Special Recognition Award

As I mentioned in my previous post... I received a special recognition award for my efforts recently > £50 to spend on something special... something I wouldn't normally buy.

I am a huge fan of Ridley Scott's Blade Runner > both the film and the soundtrack > and 2007 is the 25th anniversary of the original film's release... so it kind of made sense to splash out on some art... and boy am I glad.

The boxset is 5 DVDs of audio-visual goodness > 5 (yes FIVE!!!) versions of the film...

1. The definitive 2007 director's cut
2. The original US theatrical release (1982)
3. The original International release (1982)
4. The "director's cut" (1992)
5. A "working cut" edit of deleted footage

plus a fantastic documentary > Dangerous Days > with Ridley Scott et al > a definitive "making of" for fans as well as their wives (yes... Olly isn't that big a fan). I can't wait to watch the final cut... as well as the original International release which I prefer to the rather lame "director's cut".

One of my all time top five fav albums is Vangelis' soundtrack to Blade Runner > it is sheer bliss. Its the album that introduced me to ambient music... electronica... soundtracks... soundscapes... techno... the works. I love it! So you can appreciate how wet my pants (American) were when I discovered that the 25th anniversary celebration included a release of additional music from the film and an "inspired by" CD as part of a 3 disc digipack.

Absolutely awesome... the 2nd disc is a welcome extension of the 1st... most soundscapes from the film from Vangelis. Truly beautiful ambience. The 3rd disc, on the other hand, is something new... different... intriguing. Its like a cross between a "love" remix CD (like the one the Beatles recently released that mashes up and remixes existing material) and something new > as if Vangelis has himself been inspired by the glitchy ambient electro-synthetica of modern times. Lots of "spoken word" samples that help contextualise the work and provide substance > its like hearing sippets... strains of songs... themes in the background as you go about the busy-ness of life. Personally, I love it. Its new and different... and reminds me of 1994 when the original soundtrack was new and different... and yet familiar.

Last... but not least... I was delighted to be able to afford Tom Middleton's debut solo album :: Lifetracks :: I am a huge fan of Tom's... when I grow up I want to be a DJ/Producer like Tom. I have no chance. I am savouring this album... it is full of ambient electronic goodness > spanning an emotional journey for Tom between 1998 and 2007. In some ways... it is a soundtrack to life... not just his > as he has shaped the CD to be. It reminds me of Ulrich Schnauss > upbeat... vibrant... lively... deep... soulful... expressive... contemplative... passive... meaningful. Truly one of the best albums I have heard in a long, long time...



Here's the video to "Shinkansen" to let you get the gist.

I was blessed to receive this award... and I believe I have used the gift wisely... as an uplift and a memorial. I am grateful!

Check them out... if you get the chance... or pop round to mine one evening... and we'll geek out together.