2021
Island (ilhas Atlânticas)
The last track on Spastic Rhythms vol 1 is a Dave Black solo rendition of a tune by the Electricka Zoo.
It originally appeared in duo form, on our self-titled debut album in 2017, and on the Other Islands: 2012-2018 compilation.
It’s based around a (non-diatonic) Cmaj7 – Amaj7 pattern, with a bossa nova rhythm. The words are in (beginner) Portuguese:
Eu gosto de falar
no meus ancestrais
de as ilhas Atlânticas
Madeiras e Açores
It’s a small tribute to my great-great-grandfather Manuel Bernard.
He was born in 1847 in Ponta Delgada, Flores Island, Azores, Portugal.
Portuguese make up only 0.02% of New Zealand’s population – but by coincidence, the Digitator also had a Portuguese ancestor, his from the Madeira islands. Hence the inspiration for the tune.
I salute anyone that makes a whole album out of EDM post-punk avant-garde rock / jazz, reggae, Balkan, [and] Portuguese music” – Corrinne Rutherford, www.muzic.net.nz

Spastic Rhythms vol1
A quickfire Dave Black solo EP, recorded one summer morning, 24 January 2021

It adds banjo and electric drums to the 2020s Wairarapa DIY solo electric improv style begun in