28 - 2015
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Motivational juices flowing, meant the next album was already in progress, although very much a concept, more than anything else. Some discarded elements from the previous 2 albums, were taken off the shelf, removed from the back-burner and thrust into the limelight. The addition of an I-pad to the hardware were amongst some of the toys to be unleashed on this new offering.
28 itself, as a title, was long time coming. Used primarily as a user name or log-on as "Breezy 1-27" were often taken and also twenty eight is the day of the month in which Breezy was born.
A total of 5 tracks were born out of the aftermath of both "Underground" & "What you looking at?" and were subsequently the first 5 track confirmed on the album (although not necessarily in that order or, indeed, that sequence)
The album art was always going to be or at the very least feature orange. A look along the spines of the previous 17 cd's highlighted a distinct lack of orange, pink and red. (Look out for the latter colours in future releases) The dark blue just went with the orange and the white font accentuates everything you need to know about, the title and the artist. Inside the booklet, there are 28 facts about the number 28, as well as some other random artefacts you could find inside Breezys' head.
28 itself, as a title, was long time coming. Used primarily as a user name or log-on as "Breezy 1-27" were often taken and also twenty eight is the day of the month in which Breezy was born.
A total of 5 tracks were born out of the aftermath of both "Underground" & "What you looking at?" and were subsequently the first 5 track confirmed on the album (although not necessarily in that order or, indeed, that sequence)
The album art was always going to be or at the very least feature orange. A look along the spines of the previous 17 cd's highlighted a distinct lack of orange, pink and red. (Look out for the latter colours in future releases) The dark blue just went with the orange and the white font accentuates everything you need to know about, the title and the artist. Inside the booklet, there are 28 facts about the number 28, as well as some other random artefacts you could find inside Breezys' head.
1. I'm right, you're wrong: The opening track, by way of a change features the usual long, although not that long, intro. The long intro was not planned initially for this track, but as the album took shape, the track was moved to position numero uno and the intro lengthened, in fact almost doubled for the album version. As production moved along, Breezy continuously found himself singing "You know I'm right, you know you're wrong" to, what is now, the chorus. The vocal was recorded early in 2015, but did not sound quite right. Various layers were added but still it didn't sound how it was intended to sound. A backing singer "Rosewb" was hired to record a backing vocal which she delivered with aplomb and gives the vocal more depth and contrasts Breezys' dulcit monotones.
2. Ikosikaioctagon: The name of a 28 sided polygon and the second track on the album. Ikosikaioctagon was the first of the original tracks created for the album. The album version is an edited version of the original which came in at a whopping 9 minutes plus. An uptempo number, plodding bassline and drum, melodic synth and a sequence.
3. The last throws of Summer: Started on a late, sunny September evening in 2015, on my I-pad, having been messing around with an app. called "Garageband" The track is made up of 3 x synths, an electric piano, acoustic guitar and 2 drum kits as well as the bass. I was absolutely blown away with the results on the app and the track was immediately saved and completed on the PC.
4. Alco-rhythm: The first offshoot from the previous 2 albums, Alco-rhythm has a rhythmic, pulsing intro, throbbing percussion and kick drum section. Dirty undertones and fx. The track is the morning after the night before. Dry mouth, head throbbing, random memories of the previous nights misdemeanours, other peoples, of course. I didn't!? Did I!?
5. The problem: Back to "Garageband" for track 5, 2 sequence basses here and a plethora of synthiness! The track has a written vocal, but after several attempts the sound never quite matched the track itself. What was that vocal?
"Everywhere that we go
Everyone that we see
says the problem with you
is that you're here with me.
While I can see their point
and I see what they see,
the problem with me is
that I disagree"
"Everywhere that we go
Everyone that we see
says the problem with you
is that you're here with me.
While I can see their point
and I see what they see,
the problem with me is
that I disagree"
6. Home: Downbeat little number, created from the aftermath of "What you looking at?" The track itself is meant to give the listener that feeling you have when you get home after a crap day at work. You're on the wine, in your armchair, the takeaway has been ordered "Thank goodness that's over, aaaah!"
7. Paraphenalia: A homage to "Das Spiegel" by the "Chemical Brothers", you should give it a listen. Again from the bits and pieces of the earlier albums.
8. Magnum O-plus: Overly oppulent, and dramatic piece, cymbal crashes and the like. Almost orchestral in places. Magnum Opus being a crowning glory, or a masterpiece, this track originally had a working title of "Magnum hopeless" The title was changed to protect the innocent. Again leftovers were used for this one.
9. Machinery Marching: The long awaited sequel to 2008s' "Machinery rising" This time, the machines are on the move. The track starts with a cyber-chant, (Possibly just invented a word & I'm going to throw a question mark against that hyphen too) the chant is from the mainframe instructing its' minions to begin their march, a sort of binary version of "tenshun! By the left, MARCH!" Having eventually absorbed enough power from the dying sun, the machines are moving their key strategic pieces into position. Targets determined they move swiftly and with purpose ready to strike............to be continued...
10. Remember: Where did I leave my house piano??? Ohhhhhh.....I remember, there it is! A return to more familiar form, you remember, a bit of dance, synth pop? Here it is in all it's glory! The penultimate track to be completed for the album and made from all new components. The little tinkle bell that pops up about halfway through is there purely to remind the listener to remember. You know, just ringing a bell.
11. Slapdash: The title for this one had been long time coming, and finally a track that deserved the title! Grainy synth and sequences, deep bass and electric guitar. Then of course "Che-cha!" The guitar had started out on "Underground" but was discarded at some point and then resurrected on this track. Che-cha!!!!
12. It's not just thrown together: Another track from the I-pad and ironically, he said allowing himself a little chuckle, it WAS just thrown together. The title is another one of those phrases you hear and seemed appropriate. Again this one also has a vocal, although it does not appear on this version.
"Here, going hell for leather
Here, at the end of my tether
Here, in all kinds of weather,
At least it's not just thrown together" You can join in, if you like!
"Here, going hell for leather
Here, at the end of my tether
Here, in all kinds of weather,
At least it's not just thrown together" You can join in, if you like!
13. The Maharajahs' Banquet (Lunchtime special edit): For many years a Bhangra/Bollywood style track had always been on the agenda, but somehow never materialised. Having messed about with an "Oriental" sample pack, this dream was on the verge of being fulfilled. We've got Bansuri & sitar and stuff all going on. Needless to say, the "Lunchtime special" isn't the only thing on the menu.
14. Spore: In Biology, a spore is a unit of asexual reproduction that may be adopted for dispersal and for survival, often for extended periods of time, in unfavourable conditions. Well, that's wiki for you. However in this case no Breezy album would be complete without the usual "experimental" final track. "28" is no exception, "Spore" takes some wierd effects, pads, filters and twists and turns them. Chucks in a random percussion which then loops on itself. Then finishes with a rather strange dull throbbing, mmmmm......dull throb......
