Come on iedereen.  Let's get it together and unify!

Compositions by Robin Benjamins
Produced by Robin Benjamins

Unify

Oleg Yastrebov (Олег Ястребов, @v28yterij7ek) reached out to me to collaborate on a song idea based on an interesting percussion track that Oleg recorded.  I interpreted that recording, set a mood in my mind, and added the accompanying piano, bass and synth lines.  Oleg then added in an awesome groove and vibe on top of that with the drum kit and lush atmospheric harmonies, voices and singers.  Something to pass on the interest.

- Composed by: Олег Ястребов and Robin Benjamins
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins and Олег Ястребов
- Photograph: “Tioga Road” by Robin Benjamins

Key: C minor
Time signature: 4/4
BPM: 65.0

Instruments:
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW:
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.15.7 (Catalina)
- Apple Logic Pro X 10.6.0
- Plug-ins: Logic Stock
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

Prayn For Rayn

Instrumental composition with Arabic and Spanish influences.  Released as a "Blunt Force Serenity" song in partnership with Teresa Eden.

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins

Key: F# double harmonic minor
Time signature: 4/4
BPM: 80

Instruments: 
- Yamaha P120
- Akai MPK 49 MIDI keyboard

DAW: 
- Mac Mini i7, OSX 10.9
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

- Copyright: Robin Benjamins, bluntforceserenity.com

Drive

A playful song about an imaginary journey on a mobius surface.

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins

Key: C minor pentatonic and various in the bridge
Time signature: 15/8
BPM: 82

Instruments: 
- Yamaha P120
- Akai MPK 49 MIDI keyboard

DAW: 
- Mac Mini i7, OSX 10.9
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, Audulus (virtual modular synth), Alicia's Keys
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

Mobius Trip

A tale of two worlds.

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Guitar: Robin Benjamins
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins

Key: G# minor and G minor in the solo
Time signature: 8/4
BPM: 85

Instruments: 
- PRS Custom 24 guitar, Mesa Boogie TriAxis
- Akai MPK 49 MIDI keyboard

DAW: 
- Mac Mini i7, OSX 10.9
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, Alicia's Keys
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

- Copyright: Robin Benjamins, bluntforceserenity.com

Narrative
- Excerpts and interpretations from: “The War of the Worlds” by H. G. Wells, Book 1, chapter 1 and Book 2, chapter 10
- Curtsey of LibriVox Audio Books, https://librivox.org/war-of-the-worlds-solo-by-h-g-wells (public domain)
- Reading: Rebecca Dittman, https://librivox.org/reader/572 (pitch and ambience processed)

The Worlds

A homage to one of my favorite bands, The Carpenters.

- Composed by: Bonnie Bramlett, Leon Russell, and Delaney Bramlett
- Original recording and performance by the Carpenters:    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ5KKoDmtPo 

Provided to YouTube by Universal Music Group
Superstar · The Carpenters
Carpenters
℗ 1971 A&M Records
Released on: 2005-09-27

Producer: Jack Daugherty
Associated  Performer, Recording  Arranger, Background  Vocalist, Piano, Wurlitzer electric piano, Rhodes: Richard Carpenter
Studio  Personnel, Recording  Engineer: Ray Gerhardt
Associated  Performer, Vocals, Background  Vocalist: Karen Carpenter
Associated  Performer, Bass  Guitar: Joe Osborn
Associated  Performer, Drums: Hal Blaine
Associated  Performer, Oboe: Earle Dumler
Composer  Lyricist: Bonnie Bramlett


- Remix stem source: YouTube, “Carpenters - Superstar - Acapella (near)”, Pedro Andrade, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9wqJJi87yA 

- Remix by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, BluntForceSerenity.com
- Remix arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins
- Photograph: NASA Hubble Photo of Eta Carinae - a super star!
- Note: Given that this is an unauthorized remix, Robin Benjamins makes no claim or rights to this production and is a gift to the current copyright owner to do with as they please.

Key: F minor
Time signature: 4/4 and 7/8
BPM: 84.1174

Instruments:
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW:
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.1.7 (Catalina)
- Apple Logic Pro X 10.6.3
- Plug-ins: Logic stock, Spitfire Audio – BBC Symphony Orchestra, Ez Drummer, AIR theRiser
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

Superstar (BFS Remix)

A tragic love song about Global Warming.

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins

Key: C# minor
Time signature: 15/8
BPM: 82

Instruments: 
- Akai MPK 49 MIDI keyboard

DAW: 
- Mac Mini i7, OSX 10.9
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, Alicia's Keys, Ez Keys, Yamaha Electric Grand
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

Narrative and glacier calving event:
- Excerpts and interpretations from the trailer: “Chasing Ice” by Adam LeWinter and Director Jeff Orlowski, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hC3VTgIPoGU

Art work "Magic World Breaking Apart" by Mephisto at http://mephisto23.deviantart.com, original image at http://mephisto23.deviantart.com/art/magic-world-breaking-apart-129564175


We're Breaking Apart

Remix of @PlasticSky's "Shadows Fill Your Eyes" from the "Artifacts" EP, released October 16, 2015. Please visit http://www.plasticsky.net for information about Plastic Sky. To download the original recording, please visit http://plasticsky.spinshop.com/details/243144 

"PlasticSky - Shadows Fill Your Eyes (Artifacts Remix)" by PlasticSky is licensed under a  Creative Commons Licence.

"Shadows Fill Your Eyes"
- Written by: Susane Asher
- Original recording: @PlasticSky
- Vocals: Susane Asher
- Guitar: Susane Asher
- Remix arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins (with permission)

Key: E and A minor
Time signature: 8/4
BPM: 118
Instruments: 
- Akai MPK 49 MIDI keyboard
DAW: 
- Mac Mini i7, OSX 10.10
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, Ez Keys
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

PlasticSky - Artifacts, Shadows Fill Your Eyes (B•F•S mix)

A song about self-discovery and a realization about life.

- Music and lyrics by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Vocals: Susane Asher @PlasticSky, www.plasticsky.net
- Guitar: Robin Benjamins
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins
- Photograph: "Huntington Beach Pier" by Robin Benjamins

Key: C minor
Time signature: 15/8
BPM: 80

Instruments: 
- PRS Custom 24 guitar, Mesa Boogie TriAxis
- Synthesizers.com Analog Modular Synthesizer
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW: 
- Mac Mini i7, OSX 10.10.5
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, Bazille, Alchemy, Ez Keys, Alicia's Keys
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

- Copyright: Robin Benjamins, bluntforceserenity.com

Lyrics:

  - where am I? -

  - what is this place? -

  - am I awake? -

  --* I am here *--

  Slowing the coherence of my
  fragile state of grace
  Awareness of the moment is
  coercing me awake 

  - be here now -

  I wander cross the planes of 
  spectacular quintessence
  Free to be me, no more
  Rules, no more conformance

  - breathe -

  Deep in the folds, 
  I’m caught up in my mission
  Helpless as the spreading cracks 
  breakout upon my vision

  --* I am awake! *--

  Numbing through the day, shattered
  life, outlived my stay
  Thoughts of my dream, knowing 
  reason, I'll find a way

  - be here now -

  Watching all the movement of 
  modern life unfold
  Gripped by all the madness, that
  we have all been sold

  - breathe -

  Now I can see that
  life is not a scheme
  Got a sense of being from 
  the edges of my dream

  --* I am awake! *--

  --* I am here *--

Total Aquarium

The Edges Of My Dreams (feat. Susane Asher)

A song inspired by the documentary film “Planetary” http://weareplanetary.com #weareplanetary

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins
- 1st narration: Joanne Macy, Eco-Philosopher and Activist, http://www.joannamacy.net 
- 2nd narration: Bill McKibben, Environmentalist, http://www.billmckibben.com 

Key: Eb minor, C# minor, D minor
Time signature: 7/4 and 13/4
BPM: 84

Instruments: 
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW: 
- Mac Mini i7, OSX 10.10.5
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, Alchemy
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

Narrations are copyright of weareplanetary.com
http://weareplanetary.com
#weareplanetary
@weareplanetary

The Third Story

For a song called “Sadness”, it got a little funny along the way.  I heard this song over at Gemma Cao page @psychological_music and was inspired to do an alternate mix of it.  So I did a quick mix, which mostly just added a beat and emphasized the bass, and then I sent it over to her for a listen and her thoughts.  She thought it sounded good and said to go ahead and post on my page.  I was thinking I was hitting upon something unique.  So I took that and expanded it and added a piano intro and interlude and tried to improve what I originally did.  But then I looked back at her original post https://soundcloud.com/elizabeth-cao-864001417/the-2-min-track-i-gave-to-brian-progeny-1 and this time I READ THE TITLE.  Hmmm.  I think I better go over to Brian’s @progeny-1-617773258 page and see what’s there.  And sure enough there is an alternate mix there too.  Doh!  Yes, but Brian’s version is fantastic.  Give it a listen https://soundcloud.com/progeny-1-617773258/sadness-gemma-n-progeny-1  Brian’s is much more developed and interesting than my mix, which is a little more laid back and traditional.  (Whatever that is?)  Oh well, I must learn to read things more thoroughly 

- Composed by: Gemma Cao, @psychological_music
- Original version: https://soundcloud.com/elizabeth-cao-864001417/the-2-min-track-i-gave-to-brian-progeny-1
- Collaboration and extended mix: Brian, https://soundcloud.com/progeny-1-617773258/sadness-gemma-n-progeny-1 
- Alternate mix by: Robin Benjamins

“Sadness”

Key: D minor
Time signature: 4/4
BPM: 80

Instruments: 
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW: 
- MacPro, macOS 10.12
- Apple Logic Pro X 10.2.4
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, Alchemy, u-he Bazille
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40

copyright: Gemma Cao, https://soundcloud.com/user-407506499

Music Psych

Gemma Cao - Sadness (B•F•S mix)

Ambient textures, Chill vibe with naughty time signatures.  A little Zen moment to get you going.

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins
- Photograph: "Upper Dusy Basin", Kings Canyon National Park, by Robin Benjamins

Key: A minor
Time signature: 31/4 and 30/4
BPM: 84

Instruments: 
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW: 
- Mac Mini i7, macOS 10.12.1
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, EzKeys, Analog Lab, Bazille
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

- Copyright: Robin Benjamins, bluntforceserenity.com

Confluence

A journey to "The Horsehead".  Jazz-EDM musings and saying good riddance to 2016!

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins

Key: C minor pentatonic & Bb minor
Time signature: 11/4 and 7/4
BPM: 90

Instruments: 
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW: 
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.12.1
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, EzKeys, Analog Lab, Bazille
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

- Copyright: Robin Benjamins, bluntforceserenity.com

Photograph: "The Horsehead" by NASA.  The Horsehead Nebula is a dark nebula in the constellation Orion. The nebula is located just to the south of the star Alnitak, which is farthest east on Orion's Belt, and is part of the much larger Orion Molecular Cloud Complex.

The Horsehead

Sonic imagery from along the Indus River, through the South Asian subcontinent, from its origins in Tibet to its terminus in the Arabian Sea.

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins

Key: C minor, F# minor and G# minor
Time signature: 11/4 and 8/4
BPM: 80

Instruments: 
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW: 
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.12.4
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, Bazille
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

- Copyright: Robin Benjamins, bluntforceserenity.com

Photograph: “Indus Valley. Near Leh, Ladakh, India” by Nilanjan Sasmal at 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nilanjan_sasmal 
Photograph copyright: Nilanjan Sasmal at 
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nilanjan_sasmal/9675371593

Indus

Taking a voyage to reach the shores of the Sea of Tranquility.

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins

Key: F minor, Eb minor, A major polymorphic, Bb minor, C minor, Ab minor, Bb major
Time signature: 13/8
BPM: 83

Instruments: 
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW: 
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.13.
- Apple Logic Pro X
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, Bazille
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40

- Copyright: Robin Benjamins, bluntforceserenity.com

Photograph: “Apollo 11 LEM” by Michael Collins, NASA – This photograph contains every known living human and thing expect one, Michael Collins.  The picture shows the LEM (Lunar Excursion Module) returning to the Apollo 11 Command Module after the first Lunar landing at the Sea of Tranquility.  Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong are in the LEM, Michael Collins was behind the camera in the Command Module, and the rest of humanity was on the “Blue Marble” rising above the Moon.

Sea Of Tranquility

A haunting atmospheric song, contrasting between machine eminence and the human essence.  Special thanks to Gabriel Bustamante for his articulate and soulful guitar. 

- Guitar: Gabriel Bustamante, @gabriel-bustamante-12
- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins
- Photograph: "The Mendocino Upside Down" by Robin Benjamins

Key: C minor
Time signature: 4/4
BPM: 76

Instruments: 
- Guitar
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW: 
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.12.6
- Apple Logic Pro X 10.3.3
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, Valhalla DSP - Shimmer
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

- Copyright: Robin Benjamins, bluntforceserenity.com

Vertical Oceans Of Incoherence (feat. Gabriel Bustamante)

Pulling myself out of a bit of musical doldrums (we’ve all been there!), I resurrected a song that sat for a long time in concept only.  I intended it to be a driven song with a Billy Cobham/Jan Hammer influence.  Something that was on my “musical shelf” and collecting a lot of dust, a victim of the doldrums, that finally sparked and I took it from a scratch idea into what is presented here.

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins
- Photograph: "The Plains of Mount Thielsen" by Robin Benjamins

Key: G# minor, F# minor
Time signature: 31/8
BPM: 100

Instruments: 
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW: 
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.13.6 (High Sierra)
- Apple Logic Pro X 10.4.1
- Plug-ins: Ez Drummer, u-he Bazille
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

- Copyright: Robin Benjamins, http://bluntforceserenity.com

Plains of No Despair

Serving up a new dish of harmonic and rhythmic adventures in pursuit of flavors to be savored  and pondered.  

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, http://BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins
- Photograph: "Morning Moon over Peeler Lake, Eastern Sierra Nevada" by Robin Benjamins

Key: G minor, Bb, E minor, Eb minor Pentatonic, Bb minor, G# minor, F, and various in between...
Time signature: 15/8, 8/4, 13/4
BPM: 82

Instruments: 
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW: 
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.14.6 (Mojave)
- Apple Logic Pro X 10.4.6
- Plug-ins: Logic Stock, Surge, Ez Drummer
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

Horizon Drift with Boiled Potatoes

A composition born out of a Jazz influenced vibe, in the context of a COVID life experience.  As the title implies, this one wanders a bit with a mix of increasing intensity concluding in trailing bliss.

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins
- Photograph: "Erratic along Tioga Road" by Robin Benjamins

Key: G minor, G# minor, Ab major, and various others here and there…
Time signature: 11/8, 10/8, 12/8
BPM: 100

Instruments:
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW:
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.15.4 (Catalina)
- Apple Logic Pro X 10.5.1
- Plug-ins: Logic Stock, Spitfire Audio – BBC Symphony Orchestra, Ez Drummer
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

Erratica

I was inspired by Liisa Pentti’s recording of “Black Is the Color” to do a remix of her interpretation of a traditional folk song.  I was so impressed with her performance and her beautiful voice, so I roughed out an initial version and sent it over to her.  She offered me her original recorded tracks, which enabled me to produce this posted version.  I am very thankful to Liisa for allowing me to do the remix and post it for your enjoyment.  Please visit her SoundCloud site @liisapentti and listen and comment on all of her amazing songs.

- Vocal by: Liisa Pentti, @liisapentti
- Liisa's original version: @liisapentti/black-is-the-color
- Original folk version performed and written by John Jacob Niles, @johnjacobniles/black-is-the-color-of-my-2
- Remix arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins
- Photograph: "Rue des Mages” by Robin Benjamins

Key: G minor
Time signature: 4/4
BPM: 106.75

Instruments:
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW:
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.15.4 (Catalina)
- Apple Logic Pro X 10.5.1
- Plug-ins: Logic Stock, Ez Drummer
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

Liisa Pentti - Black Is the Color (B•F•S mix)

A composition initially influenced by a John Bonham groove that evolved into a G minor vamp with weaving melodies, based on a double harmonic scale, played by an English Horn and Bansuri.

- Music by: Robin Benjamins, @blunt-force-serenity, BluntForceSerenity.com
- Arranged and produced by: Robin Benjamins
- Photograph: "Illumination at 304" by Robin Benjamins

Key: G minor, double harmonic scale
Time signature: 7/4, 4/4
BPM: 80

Instruments:
- Arturia KeyLab 88

DAW:
- Mac Pro 12 Core, macOS 10.15.4 (Catalina)
- Apple Logic Pro X 10.5.1
- Plug-ins: Logic Stock, Spitfire Audio – BBC Symphony Orchestra, Ez Drummer
- Focusrite Saffire Pro 40
- Mackie Control Universal

Waves At 304

B L U N T • F O R C E • S E R E N I T Y

"I don't always make music.  But when I do, I prefer dynamics.  Stay below -6dB, my friends."

Composition explorations in musical textures, stories and grooves.

I am an amateur composer, producer and musician who has been inspired and influenced by music my entire life.  Beyond my interests in developing harmony and rhythm ideas, a song’s timbres and textures have always held a deeper emotional grip on me.  This passion for tone has dominated my compositions and productions, which are combined with playful melodies and progressions that are immersed in sophisticated soulful beats.

B L U N T • F O R C E • S E R E N I T Y is led by Robin Benjamins and features collaborations with composers and musicians from down the road, and from around the world.  These artists are:

Олег Ястребов @v28yterij7ek
Liisa Pentti @liisapentti
Home Sweet Somewhere @homesweetsomewhere
Pia @pia-rose-music
Gabriel Bustamante, @gabriel-bustamante-12
Mindsongs Musique @nancy-joie
PlasticSky @plasticsky
Ingolfur Bjornsson @ingolfur-bjornsson
Gemma Cao @psychological_music
Niti Dharwadkar @niti-dharwadkar
UMD Anokha @anokhaumd
Nick Osmonovich @osmo94