CD by Muziekkamer is a reissue of their 1982 self-released cassette, called simply I – Kamermuziek (KORM PLASTICS).
The music of this Dutch underground group is starting to find its way into the ether lately, as the Belgian label Stroom (specialists in “rescuing” electronic music obscurities of the 1980s) recently put out Op Zee as a limited pressing LP and thereby delighted 100 paying customers in search of silver audio purity. Muziekkamer evidently liked to keep a low profile – no names on this reissue, even, and although sources differ as to whether they were a duo or a trio, I think those involved were Cees Van Den Oever, Martin Keuning, and Martin van den Oever, all operating out of Leiden in the Netherlands.
What they play here is very delicate guitar and synth music, with enough restraint to earn themselves a tick in the “Minimal” box as used by many auditors, but also plenty of air and space in the gaps between the notes. Unlike some who strive to puff up atmospherics and foggery from their electronic array, these creators are not afraid of melody, repetition, or harmony. Indeed in places we might be tempted to liken them to a 1980s update on 1970s Popol Vuh records, although our Dutch friends are less ambitious in the spiritual healing department and the world-religion sweeps of grand-meister Florian Fricke with his swirling mandalas. “Hazy” and “dreamy” are keywords used by the Soundohm music-shopping site, who also put them in a seraglio with other Dutch underground ambient music of the same period – a category which might include other prolific creators such as Frans de Waard (who sent this in the mail), Freek Kinkelaar, and Roel Meelkop, as well as their many aliases.
An unassuming, haunting gem of instrumental music, with suitably evocative photos on the digisleeve. (10/11/2023)