Search - Sofa Surfers :: Cargo

Another great release from the Klein Records label

John Dennett | Longmont, CO USA | 06/23/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"On the Klein Records site, it says that Sofa Surfers are a "multimedia collective [that specializes] in experimental beats mixed with heavy dub and freaky jazz references." These guys can be grouped into the musical spectrum of the new European dub movement, which has Kruder & Dorfmeister's smooth jazz-sophisticate sound on one end and Pole's ultra-minimal machine dub at the other extreme. Landing somewhere in between on this, their second full-length release, they explore atmospheric soundscapes on tracks like "Container" and "Guns & Bombs & Knives", dark jazz-funk on "I Asked For Water" and "If It Were Not For You" while toying with a more traditional dub style on "The Low Rider" and "Long Bone". Mainly instrumental, but nice reggae-style vocals on "Beans & Rice" and "If It Were Not For You".Comparisons to Smith & Mighty or Massive Attack would not be unwarranted, although these guys are definitely more experimental. Oh, and there's LOTS of bass..."

::::: Delightful ::::::

Jo Wright | 02/08/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sofa Surfers provide the perfect soothing music for a summer evening, sitting on my balcony, whatching the waves in the ocean, with a cold margarita in my hands... (wish it wasn't only a dream... that's anyway what i was feeling when i heared this record). Its so calm and beutiful you can simply feel the nature sings. They make great fluid and soft music i simply repeated hearing again and again"

Harsh yet chilled

Jo Wright | Los Angeles, CA, USA | 02/09/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I picked up Cargo on an experimental whim, having never heard of Sofa Surfers, and intrigued by the cover photo. It suggested cold techno-like music, which in some ways is true.On first listening I was fairly ambivalent, the CD begins sounding very harsh and disjointed, but mellows out further in, with dubby vocals and chilled bass sounds. There is still that cold mechanical edge to all the tracks, softened and contrasted with the limited vocals and relaxing strings (which as a techno fan is a pleasing blend).It grew on me, and I would recommend it to anyone that likes Kruder and Dorfmeister, or maybe Plastikman. They all share a similar atmosphere even if the style is different."