AV - "Microwave - A Manual"

The title of this new release on Microwave suggests that the tracks

presented here are models for (making) this kind of music. Or it's a hoax

of course. The first track, which is simply called 'A Jingle' tends to make

me believe it's the second choice. Very short and basically just electrical

circuitry gone unwired. but very nice. Second is Radboud Mens with a much

more serious approach: a well defined composition (I wonder if it

couldactually be played backwards and still sound the same...), but lacking

a little in excitement for me. Immedia are present with a track that is for

a very large part inaudible (even on headphones) except for an occasional

outburst. Reminded me of Richard Chartier. Petra Klusmeyer presents a work,

that doesn't actually sound like a microwave piece, but more like serious

electronic composing. And good composing. New one is Monotonos from The

Netherlands, with a clear and sober track. Good introduction. Hem from the

UK is also new to me, with a track that rolls from right to left on the

speakers and has a somewhat sneaky atmosphere. Another new name is Freiband

with a sober, but very subtle track, a strong introduction as well. A

bigger name is Kim Cascone with a short, but fiercely electronic piece.

Another new name is Sony Mao, who's doing a duet with R2D2. But luckily for

us, it's not only funny: it's good as well. And the list of new names (for

me) is longer. Tarlose present themselves (them, him, her, who knows?) with

probably the most minimal track as yet. Reminds me of Surge, but even more

minimal. And who's next? Surge, but with a sound that goes more in the

direction of Chain Reaction than I would have thought possible.A nice

development, I think. That brings us to Brian Lavelle, who's name again is

new for me. This track can almost be seen as a popsong, with an

introduction and the other ingredients to follow. Very nice indeed. Ha, I

know Massimo from a former Microwave release, but I would never have

guessed that the guy produces gabber as well. This one could even work on

the floor, except for that break in the middle of the piece, which makes it

a lot more interesting than your average gabber. I might become a fan of

Mr. Massimo. Cancerman (yep, don't know him) presents a track with a pretty

dark and gloomy atmosphere and leaves everyone waiting for the real beat to

kick in. This expectation remains unfulfilled however, and so Cancerman

escapes obviousness. Arizona Running (new from Holland!) present a very

exciting track with a broad array of electronic sounds and a strong sense

of tension. Last track is by Immedia again and again this is a very low

volume piece, that is very present however. Good filtering. So, this CD can

be considered as a manual, but why? As a compilation of people working in

this 'field' of contemporary electronic music and introducing quite a lot

of new names, it seems to make more sense.



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