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Biosphere is considered the mastermind of ambient techno and arctic ambient. His track "Novelty Waves" was used for a Levis advertising campaign in 1995. His 1997 album "Substrata" was chosen by www.hyperreal.org as the best ambient album of all time. With numerous releases, he established himself as one of the most important artists and pioneers of ambient music today. His most recent work, N-Plants (2011), deals with the futuristically designed nuclear power plants of Japan's post-war economic miracle. Originally intended as a soundtrack to highlight the fragility of the power plants, the album was put in a new context by the subsequent earthquakes and nuclear disaster at Fukushima. The album received critical acclaim and reconnects with classic Biosphere releases with the warm soundscapes that meet and cold moods.

But what James realized is that less is more, because musical breaks are much more meaningful than “overdone” arrangements. Miles Davis recognized this decades ago! James Blake is a British-born producer and songwriter who has been known for his emotional depth and innovative sound since the early 2010s. His style combines dubstep, soul, R&B, classical and experimental pop - sometimes minimalist, sometimes orchestral, but always with an unmistakable, melancholy voice. His self-titled debut album was released in 2011 and was celebrated by critics. Songs such as “Limit to Your Love” (a cover of Feist) and “The Wilhelm Scream” made him famous worldwide. Later albums show his development as a producer, including collaborations with artists such as Beyoncé, Frank Ocean, Rosalía and Kendrick Lamar.

Breton then landed on Fat Cat Records and thus became label mates with Animal Collective and Sigur Ros, bands who, like Breton themselves, place individuality above genre boundaries. Unfortunately, it has to be said that Breton was a London band, because they no longer exist. With their song “The Commission” from that year, they left a lasting impression on the electronic indie scene. The track combines dark electronica, driving beats and cinematic soundscapes - typical of Breton's unique mix of music, art and film. Her songs often sounded like soundtracks to urban dramas: intense, experimental and visually inspired. The band was founded by Roman Rappak and saw itself more as a multimedia collective than a classic band. Their debut album “Other People's Problems” was as exciting as it was unusual - produced in a converted bank building in London. Despite their short period of activity, Breton remains an insider tip with a lasting influence - a band that was ahead of its time.

The song has stood the test of time amazingly well! Skillfully arranged synths skillfully tune into each other in the pitch, as was customary at the time. There is also a (Fairlight?) piano accompanied by a voice that takes some getting used to at first, but turns out to be a success as you listen. Electronic Circus was a British synthpop project that made a charming contribution to the burgeoning electronic music scene in 1981 with the song “Direct Lines”. The track is a prime example of early New Wave: analog synthesizers, rhythmic sequences and a certain futuristic minimalism, as we know it from the pioneering days of Human League or John Foxx. “Direct Lines” was the band's only major release, but the single developed into a true cult classic among collectors over the years. After Electronic Circus, Chris Payne continued to work as a composer and producer - including in the field of classical music and film music. The song from 1981 has an avant-garde feel to it. Video: Summer with Monica - Ingmar Bergman 1952

Notably, the Yamaha CS-80, Roland Jupiter-4, and Sequential Circuits Prophet-5 significantly shaped his distinctive sound. The Yamaha CS-80, which Vangelis described as "the most important synthesizer in my career," became a central element of his music. At Nemo Studio, Vangelis merged technology and emotion, utilizing synthesizers to create innovative soundscapes. His approach was characterized by improvisation and a desire to extend beyond the capabilities of a traditional orchestra. This creative environment enabled him to compose music that remains influential in the realm of electronic music to this day.​


Update: Sadly, Vagngelis passed away on May 22, 2022 at the age of 79. RIP.