Name: Manhattan Research Inc.
Brand: Raymond Scott

Tax rate EU

Default:19

Supplier EU

Bertus Musikvertrieb

Total Cap

Format detail

Colour details

Discogs ID

Limited edition

Colour

Format Music EU

Extended format

Extended format: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Download code

Download code: No

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Release date

2009-04-01

Format multiplier

Catalogue number

BASTA90782

UPC / Barcode

8712530907828

Artist

Raymond Scott

Label EU

Basta

Genre EU

Electronic

American composer, bandleader, and inventor, Raymond Scott, born on September 10, 1908 in Brooklyn, NY and passed away on February 8, 1994 in North Hills, CA. He was a pioneer of contemporary experimental music.

In 1949, Scott's most significant achievement was the creation of the Electronium - one of the earliest synthesizers ever made. This "instantaneous composing machine" generated original music through random sequences of tones, rhythms, and timbres. Although it lacked a keyboard and wasn't considered a prototype synthesizer by Scott himself, its groundbreaking use of artificial intelligence paved the way for future electronic compositions.

Scott's inventive spirit extended to other creations as well. The "Karloff," an early sampler capable of reproducing various sounds like sizzling steaks or jungle drums; the Clavinox, a keyboard Theremin featuring an electronic sub-assembly designed by Robert Moog; and the Videola which combined a keyboard with a TV screen to aid in composing music for films were among his notable inventions.

During the mid-1960s onwards, Scott shifted his focus from recording and performing to writing and inventing. His last orchestral work was a musical celebrating Kentucky Bourbon's centennial in 1969. From then on he dedicated himself solely to electronic composition. One noteworthy innovation during this period was an early programmable polyphonic

Newest Listed Items

The frivolous chamber jazz of bandleader Raymond Scott lent itself perfectly to cartoon soundtracks ("Dinner Music for a Pack of Hungry Cannibals", anyone?), but, at heart, Scott was a serious composer. His electronic-music forays have been previously documented (the three volumes of Soothing Sounds for Baby), but nothing captures his diverse sound creations as well as Manhattan Research Inc. This previously unreleased collection features Scott's handmade electronics, top-secret creations he'd use to create ambient-sounding commercial jingles, as well as the odd soundtrack with budding filmmaker / Muppeteer Jim Henson. Scott was impossibly ahead of his time: a snippet for "Baltimore Gas and Electric Co." could have been written by Terry Riley; "Limbo: The Organized Mind" is a hint at musique concrete; and 1960's "In the Hall of the Mountain Queen" could easily fit on an Aphex Twin disc. Gorgeous packaging, previously unreleased photos, and liner notes by Irwin Chusid, Robert Moog and others make this a must for fans of electronic music.

Manhattan Research Inc.

Music EU