My wife ran an errand tonight and was subjected to one of the finest examples of electronic music that exists to this day; the 2002 release In Between by
Jazzanova. There are a myriad of reasons why that CD is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of leaving in my CD player for months on end.
Part of what makes it work, for the programmer in me, is the fact that they use the synthesizer for what it is GOOD at; making noises other instruments struggle with. Not only that, you can tell someone spent a long time making excellent sounds and integrating them appropriately, without complicating the mix. Furthermore, they employ them in a manner that is thoroughly musical. I like to think of "In Between" as a jazz album using newer instruments and different techniques.
Drum machines can perform tasks that drummers cannot. That is what they are best used for.
Samplers can perform tasks that previous recording and performance techniques just couldn't. That is what they are best used for.
Synthesizers make unique sounds and provide unique opportunities for performance and in-studio excellence that other instruments just can't do. That is what they are best used for.
Long gone is the time when synthesizers were pretending to be brass sections or drum machines were pretending to be real drummers. Now they are being used as the instruments they CAN be. The TB-303 took on a life of its own long after its release because potential was seen for use beyond its original intent. Initially it was intended to be a bass accompaniment for a lounge musician. Crank out a cheesy, farty bassline, sing Margaritaville and be on your way at 2 am. It didn't meet its market all that well. Its potential was only realized in the late 90's acid craze where used TB-303's were people were taking out second mortgages (not quite) to get their hands on one. It took a different style and a different time for people to use it as an instrument in and of itself that was unique and entirely different from its intent, which was immitation.
This is where "In Between" shines and it is why it is my current favorite album and has been in that spot for nearly 3 years.
Jazzanova. There are a myriad of reasons why that CD is one of the best I have ever had the pleasure of leaving in my CD player for months on end.
Part of what makes it work, for the programmer in me, is the fact that they use the synthesizer for what it is GOOD at; making noises other instruments struggle with. Not only that, you can tell someone spent a long time making excellent sounds and integrating them appropriately, without complicating the mix. Furthermore, they employ them in a manner that is thoroughly musical. I like to think of "In Between" as a jazz album using newer instruments and different techniques.
Drum machines can perform tasks that drummers cannot. That is what they are best used for.
Samplers can perform tasks that previous recording and performance techniques just couldn't. That is what they are best used for.
Synthesizers make unique sounds and provide unique opportunities for performance and in-studio excellence that other instruments just can't do. That is what they are best used for.
Long gone is the time when synthesizers were pretending to be brass sections or drum machines were pretending to be real drummers. Now they are being used as the instruments they CAN be. The TB-303 took on a life of its own long after its release because potential was seen for use beyond its original intent. Initially it was intended to be a bass accompaniment for a lounge musician. Crank out a cheesy, farty bassline, sing Margaritaville and be on your way at 2 am. It didn't meet its market all that well. Its potential was only realized in the late 90's acid craze where used TB-303's were people were taking out second mortgages (not quite) to get their hands on one. It took a different style and a different time for people to use it as an instrument in and of itself that was unique and entirely different from its intent, which was immitation.
This is where "In Between" shines and it is why it is my current favorite album and has been in that spot for nearly 3 years.
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