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🚩INTRODUCTION
This album features a selection of work from my back catalogue edited, restructured, remixed for Christmas 2022. Quality headphones please (specifically mixed for h/phones) Improvised 1st-take recordings for studious listening.
Martin S. (17th Nov 22)


🚩FIND MY EARLY WORK PRE 2020 HERE …
martinstephen.bandcamp.com/music


More at …
FACEBOOK : martinstephenarts
WIX : martinstephen

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🚩SLEEVE NOTES
My journey with music began initially with piano and drums together with a keen interest in progressive music. I work with sound and rhythm to gain a response to emotive feeling. As my interest widened with abstract art painting it didn't seem enough to play conventional instruments with traditional composition methods. I wished to evoke a world of sound possibilities as a theatrical stage to the improvisations I was creating.

Progressive music emerged in the 1970's with the golden period between 1969 – 74. This music then fell out of favour in the 80's and 90's emerging again around 2005 as a second incarnation known as 'prog rock'. Yet for me prog rock has become too restricting, formulaic and over - stylised. My music explores the (outer) limits of this genre with a return to the 70's progressive years with experimentation at the fore. I also like to widen the musical canvas adding elements within free jazz, soundscape, film music, dance and chill. The recently established term Avante - Progressive describes my music perhaps more suitably and resonates with the experimental progressive music from the 70's

As an artist working with paint, sound and rhythmic textures, I formally compose few musical works. 90% of my music is spontaneously improvised. To create a new piece I first put together a unique sound set. Then follows improvisation with complete spontaneity, recording the 1st – take 'performance' only. In other words press the record button and allow my subconscious mind to freely express in the same way my abstract paintings develop. I may then edit the recorded tracks for example shortening intro's / outro's. Out of place notes or words stay put. I may formalise a melody line yet the heart of my ideas are chordal textured 'soundscapes' sometimes pitch shifting instrument patch combinations. Non keyboard based sounds added to a mix may include, guitar or voice. My vocal work is effects treated with extensive use of pitch shifted electronic harmonisers programmed with unorthodox intervals based on experimentation.


🚩WHY USE H / PHONES ?
It's the only way to hear the often complex sound-world's I create and the unorthodox way I work with chordal harmony. I suggest using a quality pair. These songs are mixed with Sennheiser HD599 / HD650 h/phones. Listen with an above average vol level and play the entire track, these songs have mood and contrast changes throughout.

Martin S.
Creative Minds Studio.
Cambridgeshire,
United Kingdom.