Formed from the ashes of Brooklyn alt-pop rockers Mold, songwriter/keyboardist Steven Scavuzzo and producer/guitarist David Weintraub's group The Black Sea did not break away from their prior band's trademark simplicity and melody; instead, they channeled it in other directions. Moving away from the rigidness a four piece democracy can evolve into, The Black Sea's two principal players formed a musical unit that would allow greater freedom and space to create and experiment.
Drawing on the influence of The Orb and all things Krautrock, The Black Sea's debut, 2002's SpaceWalk staked out a common ground between space rock and lush symphonics. This album was the most literal translation of the space concept they could fashion at the time. There is something deeply satisfying about taking a theme, no matter how well-worn, and having the freedom to create any musical idea necessary to express that theme. If their minds could conceive it and they had the technology to create it, it was done. And done. Headphone music for a rainy Sunday.
In 2004, The Black Sea released Set and Setting. While the guiding principal of their sophomore release appeared to be "Music to take drugs by," the drug experience was viewed from both sides of the coin, from giddy euphoria to dark paranoia. A more rhythm and song orientated release, this album utilized the services of many of Steven and David's musician friends, now known as the Buddhalite Collective. Creative movie and TV samples abound making this a very listenable yet indescribable record.
In 2007, The Black Sea released Keep On Diggin', deliberately jettisoning many of the band's previous electronic leanings in favor of human sounds including all live drums. Singer Julie DeLano added more vocal parts than on previous releases and the overall tone of the album is decidedly funky. The most listenable of the three releases, Keep On Diggin’ still maintains the bands reputation for creating simple and enjoyable yet unclassifiable music. Plans are in the works for a fourth release, but the evolution of the music and when it will appear remains to be seen.