Technician album: Digital Dreaming
Release date: January 1992 (Nimbus Records), 1999 (MP3.COM D.A.M. CD)
Number of tracks: 24 (12+12 on D.A.M.CDs) [Total Playing time 66:38]


Notes:

This 24 track compilation represents the first *CD* album release of Technician music. At the time, Technician's catalog consisted of about 300 recordings, accumulated since 1982 and previously released only as singles or demos. The 24 tracks were selected as a "first choice" collection of the highest quality and most diverse compositions finished at the time. To maximize cost effectivity, the CD was completely filled with over 70 minutes of music. Mastered and replicated by Nimbus records, only about 1450 units were replicated, serialized, and packaged for sale and promotion. A simple cover photo, tray card and track sheet were created for the original CD, which are much different than the later D.A.M. CD artwork images shown below. These high-quality glass mastered CDs are still available from the artist for under $10 each, plus applicable tax (in CA) and shipping. Online ordering is also available in the JCMDI eStore! Please e-mail the artist prior to ordering if you are outside the USA.

Much later, in 1999, an online version of the album was created using MP3.COM's on-demand manufacturing system called "Digital Automatic Music" ("D.A.M."). Due to the D.A.M. CD format, all 24 tracks would not fit on one CD, so the album was split into 2 parts. New artwork (shown below) was created for each D.A.M. CD. Unfortunately, D.A.M. CDs were burned using 128Kb rate MP3 source files, which resulted in so-so sound quality. Later 192Kb versions improved sound quality somewhat but neither compared with the high quality 44.1khz replicated CDs.

Many of the early recordings were named for the dreams they induced when falling asleep while listening to them. The same dream was frequently induced by some tracks, while no dreams were induced (or at least remembered) by other tracks. Those "dreamless" tracks were named instead for the idea or image that influenced the recording.

Content:
Sorry - no media yet 01 [3:02] Digital Dreaming
Nice new-age electronic tune. (Composed in Winter, 1988)

Watch the music video on YouTube02 [2:40] Midnight
Warm synth melody with an active bassline and rhythm. (Composed in Fall, 1988)

Sorry - no media yet 03 [1:56] Runaway
Energetic synth tune. Lots of drum and bass action. (Composed in Fall, 1988)

Sorry - no media yet 04 [4:03] All Night
Vocorder vocals, slow and mellow "love" type song. (Composed in Fall, 1988)

Sorry - no media yet 05 [2:31] Flight of the Gazelle
Congas and percussion highlight this lively tune. (Composed in July, 1988)

Watch the music video on YouTube06 [2:31] The Hunt
Tribal rhythms with a lively synth melody. (Composed in July, 1988)

Sorry - no media yet 07 [3:23] The New Trial
Lively and upbeat with tons of synth action. (Composed in June, 1988)

Watch the music video on YouTube08 [3:35] A New Age
Nice lively new-age style tune. (Composed in June, 1988)

Sorry - no media yet 09 [1:53] Electric Roundup
Energetic and melodic; with an *almost* country flavor! (Composed in June, 1988)

Sorry - no media yet 10 [3:13] Ocean Drive
Warm synth tune with light percussion. (Composed in June, 1988)

Sorry - no media yet 11 [3:07] Under Way
Another nice lively synth tune. New age style. (Composed in July, 1988)

Watch the music video on YouTube12 [3:28] Jolly People
A "happy" upbeat swing-type tune, with a unique rhythm. (Composed in July, 1988)

Sorry - no media yet 13 [1:56] Timewalk
Interesting tune with lots of beat and melody. (Composed in Fall, 1988)

Sorry - no media yet 14 [1:53] Wind Down
Upbeat active beat and melody. (Composed in Winter, 1988)

Watch the music video on YouTube15 [2:15] Darkness
Dark and erie synth tune with interesting percussion and melody. (Composed in May, 1989)

Sorry - no media yet 16 [2:43] Ragtime
Mellow and interesting synth tune. (Composed in March, 1989)

Sorry - no media yet 17 [2:22] Space Horn
New-age style tune. Nice and mellow. (Composed in January, 1989)

Watch the music video on YouTube18 [2:59] On the Prowl
Dark and erie, but still a mellow and interesting tune. (Composed in May, 1989)

Sorry - no media yet 19 [2:45] Spring II
Light and upbeat melody with nice synth instruments. (Composed in May, 1989)

Watch the music video on YouTube20 [2:50] Blue Sky
Another nice upbeat synth tune. Lotsa of action. (Composed in June, 1989)

Watch the music video on YouTube21 [4:27] Brenda's Song
Jazzy synth tune with sax, marimba and harmonica. (Composed in December, 1987)

Sorry - no media yet 22 [3:31] Song of the Surf
Nice new-age tune with surf crashing in the background. (Composed in Winter, 1987)

Watch the music video on YouTube23 [2:22] Hotfoot Polka
A fast synth tune. Very lively melody and bassline. Not a polka at ALL! (Composed in Summer, 1988)

Watch the music video on YouTube24 [1:13] The Voice
Mellow, erie and spacious. nice slow ending tune. (Composed in Winter, 1988)

Note: Most of the YouTube videos contain only a portion of the full-length CD audio track.

Tracks are entirely instrumental, except for Track 4, "All Night's Gonna Be Long". The lyrics, sung through a Roland Vocorder, are shown here.

[Chorus]
All night's gonna be long [repeats]
I waited for you
It was a half-past twelve
But you're gone
I don't mind waiting
But not over and over, alone

When you're out hangin' with friends
At a party or the mall
Window shoppin' all day
You know that I'm alone
(You don't miss me at all)
I sit at home
With the television on
Cookin' dinner, cleanin' house
Walkin' rover or I'm on the phone

Note: Original MP3.COM case artwork for reference only - not included in this CD release. See photos of CD package for current artwork. Images of the CD Case Artwork, inner booklet, as released on MP3.COM in 2 parts (it wouldn't all fit on one D.A.M. CD!)
Click for full-sized image Click for full-sized image
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e-mail contact: jcm @ jcmdi.com

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