2024/2/26

Website

暦 (koyomi)

For Earth Day, an electro hymn at a chill 70 bpm

In praise of water 
Created before we 
of land and sea came to be 
Glory to water 
Magic elixir 
Life sustaining 
Half of it containing 
My body 
Fills oceans rivers lakes 
And thirsty tree
Fatefully 
Where it chooses 
Water never loses 

Sacred aquifer
Whose travels blaze 
the paths we sail
To raise a glass of wine
To water!
To living well 
To drink of grapes that streams 
Feed over time 
To the majestic flow 
On and on and on we go 
Like a slave’s escape to liberty 
Wade in the water, children
Set yourself free 

With props to Ramsey Lewis, Wade In The Water, 1966.

…………………….
 DAW: Apple Logic Pro X 
MIDI: Akai Professional Keyboard 
E-INSTRUMENTS: Concert Grand piano SoCal Ballad Piano
Mexican Guitarron
South African Singers  Momentum synth Lunar Strings synth  Deep Round Synth Bass 
E-DRUM KITS: Drum ‘N Bass Remix  Trip Hop Remix  Trip Hop Remix Phaser Trance Remix
2-Step Remix  African Kit Latin Kit

Audio of running water recorded live on April 20, 2025.

COVER ART is original CGI by SUNNYBECK using a composite derived from AI-generated images rendered as original CGI, then retouched and designed in Photoshop. ………………..
.

Water Hymn


I was struck by an article in the Guardian 10 years ago about a woman who used to hang out and work with the Rolling Stones in the 60s and the article was about adapting to old age while having nostalgia for such a potent time in her life. For this recording I had to change one word - 70 to 80. Musically it needed to be rhythmic but melancholic: something you got from major and minor seventh songs in the mid 70s as disco kicked in



YESTERDAY’S PEOPLE

Yesterday’s people used to party, party, party
Yesterday’s people were so cool so cool so cool

There was a girl her skin so fresh and fine
There was a guy as smooth as a dark red wine
They were out there in a happening era
Face to face so close and nearer
Photogenic and oh so bold
But that generation has all grown old

In 69 it was crazy zany time
In London town all that music going down
Young people travelling - free love happening
Beautiful people philosophizing
Mary Jane twilight in the Mediterranean
That generation they’ve all grown old

If you’re talking to an 80 year old guy
Remember he - was Mr cool way back in time
Try to imagine the face much younger
The yearning soul hormonal hunger
Suite Judy blue eyes young people dancing
That generation they’ve all grown old


Yesterdays People

NO A.I. INVOLVED
It all started in late 2022 while driving. I heard a song on the radio that inspired me to create this piece. I only heard it once, I don't know the author(s) or the title of this song.

After creating the core/mockup of the song, I presented it to Brian Butts (@brian-butts-565934842), which is amazing multi instrumentalist, and asked if he would record a guitar solo similar in idea to the solo from "The Break in Tranquility" https://soundcloud.com/r-u-r-pl/the-break-in-tranquility, which I had previously asked him to review. He agreed to this willingly and that's how my first ever collab was created.

I actually regret a little that this song is a bit too slow, but trying to speed it up caused Brian's solo to fall apart, and my skills don't yet allow me to properly edit it.

This song was lying in my "drawer" for over 2 years. I wasn't fully satisfied with what I did and its sound. I wasn't able to come up with a good Bridge and make it a full-fledged song. In the end I decided to release it as is. I only modified some parts to maintain the feeling of the progression of the arrangement.

Sorry Brian, my friend, that it took so long, but my perfectionism https://w.wiki/9XhH makes me constantly dissatisfied with what I do and often prevents me from finishing the songs.

Thanks to my friend ••kavvka •• (@grzegorzkawka), for his constant support, patiently listening to subsequent versions and lots of good advice.

To craft this piece I used
Ableton Live Standard
Ableton Live's Simpler
NI Massive
Spitfire Originals Epic Strings
Spitfire Originals Epic Brass & Woodwinds
iZotope Ozone 9 Elements
Impact Soundworks Shreddage 3 Stratus Free (only when the guitar enters)
Arturia Filter MS-20
Valhalla Supermassive (Free)
iZotope Ozone Imager (Free)

I also used 3 MIDI drum loops from free libraries in Ableton LIVE.

Thanks for listening. I hope You'll enjoy.

Picture in thumbnail made by me in Photoshop using a source Designed by Freepik: https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/still-life-with-scales-justice_33123996.htm

...And Justice for D-Punks

Recycle Me

If you find yourself in trouble and you think you've lost your way.
Here's hoping that you find a path to a better day.
I sure hope that you're happy. I'm wishing you the best.
I hope you find what you're looking for as you continue on your quest.
I hope you find all the answers to all those questions vexing you.
I hope you can find a way not to bite off more than you can chew.
I sure hope that you're happy. I'm wishing you the best.
I hope you find what you're looking for as you continue on your quest.
You spread your wings and you flew so far away from me.
I hope that you're enjoying your new reality
All those places that you said that you wanted to see.
I hope they're as good as you expected them to be.
I want you to know that you hold a special place in my heart.
I think about you often even though we are apart.
They say that when you love somebody sometimes you gotta be willing to let them go.
You gotta let them spread their wings and fly wherever the wind decides to blow.
I sure hope that you're happy. I'm wishing you the best.
I hope you find what you're looking for as you continue on your quest.
I hope that you're happy. I hope that you're doing well. I sure hope that you're doing swell.You spread your wings and you flew so far away from me.
I hope that you're enjoying your new reality

Hope That You’re Happy (Acoustic Version)

WHY MOO MOO

It goes without saying but no music maker or AI.  Thank you all for your encouragement. 

If there’s one thing that you must do
Be yourself and let the light shine through
It’s time stand up tall and proud
Don’t let the bad times bring you down

If it feels like your broken heart won’t mend
When  all seems lost you’ll find your strength within

Take a look at the world around you
it’s your life and it’s finally found you
now it feels like you are not alone
And it feels like you’ve come home
 
See the people walking hand in hand
It’s time for  celebration in this land

We all come from the stars
We all are who you are
We were born to shine
We were born to live our life
We  were born to find our happiness where you might

this love it makes me high
As we float across the sky 
Now we Hold your heads up high
And together we will rise

(cue self indulgent fade out)

We Come From Stars (Pride '25)

Having to destroy yourself in order to begin again.
From the album: "Curiosities Of Outsider Art" (Sept 2025)

Bandung, sea of flames
In 1946, the people of Bandung Indonesia
They had risen up against their British oppressors
Realizing that their army was weaker
And much less powerful
They decided to abandon the city
They adopted a scorched earth policy as they left the city
Burning the city to the ground
And one day start again...

Bandung, sea of flames

Bandung, Sea Of Flames

Forget the flash. This country track rides slow and steady—with sharp lyrics, a clear voice, and no patience for performance politics. She’s Boring and I Like That is what it sounds like when someone means what they say. Give it one listen—you’ll know exactly who she is.

She's Boring, and I Like That

Unlucky Jim (country).mp3

Songs with a twinge of humor (and some a bit more serious).  
I do not use AI to create my songs. 
Recently I have had the urge to pick up my guitars (Taylor 114ce and Fender Squire) and I have been trying to use more guitar in my songs.  
My go to .vst plug ins are  EZkeys 2, EZ Bass and  EZ drummer 3) and my DAW is Logic Pro 11. 
I welcome your comments and enjoy listening to all the great music on SoundCloud. 
All songs are originals and copyrighted.

Hope That You’re Happy (Acoustic Version)

Joe Stroffolino