The photo.. I call it “ina de neighborhood”. I took the photo with my iPhone whatever the model.. but. I liked it and I’m sharing it.
Since I’m taking you through some of the process of me finishing up this album, I’ll share this part of the process with you also. The song writing, arrangement, performance and or programming and mixing is all done bu me. On the first two albums by Likuid Eklektik I use both fixed and loops that I can manipulate, parts that I record generated by my keyboard drawing sounds from a multitamberal sound generator that has more sounds than I will use.. or I can go direct into my recording program which as far as sound selection definitely surpasses the external sound generator in the number of sound available. This way I can choose anything from exotic ethnic instruments to orchestral to what would be considered more traditional western instrumentation… including country and western.. Anyway, everything you hear has been in some form or fashion either programmed, manipulated or performed by yours truly.
Another part of the process in putting all of the music together is doing so in a way that does not mimic automation. I achieve most of this by humanizing all my programs. This can be a tedious process and would be much easier done if I were more proficient with playing the piano.. But, I’m not, so I compensate by manipulating loops and programming parts and then mixing them in with the live parts that I can play and there you have it. All of this together needs to include inflection and nuance to the music. The personality of each individual song must be developed so as to allow it to speak clearly. To me it’s about telling the story so it is beyond a doubt believable. Not to win converts necessarily but, to make a clear statement.
I have to say producing music from a studio as opposed to live performance has one huge difference in that.. when I performed live there was the instant feedback on the music. Before, during and after there is a complete circle of energy exchange with the people that came to be apart of the performance. In the studio I am separated from that instant exchange. My intent and hopes are that when you listen to my music that it does emote some if not all the inspiration behind it and if for only the length of the song, make a positive difference in your moment.
Now we get to the list again. Last week was 3 and 4.. so now we’re on to 5 and 6.
>1. move me
>2. what have we done now
>3. Tomy
>4. my kind of day
>5. from this point forward
>6. you and me
>7. groove instinct
>8. the beauty
>9. sahara frolic
>10. tree tops >5. from this point forward… This song is dedicated to my oldest daughter. Things with us have been strained for a good portion of our relationship and the idea here is to leave any and all issues back there somewhere and move from this point forward. The melody carries itself in an awkward way.. but fitting for the situation.. the song stands on that and improvises it’s way through here and there. I feel the song is very solid and upfront in a positive fashion and says what needs to be said with clarity. Not all the conventional parts and pieces of what would be considered the norm is there, but what IS there… works.
>6. you and me … This is my wife and I. Moving through territory that is familiar from a time other the present. It might seem like a dramatic statement but, that’s only because things of this nature are either not encouraged or accepted as valuable conversation in mixed company. Energy is cyclical and we.. us humans.. are bundles of energy cloaked in these flesh covers moving from one plane to another. This is not our first encounter nor will it be our last.
And now.. Where am I in the process with the album? Still refining.. The drummer in me allowed the snare drum to have more presence than it needs in some of the songs.. there were a couple of bass drum issues. Too hot, too heavy. The Synth bass sounds great in lesser volume. Low-mids… meaning frequencies around 250 Hz – 500 Hz some in the area just above that range has to be balanced out.. over all and in particular with some instrumentation. I’m working on all of it a bit at a time. But the holidays… the reason the Friday Progress Report is happening on Saturday is because my step-son and his girlfriend dropped in for the holidays.. so you know.. between these things, I’ll get what I can in when I can.
Well.. I genuinely appreciate you dropping by.. Once again, take good care of yourselves. And may many blessings be bestowed on us all these holidays!!
humanmusique productions 