Blogs

This is a project I was asked to do at my son's school in Hackney.
I asked the children in his class (7-8 year olds) to bring in a sound made either with an object or their body.
I recorded each sound individually in groups of 5 or 6 children, and then composed a short piece of music using these sounds.
I used examples such as John Cage and The KLF to explain how music can be thought of in lots of different ways, and also to how we should appreciate the sounds around us.
While we were recording in a separate room, the rest of the class listened to Holst's 'The Planets' and drew amazing coloured pictures in response to the music. They also drew a picture to represent each of their individual sounds.

Please check out the Facebook page to find out more: http://www.facebook.com/GrasmereSounds

Also check out this great John Cage resource at Artsy.net

You can have a listen to the five short pieces of music here:

The remix for I did for Akio Dobashi was released this week in Japan.

Here is a link to iTunes:
http://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/id522322228

For those that don't know, Akio used to be in a famous band called Rebecca. I met him whilst DJing in Tokyo with my friend Terry Washizu a few years ago, and Akio recently did a great remix of my Thousand Knives track.

The song I've remixed is from his new album entitled 'Best of All Time' and features the great vocals of Juline. The legendary Bluey from Incognito also plays guitar on it!

You can check Akio's website for more info about him and his projects. He has made a promo video to go with my remix which you can see below!

Here's a brand new video from an artist I have been working with for the last few years.
The demos that I produced led to him getting a deal with Rocket Management and then Deconstruction Records. This is the first single..

I produced and played on the initial version, and then top producer Dan Grech added his magic..

It's being released next month, with the album to follow which I have also contributed to.

Please check out Murray's Facebook page for more info..
http://www.facebook.com/murrayjamesmusic

I've just completed a remix for my friend Akio Dobashi. For those that don't know he used to be in a famous band called Rebecca. I met him whilst DJing in Tokyo with my friend Terry Washizu a few years ago, and Akio recently did a great remix of my Thousand Knives track.

The song I've remixed is from his new album entitled 'Best of All Time' and features the great vocals of Juline. The legendary Bluey from Incognito also plays guitar on it!

As soon as I get a release date for this I'll let you know! You can check Akio's website for more deatails on the release.. meanwhile here's the mix..

Here is a track from my forthcoming Ayota album Helicopter Cuts, due for release in April 2012 on Third Ear Records.

Check here for the Discogs entry for the album that was released in Japan a few years ago.
There is also some brand new Ayota material on the way later in the year for release on Primaudial Records.

The Ableton Deep House Arpeggiated Chord Pattern Generator Tutorial video I made for Point Blank Online College has been published in this week's DJ Mag Free online edition.

You can check it out here: https://www.djmag.com/djweekly/. It's DJ Weekly 89.

I'm also attaching the offline version for you to download. You'll find the attachment underneath the picture..

I'm currently developing a brand new course for Point Blank Online Music College. Please take a look at the Promo Video below and also visit the brochure page for detailed info.

Meanwhile here is the blurb....

When producing a track, we've all experienced that point when you can't get any further and need some extra inspiration. Electronic Music Composition (EMC) will help you overcome this obstacle by showing you how to develop the musical aspects of your tracks in an easy to understand way without getting bogged down in scales and theory.

You'll learn how to add hooks, riffs, chords, basslines, melodies, develop your arrangements and work with vocals whilst keeping everything in key so it 'sounds right'.Also, importantly, how to finish your tracks!

We analyze and demonstrate how classic and cutting edge tunes are put together musically to clearly show you the techniques they use so you can implement them in your own tracks. You'll find EMC both engaging and inspiring, just what making music should be.

It's developed by virtuoso keyboardist Ski Oakenfull (solo artist signed to Sony and remixer/producer/writer/player for artists including Incognito, Joey Negro and The Bays). The course contains new presentation techniques that enable you to see exactly what's being played on the keys and what's happening in the software/DAW. This course is compatible with both Ableton Live AND Logic.

You will be able to use these ideas and techniques in your own productions to get that musical buzz you're missing.

Check out the preview and see you in class!

The Ableton Deep Bass Tutorial video I made for Point Blank Online College has been published in this week's DJ Mag Free online edition.

You can check it out here: https://www.djmag.com/djweekly/. It's DJ Weekly 85.

I'm also attaching the offline version for you to download. You'll find the attachment underneath the picture..

The Ableton Looper Tutorial video I made for Point Blank Online College has been published in this week's DJ Mag Free online edition.

You can check it out here: https://www.djmag.com/djweekly/. It's DJ Weekly 83.

I'm also attaching the offline version for you to download. You'll find the attachment underneath the picture..

I'm spending the summer in Japan. I normally come here in spring time to avoid the heat & humidity, so its quite a new experience for me this year. Its much greener, and everything seems to be moving a bit more slowly. Its also impossible to ignore the aftermath of one of Japan's biggest ever disasters, the Tōhoku earthquake & Tsunami that caused so much devastation, physically, emotionally & financially. All summer fireworks displays have been cancelled this year, with all money going to the regions affected. Air conditioning is being switched off to conserve electricity, and people seem worried about radiation which apparently might not be safe for another three years.
So I've started a blog to document my trip. You can view it here:

http://skioakenfulljapan2011.tumblr.com/