Steve: Good, praise indeed Tim. Or is this typical internet hype for when Nick gets his copy of the other Surface 10 album :) I still haven't attempted Cyborg yet, it's probably a self-Christmas present.

I did try the Cat Motel thing you lent me, on the way to and from the station and I almost threw myself under a passing car. I obviously need to listen to it at home but only when stocks of paracetemol are below the overdose level. Well you did say it's different.
 

 Tim: No, it really sounds like a winner. Good old DiN, that boy knows how to pick 'em.

The BCM does lighten up a bit later on. Not much, but sort of.

I'm also enjoying Remembranza. Either it's a bit less disjointed-sounding than Martes, or I've just got the hang of it at last.
 

 Steve: No I think you're right about the disjointed thing. But really it's disk 2 of the first album.

A guy here may be talking me into seeing Australian Pink Floyd at the Royal Albert Hall in May...
 

 Steve: Just got this back from THE MAN (email addresses removed for safety), hope you enjoy reading it...

> From: FATELESS MUSIC
> Subject: Re: Well Done
> To: Steve Bachini
>
> Hello Steve,
>
> This is Dean De Benedictis (Surface 10). How
> interesting! Someone else named Steve Ball just
> emailed me to tell me how much he appreciates my
> music too.
>
> Let me just start by saying thank you, earnestly,
> for the sincere and indepth
> compliment you have given me. It's not every day
> that a fan acts selfless enough to compliment me
> like that. I'm going to show this one off to my
> friends/colegues.
>
> Unfortunately, because some of my music IS so
> complex and heavily thought out, my music is not
> that broadly understood, thus I do not get
> compliments like yours as often as one might think.
>
> Plus, all of the other established-yet-struggling
> musicians are just looking out for themselves and
> don't pay too much attention to each other. Par for
> the course.
>
> Anyway, I just want you to know how much I
> appreciate it, and I'll get you on my emailing list
> as well, so you know what's going on with me and
> Fateless Music.
>
> Stay in touch, Steve.
>
> Best,
> Dean
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Steve Bachini wrote:
> Dean,
>
> I'd just like to say how much I have been enjoying
> your albums.
>
> I discovered In Vitro while investigating the DiN
> label about a year ago. I have just been
> (re-)playing
> it today on earphones and what always strikes me is
> the sheer amount of great stuff you have crammed in
> there. The first time I heard it, I experienced that
> same wow-shock factor I got when I first heard
> FSOL's
> Lifeforms. I've played it loads since I got it but
> have tried to limit it so I don't get tired of it.
> Today on earphones and a quiet environment it
> reveals
> how much more is buried in the layers of these
> compositions. It also stands up well to a good hi-fi
> system that I have at home.
>
> I have since gone on to buy Surface 10 and the
> recent
> Surface Tensions - both of which seem to have the
> same
> level of inventiveness, and I have just ordered
> Borrowed Time 2000 for me and a friend. Too many
> electronic albums seem to try to emulate 70s
> Tangerine
> Dream or they go for cheesy dance tracks. You have
> come up with a formula (probably not the right word
> but you know what I mean) which does seem to be
> pushing the boundaries of electronic music into
> fresh
> territories.
>
> I wish you every success in the future and hope that
> Ian Boddy appreciates you as much as I do. Yours are
> by far the best releases on the label and some of
> the
> others are already in my Very Good category!
>
> Best Regards,
>
> Steve
 

 Tim: Yeah, but you could have mentioned the Multiplication spoken-introduction to one of the tracks in the middle of the new album, not too keen on that bit.

Anyway, lads, quick gadget question. I've accumulated some MP3s and WAVs on my PC, and if I want to play them on the hifi I copy them to MD.

No problem with that, but I was just wondering: what does everybody else do (you two or the rest of world)?
 

 Steve: Yes good point about the samples on the new album, they annoy the heck out of me as well :) It would be nit-picking surely.

I'm not the one to ask about MP3s etc am I? I have made a couple of CDs of MP3 as they work in the CD walkman, and a few WAVs by converting in Audacity I think.
 

 Tim: And, can you deal with DTS 5.1 surround yet?

Hmm?
 

 Steve: Hmm interesting on the DTS/FAX front, sadly it's just making music more expensive for the majority (double album) for a small number(?) who have 5.1. While this sort of music is the only real use of surround apart from cinema I still do not see the attraction.

I had a nice amount of stuff on at the weekend - mostly jazz-rock which I need to get some more of. Tricky business though as it can be either too 1970s-dated-sounding or just plain jazz.

BTW that emit album is bit of alright!

Luddite of Luton
 

 Tim: Steve, swap you an emit for a Borrowed Time?

Also, anybody coming to this?
 

 nick: hope everyone had a good christmas. Was nice to have my family here - the first time we've spent Christmas together for at least 15 years.

I have some Christmas presents for the Bachinis - are you around at all in the near future ?

What are we doing next year? Something I thought we maybe could do is see Ken Dodd. He is doing some shows this year (including Dunstable and Southsea) and it would be worth seeing him I think, as Steve said: one of the last of his type. What does the team think?


 

 Tim: Right, well I just checked chucklebutty.co.uk, and it looks like you've got 5 months to talk me into it.
 

 Tim: So, how's Cyborg??
 

 Steve: Cyborg is excellent, still shrink-wrapped though which might have something to do with it! So is the Surface 10 BTW. I've written 3 reviews of his albums for Amazon at his request but they are not on there yet as I assume that they are moderated. Steve Reich 5CD box set on order as I didn't ger it for Christmas.

I didn't even know that we were getting a theatre in Dunstable - it's not even finished yet! I'm keen but imagine that Tim would not like it.

Not a bad Christmas but a bit average - I feel the 3 days off work were wasted to be honest. I did a couple of rides and a couple of runs - one of 6 miles over/around Warden hill and my legs hurt for 3 days although I kept up with the rest of the guys. So the cycling has given me the aerobic ability - it's just different muscles.

We need to get together at some point definitely.

Try www.fopp.com - they have cheap decent stuff, even Leaf label releases. Jonathan uses them.
 

 nick: film recommendation: film4 showed "Memento" the other day and are repeating it on Saturday at 9pm. Worth seeing if you've not seen it already. I think Tim would like it even, but I wouldn't want to say why in case that spoils it. RT calls it "dazzling, highly original". Maybe I should record it so we can watch it next time everyone is in Basingstoke..
 

 Tim: Oh, you've spoilt it now. No, I'll have a go at watching/recording it, you never know.

We've got a couple of Fopp shops in Southampton, they're quite good. Occasionally I find something slightly obscure in there for a reasonable price (in contrast to HMV and Virgin).
 

 Tim: Another possible gig:
Bill Bruford's Earthworks
January 31
Pizza Express Jazz Club, Dean Street, London
 

 nick: re: bruford, wednesday's not an ideal day but I'll give it a go if anyone else is up for it?
 

 nick: remember to watch memento then? I forgot to tape it.

Just ordered a laser printer: they have samsung printers at half price at printerbase
so ordered a double-sided network printer for £125 all inc, worth a look tim? More of interest here with two people doing homework I suppose.
 

 Tim: Oops, forgot all about it, predictably.

At the moment I print about 1 sheet of A4 a week so the inkjet will do. Cheers.
 

 Steve: Anyone around Saturday PM/eve as we have a x-country in Slough and could continue on down to Basingstoke for say 4pm.
 

 nick: steve,

yes, I'm around. Lesley is away for the weekend and not sure what Ella is doing but please feel free to come to Basingstoke, I can do you some hearty food after your cross country: it will be great to see you

nick
 

 Steve: Nick, will let u know, sounds likely. Ribble have a price cut, for £400 you get amazing full-Tiagra.
 

 Tim: I think I'm not around, but I'll check. And it might depend on their being sufficiently huge quantities of that hearty food.

It'd be nice to see Nick's new Ribble, too.
 

 Steve: Okay, 3 of us (1 muddy) will be coming and as it includes D we can bring food as required. We won't stay late though. Estimated arrival 4pm.
 

 Tim: Saturday's looking a bit more possible now. Should know tomorrow.
 

 nick: > Saturday's looking a bit more possible now. Should know tomorrow.

this after the response from Steve saying that he'd be doing the catering... coincidence?
 

 Tim: Yep, just waiting to hear whether the Ribble's been delivered now.
 

 Steve: Nick, pls advise what food you'd like us to bring ASAP. And if you can think of Ella's birthday even better.
 

 nick: Hi Steve

Salady bits (as Reggie would say) and puddings? I'll do main which can then be freshly cooked.

Ella:
legwarmers
squash balls - maybe a couple of different "beginner" type, or ordinary "blue spot" ones. Blue spot are quite fast (which is what beginners want), or dunlop do a "max" ball which is a bit bigger than the normal ones, for people starting out.

sound ok?
thanks
nick
 

 Tim: Looks like I've restructured Saturday so I should be able to get there between 4 and 5. Have a shopping opportunity beforehand so can bring anything required??
 

 nick: will be good to see you Tim! I was joking about it being too dark for bikes, we're all going out anyway and have a spare flourescent jacket, so we're all set!

Could you bring drinks of some kind? thanks
 

 Tim: Un/fortunately I have a minor footballing injury, which will prevent me going for a ride. I'll work out what sort of injury it is exactly, a bit later.

OK the lagers are on me.
 

 Steve: Great the plan is coming together, well done everyone.

I went out last night in the dark on the new bike and did 5 laps of the airport. Had one minor incident where a car pulled out from the right and I was catching it up so I shouted. At the bottom of the hill I tapped on her window which she was already winding down - she apologised for not having seen me. So then I felt bad!

Had an argument with a dog-owner on Sunday while running who started F-ing at me for telling him to call his dog in. Meanwhile Paul is telling me to come away and leave it.