NAVIGATOR

Airwaves

Groove Unlimited (2003)

review by Mark Morton

Navigator is an unapologetic "Berlin School" band (the Berlin school was so called because artists associated with the electronic instrumental style that developed out of the use of sequencers beginning in the mid -1970s generally operated out of Berlin) that appears to be particularly fond of Tangerine Dream, circa 1975-82. Anyone who enjoys that era would like this recording. The band makes the intent clear with a quote on the liner notes from Virginia Woolf, to the effect that it would be nice to "plug in" and listen directly to the unvarnished past rather than rely on fragile memory.

The CD opens with a short sample called "Transmission," intended to signify a tuning in to this elusive past. The first cut, "Airwaves" is the slightest on the cd with a very simple structure, some Froese-sounding guitar sustain and a feel like '70s disco, twice removed. However, the band quickly reveal where their strengths lie with the next cut, "Loenstrup," a sequencer "tour-de-force". Here is everything a Berlin School fan would enjoy, including throbbing bass sequences, driving and propulsive interlocking sequenced melodies and sequences that intertwine and shift rhythmically. The melodic and harmonic content of these sequences come a little too close to Tangerine Dream's archetypal Richocet for comfort, but overall this is an enjoyable and skillfully performed piece. The piece concludes with a nice atmospheric ambient moment that I wish had continued longer. "In the Desert," the next cut, opens with a driving sequence sounding more like the Tangerine Dream of the early ;80s. The band combines this sound with a nice modern groove underneath and the changes in key and tone color come often enough to sustain interest. "Blue Café" shows the group exploring more modern rhythms as the syncopated bass sequence interlocks with a nice downtempo groove. "Biodiver" sonically explores submersion with a brief whale song as the signal that the group is exploring the depths. The sequences that emerge are interesting and not readily identifiable with any "period" of any Berlin School band. I found the piece quite enjoyable because it gave a real sonic portrait of diving under the ocean. "Ronnenberg Dive" continues the theme with some nice "mellotron choir" sounds that harken back to Klaus Schulze and more interesting synth sounds that produce melodies with bite. "Mist of Ganyemede" introduces a (rather weak or ethereal) vocoded sound and contains another "classic Berlin" sequence. I found all of these pieces to be mostly enjoyable with a few reservations having to do with what appeared to be direct quotes from this or that Tangerine Dream piece.

However the longest cut on the CD, "Blizz," is a tour de force in every way, with interesting and varied synth sounds, tending to the bright side, and well constructed and modulated sequences that appear to morph and stutter rapidly into new and more interesting ideas as the piece progresses. The piece builds to a wonderful climax where the sequences tinkle with rare, delicate and soft expression, while retaining a punctuated rhythmic edge. Here, I felt I was listening to Navigator build something new on the legacy of the Berlin style. The CD closes with a short sample telling us the "Transmission" has ended.

Despite the slight reservations mentioned, I recommend this CD to all Berlin School enthusiasts or to anyone who is looking for enjoyable and listenable electronic music.