VIRB

Expo 70 "Mystical Amplification"
Kill Shaman

This mammoth feast of monolithic drone is an exercise in clever subterfuge. Going by looks alone, you'd think that "Mystical Amplification" was either a reissue of a long lost European prog epic, or a recent release from one of the current Japanese heavy psych masters. Lo and behold, this gorgeous hand-made package - along with the CD-R inside of it - is from Kansas City: Expo 70 is the solo project of Justin Wright, a KC native who formerly played in Living Science Foundation, a group based out of Los Angeles.

On "Mystical Amplification," Wright's effects-laden guitar work is laid overtop spacey Moog soundscapes, courtesy of one McKinley Jones. Each of the four extended improvisations follows a similar path: dense synth drones, gurgles, and bleats provide a backbone overtop of which Wright drapes layered chords, melodies and feedback. However, there is enough dynamic interplay between the two musicians to keep things from becoming boring. Wright and Jones are obviously skilled improvisers; they never rest on a single idea for too long, and each player is cognizant of where the other wants to go next. They create deep caverns of fluctuation, not vast deserts of sameness. One thing is certain: there could never be as fitting a title as "Mystical Amplification" for the sounds contained on this little disc. 7/10 -- Bryon Hayes (12 February, 2008)