TAPE ONLY

Rip It Up, Issue 74, 1 September 1983, Page 29

TAPE ONLY

Russell Brown

Steve Roach, Gorgonzola This tape was made up over a period of 18 months and that's reflected in its diversity. There are 18 tracks, ranging from some made up of snatches of found words like white m,an’s scratch music to others that emerge as almost conventional songs. It's hard to believe that this was done by one man and a T couple of cassette recorders. It's bursting with ideas maybe too many for its own good. Perhaps its only fault is that it has become a little tied up in itself. It would be very interesting to hear Roach work.with other musicians again. Even so this tape stands as a testimony, to prodigous creativity. Available PO Box 47-295, Auckland, 56. Phantoms

Ecco .{Primitive Music No. It's . nice to know there are people like the Phantoms beneath the surface of this country's musical network. The Phantoms do play primitive music, pieces testing rhythm and noise. Sometimes it doesn't work, as in the silly Always Beyond Control' (nice idea) but they're trying. Care has obviously gone into this (it's very well recorded) and it deserves to be heard by at least a few. And, like Mr Roach, the Phantoms have L a sense of humour. Available from PO, Box 2783 Christchurch" tor $5. Step Chant Unit, I.C. Dream One of the effects of the upsurge of tape released has been the setting of a standard well left of what might be found on vinyl. Perhaps if, Step Chant Unit were on record they might not sound as pedestrian as they do here. Standard synthy stuff, marred mainly by the irritating 'Planet 1 Zero'. Available 40 Hobson St, Hamilton $4. Silent Decree, In Loving Memory It's probably a good thing Silent Decree broke up it's difficult to see where they could have gone from here. What we're left with is four pretty good slices o goth with bold vocals, new rockist guitars and bits of string. If you're going to buy it overseas then buy. it here. If you live in Auckland you can get it for $4 from Marcus' Clothes Shop or Bluebeat. .