Boards of Canada
Electronica / IDM
Boards of Canada is the duo of Michael Sandison & Marcus Eoin . Based on the northern coast of Scotland, the group got their start on acclaimed experimental electronica label Skam in 1996 after recording an obscene number of tracks and pressing the best of them up as a miniscule-run 12-inch, Twoism, a eight-track promo EP the group sent to labels in lieu of a demonstration tape. The pair's first official release appeared on Skam toward the middle of 1996, and was quickly hailed as among the label's finest releases to date. Titled "Hi Scores," the EP is an engaging mix of simple, infectious three-part synth melodies, subtle hip-hop and electro references, and alternately tense and relaxing beatwork endlessly repeated in shifting combinations (a la Autechre, Bochum Welt, and Cylob). Almost a mini-LP at six tracks and nearly half an hour in length, the debut was followed in late 1996 by a series of live gigs opening for Plaid and Autechre, as well as compilation tracks for Uvm and Skam/Musik Aus Strom side project label Mask (under the name Hellinterface). Further releases for Skam, Mask, and 4th World in-house label Ampoule were scheduled, and in 1998 Boards of Canada issued "Music Has the Right to Children." An amazing ambient electonica album. Nearly four years later, the duo returned with their second LP, "Geogaddi." Boards of Canda will surrender you to a kaleidoscope of sounds beyond your imagination. And have made a high mark on the electronica movement.
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