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Title:  Landslide Artist:  Surge    special offer Format:  CDR Price:  € 4.00   Mp3 samples:   1   2   3   4

other Titles by.. Surge First (CDR)

Title Description:
Surge sums almost everything up what Microwave is all about. Two boys in their self chosen anonymity, toying around in their own analogue world. Rather then buying the latest G3 PowerBook (yes, they couldn't afford it), they have some old Korg Ms20 synth, 4 track and foot pedals. Nice and affordable. Their first release, aptly named 'First' (a CDR on Bake Records), was that joyful mixture of everything good, new and daring electronic music of today is: a dash of Oval, a bit of Pan Sonic, Goem, Ikeda and packed with everything they could sample. While watching the landslides in Europe this winter, on TV, they had their title of their second release and went out to record it. Rather then packing it again with samples, they still make them, but remove them in the mix. The skeleton disappears and the skin remains. The result is an odd mixture of hisses, beats, and out of sync tunes. Noisy at times, quiet at times. Harsh but with that deep bass - again at times. And not a single correct beat in sight (well apart maybe from the Aphex Twin inspired opening track).

Vital Review:

SURGE - LANDSLIDE
RICHARD CHARTIER - POST-FABRICATED

(Both CD-R's by Microwave Recordings)

Yet another CD by a still fairly unknown duo of youngsters from the low
countries. And as low as these countries are, as minimal is this music. A
CD with 9 tracks made exclusively by triggering 1 Korg MS20 (it can be
done!). Basically all tracks are rhythmical, but I don't think they will
fill the ol' dance floor. This stuff is more suitable for those dj's that
like to give a twist to their set and stay away from safe conduct. Still,
it's amazing what these guys get out of their synth (I believe they use
only one track at a time here). The problem with this stuff is I don't
really know how to approach it: it's not dance music and it's not really
music to listen to. So what's left? In a way it reminds me of Eno's music
(I have the same problem with that), with the exception that this stuff
gets more into the foreground of auditory perception. So maybe I should
just look at it the way dj's seem to look at all music: as a tool.

The CD by Richard Chartier is of a somewhat more subtle nature. The 23
tracks have a lot of rhythmical elements, but it is always clear that this
is not dance. This is microwave in its purest form: crackles, bleeps and
hisses are used to build simple, but ever so delicate structures, that
fade in & out of consciousness. This is real head phones' stuff and again
this is all very good for sampling and remixing. I wonder what would
happen if Chartier himself would remix this stuff?

One note about the volume though: it should have been louder I think. I
know I can adjust my stereo, but this seems to be meant for low volume
listening and I don't agree. (MR)

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