STYLOPHONIKA, by Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra

STYLOPHONIKA

by Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra

supported by

randyprogfan The Stylophone influenced me towards this purchase, listening to Bowie and owning a Stylophone of my own.

Jörg Lesemann I love the stylophone. It sounds great. This album is an electronic masterpiece. Favorite track: BRUNDLE BEAT.

James Lewis This is a wonderful album with a great concept. Using those mini analog synthsizers, the Stylophone, the KUSO creates a really lovely, expressive, soaring album. Favorite track: BRUNDLE BEAT.

Der Ohlsen "[...] This is a phenomenally good an listenable album, which still leaves room for future improvement. A successor confidently raising the amount of original songs could be that, for example.
But until then I'm perfectly happy with this beautifully packed hand-numbered gem [...]"

my full review: derohlsen.blogspot.com/2022/02/kingston-university-stylophone.html

Andy beautiful record, beautiful sound. Think of the Stylophone and think of (shudder) Rolf Harris? think again. This is an electronic masterpiece. I defy you to listen to this and think cheap plastic synth. It's a lush wall of electronic sound. just wonderful. Favorite track: BRUNDLE BEAT.

David Scott Somewhere in my dads attic, an original stylophone exists. Being honest, I liked the cover and Rick Flynn made me by it.

Do I choose jarre or vangelis….🤔

Joel Krutt / Pushing The Envelope thumbnail

more...

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Limited Edition Test Pressing
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
A chance to own one of only 5 test pressing copies of Stylophonika that exist in the world... white label on heavyweight black vinyl, as shown. Plus instant digital download of the album.

Includes unlimited streaming of STYLOPHONIKA via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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Limited Edition Vinyl LP: Protein Pills Purple
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Hand numbered limited edition Protein Pills Purple opaque variant of 'Stylophonika' by the Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra, as shown, referencing the lyrics of Bowie's Space Oddity.

Cover artwork and layout by Eric Adrian Lee. Photography by Marcus Clackson and Tom James.

Features removable Japanese style paper Obi strip, anti static inner sleeve and plastic over bag.

Catalogue number: SOOC LP9. This is the PURPLE OPAQUE 'PROTEIN PILLS' VARIANT.

** IF SOLD OUT HERE, PLEASE TRY HERE **
www.strangevice.co.uk/kingston-university-stylophone-orchestra-stylophonika-purple-vinyl

Includes unlimited streaming of STYLOPHONIKA via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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Limited Edition Vinyl LP: Pink & Blue Cosmic Swirl
Record/Vinyl + Digital Album
Hand numbered limited edition Cosmic Swirl variant of 'Stylophonika' by the Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra, as shown.

Cover artwork and layout by Eric Adrian Lee. Photography by Marcus Clackson and Tom James.

Features removable Japanese style paper Obi strip, anti static inner sleeve and plastic over bag.

Catalogue number: SOOC LP9. This is the PINK + BLUE 'COSMIC SWIRL ** A maximum of two of each vinyl variant per order please **

Includes unlimited streaming of STYLOPHONIKA via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.

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	1.	AKOUSTIKI 03:36
	2.	BRUNDLE BEAT 04:07
	3.	OXYGENE (PART 4) 04:37
	4.	BLADE RUNNER (END TITLES) 04:42
	5.	MUSIC FOR THE FUNERAL OF QUEEN MARY (A CLOCKWORK ORANGE) 02:57
	6.	SPACE ODDITY 04:47
	7.	OLANCHA GOODBYE (FOR HAROLD BUDD) 03:27
	8.	AN ENDING (ASCENT) 02:49

about

From stylus to stardust: Evolution of the Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra

An experiment in collective noise making, the Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra was created by Dr Leah Kardos in early 2019.

Through legendary producer Tony Visconti, Leah was introduced to Stylophone manufacturer Dubreq, who donated a collection of new and vintage instruments to Visconti Studio's analogue instrument archive, based at the University. At the sight of a car boot full of Stylophones, Leah found herself wondering aloud if a musical ensemble using the unique electronic instruments might be possible.

A notice went up, and a handful of intrepid students showed up to a first rehearsal.

Though the musical palette of the Stylophone initially appeared limited, its restrictions quickly inspired creativity and ingenuity.

With the orchestra made up of current and ex students, plus staff from across the University, the instantly recognisable sound of the original Stylophone has been augmented by the full range of Dubreq instruments, mixed in with Theremin, Omnichord and Volca sequencers, as well as the members’ collective voices.

The global pandemic put a stop to the group’s regular rehearsal schedule in 2020-21. So, with all upcoming performances cancelled, it was decided to turn the orchestra’s attention towards a collaborative production project – something that everyone could work on remotely, as both distraction and creative outlet. Once campus began to open up again in March 2021, the orchestra returned to Visconti Studio to record the finishing touches for this debut album release.

Paying homage to the classics of electronica from the past half century, it can be argued that Vangelis, Carlos, Jarre and Eno, are, in their own way, the equivalent of Beethoven, Bach, Mozart and Barber before them. But the group also wanted to collaborate on original compositions, exploring the unique range of musical expressions that only a Stylophone orchestra can make. Reacting to the passing of ambient music legend Harold Budd in December 2020, the orchestra created its tribute ‘Olancha Farewell’, blending voices and synthesisers within the long acoustics and plate reverbs of Visconti Studio – and re-amplifying the music through the resonant soundboards of the studio’s concert grand pianos – to create something fittingly elegiac.

The Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra is believed to be the only ensemble of its kind in the world.

credits

released January 28, 2022

Musical director: Leah Kardos
All tracks produced by Leah Kardos, except Space Oddity, produced by Tony Visconti
Recorded remotely and at Visconti Studio, Kingston University
Mixed by Cian Ryan-Morgan
Vinyl mastering by Antony Ryan

Orchestra Players:

Current members:
Ershad Alamgir
Louis Bartell
Harry Green
Leah Kardos
Sydney Kaster
George Reid
Cian Ryan-Morgan
Arte Spyropoulou
Estelle Taylor-Noel
Isabella van Elferen
Zuzanna Wężyk

Plus past members who also feature on the album:
Jess Aslan
Mari Dangerfield
Jack Holland
Billy Wilson

Song Credits:

‘Akoustiki’
Composed by Zuzanna Wężyk
Arranged by Leah Kardos
Featuring lead vocals by Arte Spyropoulou

‘Brundle Beat’
Composed and arranged by Leah Kardos

‘Oxygene 4’
Composed by Jean-Michel Jarre
Arranged by Leah Kardos

‘Blade Runner End Titles’
Composed by Vangelis
Arranged by Leah Kardos

‘Music For The Funeral March & Procession Of Queen Mary’
Composed by Henry Purcell
Arranged by Leah Kardos
Featuring solo Stylophone performance by Zuzanna Wężyk. Moog sound design by George Reid.

‘Olancha Goodbye (For Harold Budd)’
Composed and arranged by Leah Kardos
Featuring Arte Spyropoulou, Isabella van Elferen, Ershad Alamgir, Louis Bartell, Harry Green and Leah Kardos on vocals. Also featuring Louis Bartell on Omnichord.

‘Space Oddity’
Composed by David Bowie
Arranged by Leah Kardos
Produced by Tony Visconti
Featuring Ershad Alamgir and Jack Holland on lead vocals. Also featuring Billy Wilson on Omnichord.

‘An Ending (Ascent)’
Composed by Brian Eno
Arranged by Leah Kardos

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