| Swayzak Records Snowboarding In Argentina CD (1998) Remastered
$13.89 With its' spacey synths arching over the horizon, two-lane blacktop bassline and relentless pulse, the sheer hypnotizing aura of the sounds is breathtaking. And it only gets better from there. SNOWBOARDING IN ARGENTINA remains to this day a reasonably unsung record, popular in its time, but never given the proper recognition it deserved. The British duo Swayzak--a morphing of low-brow actor Patrick Swayze's last name--erected a benchmark for itself in the late-1990s minimal techno realm, proving that the Cologne posse didn't have the exclusive rights to cerebral beatsystems. The album features tracks from the group's singles as well as new Swayzak pieces. Too bad, because these UK boys have a helluva way with a groove.
The opening "Speedboat" should act as the blueprint for anyone interested in carving out the perfect union of electronics and elasticity. Magnificent stuff--this recording might just give credibility to the term 'intelligent techno'.
Named for the group's dream vacation if their album was successful, Snowboarding in Argentina showcases Swayzak's clean, minimal blend of dub, jazz-house and ambient. "Blocks" offers orange skyline synths draping melancholic half-tones over chugging bedrock beats. "Burma Heights" applies the same sonic potions while substituting clicktrack percussion for deep bass motorik.
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