It's almost two years since Nigel Rushbrook sent me the four provisionally titled tracks which now comprise "Orbit and Shine".
"I wanted to introduce my music to you" he wrote.
I've been waiting for this lovely moment, where I get to share this wonder with you ever since then. I could hear the virtuosity pretty instantly - as will you. I honestly think this is some of the best classicist synth (or Berlin School) music I've ever heard. And I've heard a lot. It's certainly the best I've heard for the last two years and the initial feedback from subscribers has confirmed that I'm not alone in finding this album absolutely sublime.
Based in Cornwall, Nigel has been doing this for a few years now and with typical charm describes his music as "retro-styled synth music, with something of a folkish air and a punkish attitude (and I hope a unique take on the genre.) It's more along the lines of Kl(aüs) than Concretism..."
Well quite! The provisional titles were Ghostly Pace / Harbour Lights / Steel Rails / Orbit and Shine.
We got everything mastered by CiS mainstay, Antony Ryan at RedRedPaw who did his (un)usual miracles and called on Sir Nick Taylor for the sleeve and insert. The luminescent patterned ideas were Nigel's (and are common across his work) and Nick did what he always does by producing work that is better that the best you could hope for or imagine. The pressing is by my current favourite pressing plant who are by some distance the best I've ever worked with. The resulting album is pretty much perfect, I think.
Nigel explains, "The title is from Yoko Ono and although it seems superficially 'spacey' it actually refers to emotional connections. That's what I hope to achieve - emotional music, and psychological space, with a bit of astronomy. There's train travel, relationship stuff, hints at folk song, utter despair at the world... the usual stuff... I record direct to two-track, and edit down on DAW from there - so there is still a live feel to the music."
I've been screenshotting some of the initial feedback to Nigel and he's pretty blown away by the response. Please do keep it coming.
I'm obviously working with him on the next record, but don't wait that long! You can visit the Fluxus bandcamp at
fluxus-music.bandcamp.com/music and get more of this wonderful music.
released May 13, 2023
Nigel Rushbrook - Synthesisers, composition, recording, production.
Mastering by Antony at RedRedPaw.
Artwork by Nick Taylor
spectral-studio.co.uk