Hi Rob

On the LCMM Research Newsletter Scripsit Issue 8 February 2004, under Dennis Leigh, John Foxx himself writes:

"I began final stage production work on a new CD album of recordings and co-compositions with Harold Budd.
I began recording of Musique Electron an abstract electronic music recording for CD release in 2005.
I started work on a new digital audiovisual projection project, Grey Suit Music."

We have already seen the release this year of Musique Electron or a form of it. Grey Suit Music has recently been mentioned in an interview re Anne Clark (see Herbert´s post under John Foxx). That only leaves his work with Harold in abeyance. Could this be one of the collaborations that John has hinted on this very recent interview?

Chris C

John's mentioned a number of collaborations - see this previous News item for more information.

Rob

John also hinted at a possible third album of material culled from the Translucence/Drift Music sessions.

I'm also eagerly awaiting the long-hinted-at collab between John and Karl Bartos.

I've not heard of any progress on the collaboration with Karl Bartos but I think John and Karl doing music together would have an interesting outcome.

For me Drift Music/Translucence is OK but I'm not keen on hearing any "outtakes" from the original recording sessions.
Peter

From what I understand, metal beat, the material from the Translucence/Drift Music sessions was recorded in bits and pieces. John and Harold then decided which tracks best fit the mood of the CDs. The remaining material likely possesses a different tone than the other two CDs; it's likely an album unto itself, not a collection of leftovers or outtakes.

I'd be glad to buy a third CD of that material. Very glad.

Same here. I own most of Harold's albums, but these two are probably my favorites. I find them perfect for rainy afternoon drives out in the Texas Hill Country. I don't have many friends.

Maybe I'm getting confused here, but I thought Harold Budd had "retired"? Of course, this could just mean that he's retired from making new music, rather than having old material released.

I've always wondered why "Translucence" and "Drift Music" were packaged together, when they are so different.

Especially if there is a third album's worth of material somewhere around.

Anyone else wondered the same, or know why this was done?

I noticed it, too. Maybe John and Harold liked the contrast between the two albums. Each CD has its own distinct identity. I prefer Drift Music by just a smidgen, though. My one criticism of Translucence is that the piano notes are just a little jarring from time to time; when the music begins to lull me, a piano note snaps me out of it. It's still a lovely album.

Oh, and Herbert, I'm pretty sure Budd did retire in 2005. These sessions, however, were recorded a good year earlier.

Good heavens, it just seems like yesterday when that news bulletin went out... October 2005??!! Where is time going?!

Harold did indeed retire but I know for sure he has since made another album with Robin Guthrie which is due soon.

See Robin's blog at:

http://pulp.orangephotography.com/robin/

from 24 November 2006's entry backwards.

I may be wrong here Herbert but, as I understood it, Harold effected only a Glenn Gould-like retirement from performing live.

Regards,

Scott