spacefolds 1, in particular, is an exciting re-release for Quarkspace fans. Originally released on cassette in 1996, the half-hour CD documents an earlier sound for the band, before they began to work with loops, sequences, and electronic percussion (PW - We've always used electronic percussion. There is no acoustic percussion on SF1.). As such, it has a much looser, less focused sound than later Quarkspace, but more unpredictable and progressive in nature as well.

According to the band, the three Blackhawk Circle pieces were recorded to impress Randy Meinking and Greg Gough. Even if you are not Randy or Greg, you will likely be impressed. The band skillfully shifts through spacey textures to complex, jazz-like inventions, demonstrating that first and foremost, they have always been a very tight improvisational unit. Especially impressive is Paul Williams' drumming, heard here free of the constraints of electronic loops heard on later Quarkspace releases, including a short but tasty percussive outing with two other drummers (The Drummer's Triangle). Also of interest to fans is a deep space expedition of an earlier take of Faerienot Space, which would later crop up on the Live Orion CD.

All Music Guide - Quarkspace: Spacefolds 1

Spacefolds 1 was Quarkspace's first release. It appeared on cassette on Eternity's Jest in 1996 and was the first of a series of EP cassettes and later full-length CDs documenting the best improvisations the space rock band played. The idea was to make improvs taken from rehearsals and studio sessions available to the public as quickly as possible in order for the fan to follow the band's evolution. On Spacefolds 1, Quarkspace was still a quartet consisting of Chet Santia (bass, guitar), Jay Swanson (keyboards), Paul Williams (drums), and Darren Gough (guitar). Guitarist Dave Wexler appears only as a guest (he would become a full-time member shortly afterwards). This first volume is stronger than the next three; the band wasn't yet into loops, so the music evolves constantly and gets closer to progressive rock. Still, the band's distinctive sound was already established — medium-tempo spacy improvs with a gentle beat (no insisting pulse) and melodic guitar work. The three "Blackhawk Circle" pieces are enjoyable jams. "The Drummer's Triangle" is a short percussion-bashing fest. But the fan's attention is best directed to the last track, "Fäerinôt Space," an improvisation the band would later learn and shape into a piece; it appears on the CD Live Orion under the same title (minus the accents). This original version showcases some great drumming. As far as the public is concerned, this is the birth of Quarkspace. Spacefolds 1 was reissued on CD-R with new artwork via MP3.com in February 2001.

Sonic Curiosity - Quarkspace: Spacefolds 2

QUARKSPACE: Spacefolds 2 (CD on MP3.com)

This 29 minute CD features the band's second between-projects cassette release from 1997.

A spacier edge is found on this release, potentially attributable to the introduction of loop-based technology to the instruments. While the percussion goes electronic (yet retaining its humanity), the guitarwork steps down to intricate chords replacing astral tones.

Tempering the progression of spacerock into cyclic mode, the presence of a psychedelic mood lends tasty divergence to this evolving tuneage.