March 12, 2021

RAY CATHODE

New release: A limited-edition vinyl release from Dublab brings back two rare tracks by George Martin. Before producer George Martin started working with The Beatles, he was exploring the studio and new techniques in order to find new sounds. Even developing Parlophone's catalog of experimental comedy recordings was unconventional. Martin was a guy who thought outside the box -a quality that would later prove useful when making Beatles records. But in early 1962, shortly before the Fabs appeared at EMI studios on Abbey Road, Martin was pursuing an interesting little project with Maddalena Fagandini from the BBC Radiophonic Workshop to create some electronic tracks. They each took turns providing melody to the other's electronic rhythms and built up two tracks. The results were "Time Beat" and "Waltz in Orbit," released in April (Parlophone 45-R 4901). For their label credit, the artists chose the whimsical moniker, Ray Cathode. It was the first commercial release, I believe, associated with the Radiophonic Workshop. By June that year, Martin's calendar started to fill up with Beatles projects. Fagandini continued to compose and also worked as a producer, director, and writer on programs like The Guest, Music Now, and Look and Read. Interestingly, Paul McCartney would later visit Delia Derbyshire and Brian Hodgson at Peter Zinovieff's studio and had toyed with the idea of a Radiophonic version of his tune, "Michelle." Derbyshire's group Unit Delta Plus were featured at the Roundhouse events in early 1967, where McCartney presented his experimental piece, "Carnival of Light" (never released commercially). Dublab will be pressing a limited run of 100 copies of the "Ray Cathode" single. Release date is May 1st. More info Here. This release is already sold out, but Spy Vibers can hear the music on Youtube. Check out "Waltz in Orbit" below. It's my fave of the two recordings. The track has an interesting time signature that reminds me of Dave Brubeck. See what you think. Enjoy! Spy Vibers might also enjoy my episode of the Cocktail Nation Radio show from Australia featuring Radiophonic artist John Baker's music from Vendetta (Link Here).



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