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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