Weather Report, Miles Davis, Winter Consort, Brian Eno, Stockhausen, ECM, Steve Reich, Philip Glass, Patrick Gleeson, John van Rymenant, and many others who deserve to be honored as well...
Sounds Like
Weather Report, Mark Isham, Paul Winter, Jon Hassell, Kit Watkins, many things, depends on the track...
"I find much contemporary and electronic music suffers from a coldness or soullessness; as a result, I have tried to make mine a more human music, a fusion of synthesized, instrumental, and natural sounds. When composing, I electronically orchestrate each piece into a soundscape. The music is not just a simple mixture, but a genuine synthesis of pan-cultural musical styles. Above all, I want to make my music sing!"
Michael William Gilbert grew up in Connecticut and Brussels, Belgium. It was while living in Europe that he first encountered the music of Varese and Pierre Henry, as well as the musics of India, Africa, and Japan. After studying electrical engineering at MIT, he continued studies in music at the Boston School of Electronic Music, where he later worked as a teacher and designer of custom synthesis systems. He graduated with a degree in music from Hampshire College and shortly thereafter became the technical director of electronic music at Amherst College, Smith College, Hampshire College, and the University of Massachusetts/Amherst. He has taught electronic music at the University of Massachusetts and at Holyoke Community College, and remains a consultant to the studios at UMASS and Smith College. He is currently a computer research analyst for the Office of Information Technologies at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.
Gilbert has been composing and recording actively since the 1970's. In 1978 he released his first recording, "Moving Pictures", on the GIBEX label. "Moving Pictures" takes a step towards humanizing electronic music with prominent use of wooden flutes, percussion, and voice to complement the synthesized textures
of the compositions. "The Call", Gilbert's second album, is a mature realization off his goal to create a more human music. It grew out of the desire to set new jazz influenced solo parts against a background of drone, percussion, and environment evocative of Eastern musics."The Call" marked Gilbert's first collaboration with multi-wind and reed player Tim Moran, avant-garde percussionist/vocalist David Moss, and bassist Salvatore Macchia. "In the Dreamtime", on the Palace of Lights label, is a refinement of work begun on the first two records. This album uses the theme of dream imagery, exploring and merging the distinctions between electronics, new jazz, and world music, and also features collaborations with Moran, Moss, and Macchia.
Two releases on compact disc, "Light in the Clouds" and "Point of Views", bridge the gap between diverse world musics. A collaboration with master percussionist Tony Vacca, acoustic bassist Salvatore Macchia, and synthesist Roy Finch, "The Light in the Clouds" brings together African, Jewish, Christian, and Shinto musical traditions and melds them with crystal clear sounds and rhythms into one music. "Point of Views" is a stunning solo recording realized within a MIDI based studio, weaving elements of jazz, world, electronic and new musics into "an ethereal and beautiful blend!" "Point of Views" received 4 stars in Downbeat Magazine. It successfully creates the sound of an ensemble of players yet is a purely solo work, with a collaboration by Tony Vacca on one track. Gilbert signed a recording contract with PENTA DISC Recordings in Canada (dist. by WEA) for release of music from this repertoire as well as additional new compositions. Gilbert's music has been played in concerts and festivals in North America and abroad and has been used by choreographers in conjunction with modern dance works. Among these choreographers are Susan Waltner, Valerie Feit, Jan Wodynski, and Paula Josa-Jones. Gilbert has also scored a film by independent filmmaker Peter Hobbs, and worked on music for "The Nightingale Princess", a film by Chris Dreisbach, Owen Granich-Young, and Daniel Gilbert.
Michael William Gilbert is currently a computer research analyst at the University of Massachusetts/Amherst, where he is engaged in investigating internet media technologies, streaming protocols, multimedia, and supporting the Office of Information Technologies' provision of Internet service to the campus and UMass community. He has a current CD, "Other Voices", which features both unreleased works with contributions by Tony Vacca and Roy Finch, and more recent compositions. He is also exploring the possibilities of remastering and releasing his first three recordings, "Moving Pictures", "The Call", and "In the Dreamtime" on CD. Thanks for the MySpace design by Nadworks and for layout assistance provided by Mike Industries.
Should you wish to acquire any of my music, please see:
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Michael William Gilbert's Friend Space (Randomized)
Thank you very much for finding me. From reading your 'statement' I am led to believe that we must be kindred spirits. From what I hear on your player here that is indeed pretty high company to be associated with.
I'm very glad to be your friend and wish you all the best on your continued deep musical journeys!
I hope you'll forgive a bit of shameless merchandising. My new CD is out. Still doin' the Jazz thing, but this is definitely not your father's organ trio!
CD Baby's got it - there are samples, links & digital downloads on my Myspace page.
Hope everything is well! Just wanted to inform you, that I finally got my 2006 album "Pocketbits" re-released! I know I should do something new instead, but I thought it was worth the announcement. Check it out here:
NICE PIECES OF MUSIC (EVEN THOUGH THE PLAYER DIDN´T WORK, BUT WE GUESTED YOUR WEB INSTEAD...). FROM YOUR RECENT RELEASE WE CAN HEAR A LOT OF NICE INPUTS FROM PEAOPLE LIKE MR ZAWINUL (R.I.P.) ETC. AND THAT´S NICE.
THANX A LOT FOR THE REQUEST, NOW WE´RE FRIENDS.
CELEBRATING THE FESTIVITIES OF NEW YEAR WE WANT TO BRING YOU SOME GIFTS, TWO NEW UPLOADED TRACKS, ‘OVER AND OUT’ & ‘SANITY CHECK’, WITH GENEROUS CONTRIBUTIONS FROM
Hello Michael. Enjoyed your music as well as your views. We seem to share the same influences without sounding the same as musicians. Thanks for the compliment. If you're interested, hear more clips at my website:www.josephlivingstone.com Keep in touch, Joseph.
Hey Michael, Your music is very inviting. It draws the listener into a musical world without borders. These would be fun tunes to play too! Thanks for your nice comment. I'll be listening again for sure! Peace, Scott
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to your music, from the ethereal "Edge of the World" to the driving rhythms of "Whether or Not", you are a maker of music magic and I will remember to thank Peter for having the good sense and taste to have you as a friend... all my best Ruthann
If you get a chance, please check out my new track, <B>Will Less Will</B>. It is only a rough version, so please excuse the rough transitions and so forth.
Hello Michael, thanks for the ad and your supporting words. It's wonderful feeling to read such words like yours!
I like your music very much, sounds very spacious and groovy. And your textures and forms make it unique! (In my opinion, the form is a largest challenge! right, ballanced form!)
All the best and let's stay in touch,
Marcin
Motema Music has released my new CD, "Deacon Blues", the straight ahead organ trio I've been wanting to do for years. It's getting great reviews and lots of radio play - and it's only Jazz; Go figure! The CD features some good friends, including two of my favorite guitarists, Mike DeMicco and the phenomenal Joe Beck. Danny Gottlieb lays down the groove with my brother Tony guesting on bass for a couple of tracks.
The CD is available on line at AMAZON.COM or at WOODSTOCK CD (www.woodstockcd.com) where they also have artist-signed copies in stock. (arguably making them worth less!)
