This one was originally going to be a new version of a track that I completed some years ago called ‘Kenobi’ (I’m such a pathetic Star Wars nerd). Sometimes it’s good to revisit old pieces and see what new and interesting ideas you can come up with. 

So it began with this track. However, soon into the production process it became clear that the main melody that was originally meant to underpin the whole project just wasn’t working, so it was completely removed.

The finished result is a track left unrecognisable but one that needs to be as it is. I suppose some tracks kind of make themselves - they ask you to build them in a certain way and you are helpless to refuse, even if it means cutting out elements that initially seem as if they may be fundamental to the whole.

If this piece of music makes your brain happy, then please ‘like’, comment and repost. Many thanks in advance.

Kenobi Breaks

This is the third version of GPS that I’ve done over the last six or seven years. The first and second versions of this were made under the notion that I was homaging a jungle track called ‘The Navigator’ by Aphrodite. Much to my embarrassment, it turns out that the operative part of his track was in fact sampled from a piece of excellent prog rock stoner music by Ozric Tentacles called ‘White Rhino Tea’. It only took me 25 years or so to find that out - not bad, eh? My lack of basic general musical knowledge never ceases to astonish. 

So, huge respect to Ozric Tentacles and a big thumbs up to Aphrodite, who, in all honesty, did some beautiful work with that sample.

My apologies for the unavoidable wall of sound toward the finish, but I just couldn’t find another way to do it without taking part of the track’s soul away. Hope you’ll forgive my ineptitude!

If you like this track, please give it a ‘like’, a comment and a repost. Massive thanks in advance. 

If you don’t like it, then simply roll your eyes and move on to another track, making this just another wasted and forgotten experience.

GPS (Orphic Groove Mix)

Made with deepest respect to both Bernard Herrmann and Elmer Bernstein.

A re-edit of a track I completed a while ago, posted, then deleted; the reason being that it was a little long-winded in its original form.

This version relies less on the theme that relates to the title, that being a simplistic recreation of a snippet taken from the soundtrack to the movie/s ‘Cape Fear’.

This version is more centred on the finale, which goes almost unchanged, except for a couple of important level adjustments. 

I feel that my original attempt (apart from being too long) was bordering on self-indulgence, trying to be bigger than it was - kind of like putting a suit on a chimpanzee, which was something I didn’t absorb until I’d posted it.

This is still a bit of an overly bold track, but I hope this edit manages to retain the spirit of the first version whilst being a little less up itself.

Your feedback, positive or otherwise, would be highly appreciated, and I hope you’ll ‘like’, comment and repost. Massive thanks in advance.

Cape Fear (Positive Edit)

This one’s a bit leftfield in terms of its structure, mixing and the liberal use of automated delay. I love delay. 

Tried to make something a tad more relaxed and less self-conscious than usual - kind of trying to play, arrange and tweak nonchalantly...

If you reckon I’ve done a reasonable job with this, then please click the heart, insert a friendly comment and maybe even repost it. As always, many thanks in advance.

Moloko Plus Drencrom

“Try looking into that place where you dare not look. You’ll find me there staring out at you.” - Paul Muad’Dib

This one has been uploaded before, but it was far from perfect. This version is a complete redesign and while it’s certainly not flawless, it’s greatly improved and hopefully ready for your measured discernment.

Its inception is partially thanks to an unbelievable free synth called Synth One by AudioKit, a self-modified preset of which (Synthwave 1974) gave me the pattern of the arpeggio that forms the basis of this track.

If you enjoy this then please click the heart, comment and repost. As always, massive thanks in advance.

Usul No Longer Needs The Module

As you may notice after the introductory segment of the track, this is a remix/reimagining of ‘Graham’s Theme’ by Michel Rubini. Part of the OST for Michael Mann’s stylish and heavily stylised movie ‘Manhunter’, the original track hit me hard while watching the movie, and it quickly became apparent that I had no choice but to do something with it. There are a few covers out there and they are all really great, but, as usual, I had little interest in attempting a straight cover. However, it was super important to borrow heavily from Mr. Rubini, with upmost respect to him, of course, making this work essentially a remix.

So, I wanted the operative chord progression to stand out and slightly jar the listener when introduced, drawing more attention to the change, so the intro’s chords are of my own creation and do not flow into the next segment as naturally as Michel Rubini’s did. Also, this remix is less melodic than the original, due in part to my utter laziness and incompetence, but there is the introduction of an interesting bass instrument and you might notice a lot of ‘synthy’ fun with arpeggiation towards the end of the track, which hopefully compensates for my previous slack.

The finished result is a track that I hope is complimentary to the original, not it any way an attempt at betterment or dismissal of Michel Rubini’s track, which is a true masterpiece and infinitely superior to my version.

If you enjoy this work, then please like, comment and repost. Massive thanks in advance.

Manhunter

Many years ago, a scientist called John B Calhoun conducted a series of experiments relating to overpopulation, using rodents as his test subjects. Each iteration was initialised with the manufactured creation of a “utopian” society, one of which was ‘Universe 25’, inhabited by some of my most cherished kindred-spirits - a group of innocent little mice.

This track attempts to reflect the good intention and excitement behind this experiment, as opposed to the actual outcome, which was nothing short of horrific.

Your ‘likes’, comments and reposts are, as always, most welcome and deeply appreciated. Massive thanks in advance.

This is Universe 25

Back in the day, almost everything associated with Star Wars bubbled with excitement, adventure and a certain sense of grandeur (delusional or not), along with the mystique of the philosophical and theological aspects of the saga. Sometime in the early ‘90s, AFX did a track which he initially called ‘Jedi’ and it was simply amazing. Later on it was renamed ‘On The Romance Tip’ and honestly, that change took away a little of the magic gifted to it by its original title.

Nowadays Star Wars is, at the very least, a deeply divisive franchise and so I don’t expect everybody to appreciate the title, but please, please - when you think of a Jedi, try to picture Luke as a young man with the world at his feet and a cyborg for a dad, or Obi-Wan as a silver-haired proponent of deep mysticism and the ways of a lone warrior. You get my drift?

So on to the music! I was fairly happy with the original mix of this track (currently out of stock), but I felt that some of the initial themes could be extended and modified, with some new chords introduced toward the end, giving it a heavily remixed feel. In fact, other than most of the original instruments staying the same it has gone through some serious alteration. It’s not really better or worse than the original - just different.

By the way, just to clarify, this track has literally nothing to do with Richard D. James.

If this track topples your walker, then please ‘like’, comment and repost. Many thanks in advance.

One More Jedi (Way Many Mix)

This one is a chilled, dreamy, yet somewhat exhilarating old school dubstep number. The initial version bounced was overly simplistic and it was okay, but the damn thing was screaming to be fleshed out - so here we are, with the addition of a few extra bells and whistles (not literally, of course). Having said that, you’re not about to witness any kind of mind-blowing technical wizardry - a simple man does simple things.

Originally, the track was abandoned purposefully before the cake was baked as a little experiment with the idea that sometimes less is more. It turns out, once in a while, that less is less and more is in fact more.

The first iteration was saved with the title ‘Oceanic (Dripping Cave Levels)’, due to the fact that it kept bringing to mind a weird mental image of a chubby little pre-shroom Mario scampering through his subterranean wonderland. I never lost sight of that peculiar vision, but the title was too clunky, so here we are with ‘Naica Mine’. If this strange title piques your interest, just Google it…

Should this piece of work cleanse your chakras, then please ‘like’, comment and repost. May your pot overflow with pleasure and abundance, and your seed find welcoming ground.

Naica Mine

This track was made with sincere respect and the deepest admiration to Kraftwerk, some of the greatest pioneers of electronic music, without whom the modern musical landscape would have been very different.

Tour De France is without a doubt one of my favourite tracks of all time. At the age of 9 or 10, I bore sole responsibility for wrecking our VHS copy of Breakin’ (or ‘Breakdance - The Movie’ to give it its UK title), as I became transfixed and obsessed with Boogaloo Shrimp’s legendary broom scene and the astonishing music that accompanied it. Seriously, I rewound the shit out of that tape!

So, many years later, I still love it and have finally worked up the courage to attempt a re-imagining. Remixing such a classic proved to be an intimidating task, to the point that I barely used the original for reference for fear of being put off the job altogether.

I am aware that my version is in a different key and rather slow when compared to the original, but I just worked from my heart outwards and this is the result.

If you like this track, please hit the appropriate icons, leave a comment and maybe even share it with other likeminded electronic music enthusiasts.

Kraftwerk - Tour De France (Usul's retinax 5 remix)

An emotional electronic adventure. The beginning is a borrowed and modified idea that I'm sure you'll recognise, with much respect and admiration to John Williams. 

“Everything’s ready from the dark side of the moon...”

Likes, comments and reposts much appreciated.

Obsidian Blues

This track was made with lots of love, just as she was.

Let me know what you think. Cheers.

Robyn's World (edit)

This one’s for you, soaked in moonlight, content with only yourself for company - and good company you shall be.

If you enjoy this track, please ‘like’, comment and repost. Massive thanks in advance. :)

Nights Into Dreams

Lots of happy little accidents make this track what it is. Hope you like it. If you do, then please ‘like’, comment and repost. Many thanks in advance. :)

Planetoid

This track is the result of the first collaboration between me and my Father, Pete. We got together a few summers ago, drank a little alcohol, set up the equipment and then Pete jammed for half an hour. The whole piece is based upon a short electric guitar part obtained from that session - I merely filled the idea out, creating the track around it. Our tastes in music are fairly different (just a generational thing), so I initially had some doubt that we’d be able to combine two such different musical backgrounds, but upon hearing him play as I recorded, I knew that we could make something good. If you like our work, then please let us both know by liking, commenting and reposting.

First RePeter

Remastered for your aural pleasure.

What a strange and pointless death for Tasha - killed by some tar! Smoking does that, too... Sometimes I miss cigarettes.

If you get on with this track, please like, comment and repost. My sincere thanks in advance.

Tasha Yar (dream4me)

This one is a homage to the sublime ‘Sirius’ by The Alan Parsons Project. I’ve been obsessed with the intro to that track for much of my life. It has been featured in tv and film countless times over decades, so if you’ve never heard it, I’d assume you’ve been taking a long holiday somewhere up the road from Canis Major.

The ‘51’ in the title refers to a shameless yet undeniably outstanding rip-off created by Area 51 called ‘Let It Move You’. It was made in the early ‘90s and was strongly connected to rave/club culture back in the day. If you enjoy that sort of thing and have never heard it, I highly recommend you seek it out.

Like Area 51, I only approximated the intricacies of the main riff, ‘cause in all honesty my listening and musical skills are simply not up to the job of recreating it in its entirety. Despite that fact, I reckon there’s enough going on to keep your ears happy and I’m also fairly proud of the final section.

I understand that this is not strictly drum and bass and it was never intended to be - for a start, it’s a bit too slow. I simply found that the beats hit where they did and they ended up following a typical dnb pattern.

I’d love to know what you think of this, good or bad (we’re always learning), so whatever you reckon, please do let me know. If you like it, don’t be shy and just click the heart. If you’re feeling adventurous and want your page sullied by someone else’s inferior work, then why not repost it, too? Thanks in advance.

Sirius 51

Happy New Year, you lovely people! We made it through 2020!!!

If you’ve searched for a specific track by The Dream Academy, you’d best move on - unless, however, you’re looking for something a little different, interesting and uplifting...

Is it house? Not quite. Is it garage? Not really. Maybe old school rave? Mmm, no. Trance? Well, I guess it’s a strange amalgamation of all of the above and more.

I’m not one for attempting to make genre-specific music, so it’s best to just go with what works on a track to track basis, for me at least. To be quite honest, what goes on in my feeble little brain rarely makes it as far as my DAW anyway, so my initial intentions often become irrelevant. I’m not criticising artists do who follow strict genre rules, I have a great deal of respect for those with the expertise to do so - it is a fine art!

Talking of expertise (or the lack of it), this is the second time I’ve uploaded this track, ‘cause I completely cocked up the first mix, which I uploaded on New Years Day. In the first version, the bass was almost undetectable on mobile speakers and the beats were way too loud, amongst other things. But, typical me, I got all excited about uploading on the 1st day of 2021, threw caution to the wind and now, here we are. Better late than never, I suppose. Hope it’s sorted this time. Let me know what you think...

If you get some enjoyment from this, please do click the heart, give me a comment and, if you think it’s good enough, please repost it. Many thanks in advance.

Edge of Forever

Not a huge deal to say about this, other than it’s pretty much as dark as I like to get. Straying much further from the light would likely cause me considerable emotional trauma.

Please let me know what you think by dropping in a comment. If you enjoy it, then your ‘likes’ and reposts are most welcome. Thanks in advance.

Mr. Pink

Welcome.

Like the countless bound before us, we use our own limited creative abilities to express that which escapes the solid grasp of spoken language, in an attempt to counteract the negativity of our hidden enslavement, until we are all finally shown the way back home.

This is not home, but music can help us imagine the path.

As we continue our chosen journey into this desert, we must be aware that much of the life within can be cold, selfish, untrustworthy and ruthless.
However, as in most environments, there are many inhabitants that have a good deal of respect for the rest. They also understand that by encouraging and supporting the others, they are ultimately facilitating their own pleasurable and productive experience in this place.

We are creators and we do it because we must. It is an unstoppable compulsion that the uninitiated might view as a sickness of the mind, yet to us it is a simple calling.

We're not hung up about fitting tightly into specific genres or besting the next person. We don't envy a peer who nails the bass or can spew out wicked melodies with no effort, nor do we scoff at the ones who haven't been able to invest so much time into the craft.

We all have our natural strengths and weaknesses, and we have the right to lean on the former - that's what gives us our own unique sonic fingerprint.

Sometimes we make tracks and on other occasions they make themselves. We can control and master our technology, but now and then it's interesting to simply tag along and watch it create its own magic, allowing us to become excited bystanders to our own creations.

We should never feel too bad about overdoing the reverb, using delay to spice up a lead or laying down a loop because it's easier. We mustn't worry if we don't finish a track (no track is ever truly finished).

We should try to listen to the music of others and learn from it what we will. If we like it, we emulate it and then we can ourselves attempt to be the cause of that all-important spine-tingle...

I look forward to hearing your sounds and I hope you'll take a few minutes to listen to mine.

Usul Foundation

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