THE NEURONIUM HISTORY 1977-2014 : 37 years of ELECTRONIC MUSIC by MICHEL HUYGEN MICHEL HUYGEN, synthesist, creates NEURONlUM in 1976. He records in 1977 for the English label EMI- HARVEST , the first album of NEURONIUM entitled QUASAR 2C361, also being the first disc of cosmic music never recorded in Spain . In 1978, NEURONIUM records their second album VUELO QUIMlCO, also for HARVEST , with the extraordinary participation of NlCO, then ex singer of the LOU REED´s band , THE VELVET UNDERGROUND. Several important concerts: Plaza de Toros de Benidorm, Teatro Martín de Madrid, Palacio de los Deportes de Bilbao (with a great success, by the way) , and in the football stadium of Barakaldo in front of 11,000 people. The 7 of May 1978, NEURONIUM participates in the Festival of Science Fiction of Metz (France), representing Spain. In 1980, NEURONIUM leaves HARVEST and decides to record with Auvi . DIGITAL DREAM is the first album of NEURONIUM in its new company , as a duo of keyboard players, with the contribution of a new guitarist called SANTI PICÓ. In February of 1981, NEURONIUM records its new album THE VlSlTOR, a new step forward and simultaneously different in the style of the band . In March of 1981, the group travels for the first time to London, invited by VANGELlS, in order to perform together music composed by Michel Huygen, for a show of television, filmed by Spanish Television for its program MUSICAL EXPRESS. The result is really amazing and the symbiosis is total between both styles and sounds. In May of 1981, album THE VISITOR is sold-out in one month after its official release. After the release of CHROMIUM ECHOES, fifth album of NEURONIUM , Carlos Guirao leaves the group and therefore NEURONIUM follows , commanded exclusively by Michel Huygen, its creator. Michel releases simultaneously the fifth album of NEURONIUM and his first solo album titled ABSENCE OF REALlTY, a very relaxing and intimate disc. We are in 1982. In 1983, Michel Huygen records the sixth album of NEURONIUM , INVISIBLE VlEWS, with Santi Picó on guitar. At the end of 1983 and beginning of 1984 , Michel Huygen records his second solo album titled CAPTURING HOLOGRAMS. Michel signs for the British label ZOMBA, that decides to release a new dedicated label of electronic music : its name is JIVE ELECTRO. In September of 1984, NEURONIUM gives his first great concert in England, like head of poster of the prestigious British festival of electronic music UK ELECTRONICA 84. The concert achieves an enormous success with three encore, and the room of OCTAGON CENTER of Sheffield …standstill . It is the big way-in of Neuronium in England. Probably due to his intuition, Michel decides to release onthe market an album with the sound track of the film OLYMPICALLY DIED, of which Michel , is author , under the generic title of BARCELONA 1992. The definitive mixing of this album takes place in January of 1986, and the release is in March of the same year ,6 months before the election of Barcelona as city for the Olympic Games of Summer of 1992. In May of 1986, Michel is the person in charge of the department of electronic music of the Center of Art Queen Sofía of Madrid, inaugurated by Her Majesty the Queen that same month. In September of 1986, Michel Huygen and Santi Picó play two concerts at the Planetarium of London next to the museum of Madame Tussaud. The music of BARCELONA 1992 is featured during this concert, with a laser beams spectacle by Laserium. In November of 1986, NEURONIUM gives an important concert in the S.I.M.O, fair of computer science of Madrid, offering the new spectacle of Tomás C.Gilsanz, as closing act of this international contest. In February of 1987, a special album of NEURONIUM is released , to celebrate the tenth anniversary on disc of the electronic music of Michel Huygen , its title is ALMA (soul in english) , and contains new mixes of well-known tracks by NEURONIUM, plus an unreleased track until then, but well by the audinece of TV´s, since it is the signature tune of the prime time program of the TVE called LA TARDE. Between January and June of 1987, Michel records and releases the 9th album of NEURONIUM titled SUPRANATURAL playing himself absolutely all the instruments. The album is released in October of 1987, with a series of 12 concerts in the Planetarium of Madrid, concerts completely “sold-out”. These concerts in Madrid constitute probably the most wonderful carried out sonic and visual experience by Michel Huygen and Tomás C.Gilsanz, since the projections of paintings of T.C.Gilsanz take place on the vault of the Planetarium using 48 slide projectors drived by computer. During these concerts of the Planetarium of Madrid, the music is digitally live recorded: an album is released worldwide with the title of FROM MADRID TO HEAVEN (Neuronium in concert). In September of 1988, Michel returns as the headline act of the British festival of electronic music UK ELECTRONICA 88. The concert takes place in the church of St.John's Hall, in Westminster, the 3 of September of 1988. This concert includes an ex member of TANGERINE DREAM, and also friend of Michel , STEVE JOLIFFE. The result of the fusion between the special music of Neuronium and the masters to the Oboe, clarinet and flute of Steve Joliffe, with laser rays illuminating the vault of the church , completely fills the concert place with a very special atmosphere. In 1988, new series of documentary are being filmed on old disappeared civilizations, in Peru and Mexico. Michel composes the complete sound track of the 26 chapters of 30 minutes each one. He releases in 1990, a compact disc of 77 minutes with the most important trackas of the series. The title of the album is OLlM, long ago in Latin. Between July and November of 1988, Michel releases an album titled ELIXIR with the most special tracks of the series about the Incas and the Mayans. In 1989, Michel begins the recording of a new disc of Neuronium , NUMERlCA, a romantic digital symphony in eight movements. It constitutes a great international success for the music of Neuronium. Between October of 1989 and April of 1990, Michel composes , records and mixes his new single album INTlMO, the deepest, innermost and revealing of all. It is the special and emotional complement of NUMERlCA. In that period, Michel receives the order for the soundtrack of a new TV series by FERNANDO JIMÉNEZ DEL OSO, y JUAN JOSÉ BENITEZ entitled EN BUSCA DEL MISTERIO. The 7 of April of 1990, Michel Huygen gives a great concert as closing act of the first festival of San Sebastián of New Musics, in the wonderful place of the Abbey of San Telmo, in the city . In May of 1990, Michel records a specially compound subject for a disc of tribute to the brilliant Catalan painter SALVADOR DALÍ ; this disc with the global title of DALI: THE ENDLESS ENlGMA, is released in USA by Coriolis Records. In this very special album, composers like Klaus Schulze, Steve Roach, Michael Stearns are present and Michel Huygen composes for this unique occasion, EL GRAN MASTURBADOR . This track by Michel is only available on this compact disc. At the end of August of 1990, Michel begins the composition and recording of the new album of Neuronium entitled SYBARIS, with a totally new concept within the Neuronium sound, but also at level of the cover of the album: the most spectacular and expensive never done for a disc of Neuronium; it is released at the end of 1991. One month later , the soundtrack of the series of television EN BUSCA DEL MlSTERlO is released, as a solo album by Michel. In February of 1992, and for to celebrate the 15 years of record career of Neuronium in the international electronic music field , EXTRlSlMO is released. But this point is not a final one ! . In 1993 a new album of Neuronium, double, with a very special content , is released . The title is ONIRIA suggestive by itself... It is the 20th album composed by Michel. In 1994, a new compact by Michel Huygen appears: INFlNlTO, dedicated to the sudden death of three of his best friends during 1993. INFINITO will be the most thrilling recording ever published by Michel...But in 1994 also, Michel decides and as a unique project , to release a very special album givinga pleasant musical atmosphere during any meal , : the title is MUSICA PARA LA BUENA MESA (Music for gourmets), only released in Spain...! But in 1995 (anywhere in the world) in June and December of 1996 (in Spain) ASTRALlA is released : an invitation to the astral trip with return ticket , through a suite of 70 minutes…Prepared for the trip? Totally cosmic , with the collaboration of Dr. Fernando Jiménez Del Oso... The 17 of June of 1995, and as closing act of SONAR' 95 , the international Festival of Advanced Musics of Barcelona, Michel plays for the first time in public, ASTRALIA music, with the cosmic visuals of Tomás C.Gilsanz. This concert takes place in the auditorium of the CCCB, that is to say the Center of Contemporary Culture of Barcelona. The 1st of July of 1995, Spain happens to preside over the Council of the European Union, and Michel Huygen receives the order to compose the musical subject that will serve as standard for the CD ROM released in Spain in 1995. Michel titles the track "ESPAÑA EN CLAVE FUTURA". In 1996, Michel Huygen undertakes the composition of a new album that will be released in 1977: PSYKYA. An extremely complex album at spiritual level and that simultaneously becomes the album of greater success in the career of Michel Huygen/Neuronium ...to date. Also during this year,A SEPARATE AFFAIR is released , an album with music by Michel Huygen and performed by Neuronium and VANGELIS . In 1997 , Michel remasters his album INTIMO , as a definitive version and including a new track called You , only available on this new version of the album.... In 1998 , Michel prepares the composition and records what will constitute the publication of an album dedicated to the extraterrestrial civilizations: ALIENIKON ,with the participation of the electric guitar by SANTI PICÓ , the guitarist who has been collaborating with Neuronium for almost 20 years. An essential one for Michel, according to its words. Few months later , in 1999, ULTRACOSMOS is released , an album of purely cosmic music and with a duration of 70 minutes non stop, is to say an album to let furthermost fly the imagination until confines of the space Year 2000 will see the light of DIRECTO AL CORAZÓN ,the album nominated in Spain to the V Premios de la Música (Musical Awards of Spain) ,as best album in all categories (Pop,rock,jaz...),next to Alexander Sanz and la Oreja de Van Gogh.. This album , the28th by Michel Huygen , is a pure album of romantic and cybernetic music ! At the end of year 2000, Michel releases as Neuronium , a new and y 29thº album titled HYDRO and dedicated to the element bases of the life: water. This album is nominated in February of 2001 as better album of the New Musics for V Premios de la Música de España (Spain music awards). And history is just starting now... In 2001 , Michel Huygen has reached the million copies of records sold in his career ,from all his releases together. Year 2002 sees the creation of the label NEURONIUM RECORDS as the personal label of Michel Huygen and distributed worldwide by BLANCO y NEGRO MUSIC from Barcelona. On this label , top artists like Suzanne Ciani , Constance Demby , Jonn Serrie and many others are actually releasing their respective music. Michel releases his 30th album titled PLACEBO on his new label in June 2002 , but in September of 2002, the new album by Neuronium titled AZIZI is released , it is to say a totally singular disc .. to dream…and fly far away but with a new concept of Neuronium sounds…This is the 31st album composed by Michel Huygen,but not the last one…A track is dedicated to his good friend for years and actress : Mrs. Audrey Hepburn . During the year 2003 , Michel releases a special album entitled SOPLO VITAL, specially done for the struggle against anorexia and bulimia. In June 2003, Michel Huygen joins forces with Pascal Languirand (composer and author of the multi-million seller hit LIVING ON VIDEO ) and together the 2 musicians release an album called LSD under the artistic name of CYBERNIUM. Extremely cosmic and floating music in the mood of the years 70’s but with the electronics and technology of the 21st century ! April 2005 was the date for the release of the brand new Neuronium album and the 32nd composed by Michel. MYSTYKATEA is the title of that album by Neuronium and it is probably the deepest , more cosmic and transgressor album ever composed by Michel Huygen… But the year 2006 saw the arrival of SYNAPSIA, the 33rd album by Michel/Neuronium…An album being part of the trilogy with MYSTYKATEA and the future 3rd album of such and titled NIHILOPHOBIA due for later in the year 2007…SYNAPSIA is also one of the 3 finalists at the Spanish Music Awards of 2007 brining a fantastic feedback from this special album. In December 2006 , the new Michel Huygenm’s album entitled ANGKOR is released in a special and new collection called EXTREME MEDITATION. This is the first volume of such collection and fans of Michel will be delighted by his most intimate , soft and surrounding aerial music… In April 2007, the best compilation album by Michel is released. Its title is MAGIC SAMUI , an album of very romantic music inspired by the beautiful landscape of the marvellous thai island of Koh Samui where Michel will have his home in a very next future .This album is without any doubt the perfect compilation from Michel’s very best romantic electronic music . In May 2007 , IRAWADI , the volume 2 of the EXTREME MEDITATION collection is released And one more time the whole sensation of the album will surround the listener with mental landscapes based on the real country of Myanmar and its history... July 2007 : re-edition of INTIMO , the most intimate album by Michel under his own name Michel Huygen…His almost “legendary” track TENDERNESS is one more time the start of the album and the booklet included on the new Ultra Edition 2107 of INTIMO on a luxury Digipack format with new designs and cover , contains the poems written by Michel in 3 languages: English , French and Spanish… The end of the year 2008 will see the release of his brand new Neuronium album: NIHILOPHOBIA…and also his 36th album ! To be continued… Neuronium has sold more than 1 million of records during his career and hope to continue getting more new fans…for sure ! Try just once and you will discover the reason of this million of albums sold worldwide ! ________________________________________ FULL DISCOGRAPHY LP "QUASAR 2C361" Neuronium 1977 LP "VUELO QUÍMICO" Neuronium 1978 CD "DIGITAL DREAM" Neuronium 1980 CD "THE VISITOR" Neuronium 1981 CD "CHROMIUM ECHOES" Neuronium 1982 CD "INVISIBLE VIEWS" Neuronium 1983 CD "HERITAGE" Neuronium 1984 CD " ALMA" Neuronium 1987 CD " SUPRANATURAL " Neuronium 1987 CD " FROM MADRID TO HEAVEN" Neuronium 1988 CD " NUMERICA" Neuronium 1989 CD "OLIM " Neuronium 1990 CD "SYBARIS" Neuronium 1991 CD "EXTRISIMO" Neuronium 1992 CD "ONIRIA" (doble) Neuronium 1993 CD "ALMA" (nueva versión + pista CD ROM) Neuronium 1996 CD "PSYKYA" Neuronium-1997 CD "ABSENCE OF REALITY" Michel Huygen 1982 LP "CAPTURING HOLOGRAMS" Michel Huygen 1984 CD " BARCELONA 1992 " Michel Huygen 1986 CD "ELIXIR" Michel Huygen 1989 CD "INTIMO " Michel Huygen 1990 CD "EN BUSCA DEL MISTERIO" Michel Huygen 1992 CD "MUSICA PARA LA BUENA MESA" Michel Huygen 1994 CD "INFINITO" Michel Huygen 1994 CD "ASTRALIA" Michel Huygen 1995/96 CD "lNTlMO" (versión definitiva con un nuevo tema inédito) Michel Huygen 1996 CD "SONAR" (Concierto en Barcelona) Neuronium 1997 CD “ ALIENIKON” Neuronium 1999 CD « ULTRACOSMOS » Michel Huygen 1999 CD” HYDRO” Neuronium 2000 CD » DIRECTO AL CORAZÓN Michel Huygen 1999-2000 CD “PLACEBO” Michel Huygen 2002 CD « AZIZI » NEURONIUM 2002 CD « SOPLO VITAL » Michel Huygen 2003 CD « LSD » como Cybernium Michel Huygen / Pascal Languirand 2003 CD extra « MYSTYKATEA » Neuronium 2005 CD « SYNAPSIA » Neuronium 2006 CD “ANGKOR” Michel Huygen 2006 CD « HYDRO luxury edition» Neuronium 2007 CD « MAGIC SAMUI » Michel Huygen 2007 CD « INTIMO : the ultra edition » Michel Huygen 2007 CD « NIHILOPHOBIA » Michel Huygen 2008 With other artists: LP "DISC DRIVE" TANGERINE DREAM/NEURONIUM 1985 CD "DALÍ: THE ENDLESS ENIGMA" KLAUS SCHULZE/STEVE ROACH/MICHEL HUYGEN 1990 CD "MÚSICA SIN FRONTERAS" 3 ENYA/MIKE OLDFIELD/R.SAKAMOTO/NEURONIUM 1992 CD "NUEVA MÚSICA ESPAÑOLA" MICHEL HUYGEN/LUIS PANIAGUA/DAVID SALVANS 1994 CD " KLEM 1 9 9 4 " SUZANNE CIANI/CHRIS FRANKE/MICHEL HUYGEN 1994 CD "E" (CD ROM) TOMÁS SAN MIGUEL/JORDI SABATÉS/MICHEL HUYGEN 1995 CD "A SEPARATE AFFAIR" NEURONIUM & VANGELIS 1996 CD” Soundscapes Gallery 2 Michel Huygen / Michael Stearns / Steve Roach 1998 CD” HIDROGEN” Michel Huygen / Hector Vila / Amarock y otros 1998 CD” Casa Alexio” Neuronium, Suzanne Ciani, Coolwind, Smoo,etc... 2004 CD” Maspalomas Chill-out Michel Huygen , Pascal Languirand, Nadia, Odracir Lavid etc… 2004 CD”Iurantia” Ultra sophisticated chill-out music 2006 CD “ CHAWENG CHILL - OUT” Mazza Magoo, Coolwind , La Crem ,etc… 2007 NEURONIUM is a registered trade mark by Michel Huygen