The Holmes Archive of Electronic Music

Episode 133

Sonic Adventures in Electronic Composition—The Ashley, Smith, and Hamilton Mix

Playlist

Time

Track Time

Start

Introduction –Thom Holmes

05:35

00:00

1.     Tom Hamilton, “London Fix 2” from London Fix (2003 Muse Eek). Composed and produced by Tom Hamilton; Programmed by Michael J. Schumacher. Tom Hamilton first made his living in audio production then gradually shifted all of that work to new music. Tom worked on almost all of the late Robert Ashley CDs and tours since 1990. This disc is subtitled "Music Changing with the price of Gold. An environment of continuous electronic music created through a programming residency at Engine 27, New York City. Please play softly.”

08:13

05:42

2.     Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, “Who I Am & Why I Am Where I Am” from The Kid (2017 Western Vinyl). Composed, produced, and performed by Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith. Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith is an American composer raised on Orcas Island in northwest Washington state. She attended the Berklee College of Music in order to study composition and sound engineering. Smith is a vocalist, classical guitarist, and electronic musician using a variety of modular setups.

05:20

13:56

3.     Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, “I Am Curious, I Care” from The Kid (2017 Western Vinyl). Composed, produced, and performed by Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith.

03:44

19:22

4.     Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, “I Will Make Room For You” from The Kid (2017 Western Vinyl). Composed, produced, and performed by Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith.

04:58

23:08

5.     Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith, “To Feel Your Best” from The Kid (2017 Western Vinyl). Composed, produced, and performed by Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith.

06:20

28:07

6.     Robert Ashley, “Superior Seven” from Superior Seven / Tract (1995 New World Records). Flute and computer programming, Barbara Held; Computer Programming, processing, and mixed by Tom Hamilton; synthesizer voices designed by Robert Ashley and Tom Hamilton; composed by Robert Ashely. Ashley was mostly known for his modern operas composed of dialog and new music. As a result, this instrumental work may not be what you expect from him. Superior Seven dates from 1988, just after the introduction of MIDI. Ashley fully explored MIDI for this work, writing a solo flute part with piano and a MIDI orchestra. Music was written for a flute player and pianist and audible cues triggered the engagement of MIDI instrumental parts controlled by a participating electronic musician (Hamilton). I saw this performed live and the results were startling.

30:15

34:16

Opening background music: Tom Hamilton, “Region 6” (excerpt) from Sebastian's Shadow (1997 Monroe Street Music). Electronics and composed by Tom Hamilton. Sebastian's Shadow follow the harmonic order found in J. S. Bach's Fantasia And Fugue No. 4 (BWV 542) (15:23).

Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.

My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.

See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.

For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Episode 132

The 2024 US Open Sound Experiment

Playlist

Note: The starting times indicate at which time during the podcast a sound begins. The tracks often overlap based on the given length of each track.

Time

Track Time

Start

Introduction –Thom Holmes

03:36

00:00

1.     Chair Umpires

01:19

05:24

2.     USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center—outer courts. Sample Alchemy, Granular effect, Classic.

03:46

05:40

3.     USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center—outer courts. Quick Sampler, Bent Guitar.

06:16

07:20

4.     USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center—outer courts. Sample Alchemy, Spectral effect, Blur

01:50

09:08

5.     USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center—outer courts. Sample Alchemy, Spectral effect, Low/High Cut.

02:58

10:56

6.     Arthur Ashe Stadium, Meta-Synth, Inertia setting

25:16

11:26

7.     Grandstand Stadium, Meta-Synth, Inertia setting,

08:36

12:16

8.     Grandstand Stadium, Auto-Filter, Constant Rise Four Bars.

08:33

29:48

9.     Grandstand Stadium, Arturia MiniFilter V, Beatchopper.

08:33

31:02

10.   Arthur Ashe Stadium, Delay Designer, Buzz Pattern.

26:05

34:40

11.   Louis Armstrong Stadium, Delay Designer, Pulse Groove.

24:42

54:36

12.   Grandstand Stadium, AutoFilter, Volume Gate Filter.

22:31

01:16:38

13.   Arthur Ashe Stadium, Pedlboard, Blue Echo, Squash Compressor.

30:28

01:36:28

14.   East Village Neighborhood, AutoFilter, Resonant High Pass; Delay Designer, Ring and Roll.

27:28

01:37:56

15.   USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center—outer courts. Sample Alchemy, Granular effect, Classic.

07:56

02:02:48

16.   USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center—outer courts. Quick Sampler, Bent Guitar.

08:02

02:03:56

17.   USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center—outer courts. Sample Alchemy, Spectral effect, Blur

03:46

02:06:59

18.   USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center—outer courts. Sample Alchemy, Spectral effect, Low/High Cut.

02:54

02:09:44

Recording equipment used: Zoom Hn4 Pro digital recorder; Shure CVB-B/O Boundary Condenser Microphone; Boya Omnidirectional Cardioid XLR Lavalier Microphone.

Opening background music: Opening background music: A mix of tennis recordings set to a track called “Make It Good” by DJ Tennis (2012 Life and Death). The tennis recordings include excerpts from Arthur Ashe, Learn Tennis (For Beginners & Advanced Players) (1974 Manhattan Recording Company), John Newcombe, Tennis With John Newcombe (1974 K-Tel), and Evonne Goolagong, Tennis Tips By Evonne Goolagong (1975 Fleetwood Records), narrated with questions by Bud Collins.

Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.

My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.

See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.

For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Episode 131

Shortwave Particulates—A Soundscape

Playlist

Time

Track Time

Start

Introduction –Thom Holmes

03:36

00:00

Thom Holmes, Shortwave Particulates (2024 Private Release). A sequence composed of a variety of vintage sounds collected from shortwave radios. Interval signals, Identification signals, programs in many languages from the around the globe. Interlaced with electronic sounds and drones.

01:38:18

03:36

Thom Holmes, Shortwave Particulates Loops (2024 Private Release). A sequence of drones and synthesized sounds that repeats as a long loop, to which I added improvised electronic sounds. This plays simultaneously with the last third of the Shortwave Particulates soundscape.

30:40

01:19:21

Opening background music: Thom Holmes, extracts from shortwave mixes.

Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.

My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.

See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.

For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Episode 130

Recent Finds for the Electronic Music Archives

Playlist

Time

Track Time

Start

Introduction –Thom Holmes

04:18

00:00

Esplendor Geometrico, “Estación Katowice” and “Signos De Energía” from Kosmos Kino (1987 Discos Esplendor Geometrico). Percussion, Drum Machine, Vocals, Gabriel Riaza; Synthesizer, Drum Machine, Vocals, Noises, Arturo Lanz. Industrial music from Spain.

10:08

04:42

KG, “My Magic Guitar,””Harry Escaped!,” “Die Sauberen Flöten,” “À L'enterrement De Kraftwerk,” “Fish And Chips Sugar Free,” “The Shotgun Gallery Drum School,” “The End Of The World” from Baraka (1997 Antimatière). French industrial band. Limited to 300 copies. Comes in a plain white cardboard cover with die-cut hole on center front. Back cover has two stamps: "ANTIMATIERE" and "MARRAKECH WVIII".

11:55

14:46

Mystic Moods Orchestra, “The Look of Love” from The Mystic Moods Of Love (1968 Philips). Lushly weird arrangements with a silky vocal chorus and environmental sounds recorded by Brad Miller. This record came before the Mystic Moods Orchestra used a Moog synthesizer. Originally included a fragrance card affixed to the cover with the writing "A Romantic Fragrance has been added to this album to enhance your Mystic Moods of Love" (actual capitalization).

03:30

26:37

Chris and Cosey, “Re-education Thru Labour” from Trance (1982 Rough Trade). Composed and Acoustic And Electronic Instrumentation by Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti.

07:07

30:06

Chris and Cosey, “Put Yourself In Los Angeles” from Heartbeat (1981 Rough Trade). Produced, composed and Acoustic And Electronic Instrumentation by Chris Carter and Cosey Fanni Tutti. Synth, Cornet, Casio MT30, Tapes, Vocals, Cosey F. Tutti; Synth, Electronic Drums, Guitar, Casio MT30, Taped Voices, Vocals, Chris Carter.

03:37

37:09

Skyliner Flight 35, side A, from Skyliner Flight 35 (Authentic Plane Sounds) (1952 Columbia). Directed by Hecky Krasno, Text by Leo Paris. 78 RPM. "Ride with the pilot as he flies a 4-engine Constellation from New York to California." Part of a series of children’s records from Columbia.

03:25

40:56

Reynold Weidenaar, side A, tracks 1-5, “Neptune Two-Step #1,” “Neptune Two-Step #2,” “Neptune Two-Step #3,” “Computer Clip-Clop,” “Cosmic Capers” from Electronic Effects (1968 A Sam Fox Production). Composed by Reynold Weidenaar. Historically significant recording of the early Moog Modular Synthesizer by this collaborator of Moog, student Reynold Weidenaar. Around this time (1967-68), Weidenaar edited the journal that originated with Bob Moog, the short-lived Electronic Music Review. This recording was made in the electronic music studio of R.A. Moog Co. studio in Trumansburg, New York. Not many recordings were made there. It was distributed by a company specializing in broadcast library music, Sam Fox Productions. You can hear the raw power and versatility of the Moog Modular components in these short compositions.

03:19

44:22

Reynold Weidenaar, side B, tracks 1-5, “Milky Wail #5,” “Milky Wail #6,” “Milky Wail #7,” “Venus Exposed,” “Cosmic Crackle #1” from Electronic Effects (1968 A Sam Fox Production). Composed by Reynold Weidenaar.

04:13

47:40

Ralph Lundsten, The Paradise of Heroes” from Paradissymfonin (1980 Harvest). Produced, composed, Synthesizer, Keyboards, Arranged By, Voice, Effects, Ralph Lundsten; Choir, Annelie Sköld, Annica Risberg, Kai Kjäll-Andersson, Kerstin Bagge, Liza Öhman-Kling; Conductor, Lars Bagge; Drums, Peter Sundell; Electric Guitar, Electric Bass, Georg Wadenius; Flute, Keyboards, Björn J:Son Lindh; Harp, Gloria Lundell, Marie Eriksson; Keyboards, Wlodek Gulgowski; Pipe Organ, Birgit Lindkvist; Percussion, Björn Liljequist, Pétur Östlund; Percussion, Arranged By, Gunnar Lundqvist. Mr. Lundsten was a little like the Rick Wakeman of Sweden. He worked in his private studio and produced many thematic compostions and over 40 albums in his long career in music.

05:46

51:52

Hiroshi Yoshimura, “Time Forest” from Soundscape 1: Surround (1986 Misawa Home). Composed, arranged, and performed by, Hiroshi Yoshimura. Hiroshi Yoshimura was a Japanese musician and composer, a pioneer of Japanese ongaku or environnemental music. Interestingly, this music was originally commissioned by a home builder to provide music to complement their newly built homes. Yoshimura described his music as being transparent, adding “Not all interiors are visual by nature; music as interior is none other than the interior of the heart.”

10:38

57:36

Mamman Sani, “Dangay Kotyo” from Taaritt (2022 Sahel Sounds). Recorded 1985 to 1988 at Studio Samira in Niamey, Niger and Studio Kham Mai in Paris, France. This wonderful music was not released until recently. Composed, recorded by, Crumar Bit 99 v, Yamaha RX5 synthesizer, Roland TR-505 Drum Machine, Mammane Sani Abdoulaye. Sani is an early pioneer of synth music in Niger. Sani found unlikely fame in Denmark, regularly appearing in the playlist of Copenhagen bars. "In Niger we have sweet melodies. When the music is good, it's a positive vibration. When someone can cry because of a melody, there is something humane in them. If you are stressed, you can take this music like a tablet. It's music to cool down. It's not music for dancing, but maybe it can make you dream."

04:11

01:08:11

Opening background music: Unknown Artist, side A, Ambient Battle Samples: Phase One: Enter The Stargate Manifold...(2003    The Crypticon Media Cartel). Produced, Controlled & Bankrolled by AL9000 Motherbrain (Alexandre Delmaere). From A side label : "These sounds are of intergalactic sonic property and available for any manipulations and outputs you so desire. Welcome to the Crypticon Media Cartel 2003. Original transmissions from sector 9.41 of Sirius-V during the last sonic cruise of the outer rings." Essentially, this is a list of electronic sound effects to be sampled and played by DJs. (15:05)

Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.

Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.

My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.

See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.

For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Episode 129

Women Synthesists

Playlist

Time

Track Time

Start

Introduction –Thom Holmes

04:36

00:00

Eliane Radigue, “Transamorem – Transmortem” (excerpt) from Transamorem – Transmortem (2011 Important Records). Composed in 1973 for ARP 2500 modular synthesizer. Music of slowly changing drones using the marvelous ARP synthesizer, which was Radigue’s key instrument for years after having experimented with Moog and Buchla modulars.

39:29

04:40

Caroline K, “The Happening World” from Now Wait For Last Year (1987 Earthly Delights). Caroline was a co-founder of Nocturnal Emissions, together with Nigel Ayers, in 1980. Arranged By, Recorded By, Producer, Composed By, Performer, Caroline K. Executive-Producer, Nigel Ayers. Drones of a different ilk. Noisy sounds, steady articulation, interesting timbres popping in and out. Sonically articulate.

20:49

44:03

Pauline Anna Strom, “Organized Confusion” from Plot Zero (1987 Trans-Millenia Consort Recordings). Pauline Anna Strom was a decades-long composer, musician and healer who lived and worked in San Francisco, CA. Pioneering blind synthesist. Music composed, synthesized, electronic treatments by Pauline Anna Strom. Strom taught herself to compose intuitively, practicing sounds with her various synthesizers, which included a Yamaha DX7, Prophet 10, two Yamaha CS1X portable keyboards and an E-mu Emulator. When she was ready to record, she laid it down using a Tascam four-track recorder and assembled her albums using a computer workstation. Early days for both the sampler and workstation.

06:04

1:04:48

Pauline Anna Strom, “Spacial Spectre” from Spectre (1984 Trans-Millenia Consort Recordings). Composed, synthesized, and electronic treatments by Pauline Anna Strom. From her vampire-inspired album.

06:58

1:10:51

Pauline Anna Strom, “Blood Thirst” from Spectre (1984 Trans-Millenia Consort Recordings). Composed, synthesized, and electronic treatments by Pauline Anna Strom. From her vampire-inspired album.

07:23

1:17:40

Maryanne Amacher, “"Head Rhythm 1" And "Plaything 2" from Sound Characters (Making The Third Ear) (1999 Tzadik). Electroacoustic composer of sound installations, best known for her incorporation of otoacoustic emissions -- sounds that seem to be emanating from inside one's own head. This track plays with that concept and sets your brain up to experience itself, so to speak.

10:04

1:25:04

Caterina Barbieri. “This Causes Consciousness To Fracture” from Patterns Of Consciousness (2017 Important Records).  Italian composer and musician from Bologna. This album was created using analog synthesis. Barbieri has said, “In Patterns of Consciousness I was interested in exploring the power of sound on our consciousness. I wanted to explore how a pattern creates a certain state of consciousness and how the gradual transformation of that pattern can affect that state of consciousness. I believe that sound is a tool for the exploration, reconfiguration and expansion of human perceptions.” I find this to be in a similar psychological vein as the Amacher work also heard in this episode.

22:44

1:34:56

QOA (Nina Corti), “Sauco” (04:22), “Liquen” (02:50), “Yatei” (03:04), “Muitu” (03:16) from SAUCO (2024 Leaving Records). Side 1 of the newest release from this composer-performer from Argentina. “Sonic journey crafted to cultivate poetic gestures amidst Fauna, Flora, Fungi, Mineral Waters, Wind, and Earth. Each track is an exploration of sound's constant transformation, akin to dragonfly particles swimming in the air. Like waves occupying a space in the spectrum, the compositions work with the movement, condensation, and lightness of the air.”

13:33

1:57:38

Opening background music: Pauline Anna Strom, “The Unveiling” from Trans-Millenia Consort (1982 Ether Ship Records). Her first cassette release from 1982. Composed and performed on synthesizer by Pauline Anna Strom. (06:04)

Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.

Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.

My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.

See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.

For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Original music by Thom Holmes can be found on iTunes and Bandcamp.

Episode 128

Terry Riley—Part 2, Solo Organ and Synthesizer Works

Playlist

Time

Track Time

Start

Introduction –Thom Holmes

05:28

00:00

Terry Riley, “The Last Camel in Paris” from The Last Camel In Paris (2008 Elision Fields). Composed and performed on a Yamaha YC-45D combo organ custom-tuned to just intonation and outfitted with a digital delay system, Terry Riley. Concert recorded by Radio France for a France Culture program by Daniel Caux broadcast May 13, 1979, in the Atelier de Création Radiophonique series. The delay circuit was created by Chester Wood, Riley road technician. It fed stereo signals to the digital delay. The YC-45D was modified so that it had separate mono outputs for each of its two keyboards, resulting in 4-channel live performances comprising two live channels and two delayed. Riley improvised these concerts around given themes and patterns. Wood created the delay, which they called “the shadow,” out of “an ancient computer he had procured from Don Buchla and this tour was the maiden voyage to try it out,” (Riley). Previously, the analog delay Riley used on works such as the Dervishes (see previous episode) created a fixed-length delay based on the physical head gap of the tape recorders used, which consisted only of two delays of 7.5 inches per secod and 3.75 inches per second, the speeds available on his Revox tape machine. The digital delay allowed Riley to fine tune the pause before a sound would repeat, finding tape delays that worked well with the tempos he was using in his compositions. This concert came after the release of Shri Camel album on CBS, a widely known release. I thought hearing these live variations on that work would be of interest.

50:58

05:34

Terry Riley, “Eastern Man” from Songs For The Ten Voices Of The Two Prophets (1983 Kuckuck). Composed, Voice, two Prophet 5 synthesizers by Terry Riley. Recorded in concert on May 10, 1982, at Amerika-Haus in Munich. Recorded digitally on Sony PCM-100 and PCM-1610 equipment.

11:19

56:39

Terry Riley, “Aleph Part 1” from Aleph (2012 Tzadik). Composed, Korg Triton Studio 88 synthesizer, Recorded, Liner Notes, and Produced by Terry Riley. Recorded in 2008, Aleph was originally created for the Aleph-Bet sound project organized by John Zorn for the Contemporary Jewish Museum in San Francisco.

45:46

01:07:56

Opening background music: Terry Riley, “Anthem of the Trinity” from Shri Camel (1980 CBS). Produced, Composed, Performed in real-time on a modified dual-manual, Yamaha YC-45-D Electronic Organ with just intonation and digital delay, by Terry Riley.

Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.

Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.

My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.

See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.

For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Original music by Thom Holmes can be found in iTunes and on Bandcamp.

Episode 127

Terry Riley—Analog Organ Works

Playlist

Time

Track Time

Start

Introduction –Thom Holmes

08:08

00:00

1.     Terry Riley, “Journey From The Death Of A Friend” and “Happy Ending” from Happy Ending (1972 Warner Brothers Records). Music composed for the film "Les Yeux Fermes," a film by Joel Santoni. made at the "Strawberry Studio" Château d'Hérouville-France. This is a studio recording. “Journey From The Death Of A Friend” was recorded in real time with the tape delay system timed for a shorter delay, expressly for the Yamaha YC-45D combo organ. The track called “Happy Ending” features Terry on saxophone and uses a longer delay sequence than the organ piece, plus electric piano and organ. Recorded March-April 72.

36:53

08:10

2.     Terry Riley, “Performance Two,” sides 3 and 4, from Persian Surgery Dervishes (1972 Shanti). Composer, performer, Yamaha YC-45D combo organ, Tape Feedback, Terry Riley. Riley plays a modified Yamaha electric organ tuned in just intonation and using a tape delay system. Performance Two performed May 24, 1972,  Théâtre de la Musique, Paris.

47:46

45:01

3.     Terry Riley, “Parts 1 and 2,” sides 1 and 2, from Descending Moonshine Dervishes (1982 Kuckuck). Composer, performer, Yamaha YC-45D combo organ, Tape Feedback, Terry Riley. Riley plays a modified Yamaha electric organ tuned in just intonation and using a tape delay system. Recorded in concert November 29, 1975, at Metamusik Festival in Berlin.

52:00

01:32:54

Opening background music: Terry Riley, “A Rainbow In Curved Air” from A Rainbow In Curved Air (1968 Columbia). Electric Organ, Electric Harpsichord, Rocksichord, Dumbec, Tambourine, Terry Riley.

Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.

Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.

My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.

See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.

For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Original music by Thom Holmes can be found in iTunes and on Bandcamp.

Episode 126

The Japanese Shigin Vocal Tradition—and Electronics

Playlist

Track Time

Start Time

Introduction –Thom Holmes

04:46

00:00

1.     Mix of Susumu Yokota, “Saku” from Sakura (1999 Skintone) plus Abe Shũfu II, “Mount Fuji” from Music Of The Shigin: Chanting To Chinese Poetry (1975 Folkways). Album of electronic music from the late composer Susumu Yokota and a track from Folkways of Japanese shingin folk music.

05:42

04:54

2.     Mix of Shiro Michi,“マドンナの宝石 (Intermezzo From "The Jewels Of The Madonna)” from エレクトーン 名曲アルバム (Electone Masterpiece Album)(1965 Polydor). Plus a female shigin performer accompanied by koto from a Japanese collection of shigin singers (1973 Toshiba TY-40077), side 2, track 6. Shiro Michi, Shiro Michi, was a popular Japanese Hammond organist in the 1950s, and Electone artist from the 1950s-2000s since 1958. This track was performed on the Yamaha Electone.

03:02

10:34

3.     Mix of Shiro Michi, “ドナウ川の漣 (Danube Waves Waltz)” from エレクトーン 名曲アルバム (Electone Masterpiece Album)(1965 Polydor). Plus a male shigin performer accompanied by bamboo flute and koto from a Japanese collection of shigin singers (1973 Toshiba TY-40077), side 1, track 2.

04:46

13:34

4.     Mix of a fragment of Shiro Michi and shigin, which I have called “Shigin Skip Organ” because of the prominence of the LP skip throughout. “ドナウ川の漣 (Danube Waves Waltz)” from エレクトーン 名曲アルバム(Electone Masterpiece Album)(1965 Polydor) plus a skipping record of a male shigin performer with koto.

04:08

18:17

5.     Omoide Hatoba, “Alternative Funkaholic” from Kinsei (1995 Earthnoise).

02:30

22:24

6.     Omoide Hatoba, “Satellite Groove” from Kinsei (1995 Earthnoise).

03:53

24:52

7.     Neohachi, “Dog More Than Cat” from Lovecadio Hearn (2013 White Paddy Mountain). Neohachi is a Japanese female duo, formed in 2005 and featuring Lily (Shigin Vocals) and Elly (Synthesizers).

06:09

28:40

8.     Neohachi, “Eternal, Eternal, Eternal” from Lovecadio Hearn (2013 White Paddy Mountain).

02:31

34:36

9.     和楽器バンド (Wagakki Band), “Akatsuki no Ito”from    八奏絵巻(Wildflowers Scroll). Bass, 亜沙 (Asa); Drums, 山葵 (Wasabi); Guitar, 町屋 (Machiya); Koto, [箏], いぶくろ聖志(Ibukuro Masashi); Shakuhachi, [尺八], 神永大輔 (Kaminaga Daisuke); Shamisen, [津軽三味線], 蜷川べに(Ninagawa Beni); Taiko, [和太鼓], 黒流 (Kurona); Shigin Vocals, 鈴華ゆう子 (Suzuhana Yuko). Suzuhana Yuko provides the shigin vocals in this convergence of hard rock and traditional Japanese music. The whole outfit is outstanding but I like the pre-eminence of female musicians. For example, check out this Japanese video of Ninagawa Beni shredding the Shamisen. Here’s a 2023 performance by Wagakki Band featuring a vocal by Yuko.

03:28

37:22

10.   和楽器バンド (Wagakki Band), “Nadeshiko Zakura” from 八奏絵巻(Wildflowers Scroll). Bass, 亜沙 (Asa); Drums, 山葵 (Wasabi); Guitar, 町屋 (Machiya); Koto, [箏], いぶくろ聖志(Ibukuro Masashi); Shakuhachi, [尺八], 神永大輔 (Kaminaga Daisuke); Shamisen, [津軽三味線], 蜷川べに(Ninagawa Beni); Taiko, [和太鼓], 黒流 (Kurona); Shigin Vocals, 鈴華ゆう子 (Suzuhana Yuko).

04:44

40:48

11.   Shigenori Kamiya(神谷重徳), “ファラオの墓 (Farao (Pharaoh) No Haka)” from Digital Trip ファラオの墓 シンセサイザ ファンタジ (Digital Trip Pharaoh's Tomb Synthesizer Fantasy). Composed By, Synthesizer, Shigenori Kamiya (神谷重徳).

03:12

45:28

12.   Gagaku Shigenkai, Ryōō from Unesco Collection, A Musical Anthology of the Orient: Japan II (1962 Musicaphon). "Ryōō" was recorded in Tokyo in 1962. Shigenkai, was a traditional Japanese music ensemble attached to the Imperial Household Agency, playing flutes, drums, and string instruments. I did a remix of this, adding delay and some droning tones and then double-tracking the whole piece as a way to transforms these lovely, acoustic tonalities into an electronic mélange.

07:18

48:38

13.   Otomo Yoshihide (大友良英), “Film Maker From Kreuzberg,” from We Insist? (1992 Sound Factory). Turntables, Sampler, Tapes, Guitar, Otomo Yoshihide.

02:55

55:50

14.   After Dinner, “An Accelerating Etude” from After Dinner (1984 Recommended Records). Engineer, Producer, Voice, Synthesizer, Tape, Koto (Miniature 13 String, Taisho-goto), Plastic Flute, Percussion, Haco. Vocalist/lyricist-composer/multi-instrumentalist/sound-artist. Album compiled for the UK release from the original Japan records known as the Glass Tube LP and an After Dinner 7.”

04:11

58:42

15.   After Dinner, “Sepia-Ture II” from After Dinner (1984 Recommended Records). Alto Saxophone, Kaname Nakagawa; Arranged by, Y. Utsunomia; Bass, Drum, Miyuki Komori; Bass, Violin, Tadahiko Yokokawa; Koto (Taisho-goto), Yasushi Utsunomia; Snare, Masaaki Kawaguchi; Soprano Saxophone, Masaharu Ito; Tenor Saxophone, Seiichi Kuroda; Voice, Haco.

02:25

01:02:50

16.   Wha Ha Ha, “Keiro No Hibi” and “On The Floor” from 死ぬ時は別 (It’s Different When You Die) (1981 Better Days). The second part of this combination track is a different of “On the Floor” that is sung by Mishio Ogawa. The version I am most familiar with was sung by a man so this is a refreshing variation. Computer, Takafumi Fuse; Effects [Sound Effects], Fujio Akatsuka; Engineer, Kazuhiro Tokieda, Takafumi Fuse; Guitar, Shigenori Kamiya; Keyboards, Shuichi Chino; Percussion, Kiyohiko Senba; Saxophone, Voice, Akira Sakata; Voice, Mishio Ogawa.

11:57

01:05:09

Opening background music: Ryuichi Sakamoto, “Nuages” from Heartbeat (1991 Virgin Japan). Written by Sakamoto, the vocal is delivered by the remarkable Algerian singer Houria Aichi (2:15).

Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.

Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.

My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.

See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.

For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Episode 125

Trippy Trance Music Origins, Part 2

Playlist

Track Time

Start Time

Introduction –Thom Holmes

05:01

00:00

1.     Pete Namlook, “Power Supply II” from Namlook IV (1994 Fax +49-69/450464). “The music originated instinctively whilst being played live. There was no concept for the composition before, only a kaleidoscope of sounds stemming from the given instruments. The music of this CD is “dedicated” to the missing 220V power supply, the broken EMS Synthi which I dropped during the setting-up of my equipment, the SE-1 which instantly created its own sounds during the live recording and the Studio 440 with 2 faulty pads and a disk drive which had to be convinced to cooperate.”

5:00

05:16

2.     Pete Namlook, “Power Supply III” from Namlook IV (1994 Fax +49-69/450464). See explanation for part II above.

5:00

10:15

3.     Pete Namlook, “Power Supply IV” from Namlook IV (1994 Fax +49-69/450464). See explanation for part II above.

5:00

15:16

4.     Bill Laswell and Pete Namlook, “Psychic And UFO Revelations In The Last Days” from Psychonavigation (1994 Subharmonic). Written, arranged, and played by Bill Laswell, Pete Namlook; Axiom ambient, Bill Murphy, Peter Wetherbee; Material, Inc., Tracy McKnight; Subharmonic, Robert Soares.

38:46

20:13

5.     Pete Namlook, Klaus Schulze and Bill Laswell, “Obscured by Klaus, Part III” from The Dark Side Of The Moog 7 (1998 Fax +49-69/450464). Performers, Bill Laswell, Klaus Schulze, Pete Namlook; Written-by Bill Laswell .

19:01

58:54

6.     Pete Namlook, Klaus Schulze and Bill Laswell, “Obscured by Klaus, Part IV” from The Dark Side Of The Moog 7 (1998 Fax +49-69/450464). Written and performed by Bill Laswell, Klaus Schulze, Pete Namlook.

06:37

01:17:54

7.     Tetsu Inoue and Pete Namlook (2350 Broadway), “Ethereal Being” from 2350 Broadway 4 (2007 Fax +49-69/450464). Produced by Peter Kuhlmann (Pete Namlook); written and performed by Tetsu Inoue and Pete Nambook. Recorded at Bretton Hall, New York and Klanglobor Hödeshof, Germany. Linited to 500 discs.

7:00

01:24:28

8.     Tetsu Inoue and Pete Namlook (2350 Broadway), “Sustained Energy” from 2350 Broadway 4 (2007 Fax +49-69/450464). Produced by Peter Kuhlmann (Pete Namlook); written and performed by Tetsu Inoue and Pete Nambook. Recorded at Bretton Hall, New York and Klanglobor Hödeshof, Germany. Linited to 500 discs.

9:35

01:31:21

Opening background music: Bill Laswell and Pete Namlook, “Black Dawn” from Psychonavigation (1994 Subharmonic). Written, arranged, and played by Bill Laswell, Pete Namlook; Axiom ambient, Bill Murphy, Peter Wetherbee; Material, Inc., Tracy McKnight; Subharmonic, Robert Soares. (21:22)

Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.

Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.

My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.

See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.

For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.

Episode 124

Trippy Trance Music Origins

Playlist

Track Time

Start Time

Introduction –Thom Holmes

07:14

00:00

The KLF, “What Time Is Love?” from What Time Is Love? (Pure Trance 1) (1988 KLF Communications). Kopyright Liberation Front (KLF), a duo comprised of Jimmy Cauty and Bill Drummond. Cauty was born in Devon, England; Drummond was born in South Africa but grew up in the Dumfries & Galloway area of Scotland.

07:06

07:14

Sven Väth, “Ritual of Life” from Accident In Paradise (1992 Eye Q Records). Music by Sven Väth. Internationally known DJ / producer from Germany.

13:13

14:17

Sven Väth, “Caravan of Emotions” from Accident In Paradise (1992 Eye Q Records). Music by Sven Väth. Internationally known DJ / producer from Germany.

12:22

27:24

Oliver Lieb, “Dimension X” from  Constellation (1993 Recycle or Die). Frankfurt based DJ & producer Oliver Lieb is involved in the production of electronic music since 1988.

16:35

39:36

Pete Namlook & Dr. Atmo, “Trip“ from Silence (1993 Rising High Records).

20:09

56:14

Pete Namlook and Tetsu Inoue, “Liquid Shade” from Shades Of Orion (1993 Fax +49-69/450464).

20:43

01:16:17

Pete Namlook and Tetsu Inoue, “Biotrip” from Shades Of Orion (1993 Fax +49-69/450464).

24:09

01:36:56

Opening background music: Pete Namlook and Tetsu Inoue, “Ethereal Being” from 2350 Broadway 4 (2007 Fax +49-69/450464). Composed, programmed, and played by Pete Namlook and Tetsu Inoue. (07:00)

Opening and closing sequences voiced by Anne Benkovitz.

Additional opening, closing, and other incidental music by Thom Holmes.

My Books/eBooks: Electronic and Experimental Music, sixth edition, Routledge 2020. Also, Sound Art: Concepts and Practices, first edition, Routledge 2022.

See my companion blog that I write for the Bob Moog Foundation.

For a transcript, please see my blog, Noise and Notations.