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 $5 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.

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Legend:

YouTube Video

HiFi MP3

LoFi MP3

HiFi Host Link

No Media

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Content:

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01 [3:02] Digital Dreaming Nice new-age electronic tune. (Composed in Winter, 1988)

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02 [2:40] Midnight Warm synth melody with an active bassline and rhythm. (Composed in Fall, 1988)

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03 [1:56] Runaway Energetic synth tune. Lots of drum and bass action. (Composed in Fall, 1988)

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04 [4:03] All Night Vocorder vocals, slow and mellow "love" type song. (Composed in Fall, 1988)

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05 [2:31] Flight of the Gazelle Congas and percussion highlight this lively tune. (Composed in July, 1988)

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06 [2:31] The Hunt Tribal rhythms with a lively synth melody. (Composed in July, 1988)

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07 [3:23] The New Trial Lively and upbeat with tons of synth action. (Composed in June, 1988)

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08 [3:35] A New Age Nice lively new-age style tune. (Composed in June, 1988)

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09 [1:53] Electric Roundup Energetic and melodic; with an *almost* country flavor! (Composed in June, 1988)

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10 [3:13] Ocean Drive Warm synth tune with light percussion. (Composed in June, 1988)

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11 [3:07] Under Way Another nice lively synth tune. New age style. (Composed in July, 1988)

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12 [3:28] Jolly People A "happy" upbeat swing-type tune, with a unique rhythm. (Composed in July, 1988)

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13 [1:56] Timewalk Interesting tune with lots of beat and melody. (Composed in Fall, 1988)

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14 [1:53] Wind Down Upbeat active beat and melody. (Composed in Winter, 1988)

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15 [2:15] Darkness Dark and erie synth tune with interesting percussion and melody. (Composed in May, 1989)

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16 [2:43] Ragtime Mellow and interesting synth tune. (Composed in March, 1989)

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17 [2:22] Space Horn New-age style tune. Nice and mellow. (Composed in January, 1989)

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18 [2:59] On the Prowl Dark and erie, but still a mellow and interesting tune. (Composed in May, 1989)

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19 [2:45] Spring II Light and upbeat melody with nice synth instruments. (Composed in May, 1989)

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20 [2:50] Blue Sky Another nice upbeat synth tune. Lotsa of action. (Composed in June, 1989)

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21 [4:27] Brenda's Song Jazzy synth tune with sax, marimba and harmonica. (Composed in December, 1987)

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22 [3:31] Song of the Surf Nice new-age tune with surf crashing in the background. (Composed in Winter, 1987)

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23 [2:22] Hotfoot Polka A fast synth tune. Very lively melody and bassline. Not a polka at ALL! (Composed in Summer, 1988)

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24 [1:13] The Voice Mellow, erie and spacious. nice slow ending tune. (Composed in Winter, 1988)

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

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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

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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!)

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e-mail contact: jcm @ jcmdi.com

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