Theta One - 40CD | Discus Music

Theta One - 40CD

by Orchestra Of The Upper Atmosphere

supported by

Karl On this first excursion of Martin Archer exploring territories outside Jazz you can easily hear the distinct influence of American proto-minimalist Terry Riley and his works, especially in the whirring and shimmering way the keys are treated. Of course there are enough other genres mixed into the music to provide an unique listening experience once again, but I feel, that in the following 'Thetas' an even more distinctive style was found. Anyway, this is a great ensemble and fantastic music !

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Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

Beautifully packaged and factory produced to Discus Music's usual high standard. Artwork by Martin Archer

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1.	Seen From Above - Part 1 05:10	buy track
2.	Seen From Above - Part 2 15:34	buy track
3.	The Opposition Effect 10:29	buy track
4.	When Thin Clouds Scud Across A Bright Moon 05:51	buy track
5.	Anti-Crepuscular Rays 14:07	buy track
6.	Duty Music 05:11	buy track
7.	Star Procession 10:50	buy track
8.	Coherent Backscattering 10:08	buy track
9.	An Open Vista Is Revealed 04:28	buy track
10.	He Died Before I Could Get My Revenge 12:49	buy track
11.	Almost Unrecognisable But For Its Surface Markings 09:27	buy track
12.	The Umbral Length Of Shadows 09:38	buy track
13.	Rainforest Tension 09:51	buy track
14.	Nimbus 19:55	buy track
15.	Their Dark Presence Stretches Through The Void 10:23	buy track

about

"If you’re a fan of artists like Alice Coltrane, Magma, Phillip Glass, Terry Riley, Tangerine Dream and David Bedford, you must get this album. Orchestra of the Upper Atmosphere is a cosmic feast for the ears and mind, and will take you to places unknown, from the depths of the human soul to the farthest, darkest reaches of the universe. Highly recommended! "- Jeff Fitzgerald AURAL INNOVATIONS

It is the job of the progressive artist to propose an alternative reality, and preferably one in which all notions of common sense have been completely eradicated. This collection is our proposal.

The sleeve note in no idle boast (or threat?). The 150 minutes or so of music on this double CD has taken three years to write, record, arrange, revisit, mix, re-mix, master, generally agonise over and finally release. During the course of this music journey OUA has turned from an idea for simply another Archer studio project into a fully functioning and gigging band.

From the start the concept was to give the audience a Big Listen. Dual keyboard interplay by two decades long music associates Archer and Bywater takes its initial inspiration from the endless hall of mirrors found within the music of Terry Riley. Add to that a rhythm section referencing both freeform and classic krautrock styles equally authoritatively. Then finalise with carefully crafted arrangements for strings: sometimes static / stately, sometimes swooping wildly and referencing Alice Coltrane, sometimes processed and reconstructed into Stockhausen-influenced electroacoustic knots. Finally, enter Juxtavoices, Martin’s finely drilled 30 strong troupe of performance poetry and new music voice explorers, and already a widely experienced gigging outfit in its own right since they first began to surprise, delight, and occasionally alarm audiences across the North some 2 years ago.

This CD contains a lot of elements we have come to love over the many years we have all been making music. We hope you will find some things to enjoy too.

credits

released January 1, 2014

Martin Archer - organ, electric piano, laptop, saxophones, bass clarinet
Chris Bywater - organ, synthesizers, laptop, acoustic and electronic percussion, electric violin
Steve Dinsdale - drums, percussion, synthesizer
Walt Shaw - percussion, electronics
Terry Todd - bass guitar

with

La Garotte String Quartet:
Paul Schatzberger, Yvonna Magda (violins), Barbara Chisholm (viola), Angela Rosenfeld (cello) also Sarah Henderson (violin)

The Divine Winds:
Martin Archer, Mike Ward, Mick Beck, Geoff Bright, Herve Perez (saxophones)

Juxtavoices:
Martin Archer, Julie Archer, Jon Ashe, Ian Baxter, Mick Beck, Geoff Bright, Chris Bywater, Julie Cole, Emma Cooper, Edward Eggleston, Alan Halsey, Lyn Hodnet, Richard Kedward, Christine Kennedy, Bo Meson, Geraldine Monk, Mike Reid, Marion Rout, Walt Shaw, Jan Todd, Jane Tormey, Caroline Veal, Peter Veal, Linda Lee Welch, Gillian Whiteley

license

about

Discus Music Sheffield, UK

Discus Music was founded in 1994 by Martin Archer and Mick Beck, and is the CD imprint for their many and various projects, plus those of selected colleagues. Limited in its scope only by the imagination of the artists, the sounds to be found on the label vary between electronic rock music, free jazz, extended songform, improvised music, and other releases which simply cannot be categorised. ... more

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