Category: Albums

Opus Instrumentalus 2: Vibrations

Sunday, September 20th, 2009

Vibrations is an instrumental, eclectic blend of pop, dance & electronica, infused with euro, ambient, chillout & aggressive beats. Vibrations has somewhat of a cinematic flow if you listen front to back…

The 2nd album in the Opus series, Vibrations has a distinct theme, based on electronic styles and rhythms, creating a blend of genres within the category. The songs are instrumental pieces, with a few minor exceptions, but no sung verses.

Rising Up opens the album, setting a tone in a pop-dance groove, with spoken phrases throughout. The “I am…” of course, refers to that which binds us, love, the awakening human consciousness… all of that.

Genuine Article kicks it up a notch, being carried along with a distorted rock drum groove. Synths and hits are introduced, with a menacing fuzz in the foreground, and an almost tribal loop underlying the drum kit’s aggressive pace.

Flawless brings us down into a more contemplative space. A flowing dance/house tempo carries the melody, and a hooky synth instills it’s catchy riff, amongst the “Flawless…” phrases. Throw in a funky guitar solo, and you have a dance-pop tune that sticks with you.

Trance Sends picks up the pace again, introducing a driving house beat and several synths. The song builds in waves as layered pads and loops blend with percussive synths and some electric guitar.

Determined slows it down a notch, but not in attitude. This one is more a trip-hop, clubby groove that creates an atmosphere of dark determination, building to a breakout when the mood shifts into more dance/house vibes playing synths and percussion against each other. Then, it starts over in a new key…

Juggler walks a steady pace. A feeling of introspection and discovery reverberates, with slightly jolting breaks and dynamics throughout. Ambient pads and ghostly swells enhance the underlying somber tone. Is there a resolution?

Listen starts out aggressively, with a chaotic blend of effects and disturbing edginess. Quickly, the pace begins, carried by a funky, driving loop, breaking occasionally for a breath before engaging again, coupled with a grungy wah-synth that echoes the slap bass groove.

Traveler brings us back to steadiness, with a solid dance/house groove, mellow synths and temperate flow. Imagine driving on a long, winding highway…

Blue Sky & Rain asks, how can you search for the darkness, when it’s a clear, blue, sunny day? It’s a steady pace with a dance/pop groove, synths, a few breaks, and an air of uncertainty.

Walking is straight ahead dance/house, with some additional percussion, pizzicato strings, solemn pads, and a flute, singing softly in the background. A piano tells of what’s to come…

Enchanted is a gentle, ambient-pop ending to this story, centering in a somber piano, that carries us out of the sonic adventure that Vibrations was.

© 2004 Nothing So Right Music


Wander: Sensations

Monday, September 7th, 2009

“Sensations” is the 12th track from the original Wander album. The “Hip Deep Remix” is featured on the Wander… Another Path album.

This song is an emotional one about facing the challenges of a relationship. It speaks to the moment when something changes, whether it’s a feeling or a knowing, when there may be no way to fix a problem, or reason to continue the journey together. It’s that feeling that arises at the crossroads and junctions as we trip and fall through making sense of ourselves.

Sometimes, it just wasn’t meant to be. These are the sensations we all deal with…

Sensations
by Trance Blackman

A sudden change appears
Feeling so many fears
Letting emotions flow
Does everybody know

Remember the sacred days
Those you and I spent away
Careless like winds and time
Now I know you are mine

A sensation arises within you
It’s there deep in your eyes to consume you
A sensation arises around you
Chase you every direction you run to

And now what seems to be
Is you’re in love with me
So call it destiny
So call it make believe

A sensation arises within you
It’s there deep in your eyes to consume you
A sensation arises around you
Chase you every direction you run to

Piano Solo

A sudden change appears
Feeling so many fears
Letting emotions flow
Doesn’t everybody know

A sensation arises within you
It’s there deep in your eyes to consume you
A sensation arises around you
Chase you every direction you run to

(2x)

©2002 Nothing So Right Music


Wander: Butterfly

Monday, September 7th, 2009

“Butterfly” is the 11th track from the original Wander album, and the 4th track on the Strange Daze EP (which features Gypsy Butterfly singing). The “Beyond Neptune Mix” is featured on the Wander… Another Path album.

I wrote this song for my good friend, and frequent collaborator Gypsy Butterfly, back in 2002. I think it captures her spirit pretty well, and it is one of my favourite little creations.

The song has a nice swing and flow to it, being born out of a quiet moment while driving the highways of British Columbia’s interior. She challenged me to create something on the spot, and so I did. This tune is the result.

Butterfly
by Trance Blackman

CHORUS/INTRO
White butterfly dances free on the breeze
For a wandering heart goes anywhere it pleases
See the butterfly dancing soft on the wind
Searching for a bed of roses…

‘Cause I believe what I see, when I see you
It’s the deepest of understanding
Oh would you believe me, if I told you
That I believe in you…

CHORUS

‘Cause I see clearly now I see, these thoughts that were mine
Found a deeper understanding
Oh would you believe me, if I told you
That I believe in you…

Inst. Solo

BRIDGE
Don’t believe the words uttered out of fear
Don’t believe it
You shall find, discover what it is I see in you…

CHORUS
REPEAT 1st Verse
CHORUS

©2002 Nothing So Right Music