Sonic Asteroids II and related pieces (1990-1993)
category: sketches and little pieces for midi keyboards and sequencer software
In 1990, I "released" (= gave copies to some friends) the second Sonic Asteroids cassette. One notable development in my music at that time was the inclusion of an Atari Computer, running the Notator sequencer software which controlled a digital piano and an EMax sampler. Although I could not really play the piano, I had lots of fun with this setup. Entirely new ways of experimenting with sound and musical structures became possible.
stream all tracks:
The Moment When We Kissed - (4:43 min, 4.4 MB)
This tune is played on guitar plus an unlikely combination of samples, some of them taken from various CDs, such as an airplane or the zarb drum, some of them self-made. The broken trumpet-like sounds are actually created by dragging cardboard or plastic boxes over a smooth stone surface. The words in the beginning may sound a bit like 'the moment when we kissed' but are actually a slowed down backwards version of Laetitia Sonami saying 'sleeping with a woman'.
Lakeland - (2:43 min, 2.5 MB)
A short study of somewhat Canterbury-ish chords
Ring of Sararrs - (1:07 min, 1 MB)
A short repeated melody morphs from piano to that ubiquitous Fairlight 'Breath' sound
Triplet - (2:26 min, 2.3 MB)
Minimalist patterns inevitably sound great with piano and wind instruments
Slow Waves - (1:26 min, 1.4 MB)
Piano chords in slow motion and endless reverb
Quartz - (4:28 min, 4.2 MB)
Drums, bass, and electric piano play a simple chord sequence with electric guitar soloing
Yellow Fives - (2:39 min, 2.5 MB)
Minimalist patterns with wind instruments again
Similar pieces, recorded later and not contained on the cassette
Phanque - (4:57 min, 4.7 MB)
This is my favorite: Minimalism meets Funk! ... I wish I could persuade Prince to sing to this
Fearful Symmetry - (1:50 min, 1.7 MB)
A study of a very simple symmetric rhythm
AscDescTron - (3:53 min, 3.7 MB)
Just eight chords ... If you love the Mellotron sound, play this one loud
- Sonic Asteroids setup with Micky
