Karpov Not Kasparov Soundtrack For A Game Of Chess

Valeriu Borcos and Eduard Gabia are
Karpov not Kasparov, a musical game of
chess between synthesizers and drums.
Beginning in Bucharest in 2009, the duo
soon incorporated an analogue visual
artist and contemporary dancers into their
live performances, resulting in a theatrical
show and a kind of real-time soundtrack to
the action around them. The duo’s unique
dynamic creates a psychedelic synth-driven
sound, combining oriental melodies
with the drive of a full live drum kit.
“Soundtrack for a game of Chess” is their
debut LP, comprising a selection of the
best tracks from their previous two EPs,
which never appeared on vinyl.
“Mechanical Turk”, named after a faux
chess-playing machine constructed in the
late 18th century, displays the darker side
to the band’s undulating sound, as the
vintage synth creates a spacey Eastern
overlay to the driving bass and drums.
There are moments of downbeat jazz-infused
introspection, such as the track
“Kaissa”, named after the goddess of
chess, as well as the ever-onward kraut
drums of “Choose you colour gipsy dark”
overlaid with the rise and fall of a pulsating
synth. Yet the record is not simply a dark
synth composition, at times K not K sway
towards a more playful, experimental pop
sound reminiscent of early electronic
pioneers such as Harmonia or Vangelis,
while still managing to retain a modern,
otherworldly feel.
Having garnered great acclaim within their
native Romania, their debut EPs also
received high praise internationally from
sources such as WFMU. While last year,
Mehmet Aslan’s re-work of “Mechanical
Turk” released on Huntleys + Palmers
made waves across the dance floors of
the world.