Ambient Origins (Stephen Bacchus) - Liner Notes

Artist's Comment
With the reissue of this material on“Ambient Origins” I have more or less come full circle in my recording career. During this process I have always tried to keep two things in mind. First, how the listener was affected by my music, and second, to always challenge myself and my listeners with innovative forms of expression.

The Returning
This was this first piece I composed after a two hiatus from writing music. Recorded in Toronto in the summer of 1986, it was inspired by Brian Eno’s album Thursday Afternoon. Digitally remixed and remastered November 20, 1997 at Quest Recording Studios, Oshawa, Canada.

Winter’s Way
Canada’s winters are notoriously long, but being indoors a great deal gives one time for long periods of reflection. This piece was recorded during one of those periods. Recorded in Toronto in November and December of 1985. Voice: Xena Zwicker.
Digitally remixed and remastered on August 7, 1997 at Quest Recording Studios, Oshawa, Canada.

Echo Shadows
Recorded in Toronto in the summer of 1986. Digitally remixed and remastered October 28, 1997 at Quest Recording Studios, Oshawa, Canada.

“Rosebud” Revisited (Semi-Ambient study #1 dedicated to Brian Eno)
Originally written as a parody of ambient music, this work later struck me as very potent and subtle. Upon subsequent listenings over the years, I discovered it reminded me of the feeling evoked by the “Rosebud” reference in the Orson Welles’ masterpiece, Citizen Kane. Recorded in the winter of 1983 at York University Electronic Music studios, Downsview, Canada. Digitally remixed and remastered on December 29, 1997 at Quest Recording Studios, Oshawa, Canada

Subterrania
Images of cavernous underground warehouses, abandoned munitions factories and large distant machinery were the visual inspirations for this music. Recorded in Toronto, October 1985. Digitally remixed and remastered July 22, 1997 at Quest Recording Studios, Oshawa, Canada.

A Separate Moment
This piece was partially inspired by the music on Brian Eno’s album, The Pearl and was originally titled, Light Through Crystal. Recorded and mixed in October 1987 at On The Air Studios, Toronto. Recording Engineer: Jay Blair. Digitally remastered on December 19, 1997 at Quest Recording Studios, Oshawa, Canada

The Form Of The World (Edit)
This piece owes much of its inspiration to the music on Giles Reaves’ album Wunjo, which sadly is now out of print. Recorded and mixed in October 1987 at On The Air Studios, Toronto. Recording Engineer: Jay Blair. Digitally remastered on February 13, 1998 at Quest Recording Studios, Oshawa, Canada

From The Ashes
Much like the phoenix rising from the ashes, this was composed using sampled materials from some of my earliest electronic music compositions: Rainbow Drops and a Jewelled Feather (1979), Ancient Dreams Of Nostalgia (1979) and Concrètinization (1983). Composed between November 1997 and April 1998 at Oasis studios. 20-BIT digitally recorded and mixed May 3-4, 1998 at Quest Recording Studios Oshawa, Canada.

STEPHEN BACCHUS: Synthesizers (Roland Alpha-Juno 1, Roland JX8P, Roland JV-1080, Korg M1, Ensoniq ESQ-1, ARP 2600, Putney VCS3), Kurzweil K2000 sampler, tape loops, concrète sounds

Produced by: Stephen Bacchus

Final Mastering & Assembly May 5 & 12, 1998 at Quest Recording Studios, Oshawa, Canada

Art Direction & 3D design: Stephen Bacchus

Special thanks to: Paul LaChapelle, Ron Korb, Graham Newton of Digital Audio Restoration, Jeff Pearce, Julie Umbrico, Paul Denard, Pekka “Beck” Hanninen

1, THE RETURNING 10:12
2. WINTER’S WAY 9:50
3. ECHO SHADOWS 4:28
4. “ROSEBUD” REVISTED 8:20
5. SUBTERRANIA 5:23
6. A SEPARATE MOMENT 2:18
7. THE FORM OF THE WORLD 7:57
8. FROM THE ASHES* 6:09

Total Time 55:12

* New bonus track created especially for this release.

$6.98 USD $0.99 USD/ track

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