LOOT - 2017
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So, right at the beginning of 2016, the album, Vice:virtue was released and it was time to start work on album number 20. The concept of "Loot" was already determined, as was the title, all that was needed was the music.
As is usual for Breezy productions, there were several bits of tracks, unused from previous albums and Loot was no different. "Ill gotten gains" was already in advanced stages and "Wild card" was born from a "Vice:virtue" cast off.
In the spring of 2016 further tracks were added and it was full speed ahead for the album, with a planned release date of early 2017.
Then in the Summer of 2016 - Dubrovnik happened, and the progress of Loot was marooned, temporarily at least.
Simultaneously the "All that glitters..." project had been given the green light, with a 12 month deadline for completion, and with only stories & images to, initially, work with, Loot was pushed back a whole 12 months. Fortunately, more bits and pieces were discarded from the two projects and found their way onto Loot. "Uncharted territory" was the original piece for Aquamarine, Just sayin' started out as Ruby and Tabasco fiasco began life as a rough draft for Emerald.
Finally the album was completed in the Autumn of 2017, which then clashed with the back catalogue release of "The law of unintended consequences" Ironically, "Loot", with the exception of Lifestyle, had the longest production time of any Breezy album, a completely unintended consequence!
Unsurprisingly, the album art is based around pirates and treasure. As with "All that glitters..." the CD insert is a foldout, rather than a booklet and features a fictitious treasure map on the rear, with a cryptic reference to the 13 album tracks.
As is usual for Breezy productions, there were several bits of tracks, unused from previous albums and Loot was no different. "Ill gotten gains" was already in advanced stages and "Wild card" was born from a "Vice:virtue" cast off.
In the spring of 2016 further tracks were added and it was full speed ahead for the album, with a planned release date of early 2017.
Then in the Summer of 2016 - Dubrovnik happened, and the progress of Loot was marooned, temporarily at least.
Simultaneously the "All that glitters..." project had been given the green light, with a 12 month deadline for completion, and with only stories & images to, initially, work with, Loot was pushed back a whole 12 months. Fortunately, more bits and pieces were discarded from the two projects and found their way onto Loot. "Uncharted territory" was the original piece for Aquamarine, Just sayin' started out as Ruby and Tabasco fiasco began life as a rough draft for Emerald.
Finally the album was completed in the Autumn of 2017, which then clashed with the back catalogue release of "The law of unintended consequences" Ironically, "Loot", with the exception of Lifestyle, had the longest production time of any Breezy album, a completely unintended consequence!
Unsurprisingly, the album art is based around pirates and treasure. As with "All that glitters..." the CD insert is a foldout, rather than a booklet and features a fictitious treasure map on the rear, with a cryptic reference to the 13 album tracks.
1. What could possibly go wrong?: The first track, more often than not, is blessed with a long intro and here we have no exception. Slow synth and tappy percussion bring the track in, this section anchors the whole track and makes regular appearances throughout. Interspersed throughout with more synths and a deep bass, the track ebbs and flows, begging the question What could possibly go wrong? The track also has a shortened edit, which does not appear on the album.
2. Just sayin': The album continues through calmer waters with track 2. Just sayin' has an almost jazzy feel to it. It starts with a choppy intro which, retrospectively, although completely co-incidental could, have appeared on "All that glitters...". Indeed that eastern sound was originally an idea for "The explorer and the Emporer".
A laid back drum and percussion set, smooth bass and a lounge style mallet further add to the jazzy nature of the track.....JUST SAYIN'
A laid back drum and percussion set, smooth bass and a lounge style mallet further add to the jazzy nature of the track.....JUST SAYIN'
3. HSM (Highly suspicious motives): The album tempo increases on track 3, as our voyage into the unknown continues. A very sinister sounding synth starts the track. A deep brooding bass and a squeaky sequence bring tension to the track. A sense of plotting, sneaking and general underhand dealings come in through the shaky pad, before a very 80's sounding synth is added. The track breaks down as the plot is finally realised and the game is finally afoot as all elements come together for the climactic finish. The track ends as the aftermath of the previous events are realised. Highly suspicious indeed.
4. Ill gotten gains: If the album had been compiled by timeline, this would have been track 1. The track has been laying around the Breezy music vault for a few years and was originally first created around the time of "28". The main element of the track being the vocal sample "I'm just a dirty sound, a dirty, dirty sound".
Unfortunately the track didn't make "28", and was subsequently deemed unsuitable for "Vice:virtue". Then with the surprise EP, Dubrovnik and the concept album "All that glitters..." it was further pushed back before finally getting its' chance.
An unusual track a lot going on, but it is the vocal that gives the track it's distinctive sound. Quirky percussion and that distorted whistle effect giving it an off-beat vibe. All kinds of other effects are thrown in, strange futuristic noises and distorted sequences playing off against each. A very dirty sound?
Unfortunately the track didn't make "28", and was subsequently deemed unsuitable for "Vice:virtue". Then with the surprise EP, Dubrovnik and the concept album "All that glitters..." it was further pushed back before finally getting its' chance.
An unusual track a lot going on, but it is the vocal that gives the track it's distinctive sound. Quirky percussion and that distorted whistle effect giving it an off-beat vibe. All kinds of other effects are thrown in, strange futuristic noises and distorted sequences playing off against each. A very dirty sound?
5. Mimesis: Always pencilled in for the 5th track, the working title of this track was "Dortmund". To this day it isn't really known why. Soothing bass, perky sequence and steady snare drum all come together with a subtle guitar riff.
Once again the use of the pad, gives the track some depth and this simplicity gives a calmness against the insanity of the previous track. The track also has an extended remixed version, "The copycat mix", currently not available on the album.
Once again the use of the pad, gives the track some depth and this simplicity gives a calmness against the insanity of the previous track. The track also has an extended remixed version, "The copycat mix", currently not available on the album.
6. Brickle stick: After the serenity that was "Mimesis" we come to Brickle stick, another mish mash of styles. This track has a constant scratch effect and a hip-hop style Drum 'n' bass combo. The track is flooded with all kinds of unusual effects and a sampled horn. The track ends with a siren and another sampled vocal "Putting it on wax". This track IS the experimental track often found at the end of the album.
7. Psychopomp: Back to the timeline, and the title for this little number was born from researching "Vice:virtue". Whilst reading up on the 7 deadly sins, all kinds of information was uncovered on fallen angels and passage to the underworld. The psychopomp ferries the souls of the dead to the underworld and this character can be found in many different forms of religion, myth and legend.
A dark brooding, plodding track, the idea mainly being the Greek take on the psychopomp. The ferryman of Hades, Charon, takes payment for passage to the underworld and begins the journey across the rivers Styx and Acheron, which divide the worlds of the living and the dead.
A dark brooding, plodding track, the idea mainly being the Greek take on the psychopomp. The ferryman of Hades, Charon, takes payment for passage to the underworld and begins the journey across the rivers Styx and Acheron, which divide the worlds of the living and the dead.
8. Tabasco fiasco: While trying to create a "latino" sound for "The mysterious island of Lokrum" from the "Dubrovnik EP", a variety of guitar and horn combos were tinkered with, and from those tinkerings the beginnings of this track were formed. Many variations were created and more can be found on the "Queen of Muzo" too.
Strumming meditteranean strings and latino horns come together, chuck in some castanets and there you go.
It is also the first track since "Chronic Ironic" to feature a rhyming song title too.
Strumming meditteranean strings and latino horns come together, chuck in some castanets and there you go.
It is also the first track since "Chronic Ironic" to feature a rhyming song title too.
9. Smelling of roses: A more traditional Breezy music offering here. A dance track, an uplifting, upbeat number. A nice synth melody to start and a pulsing drum and bass combo. The use of electric guitar is evident, forming the back drop. Add in the swirling pad and choppy sequence, before the track finally comes together with all the elements you'd find on a Breezy track.
10. Spider and fly: Initially track one potential, thus that long intro, however the end result was deemed a little too "bangin'" for track 1 and was pushed back. Another Breezy standard, synths, sequences, pumping bass, thudding drum and simplistic percussion all going off at once. This is another track that receives the extended treatment "The big bug mix" is out there somewhere but does not feature on this album.
11. Blah blah blah: Here's an "All that glitters..." cast off. A massive eastern influence again, almost went in as the track for "Diamond", but that story required something a little more dynamic.
The main sections of the track a pretty much in tact, with the exception of that dark vocal. Not really sure if it's "Acid"? , "Asset"?, "I said!? or something else, thus "Blah blah blah"
The main sections of the track a pretty much in tact, with the exception of that dark vocal. Not really sure if it's "Acid"? , "Asset"?, "I said!? or something else, thus "Blah blah blah"
12. Wild card: This track title had been sat about for sometime, as well as that choppy bass the track opens with and the almost distorted processed vocal you hear from about a third in. The rest of the track, drum, synth and the like were all added earlier this year. Possibly one of the longest tracks ever to make from start to finish.
13. Uncharted territory: Finally our journey comes to an end as we sail into uncharted territory. A downbeat ambient number, born from the initial ideas for "Aquamarine" on "All that glitters..."
A slow drawn out pad, slow keys and guitar as well as a discreet chugging sequence, suggesting caution. Yet, throughout the piece, an alarm like synth punch gives a sense of forboding, what's next?, what's coming? That alarm never quite leaves the piece and those questions can also be asked of "Breezy"
What's next??.....................watch this space
A slow drawn out pad, slow keys and guitar as well as a discreet chugging sequence, suggesting caution. Yet, throughout the piece, an alarm like synth punch gives a sense of forboding, what's next?, what's coming? That alarm never quite leaves the piece and those questions can also be asked of "Breezy"
What's next??.....................watch this space
