ESCAPADE
Inner Translucence
(p) (c) 1997 Mother West Music
7tks/55mins

Music, which is performed by ESCAPADE is rather difficult to describe. What is it? Jazz? To some extent. Inner Translucence is an improvisation from the beginning to the end. Is it avant-garde electronic? Yes, to the certain extent. In the essence, ESCAPADE is a duet of electronic musicians Paul Hilzinger and John Ortega with addition of parties of "living musicians": Paul Casanova - guitar, percussion, Joey Murphy -- bass and Hadley Khan - drums. Compositions of the album can be presented as collective meditation of project participants lacking of melody. Then, maybe the music of the Inner Translucence is new age? In the certain sense this statement is true. To be convinced in this one can hear original dialogue of synthesizer and flute of specially invited guest Robb Ross on Destination Somewhere. Therefore, trying to characterize Inner Translucence, one can state that this project goes beyond the borders of any definite style.

The most close analogy to the music of ESCAPADE could be AQUARELLO, AQUEOUS or solo works of inspirer of these projects of Felix Jay. But, if Felix himself characterizes this music, as jazz (though his original electronic music I would not call jazz), then ESCAPADE can be compared with Felix Jay in other aspect: here and there we have a really spontaneous music.

Besides the named above Destination Somewhere, I'd like to mention short electronic composition Evanescence. While listening to it, one can as if sink in a cold belly of open space.

In general, Inner Translucence is rather original and interesting project, though for unprepared listener it can be presented as chaotic conglomeration of various sounds. Then these is a probability, that you'll completely sink into the unknown space being sometimes hostile, sometimes friendly, but the space which is left mysterious. This is the space created by brave musicians of the ESCAPADE.

Serge Kozlovsky