Tom Middleton 'Lifetracks' album

Over the last 15 years Tom Middleton has earned an enviable reputation as a producer, composer, DJ, compiler and one of the most original minds to emerge from the dance revolution of the early 90s. Through his productions, notable remixes (including Prince, Coldplay, and Jamiroquai) and legendary DJ sets, Tom has traveled to the farthest corners of sound. His recordings as AMBA, Cosmos, Global Communication and The Jedi Knights (alongside Mark Pritchard) have consistently broken new ground in electronic music, and set the standard that others rarely reach.

Lifetracks is his debut solo album and his most ambitious project to date: in addition to the recorded music, Lifetracks exists as an audio visual performance, created in collaboration with visual artists Nick Hillel (Yeast) and Ben Mason (Red Dog), and musicians including Tom's longterm collaborators The Bays. This is an intensely personal project for Tom, so over to him for more on the history, inspirations and ambitions behind Lifetracks:

"On my birthday in 1992 I had the notion of exploring ‘pure emotions in sound’. This became the driving force behind the Global Communication project, which I developed with Mark Pritchard. Our debut album “76:14” was declared an ambient classic of the decade, voted the best soundtrack for lovemaking(!), and in part inspired Pete Lawrence and Katrina Larkin to host the first Big Chill festival in Wales.

After the final Global Communication release on Dedicated in 1998, I needed a new outlet for the ‘emotions in sound’ concept. I spent New Years Eve ‘98/99 in Cornwall by the coast with a friend and we witnessed a breathtaking lunar phenomenon, a 22º Halo, ten times the size of the full moon. We headed down to beach and lay in the dunes mesmerized by the giant glowing white ring in the night sky.

I felt compelled to turn the experience into music. This first track “Moonbathing,” heralded the birth of Lifetracks. 'Moonbathing' was originally released under the pseudonym AMBA - the name means Mother in Indian and is dedicated to the memory of my Mum, a classical pianist and ballerina who I’ve clearly inherited my musicality and love of dance music from.

It’s been an ongoing personal project since then, running quietly in the background. There’s been no need to shout about Lifetracks. Those who have witnessed the live shows will testify to the emotional power of the music.

Eno, Vangelis and Tomita are big inspirations, but you’ll pick up references to romantic impressionist and soundtrack composers; Ravel, Debus s y, Satie, Vaughn Williams and Steve Reich to Ennio Mor ricone, John Bar r y, Thomas Newman, John Williams and Craig Arms trong for example. In the same breath I’d name check the likes of electronica producers The Boards Of Canada, Black Dog, Zero 7, Air, Mas sive Attack and The Orb. Additionally the music is fused with the melody and emotion of Pat Metheny, Herbie Hancock, U2, The Police and Prince. Classical, Electronica, Jazz and Pop, all clues to my musical personality and those apparent subconscious influences.

Tom absorbed the above influences, but has also influenced many notable electronic producers early in their career. He has been compelled by their unique talents and helped them reach a wider audience. The list includes Richard D. James a.k.a. Aphex Twin (DJ’d together in Cornwall and secured his debut release on Mighty Force Records), Matthew Herbert (Performed and collaborated together on a few releases on the Cheeky Chunes imprint. Mark Pritchard and Middleton signed his debut and subsequent Wishmountain releases to their Universal Language imprint), and Ul rich Schauss (Middleton introduced his music to a wider audience through compilations and to his manager to help further his career).

The current technology allows me to compose on a laptop literally anywhere I want; train, beach, up a mountain, using a virtual ‘orchestra and 5 piece band’. It’s incredibly liberating not being tied down to a traditional studio environment anymore. Whenever and wherever I feel creative or inspired to express myself I can. I composed Sea Of Glass looking down at the ocean from 38,000 feet en route to Japan from Australia.

The whole album is the soundtrack to my life since ’99. Hence the title. Every person, location, journey, sensual and emotional experience forms part of what this music is.

Cornwall is a great source for me, having spent the best part of my childhood there. There are some obvious, literal references to specific locations where, in the case of St Ives Bay for example, you can witness breathtaking panoramic views from Godrevy Head. The track is evocative of a blustery winters day by the sea, much more dramatic than a typical picture perfect cloudless sunny day!

Last summer saw the debut live performance at the Big Chill Eastnor featuring a full 21 piece live band and string ensemble led by Zero 7’s Sally Herbert, my chums The Bays, Tom Szirtes and Charlie Casey. This year I have developed the project further into AV, collaborating with visual artists Nick Hillel (Yeast) and Ben Mason (Red Dog) with the aim of live shows at the NFT in June and Big Chill in August to be followed by a tour. There are plans for the album release to be followed by a DVD.

'Lifetracks provides me with the music that’s missing in my life."

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Tom Middleton - Lifetracks