Despite this not being packed in the great Earsay envelopes, its a great record. Refinement isnt a word I like to use when trying to describe electronic music, but this is a sweet and delicate and melodic and carefully crafted refined electronic album. Think Oval with much of the annoying rhythm virtuosity left behind and the pop sense of melody emphasised, or (for you, underground fans) Dave Handford cooled down by a drink of chestnut syrup and fresh milk (this is delicious, believe me). These guys did sort of a MIDI remix of Tchaikovskis major works (something I was prepared to hate, slag off & throw away), released on the same label and its as great as this one is. Being ambitious and not appropriately talented makes you a boring fart, while being ambitious & appropriately talented can make you close to genius. Much respect to Grundik+Slava.

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16.06.03 Crossfishes (Ant Weiss – forma, Gnoy&Salo and Slava Smelovsky – Grundik+Slava). A stream of musical conscience at Maccabee Music Factory

Musically this is somewhat a strange combination of basic simplistic ‘wistle’ tunes with a light minimal feedbacking undertone and some melodic undertones which sound similar to some religious chanting (i.e.. as in Gregorian). The composition grows with percussive tunes and additional minimal ambient noises and peeping sounds are mixed through all this and some very electronic sounding “barrel-organ”, playing tunes as one can hear from a “merry-go-around” (according to my dictionary, correct my spelling if wrong please).

Part organic ambient excursion, and part country lullaby, this album (of which I have an advance, and most likely incomplete, copy) has really grown on me since the first time I heard it. Utilising electronic instruments, “sound objects,” harmonium, and vocals; Grundik & Slava have really created some beautiful music of startling complexity. Sometimes, it seems innocent and pleasant as I listen to it, other times, rather menacing. While it’s somewhat close to things I’ve heard before, it’s never “quite there”– so I think any comparisons would do it injustice. This is superbly-crafted music. I’m really at a lack for words, I want to tell you this is experimental country music, if there is such a thing. Definately an album for the repeated listening pile.