Satelliti - Transister

by Maarten Schiethart

published: 31 / 10 / 2013

Label: Cuckundoo Records
Format: CD

Crowd-pleasing but ultimately banal electronica on debut album from Italian-based two-piece, Satelliti

Review

The busy and sometimes chaotic krautrock performed by the duo of Andrea Polato on drums and Marco Dalle Luche on keyboards, who come from Bolzano in Italy's Tirol region, takes the unsuspecting listener on a ride. By the hand of grace in dance music, on the single 'Young Wolf' for example, Satelliti merge irresistable rhythms and resonating frequencies. Jazz rock without the self-indulgence if you like. A duo always less inclined to allow a lead act than to be a trio, Satelliti probably exactly because of this lack a central figure. Predominantly, 'Transister' merges post jazz rock with quasi intelligent drum and bass. Not as technically irate as you may imagine, the album settles down into its acknowledgement of failing to have a protagonist in play. 'Transister' sees some gallery play but never showcases any excellence. A perfect fit for the Montreux Festival, I hear thee cry. To that extent, i Fratelli Satelliti know how to please the crowd, whilst the rest of the world is in pains to figure out why such a rather banal excursion got the attention.