I was experimenting with Reason’s Beat Map dropped into Ableton, when this track came to life.  Automating the beats through the x and y map coordinates allows for both minor variations, and as you can hear halfway through, some pretty drastic ones too.

Harbinger

I wanted to drop the tempo a bit for this one and take Arturia's augmented strings for a spin.  The finished product had a robotic feel to it with a melancholic ethereal vibe, hence the name.  Take it for a stroll in the park on a sunny morning.

Sad Robot

Not entirely satisfied with Howler, I went back to the Moog to create something darker, something deeper.

The results feel a bit muddy toward the end, but I’m pleased with the outcome. I hope you like it too!

My daughter supplied the scream and mask (on request)…

Screamer

Welcome to Gliese 667 Cc, we hope you enjoy your stay.

Arrival Gliese 667 Cc

A track walking a fine line along the Edge of Ambience

The Edge of Ambience

With Halloween approaching, I thought I would brush up on my production skills (it’s been a while) and work on a new Halloween party track.

I’m a big fan of those American horror movie party scenes, where everyone is in costume, plastic beer cup in hand.

This is the track my mind constructs, as the front door opens and the noise escapes into the night.

My daughter’s scream (she's unharmed) was perfect in last years Screamer track, so I reused it and asked her to supply an evil laugh for this year’s attempt.

I captured the main melody on the Moog Subsequent 37, and used plugins for everything else.

I hope it gets you moving!

Screamer 2023

This track came together by accident (as most tracks do) while I was learning about displacement dissonance.

It starts with a slow breathing bassline that I made with the Sirin before clashing with a completely out of sync melody played on the Mellotron V, just some stabs really. Strangely, it seemed to work.

I used the Piano V3 to draw the attention away from the Mellotron, and while it doesn’t quite sit within the mix, it adds just enough tension to keep you interested, at least I think so.

It’s an evening track for sure. I feel tired just listening to it.

Distention

This quirky track revolves around a Beaten Tube preset I discovered while playing with the Chromaphone plugin.

I was looking for a drum that could drive a more upbeat ambient track, when I was taken back to my younger self, hitting a shoe (probably my dad’s slipper) on some guttering we had in the garage.

It just shows how good the physical modelling is, that something synthetic can trigger an analogue memory. Is this real?

It’s different.

Operation Downpipe

This track came to life while I was noodling with the Gibson SG last week. I was originally aiming for something ambient (as always) but after running the guitar through Amplitube and playing it alongside the Analog Four; I felt the need to bump up the BPM and run with the energy.

I named the track ShuffleHorn, as once the drums are in full flow around the 1:30 mark, the beat reminded me of those shuffle dance videos that flooded my YouTube feed earlier in the year.

As for the Horn aspect of the name, that’s easy. There’s a driving guitar slide motif I put the Filter Mini on, added some convolution reverb, and, voilà, a Viking war cry of sorts. A fitting way to start 2024.

Hope you enjoy, and have a Happy New Year!

ShuffleHorn

The cool arid air drifts over the undulating dunes, while silent hooves, guided by the celestial, peacefully sway over warm sand into emptiness.

This track came to life after the many hours I have spent listening to the Chakra Healing Music Academy whilst in bed. I wanted something soothing that would lull me to sleep and guide my thoughts to a distant land.

It’s not quite what I envisaged, but I’m pleased with the way it came out. Here’s to sleeping under the stars!

Caravan Of Emptiness

"Pushing past the dense thicket, I stepped into the eerie calm of the sacred grove. It was as if I had penetrated an inexplicable force field. The acrid air sent a shiver down my spine. Only twilight dared venture this deep into her woodland womb. She is close."

When I wrote this track, I imagined a witch hunter, about to breach the magickal barrier between the untouched meadow and gloomy woodland.

It’s quite an unnerving track, but it’s only the beginning of "The Hunt". I hope you enjoy it!

The Hunt

This track has a real retro futuristic Blade Runner feel to it. 

While not entirely ambient because of the deep kick and snare, I think the synths used to create the sci-fi atmosphere give it a nice Off-World vibe. What do you think?

Off-World

"Sat on a moss covered rock atop the mountainside, I smile at the inflorescence of the ancient Jade Plant, its thick stems rising from the ridge below. Flowers, pinkish white, look like painted stars against the shadow cloaked village below.

Soft airy pipes whisper the evening festivities have begun. Warm spices complement the cool winter air.

Climbing down through the crystal caverns, slivers of dusk dance over the sparkling walls.

My heart rate settles as I step out into the moonlight, lanterns flickering to life in the distance.

I’m home, and with a tale of luck and good fortune to share."

I dedicate this track to my Jade Plant (Crassula Ovata), who rarely flowers but somehow knew that this year I'd appreciate a little luck and good fortune.

Oh and yes, that’s my plant on the cover image.

Crassula Ovata

I’ve wanted to write a Valentine’s track for a while now, but never had the time.

I figured I’d devote a week of my Creative Break to crafting a Sexy Ambient track, and see what I can come up with.

Trying to write something “Sexy” is not as easy as it sounds. In fact, it was a stroke of luck that I came across the perfect drum sound. It injected a hint of erotic energy on top of the traditional electric piano and guitar combo I was using. 

Combined with a warm human voice, the result is a sensual track that might help set the mood for a delightful Valentine’s evening. I really hope you enjoy it.

P.S. All puns intended. 😉

Boom Chic

This track started life as an ambient vibe, running over a field recording of some starlings that were hanging out in the tree outside my window.

You know how it goes. I was all set to release the track, then I asked my daughter for her opinion.

Once she had listened to it, she stared at the screen and directed her finger towards the lane with the field recording, asking what it was.

I explained how the track revolved around the Starling Crew (that was going to be the name of the track too), but she just shrugged and asked if it’s needed.

Reluctantly, I muted the starlings, and she was right. I had added so much “interest” around the field recording that the track stood on its own without it. She had walked away by that point, knowing her work here was done.

I wonder if it’s an age thing, what with the starlings being so high in the frequency range that her younger ears pick it up as noise. Anyway, I used one of her drawings for the cover image as a thank you.

As always, I hope you enjoy it!

Luminexia Bloom

March is my birth month, so to kick it off in style, I produced something a little less ambient than usual.

This track has a faster tempo than I’m used to (130bpm), but it still has that ethereal, synth based vibe I try to inject into my music.

I captured the photo for the cover image during a foggy, frosty dawn run. Hence the title.

I hope it brings a smile to your face and your heart beats faster in anticipation of the start of spring.

Dawning Reverie

This track came to life during my morning walk across the then flooded local nature reserve.

As I stood there, mesmerized by the sight and sound of the murky water flowing off the meadow and returning to the river, I reached for my phone and hit record so that I could share the moment with you.

From start to finish, the track is immersed in the tranquil sounds of flowing water and the babbling melodies of morning birdsong.

Gradually, I add more synthetic elements to represent the abundant wildlife, and the resurgence of spring flora that will soon reclaim the saturated meadow.

Hopefully, this track will signify the end of the floods, for the time being. Enjoy!

After The Flood

"As the sun sets, and darkness descends, an eerie stillness settles in the air.

The last remnants of sunlight cast a haunting glow onto the path ahead, as an ethereal mist unfurls from the treeline.

The billowing air quickens my heart. The BassPhantom is approaching."

This track combines Electronic, Ambient, and Hip Hop, with a subtle GhostBusters vibe.

BassPhantom's Veil

I spent my birthday not only indulging in cake but also exploring the concept of merging biology with technology, inspired in part by watching The Creator (2023 film).

I tried to create a track in a similar vein by combining a simple analog piano melody with a more complex synthetic electronic melody. I think it worked?

Anyway, the cake was nice, as was the peaceful day spent creating. I hope you like it!

Biomechatronics

For this release, I attempted to blend some sampled jazz elements with synthetic plugins, as I continue my exploration of fusing analog with electronic.

When I crashed into my guitar amp during mixdown, I knew I was on the right track…😂

I am pleased with the outcome and where it ended up. It’s an uplifting track and certain to get your feet moving.

After realizing I had forgotten to celebrate my 50th upload to SoundCloud, I named this track Café 55, in celebration of my 55th upload.

I hope it brightens your break (if you have one), and I wish you all a very Happy Easter!

Café 55

I cut this track a bit shorter than I would have liked.

I’ve been recovering from an ear infection the past week, so I wanted to give them a rest. Plus, it’s the Easter holidays at the moment, so I’ve been spending less time in front of the screen.

To add an ethnic touch, I honed in on the Ghatam percussion to keep the track moving. I used the T-RackS suite to tame the drums. I’m just starting out with those plugins, and still learning the ropes.

The outcome is something quirky, and a lot less bass-heavy than usual (My ears were not loving the bass).

Anyway, I hope you like the result, despite its brevity.

Ghatam Labyrinth

As I enter the depths of darkness, the air becomes heavy and dense, filling my lungs with an enchanting, mysterious scent.

I can only just make out the ghostly mist, its intensity shimmering and twirling as if held by the enchantress herself.

The Ethereal Wraith will lead me to her.

Pursuit Of The Ethereal Wraith

The decking greets me with a refreshing breeze as the security light illuminates the garden.

I hear a low rumble and glance up to see a plane carrying passengers to destinations I frequently dream of. 

Suddenly, the garden disappears, leaving behind a breathtaking night sky adorned with constellations I’ve known since childhood.

41° above the southern horizon and 23 million light-years away, 2 interacting galaxies, known collectively as Arp 142, bear an uncanny resemblance to a penguin guarding an egg.

If only I had a telescope…

Arp 142 image credit: NASA-ESA/STScI/AURA/JPL-Caltech

More Info: https://www.jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia22092-arp-142-the-penguin-and-the-egg

Arp 142

Balancing hope and sadness, this track considers the journey towards a digital future, prompting us to reflect on the tangible nature of touch.

I concentrated on the subtle sounds of instruments like the piano, strings, and acoustic guitar, gradually merging them with the electronic tones of the DX7.

It’s a sentimental track that sets the mood for peaceful walks in nature or winding down before you sleep.

I really hope you enjoy!

Farewell to the Tangible

This track is a fusion of ideas that started with a James Bond (Sir Roger Moore) style action ditty, blended with some driving rhythm, dark pads and 303 acid. 

I had a hard time mixing the elements, so this is as far as I could go before the urge to move on took over.

I’m not sure how this track fits in terms of mood, but you could let it play in the background (semi ambient?) without it being too distracting.

Fractured Descent

There is a stillness here, a quiet so profound it seems to slow the passage of time itself.

A place untouched, existing somewhere between the waking world and the realm of sleep.

Draped in a soft blanket of delicate flowers, glowing like lilac embers under the watchful eye of the gentle moon.

The night is calm, peaceful, and full, serenaded by the Lunar Meadow’s dreamy lull.

Lunar Meadow's Dreamy Lull

While I really love making ambient tunes, there’s something inside me that yearns for a pumping beat. Maybe all those years of listening to The Prodigy and Minimal Techno have left me with a permanent earworm.

This track starts off dark and tense, following the theme of the witch hunter series of tracks I seem drawn to producing. The Moog Minitaur fed through the Strymon Volante lay down the groundwork, and once I bring in the Nepheton, the track becomes more tense, energetic and dance-oriented.

Turn the volume up, feel the beat, but don’t let your guard down…

Blackwater

Out of the rain it appeared, and just as quickly it vanished...

ElectroSub

I started this back in January and never got around to finishing it, like most tracks I make.  I decided to upload as is to clean the canvas.

Withdrawal

After quite a break from making music, I found myself experimenting with the Tascam recorder and some toy sounds during the holiday.  A good opportunity to try out the Ableton wavetable synth too!

Kal-Els Torment

Unshackled by genre, the Wave2 sound is a blend of melodic, rhythmic, and ambient elements that frequently incorporate field recordings and analog instruments / effects.

Nature and the human touch play a big part in the music I create, often unquantised and always imperfect.

Wave2

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