Public Information reveal Standard Music compilation
The forthcoming Happy Machine: Standard Music Library 1970-2010 will feature 31 tracks spanning 40 years from the UK library music institution.
London-based label Public Information are no strangers to the world of library music – in 2012 the released Tomorrow’s Achievements: Parry Music Library 1976-86, a compilation which collected music from Canadian institution Parry Music. Although recent releases have seen them engaging more with dancefloor concerns in the shape of releases from Bass Clef and IVVVO, and the world of deconstructed vocals on Katie Gately’s excellent self-titled debut, the label’s next release will see them return to archival music with Happy Machine: Standard Music Library 1970-2010.
Established in 1968 as a partnership between independent music publisher David Platz and London Weekend Television, UK library music insitution Standard Music were responsible for the writing of themes and incidental music for programmes like Black Beauty, Upstairs, Downstairs, On the Buses and The Professionals. It also acted as something of a hotbed for early electronic talent, with Brian Eno, Delia Derbyshire and John Gregory all employed to make music by Standard Music.
Covering 40 years and 31 tracks, Happy Machine is described by the label as a journey from “desolate Radiophonic ambient, to cute bleep-idents, to stark contemporary drone to jagged electronic scorch” via “moments of square-Italo groove, freaky electroid-psych and early ’70s Beat.” Featured musicians include the aforementioned Gregory, Brian Hodgson, John Kongos, Richard Thair, John Keating, Mike Vickers, Marco Pirroni and surprisingly, Beatles producer George Martin, “jamming it out on a Moog”. A preview of the compilation can be streamed below.
Public Information will release Happy Machine: Standard Music Library 1970-2010 on 2LP and digital formats on May 5.
Tracklisting:
A1. Logo Rhythmic II – Reginald J. Lewis (ESL133B)
A2. Cathedral Of Space – Brian Hodgson (ESL133B)
A3. Arcadian Valley – Reginald J. Lewis (ESL133A)
A4. Deserted Starship – Richard Hewson (ESL008d)
A5. Haley’s Largo – John Keating (ESL008d)
A6. Programmadate – Reginald J. Lewis (ESL133B)
A7. Sidestreet – John Kongos (ESL164)
B1. Happy Machine – Reginald J. Lewis (ESL133B)
B2. Curve of the Wind – Mike Vickers (ESL122A)
B3. Eary Feary – George Martin (ESL121B)
B4. Homing Nucleus – Mike Vickers (ESL121B)
B5. In the Shadows – Chris McCormack (ESL201d)
B6. In Safe Hands (No Bass / No Beats) – Kirk Thompson (ELS099)
B7. The Craters of Mars – Brian Hodgson (ESL133)
B8. Sous Sol – Elliot Ireland, Alessandro Rizzo, Tom Greenwood (ESL074)
C1. Flutes – Naim Amor (ESL203)
C2. Glass Corridor into Hall of Glass Clocks – John Gregory (ESL116B)
C3. Take me Home – Richard Thair (ESL096)
C4. Happy Soul – Jim Lawless (ESL215)
C5. The Wind From Nowhere – Mike Vickers (ESL127A)
C6. Banshee – Reginald J. Lewis (ESL133B)
C7. Headful of Birds – Mike Vickers (ESL127A)
D1. The Seven Immortals – Kirk Thompson (ESL099)
D2. Crystal Forms – Brian Hodgson, Reginald J. Lewis (ESL133A)
D3. Song Of The Wilderness – Brian Hodgson, Reginald J. Lewis (ESL133B)
D4. In The Beginning – Mike Vickers (ESL127A)
D5. Mystery Stomp (B) – Marco Pirroni (ESL218)
D6. On The Streets – John Kongos (ESL164)
D7. Haley’s Comet – John Keating (ESL008d)
D8. Goodnight – Chris Barron (ESL154)