Zx Spectrum Orchestra - Basic Programming [Warm Circuit - 2007]Basic Programming comes form the excellent Warm Circuit label who brought us the great Modified toy orchestra album. Again old and modified technology is used, this time as the projects name suggests their mainly utilizing an 80's home pc favourite the ZX Spectrum. As expected this has a wonderful retro electronic feel, 80’s sounding like a lower grade Circuit heavy version of kraftwerk. Much of it is painted with a tuneful quirky edge, a lot denser in texture than the modified toy orchestra work. It's also less varied too, as a lot of the sounds do sound similar which cant really be helped since they use of one type of technology. Through out it drifts along pleasantly enough like a been trapped inside whizzing and buzzing Circuit world of the zx spectrum, having some more subtle and soothing ambient under currents weaved in here & there. The also use chunky digital recorded voices here and there, like chatty and chanting robots. Though it's tuneful for the most part, the tones are quite cold and Sharpe, with sadly not enough quirky humanity surfacing. Another well worth releases from this early day electro label. Not as 'must have' as Modified toy orchestra's Toygopop, but never the less there’s lots to like in this electronic buzzing and thumping world. Roger Batty
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