Electronic Sound Issue 104 (Modular Synthesis)
Electronic Sound
This month’s Electronic Sound lifts the lid on the secret world of MODULAR SYNTHESIS and we’re bundling the issue with a double CD featuring 31 modular tracks, many of which have never been available on a physical release before. Our cover feature is a pick ’n‘ mix of modular goodness, including an interview with 1960s pioneer Morton Subotnick, who created his legendary ‘Silver Apples Of The Moon’ on a Buchla. We talk to contemporary talents Loula Yorke, Andrew Ostler, Philippe Petit and Vicky Clarke too, while music tech guru Robin Vincent explains his addiction to oddball boxes and brightly-coloured leads. We also select 10 Landmark Modular Albums – from Beaver & Krause to Kaitlyn Aurelia Smith – and profile 50 Key Modular Artists, with both instantly recognisable names and largely unknown newcomers making the cut. We have plenty of other thrills elsewhere in the magazine, including our in-depth review of Bluedot 2023, which takes in Grace Jones, The Radiophonic Workshop, Róisín Murphy, Creep Show, Young Fathers, Max Richter, Gwenno and lots more. We have interviews with Arthur Baker, African Head Charge, Veryan, Co-Pilot and Decisive Pink as well, plus Flowered Up keyboardist Tim Dorney on the making of ‘Weekender’ and Simian Mobile Disco man James Ellis Ford on his influences. Now that's what we call a bumper issue! To accompany the issue we also have an superb double CD , ‘A PLAN FOR MODULAR LIVING’, which brings together some of the best modular tracks of the last 50-odd years. The first disc has been compiled by the Electronic Sound editorial team, while the second has material from the incredible archive of sessions to be found at Modulisme, the online global hub for all things modular.