Top Bar
Musique Machine Logo Home ButtonReviews ButtonArticles ButtonBand Specials ButtonAbout Us Button
SearchGo Down
Search for  
With search mode in section(s)
And sort the results by
show articles written by  
 Review archive:  # a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z

Kave - Kave [Arjunamusic - 2020]

New quartet on the scene, Kave, sees their debut LP coming through Arjunamusic. Formed by electronic maestro Samuel Rohrer, this quartet masterfully melds their instruments in flawless improvisation and creates a sort of electronic jazz ambient sound. Smooth to the core, it comes as a huge surprise that this wasn't all planned out ahead of time. Sometimes hypnotic and sometimes shockingly soulful, Kave is the type of record that would get multiple spins in any weather and with any attitude.

Opening with the silky smooth "Cambium," Kave waste no time showing their cohesiveness. Subtle, effective bass pulls the synthy swirl forth and drags the listener with. Unsure of what lies ahead, this jazzy number is both style and substance. Departing from expectation, "Hibernation I" has some Jan Hammer-like synth warbling and soulful vocals. Minimal but still powerful, the spaces in between the layers make the vocals even more impactful. Kave are really showing their collaborative restraint and the song is all the more effective for it. The opening tracks showcase the slower, minimal side of Kave, and the album picks up from there. Songs like "Destination North," "Giant Peach," and "Hermit" all differ in speed, but carry along with compulsion. Oscillations crawling forth with synthy layers blowing in the breeze, these tracks show the more playful, almost techno side of the quartet. One would be very surprised if an electronic improv quartet didn't have some bit of chaotic madness on their album, and Kave is there to help. "Toxic Boy" sees the foursome doing their bit of randomness to add some chaos to the first side. Rounding out the album, Kave revisits the quite cool that made "Cambium" work so well. It's moments like these where the Rohrer and gang shine. The vocals again come to the fore and there is a sense that the band is making strides for a cause, like they're here for a purpose. Even if it's just striving to keep music alive, interesting, and thought provoking, it's well worth it.

Composed improvisationally, Kave revels in restraint and showcases smoothness. With nine tracks at just over forty minutes, Kave is a quick treat that begs for consecutive spins. The skill of the players and the varying approaches keep the album fresh after repeated listens, which bodes very well for this album's timelessness. Improv can go awry with one stray modular patch, but Kave never even comes close. This is a tight and impressive album.

Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5Rating: 4 out of 5

Paul Casey
Latest Reviews

Kave - Kave
New quartet on the scene, Kave, sees their debut LP coming through Arjunamusic. Formed by electronic maestro Samuel Rohrer, this quartet masterfully melds th...
280324   Typhoon Club - Typhoon Club(B...
270324   Jerzy Skolimowski Collection ...
260324   Latex Choker - Sealed
260324   Occlusion - 59: No Input Wall
260324   Nihil Impvlse - Anabasis
260324   Marta Forsberg - Sjunger För...
260324   The New Boy - The New Boy( Th...
250324   The Stargazer’s Assistant - ...
250324   Liza Lim - Annunciation Trip...
220324   Patrick - Patrick( UHD/ Blu Ray)
Latest Articles

The Music of Clay Ruby & Burial H...
Over the last couple of decades Wisconsin native, Clay Ruby has been creating some of the world’s finest dark electronic music under the Burial Hex mon...
280324   The Music of Clay Ruby & Buri...
290224   Sutcliffe No More - Normal Ev...
100124   Occlusion - The Operation Is...
181223   Best Of 2023 - Music, Sound &...
051223   Powerhouse Films - Of Magic, ...
181023   IO - Of Sound, Of Art, Of Exp...
210923   Lucky Cerruti - Of Not so Fri...
290823   The Residents - The Trouble W...
110723   Yotzeret Sheydim Interview - ...
250523   TenHornedBeast - Into The Dee...
Go Up
(c) Musique Machine 2001 -2023. Twenty two years of true independence!! Mail Us at questions=at=musiquemachine=dot=comBottom