Surf Instro Review: The Surfaris-Basic Tracks

I was intrigued when I received a professional letter from Paul Johnson's management about the recent The Surfaris release. PJ, a surf-instrumental guitar legend, and this band, one of the originals from the first wave of surf-instrumental, coming together to remake the essential tracks that helped to spawn an entire genre is a significant event. Their influence on the surf-instrumental genre is undeniable, and their music should be appreciated and respected.

Basic Tracks is a title that means more than it implies. These songs set the standard and paved the way for an entire genus of music. They are classics that will never age as long as someone is willing to play them, re-record them, and engage new listeners.

The Surfaris have reformed and updated each song with the crackling sparkle of a cold wave crashing to the shoreline, that shoreline being your ears, mind, and senses. How many versions of "Wipe Out" and "Misirlou" have you heard? I reckon quite a few, but if you are a true instro fan, you never tire of hearing those songs. Look at the mileage groups like The Ventures and artists like Merrell Fankhauser (the original creator of "Wipe Out," in case you did not know) have gotten from their catalogs of extensive material over the years.

There is an apparent reason for this: their music has qualities that people can relate to; it enables listeners to find validation in a particular time or place. This collection is no different, and the effect is the same; the songs sound new and refreshing again.

Songs constructed like this are different; there are no words, just music. That gives each track an edge and flexibility, allowing many types of musical styles to be used and reshaped time after time.

Although this is not common practice, as these songs usually remain intact within the framework of this particular musical style, they can come back again like unlimited refills at a soda fountain, with a little more juice and a twist of lime for flavor.

As the back of this CD says, legends live forever. Yes, they do, and so does their music. 

"Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

February 18, 2003

Tracks:

1. The Wedge

2. Penetration

3. Apache

4. Point Panic

5. Hawaii 5-0

6. Misirlou

7. Wipe Out

8. Similau

9. Link Wray Medley 

Credits:

Robert Watson-Keyboards

David Raven-Drums

Brian Condren Hampton-Percussion

Jim Fuller-Acoustic Guitars

Jay Truax-Bass

Greg Simp-Band Tech

Paul Johnson-Guitar

Jim Pash-Guitar/Saxophone