Let the fun begin…I’ll have these on while working this evening.

Paul Van Dyk - Live at Rosenmontags Rave

Paul Van Dyk - Live at Kinki Palace

Paul Van Dyk - Dance Department 2007 Live Session

Paul Van Dyk - DJ Times Short List

Paul Van Dyk - Live at Escape

Since 2003 the RIAA has sued roughly 35,000 people for allegedly downloading/swapping music on line, and in the process, the Recording Industry Association of America made enemies of the general public.  I mean, what better way to get consumers to buy your product than suing them?

One large problem with the lawsuits was the manner in which the RIAA targeted individuals. Generally, the RIAA went after people based on an Internet Protocol address (IP) and Internet service provider.  Sometimes, however, the information the RIAA based lawsuits on was incorrect…  For example, in April of 2006 a family that had no computer was the target of suit.  Even when evidence pointed to the contrary, they still continued with their legal action.

It appears the industry trade group has realized the error of their ways – the are going to call off mass lawsuits in hopes of having someone else do their dirty work.  Moving forward the RIAA will work in cooperation with Internet service providers to stop  music piracy.    

Depending on the agreement, the ISP will either forward the note to customers, or alert customers that they appear to be uploading music illegally, and ask them to stop. If the customers continue the file-sharing, they will get one or two more emails, perhaps accompanied by slower service from the provider. Finally, the ISP may cut off their access altogether. 

While not debating the right and wrong of illegal file sharing, the lawsuits brought by the RIAA were extreme by just about any standard, and there is actual is actually evidence that file sharing does not cause sales to decline.  What bothers me about this new approach is that the ISP is now playing the part of Internet censor.

This approach places corporation in a role that decides what is right and wrong for the users who utilize their service.  What if a phone company decided to place a filter on all calls and prevent individuals from saying specific words?  Imagine your phone service being disabled because you said the world “socialist”, how would you feel then?

There is no easy answer to address the problem of illegal file sharing, and the RIAA made a wise decision to move away from lawsuits, but I fear this may open a whole new abuse of power by organizations.

About a month ago I made mention that process of producing my next effort, an ambient / dub / abstract album.  As of 11/18/2008 I had 7 tracks in various forms of production, and I even released 3 of the demos, but production on this album has come to a halt.

Why?  Because of my mentality.

When I am producing ambient / dub, I have to be in a certain frame of mind.   That is not to say I have to be “happy”, but I cannot really be off my game or I simply don’t care about making music that would make me relax.  Actually, all ideas – all inspiration for any ambient production – simply vanishes.  Instead, what I wanted to develop is aggressive, hard, electronic music.   

So, for the last three weeks I have been focusing on another project – under another name (not trying to be super secretive, but it will come out later).  As of now it really has a life of its own.  I have nothing specific in mind, but it’s turning out to be music that is highly aggressive but engaging at the very same time.

To give you an idea, I’ve already released the first demo track, titled “Enhanced”. I find that my ability to produce music of this nature comes very easily when I am in this state of mind. Once I have everything down, a little bit of polish during the re-write portion of production will allow me to have some outstanding tracks.

More to come!

It’s time for a break from talking about the state of Business and complaining about my ills….  and the “foot in the brain” picture….  So, it’s video time.

Here we have Meat Beat Manifesto’s Spinning Round Dub video, directed by artist Richard Borge.

Just to point out, Richard Borge is any outstanding artist. I have followed his work since the around 95 and hope to, one day, get one of his originals. You should jump over to his site and take a look around.

Time for a quick break, here is the video for New Order’s Krafty.

This was one of the best songs they put on in YEARS. Love it.

Need a moment out from the morning?  Here is The Chemical Brother’s “The Golden Path”.

I wonder what the video is getting at…

Well, with the things I have experienced the last few days I took my energy and focused on a new track - but it is for another project, not the one I had been working on the the last month.

Here you go: JP/VMS - Enhanced (Demo)

As with all other Demos this is not mastered and is in no way the final product. Rather, this is 6 hours of getting the form and structure down for the rewrite.   Some studio notes…

1) Need to change the lead guitar (maybe)
2) Remove the reverb/echo on backing hit
3) Rearrange lead synth, keep pattern
4) Shorten the high hats echo
5) Remove 32 beats from break, 32 beat from second lead, remove 32 beats from end

All things considered, for just sitting down in a few hours and putting something together, this is not bad at all.  With some polish this has a lot of potential.

Sweet - here is the tracklisting for Erasure’s “Pop Remixed”, which is coming out on 2/9/09:

1. Always (2009 Mix)
2. Victim Of Love (Komputer Remix)
3. Freedom (Mark Pichiotti - Strumapella Remix)
4. Drama! (Andy Bell & JC Remix)
5. A Little Respect (Avantara Remix)
6. Fingers & Thumbs (Cold Summer’s Day) (Sound Factory Remix)
7. Ship Of Fools (Soil In The Synth Remix)
8. Always (MHC Remix)
9. Chorus (Electronic Periodic Remix)
10. Stop! (Vince Clarke Sync 82 Remix)

Found this on a message board this evening - Meat Beat Manifesto Live at Maritime Hall in 1997.

The sound quality is quite nice, 11 tracks in total.

(as always, I have no connection to this upload - it was found via search engines and patience)

Below you will find a rather cool video to The Orb’s “From a Distance”. The version used in the video is not the same as the album version.

If anyone has info on where to get this version, please email me.