Belfast

Belfast is a track by English Electronic muisc duo Orbital. It features on their debut studio album 'Orbital' commonly known as the Green Album or Orbital 1.

The track uses a sample of American soprano Emily Van Evera peforming 'O Euchari' from an album called Feather on the Breath of God by Gothic Voices a UK based vocal ensemble.

According to Wikipedia, 'Belfast' was first discovered by David Holmes and Alan Simms when they booked Orbital to play the Art College in Belfast on 12 May 1990.  Orbital had left a demo tape which included the track that was subsequently named 'Belfast' in recognition of the postive experience they had in the city.

It is my favourite Orbital track and I could listen to it all day long.  Emily's haunting vocals blend into the hypnotic electronic melody so well and upon listening I'm left feeling extremely relaxed.  

I can remember first hearing this track back in January 1991 during my brief time at the Army Apprentice College in Harrogate.

I found an interesting article on the 909originals website about how the track was made and  if you're interested you can read it HERE 

'The Green Album'

To the Unknown Man

Vangelis

Vangelis

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spiral_(Vangelis_album)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vangelis

Gary Numan

Gary Numan

Gary Numan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Numan

Gary Numan

Gary Numan

Gary Numan

Gary Numan My Name is Ruin

Gary Numan

Gary Numan

Gary Numan

Gary Numan

Gary Numan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gary_Numan

The Model

Kraftwerk - The Model

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Das_Model

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Man-Machine

Jean-Michel Jarre

I was first exposed to the music of Jean-Michel Jarre in the early 80s during the start of Primary School.  

There was a Teacher by the name of Miss Hobson who used to put together little shows every Harvest Festival which we'd watch during the school assembly.  She would have the children from her  class dress up as flowers and they would perform choreographed dance routines to tracks taken from Jean-Michel Jarre's "Oxygene" and "Equinoxe" albums.  As I sat and watched them perform along to his music I was totally taken aback by what I was hearing.

However, it wasn't until a few years later whilst listening to an album called "The Essential Jean-Michel Jarre" soon after starting Secondary School that I'd finally discovered who the maestro responsbile for that wonderful music  I'd previously heard was. 

  

The "Essential Jean-Michel Jarre" album was a compilation of his early albums Oxygene, Equinoxe and Magnetic Fields and is a great introductory album to some of his finest early work if you've never heard of him before.

Jean-Michel Jarre Discography

He has continued to produce some great albums over the years and it's no surprise that he's often referred to as the "Godfather of Electronic Music".

I grew up listening to Jean Michel Jarre and his wonderful music evokes so many fond memories for me.  That's why he will always remain one of my all time favourite musicians.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Michel_Jarre

Any Second Now

"Any Second Now" was the B-side to Depeche Mode's "Just Can't Get Enough" single released on 7th September 1981 and was their first commercially available instrumental. 

There is another version this track called "Any Second Now (Voices)" and it featured on their debut album "Speak & Spell" which was released on 5th October 1981. 

This is my favourite Depeche Mode instrumental track and one I played over and over again as a teen.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speak_%26_Spell_(album)