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Chairman Of The Board: Surf Soundtracks '64 to '74 (Harmless)  
By Matthew Hirtes  
Monday, 25 June 2007

Description:
In the spring of 2005, in association with The Barbican, Rowan Chernin, co-founder of Loaded and the mag’s former music and clubs editor, produced a short sell-out cult surf film festival and live cinematic mix event with Death In Vegas and Flat E Visuals. Two years on, that event’s curator has released its soundtrack. Made up of a rag-tag collection of songs from the most iconic surf films of 1964 to 1974.
Which means?
Never mind the Beach Boys, let alone The Buzzcocks. These are songs only extreme boarders will have heard of. No wonder Chernin’s CV lists one of his current occupations as “DJ and record collector”.
Is it much cop?
Cop, it is much. Lovingly put together, this compilation is a perfect addition for the discerning buyer of music. It’ll start conversations at parties and pique the interest of like-minded souls.
How many good tracks?
From the opener, Farm’s tricksy-monikered ‘San Ho Zay’ to closer, G. Wayne Thomas’ ‘Gypsy Shore’, the album features no less than 18 tracks of stone(r)-cold genius. The pick of which is probably the so-psychedelic-it-will-literally-blow-your-mind ‘Transparent Dream’ by Smoghorn which appears on Super Session. The best mind-fuck ever.
And the worst?
Tamun Shud’s ‘Evolution’ from the film of the same name features such clichéd lyrics, it comes across as a parody. “Hop aboard the music train”? I’d rather not, thanks, if it’s all the same to you.
Biggest disappointment?
Chernin’s original showcase centred on Morning of the Earth, Innermost Limits of Pure Fun, and Crystal Voyager. That these three films provide 11 of the tracks on Chairman Of The Board: Surf Soundtracks ‘64 to ‘74 could be described as lamentable. As could the fact the remaining seven tracks are taken from only three further films: Children of the Earth, Evolution, and Super Session.
Verdict:
Brace yourselves for the ride of your life. What Rowan Chernin offers isn’t exactly a relaxed listen by any stretch of the definition. Be prepared for the inevitable wipe-out. 
(4¾/5)
 

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