steam
The sound of this album is dominated by the sensual resonance of the Bass Marimba. The music was composed for a fixed lineup of instruments to allow the stylistic palette to wander freely. The instruments used were glockenspiel, vibraphone, gyil, marimba, bass marimba, small children's drum, cracked cymbal, music stand, wooden fence, bicycle spokes. These were struck and stroked with a large selection of sticks, bows and hammers. Occasionally, some environmental sounds got onto the recording as well.
It was composed against a musical environment in South East London which has a wide cultural diversity and lots of world renowned dance styles. The music does not set out to cover these styles; they are just there in the background.
At night, the view from the desk where most of the writing was done takes in the twinkling lights of Canary Wharf and the Natwest Tower. The recordings were done at The Steam Rooms recording studio above Popular Baths, in East London, with considerable support and expertise from Jon Wilkinson.