Valeriu Borcos and Eduard Gabia are Karpov not Kasparov, a musical game of
chess between synthesizers and drums. Beginning in Bucharest in 2009, the duo
soon incorporated an analogue visual artist and contemporary dancers into their
live performances, resulting in a theatrical show and a kind of real-time soundtrack to
the action around them. The duo’s unique dynamic creates a psychedelic synthdriven
sound, combining oriental melodies with the drive of a full live drum kit.
“Soundtrack for a game of Chess” is their debut LP, comprising a selection of the
best tracks from their previous two EPs, which never appeared on vinyl.
“Mechanical Turk”, named after a faux chess-playing machine constructed in the
late 18th century, displays the darker side to the band’s undulating sound, as the
vintage synth creates a spacey Eastern overlay to the driving bass and drums.
There are moments of downbeat jazz-infused introspection, such as the track
“Kaissa”, named after the goddess of chess, as well as the ever-onward kraut
drums of “Choose you colour gipsy dark” overlaid with the rise and fall of a pulsating
synth. Yet the record is not simply a dark synth composition, at times K not K sway
towards a more playful, experimental pop sound reminiscent of early electronic
pioneers such as Harmonia or Vangelis, while still managing to retain a modern,
otherworldly feel.
Having garnered great acclaim within their native Romania, their debut EPs also
received high praise internationally from sources such as WFMU. While last year,
Mehmet Aslan’s re-work of “Mechanical Turk” released on Huntleys + Palmers
made waves across the dance floors of the world. They’re now set to release their
debut LP on Polychrome Sounds this Summer and will be touring Europe from 
Spring onwards.


artwork by Axel Brechensbauer
layout by Paramon
mastering Marten Rux, Alin Zabrauteanu 
synths Valeriu Borcos
drums Eduard Gabia
all tracks by Valeriu Borcos 

Karpov not Kasparov - Choose Your Colour / Gipsy Dark

We release musica etcetera on vinyl.

info@polychromesounds.com