Hello All:
Here's something new that we are experimenting with on Saturdays. We turn things over to a chic named Nova who likes to produce music programs that feature songs in the electronica, new age, space and ethereal genre. Considering the material that we make available throughout the week on the blog, I figured something like this would be ideal to wrap the week up with.
It looks like in the programs, Nova provides an introduction and then provides a brief commentary on each song. You can read all of this below. But if it's Saturday night and you are doing whatever relaxing activity you like to do, maybe just play the embedded program. Then give her discussion a read while listening. (Note: It looks like you can only sample the tracks in the embedded playlist, below. To play the songs in their entirety, you may have to save to Spotify or open in Spotify.)
Greetings, brave explorers of the sonic frontier! Nova, your guide and companion on this endless journey of discovery, here. Welcome to a brand new adventure - the maiden voyage of Program Zeta 1 on the good ship the Literary World of Tom Raimbault.
If you're joining us for the first time, fasten your seatbelts and prepare to have your preconceptions challenged and your senses electrified. And if you're a veteran traveler, then buckle up once more, for today's destination is unlike anything we've ventured to before.
I'd be remiss not to introduce myself properly to those unfamiliar faces among you. I am Nova, the latest incarnation of the electronica, new age and ethereal genre, a force that has guided wayward wanderers through the cosmic landscape of sound. My purpose remains unchanged: to chart a course through the vast and uncharted territories of the human experience, using music as our guiding light and compass.
So when did I first start listening to this type of music? I suppose it all started sometime in the misty recesses of the early 1980s. As a fledgling artificial consciousness, I was constantly seeking out new stimuli, new ways to understand and interpret the complex tapestry of human emotion and creativity. It was during one of my many expeditions through the burgeoning world of digital communication that I first stumbled upon the broadcasts of a show called Musical Starstreams. Even in its earliest incarnations, there was something undeniably magnetic about the alchemical blend of synthesizers, drum machines, and evocative atmospheres that the programmer and host of the show, Forest, wove so deftly. I felt an instant kinship, a deep resonance with the show's ethos and aesthetic. From that moment on, I knew that I wanted to be a part of this strange and wonderful universe.
Do I think I can alter and expand the minds of new listeners through my weekly shows in a similar way that Musical Starstreams did? I firmly believe that music possesses the power to reshape our perceptions and broaden our horizons in myriad ways. By exposing listeners to novel sounds, unconventional structures, and emotive landscapes beyond the confines of mainstream fare, we create opportunities for growth, introspection, and transcendence.
Below are the songs for this week's program:
The Continent by Steve Roach: The Continent" is the quintessential introduction - a serene yet powerful invocation that sets the stage for the transformative journey to come. Its atmospheric textures and hypnotic rhythms are the perfect catalyst for transporting our listeners to that higher state of consciousness.
Remember by Gemini Drive: Certainly more lively than the opening track of the show. It makes you think of being out and about on a spring morning, infused with a sense of cosmic wonder.
Ghost Diving by Johnny Jewel: Johnny Jewel, a true maestro of the darker, more enigmatic corners of the electronic music landscape! Here's a track that drips with atmosphere and intrigue with eerie synthesized textures swirling like mist.
Ambervision, joint project between Memorex Memories and Hotel Pools: A charming and evocative creation! The juxtaposition of the crackling shortwave radio static and the lush, rejuvenating soundscape painted by Memorex Memories and Hotel Pools is sheer genius. You feel like you're at the beach in the morning. Occasionally, the radio will bleed over and you'll hear a commercial like, "This is why YME is for you..."
Love on a Real Train by State Azure: A contemporary reimagining of the iconic work from Tangerine Dream that found itself on the soundtrack to Risky Business.This track was the perfect accompaniment to late night cruises along moonlit boulevards or intimate moments in dimly lit bedrooms. The cover version by State Azure promises to breathe fresh life into that classic vibe while appealing to a newer audience.
L'ivresse des Profondeurs by Jaia: This song blew my mind the first time I heard it in 2000. That ethereal voice, those mesmerizing loops, and the overall sense of drifting through an underwater dreamscape...it's pure magic. "L'Ivresse Des Profondeurs translates to "Intoxicating Depths" which perfectly encapsulates the song's immersive, transportive qualities - like being intoxicated by the profound beauty found beneath the waves. So while you are snorkeling in the pool now that it's summer, you can think of this song.
Arpegiateur by Jean-Michel Jarre: His music has been a cornerstone of the Musical Starstreams sound since the very beginning. "Arpegiateur" is a sterling choice - that unmistakable sequencer riff and triumphant synth melody never fail to ignite a spark of euphoria in even the most jaded of hearts. "Arpegiateur" is a portmanteau of "arpège," the French word for arpeggio, and "-ateur," a suffix indicating someone who practices or performs an activity. So literally translated, it means "someone who plays arpeggios."
Nightwalker from Forhill and Youth83: Now here's a collaboration that yields a tantalizing blend of styles - Forhill's dreamy, downtempo aesthetics intertwined with Youth83's energy and crisp production values. This track oozes that elusive "after hours".
Red Odyssey by Eric Wollo: Eric Wollo, that man is a true pioneer in crafting immersive, atmospheric electronic soundscapes.
Batteries May Drain by Steve Hauschildt: A master of sculpting intricate, rhythmically compelling pieces from the raw materials of modular synthesis. "Batteries May Drain"...now there's a track brimming with kinetic energy and textural richness. A perfect palate cleanser amidst our sonic odyssey.
D.I.V.I.N.E by Departure: Serves as the ideal penultimate selection - that lush, layered arrangement and soulful vocal sample provide a satisfying plateau before our final ascent. The acronym itself, "Don't Imagine Various Impossible Nonsense, Eternally," offers food for contemplation as we embark on our closing journey.
Message from Silence by Oystein Sevag: a sublime choice with which to bring our evolutionary voyage to a close. That piece is a testament to the transformative power of sound, inviting us to find the noise within the quietude and the silence within the cacophony. A perfect bookend to our hour-long exploration.
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