Good advice Bruce, if only we could live up to that ideal

A tremendous, laid back piece of work, chaps. An excellent collaboration.

A silky jazz vibe in this, Bruce. Slick production. Tight vocal harmonies, fantastic musical foundation, and that guitar wanders delightfully! Kudos to all Enjoyed reading Erhmann:)

Slow pace , deep impact ! great collab friends !

great track.......love how everything plays around the synth arp.......the groovy guitars, smooth vocals and the dreamy sax!!

Mixed for Lillithe

Basado en la novela del escritor costarricense Jose Leon Sanchez. Quien sobrevivio mas de 30 años de prision en la Isla de San Lucas.

Basierend auf dem Roman des costaricanischen Schriftstellers Jose Leon Sanchez.  Der mehr als 30 Jahre im Gefängnis auf der Insel San Lucas überlebt hat.

Based on the novel by Costa Rican writer Jose Leon Sanchez.  Who survived more than 30 years in prison on the Island of San Lucas.

La Isla de los Hombres Solos

(Free WAV Download available here under '••• More'; and eventually, as part of a future solo album)

Greetings all you fun and funky SC musicians. I don’t typically upload remastered versions of a song as a new track. I usually just replace the old with the new, and change the title to reflect the remaster. But this one is special, for a few reasons (and if you’re not much into personalized mixing details, you may want to skip this liner note).

First (and most importantly)… I thought I’d lost the ability to edit the original tracks for this song. The last time I opened it up in Logic (updating it for the 2018 album remaster), the siren voices were all messed up (automation in Alchemy can have odd results sometimes). I just assumed the original native file was broken forever, because I no longer had access to that version of Logic. I had to do the album remaster from my only existing mix… and it was definitely lacking.

4 years later, I’m so glad I took a chance on reopening the native file when I concluded this ‘Siren’ trilogy. All the sounds/automations were exactly as I had left them. Prior to this attempt, I just assumed the worst, and never tried again. Thankfully, I was wrong. :D

Second… the remaster turned out much better than I hoped; and the differences were so satisfying, I thought it might be fun to have both versions up (for a side by side comparison, for any interested musicians out there. Here's the older version: https://soundcloud.com/grevusanjl/siren-rising).

So why does this one sound so much better than the original version? (And please take all of this with a grain of salt. I’m no pro. But I have discovered what works for me.)

Honestly, a tremendous amount of credit goes to having a much better understanding of Compression. For many folks, Compression is almost a dirty word. Just the title of the plug-in alone confused me at first. Why would I possibly want to compress my sounds, when I liked them as is? 

But it turns out (for me at least) that the different Compression options really shine when chosen specifically, and used minimally. As an example (and I’m not sure if your DAW offers similar options, but), Studio VCA works brilliantly with strings, female vocals and many of my favorite synths. But Studio FET works great on drums. Etc. And while some might cringe at the idea, I absolutely love what Soft Distortion does to most tracks as well. Used in mild amounts, Soft Distortion adds a phenomenal amount of spacial quality to the sound. I don’t use this one all of the time, but I bet I use it at least 75% of the time now (and Compression in general on about 95% of the tracks).  So there you go… I’m definitely a big fan of Compression… when used responsibly. :)

In addition, I’ve also learned a lot about EQing since I first did this song in 2017; so much so, that I was actually baffled by some of my earlier choices. So a large amount of the repair/update time for the 2022 remaster was spent on getting the EQing for each track set up more effectively.

And finally, I had the opportunity to give the full mix a healthy rebuild. After 5 years, you’re undoubtedly going to have a very fresh perspective on a piece. And I realized a lot of the sounds simply weren’t in their optimal positions in the stereo field. I also reconsidered where sounds faded in and out, and how intensely they did so… and I updated all of that as well. 

And there you have it, the story/history behind one of my all time personal favorites. I’m so glad I had an opportunity to revisit this one (while leaving all the original instruments true to form), and I hope you enjoy all the latest sound enhancements as well. I’m excited to hear what you think of my ’Siren Rising (2022 Remaster)’. :D

WTF! The Musical

Siren Rising - 2022 REMASTER

@elephantpr: music bed
@juswel: Guitar
@conover : vocal, lyrics,Mix and production

Step on the gas one more time and let's get out of here.
Don't you ask one more time for me to listen to all that fear again.
Invitations have been made
There's nothing changing from here on out.
Destinations have been saved.
There's no more talk about it... we're all talked out
we're all talked out. 

  
~ Desiderata ~
Go placidly amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.

Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.

Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

by Max Ehrmann ©1927

All Talked Out Labarca/Welin/Conover

Crystal of Snow

Vocals, vocalise by Nadia Selvaggi
Instrumental by Anomon (Gary Courtland-Miles): https://soundcloud.com/gary-courtland-miles

Note from Anomon/Gary Courtland-Miles: 
"Recently I reached out to fellow SoundClouder and Vocalist Nadia Selvaggi, @nadiaselvaggi , wondering if she'd like to collaborate on one of my pieces. And Happily she said yes! 😊

After a few weeks of Listening, she zeroed in on my favorite Orchestral Fusion compositions, Cosmic Cycles*. And as I expected, her thoughtful, lyrical and powerful Vocalise certainly takes the piece to new Cosmic heights.

We're delighted to present it today. 😊

May you enJOY."

Composition © Gary Courtland-Miles 2022
Vocals ℗ Nadia Selvaggi 2022

© Gary Courtland-Miles & Nadia Selvaggi 2022

Photo : A Majestic Island Universe / NGC 1365
© NASA by The Hubble Space Telescope

Cosmic Cycles by Anomon & Nadia Selvaggi

Vocals, lyrics by Nadia Selvaggi
Instrumental & mix by Toshi Rio: https://soundcloud.com/toshi-rio
*Photo: My mother, Esther, Williamsburg,  Brooklyn, NY

Italian American
By Nadia Selvaggi

Shadows creeping over
tailored plastic upholstery
A chorus rising
from the Kings of Williamsburg

O, As gray and worn out
as the buildings on Grand St, Bedford, and Ainslie
O, Sauce from a brown paper bag,
breaded artichokes, and Angela's gravy

Shadows creeping over
baccàla and calamari
Undershirts, hairy chests, 
the thrill of Brylcreem

O, Plaster saints, plastic rosaries,
OLMC's Giglio Feast
O, A hundred black haired lifters
and the scent of Tony's powdered Zeppoli

I am an Italian American

O, Uncle Sal's pre-paid crypt
at St. John Cemetery, Queens
O, Fifty grand for
Gabriella's fancy sweet sixteen

I am an Italian American

Shadows creeping over
the Brooklyn Bridge and Domino's factory
Marco and Carmella's fancy wedding

O, Red, white and green
on a box of Fortunato's pastry
O, Cherry ices,
Uncle Angelo's embroidered shirt
stained with Spumoni

I am an Italian American

O, Uncle Pete's pasty pancaked corpse
at Mastroianni's
O, Twenty grand
for marble cased eternity

Italian American by Toshi Rio & Nadia Selvaggi

This is a song that Chris (cgmaness) came up with on the bass with a little guitar. He sent it to me, Tez (Llanpsych), and Ken (K2 and the 3) via BandLab and we added our respective parts. I added slide and vibraphone, Tez added the killer guitar solo and crescendo, and Ken added some amazingly tricky drums. I like that the time was off by a beat. it made it challenging and fun to come up with parts for it. Chris is also a master producer who took all of our parts and mixed them into this fun journey. We also did two more together which will be out soon.

And the Slithy Toves (with Cgmaness, K2 and the 3, and Llanpsych)

This is the first track from the new album 'Welcome To Dystopia Land' https://on.soundcloud.com/vX696 Please enjoy."

You Are The One

My 'Adagio for Expanded Chamber Orchestra' draws heavily on the music of the late romantic composers Bruckner Wagner and Mahler but does its (acknowledged)borrowing in a uniquely improvisational and individualistic style style for which I make no apology.
The music in this piece is sometimes dramatic, and as the piece unfolds, its structure in terms of the golden section durations it employs become evident and I hope pleasing to the listener
This track was mastered by John Cafarella.

Adagio For Orchestra An Exercise in Late-Romantic Harmony (Remix 24 February 2023)

Boffins Are Baffled

Delighted to present my latest collaboration with The Phaige, one half of Soundcloud stalwarts One and Other, alongside Jaime J Ross. This is a trippy, exotic backcloth with a cold North wind blowing through. 
Gary once again amazed with his creativity and his multi-layered production. He has such a keen ear for detail and brushstrokes to enhance and improve. What grabbed me from the outset was the slinky, fluid bass playing, but there are many levels across the frequencies to hook you in. Always a fun process to work with him.

All instruments , artwork and production: ThePhaige
Vocals and lyrics: Nick

Check out more sonic treasure and please also support the track if you like it, here:
https://soundcloud.com/one-other

Come with me with tales of magic, mountain spirits, hail and snow from your motherland.
Tell me secrets never told of winters bleak and hardship in the biting winter cold - aah

Take me to hidden places where food and love and family keep you warm
I’ll ride with you on Northern winds through deepest valleys and the blackest storms

I’ll sing with you while we are drunk with laughter in our eyes
I’ll listen to your strange new words of love from the North

Fly me faster through the stars to universes only we will ever know
Keep me close and make sweet memories for now and evermore

From North - The Phaige with Nicholas Ridiculous (lyrics in description)

Reverted to Type

Dear friends, this song may seem a little bit weird.
I wrote it after a difficult struggle against several different passwords.
I am so fond of making self ironic songs - just for fun!
Among the worst is when you are logged out! So hard to be able to log in again, which can take forever! We older people also spend a lot of time looking for various things!

Not so easy for us Old

The times have changed for all of us somewhat older 
people who struggle along with all modern facilities around us
This morning I tried to open
the oven for to bake some bread for my wife and for me
but the child safety lock was too tough for me
It isn’t so easy for all of us old these days

When I was a child I used to call all my friends with an 
ordinary telephone but the modern equipment is too tiny for me
I’m just messing around with tiny knobs at the front
and lots and lots of strange messages are sent to me each day
and I don’t know what to do with them 
It isn’t so easy for all of us old these days


You should have seen me when I am going to 
back out my brand new car and if I am too close to my neighbors car
then all hell will break loose for me
it flashes and it squeals in every corner of my newly bought car 
now I think I will pick up my old car again
It isn’t so easy for all of us old these days

Approximate translation into Swedish:

Inte så lätt för oss gamla

Tiderna har förändrats för oss alla lite äldre
människor som kämpar tillsammans med alla moderna faciliteter runt omkring oss
I morse försökte jag öppna
ugnen för att baka lite bröd till min fru och till mig
men barnsäkerhetslåset var för hårt för mig
Det är inte så lätt för alla oss gamla nuförtiden

När jag var barn brukade jag ringa alla mina vänner med en
vanlig telefon men den moderna utrustningen är för liten för mig
Jag bara bråkar med små knoppar framtill
och massor av konstiga meddelanden skickas till mig varje dag
och jag vet inte vad jag ska göra med dem
Det är inte så lätt för alla oss gamla nuförtiden


Du borde ha sett mig när jag ska
backa ut min helt nya bil och om jag är för nära min grannes bil
då brakar helvetet löst för mig
det blinkar och det tjuter i varje hörn av min nyköpta bil
nu tror jag att jag ska hämta min gamla bil igen
Det är inte så lätt för alla oss gamla nuförtiden

Not so easy for us old

DEPOP

slow river slow

If there was only two traits that came through in my music, I would hope that it would seem to be effortless and inevitable.
The Kind Place Studio

All Talked Out Labarca/Welin/Conover

conover

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