These songs are all created using a new musical paradigm called Transcendent Tonality. Think of it as a broad and inclusive mode of perception embracing all possible notes... "regular" frequencies as well as those that hide in the cracks between the usual notes obtainable on conventional instruments. By accepting all possible systems of frequency relationship an infinitely vast tonal world opens up, one where the composer is free to follow his ear anywhere inside or outside of the conventional tuning systems at will. The ability to change the underlying system now becomes part of the creative process. When people hear about this they often tend to think that any music resulting from such an orientation would be dissonant and abstract. Sure thing if you WANT to go there. But the purpose of this album is to put forth the opposite. All the songs here are easy to listen to, use conventional song formats with memorable melodies and riffs, employing the production techniques of today's pop culture. I generally used a soup base of hip hop elements into which I sprinkled various other ingredients. One instrument used extensively is the 31 tone 9 string guitar which is able to play things no other guitar can do. Tuning systems used on this project range from 11 limit Just Intonation, to 31 equal, to a hexatonic Tanzanian tuning, to Wilson MOS scales, to 23 tone Fibonacci, to a tuning based on theoretical levitation frequencies of the Coral Castle, and even the usual 12 equal (as it deserves equal inclusion as part of an infinitely large family of microtonal tunings). Feel free to let me know your impressions at www.thesonicsky.com/contact/. Thanks for your interest and support. Stephen James Taylor INDIVIDUAL SONG DETAILS : 1. HIP HOP VILLAGE 31 equal temperament SJT on 9 string 31 tone guitar Dance music from a tribe yet to be “discovered” 2. JUNGLE JAZZ (2009) Tanzanian Hexatonic tuning Chuck Jonkey on Percussion, SJT on 9 string 31 tone guitar and Fernandes fretless guitar, Vocal samples I recorded in Namibia A hexatonic scale extracted from a field recording of the Haya tribe in Tanzania. Taking an indigenous African tuning and creating music with western instruments is an act of counter-imperialism that attempts to restore some of the lost sacred features of native music. 3. LET THE BASS KICK 31 equal temperament SJT on fretless bass A dance song that explores “chord morphing” in this case from a sus4, through several gradations of a half diminshed, before coming to rest on a major triad. 4. I LIKE IT HERE 31 equal temperament Andrea Kristin on vocals SJT on 9 string 31 tone guitar A light hearted atmospheric piece that massages its way between two pleasant but unusual pairs of chords. 5. TRIBAL TRAIL (1997) 23 Tone Fibonacci tuning mixed by Rich Raposa, SJT on Carruthers Custom Fretless Guitar A travel song through a mosaic of imaginary cultures. 6. STAND YOUR GROUND (1997) 23 Tone Fibonacci Rich Raposa and SJT on vocals mixed by Rich Raposa A dystopian war song from a far away desert planet where they like difference-tone progressions. Title predates the misguided laws in Florida. 7. SHAME 31 equal temperament Vocals: SJT, Terry Wood, Justin Taylor SJT 9 string 31 tone guitar And ode to the affect of shame itself. Inspired by the Tonkins/Nathanson “Shame/Pride” axis that Gary David hipped me to. NOW DANCE (2004) 19 tone MOS and 12 tone equal Lead Vocal: Terry Wood, Background Vocal: SJT SJT on Fernandes fretless guitar, alto sax and trumpet. Mixed by Rich Raposa Dedicated on all those who don’t dance but really should. Written in the regular 12 tone western scale but with kooky microtonal chromatic interjections. BIG BAD BLACK BACK BEET 31 equal temperament Vocals by: SJT, Izu Osirus, Justin Taylor, Terry Wood SJT on 9 string 31 tone guitar An ode to a much under-rated vegetable, Beets. A good beet can serve you in many ways, or you can serve IT. PERFECTLY WONDERFUL 31 equal temperament Vocals by Andrea Kristin SJT on 9 string 31 tone guitar Performed by the energetic Andrea Kristen this is a Trans-Tonal girls party song. A new genre, maybe? WALK ON THE SUN 31 equal temeperament and 13 Limit Just Intonation Vocals: Maya Cauble, Allyson Taylor, Nancy Taylor, Mary Lou Taylor SJT on 9 string 31 tone guitar, 31 tone glass marimba, 31 tone tubulongs (compliments of Emil Richards) With lyrics written in a composite of Quechua, English, Latin and various African dialects this song praises the planet Venus in celebration of its passing in front of the Sun on June 6, 2012. 31 SHADES 31 equal temperament Vocals by SJT and Terry Wood SJT on 9 string 31 tone guitar and 31 tone Glass Marimba A gentle introduction to 31 tone equal temperament one instrument at a time. NUAGE (2006) 12 Equal, Vocal ad libs by Terry Wood SJT, fretless guitar, 31 tone vibes A piece written in the regular western 12 tone scale but with some colorful 31 tone vibraphone added quietly in the background. BE STILL Just Intonation based on prime quadruplets vocals by SJT, background vocals: Justin Taylor Tones produced via Max/MSP A mysterious rap commentary on the nature of perception.. Tones were derived from the "levitation frequencies" supposedly used to build the Coral Castle. All songs and lyrics written and produced by Stephen James Taylor (aka MixerofColor) © Kibadachi Music, BMI 1997-2014 Sequenced using the Wilson Microzone from Starrlabs.com Album mastered by Don Tyler