Florilegium (MP3s from 2000 to
2003)
was a collection of completed pieces, half-finished versions,
alternate mixes, and extended remixes that were
recorded and assembled by Mark Rushton at East Highlands Studio in
Cedar Rapids, Iowa between 2000 and 2003. The music varies
between beat-driven electronic rock/electronica/ambient.
121 tracks and over 8 hours of music.
CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT
2002 Track 1 (3:28) 128kb-encoded MP3
Downtempo electronic tune. This is the first one I completed using Acid Pro
3.0 and the effects contained within it, which are excellent. I didn't
really feel like naming the tracks anything distinctive during this time,
which in retrospect was pretty dorky. The song reminds me early Shriekback.
Completed January 6, 2002
2002 Track 2 (3:31) 128kb-encoded MP3
This contains a bunch of melody loops rendered from Fruityloops 3.0 tracks I
created. Lots of effects used.
A Gift Of Life (3:22) 128kb-encoded MP3
A symphonic electronica piece with violin, cello, and
synth loops. Completed September 2001
A Gift Of Life, Part 2 (3:22)
128kb-encoded MP3
The symphonic version's arrangement, but with added beats and percussion.
Completed October 2001
A Gift Of Life, Part 3 (3:30)
128kb-encoded MP3
The beat version, but remixed and rearranged. This was my final edit and
"finished version". Created October 2001
A Gift Of Life, Part 4 (3:30)
128kb-encoded MP3
Part 2 (no beats), but with Part 3's arrangement.
Absorption (chill out mix)
(5:25) 128kb-encoded MP3
An alternative version of "Absorption" with different drums and a "chill
out" mix.
Absorption (5:25)
128kb-encoded MP3
Mid-tempo disco tune based on the original track "Adsorption" with synth
washes, background noises, and bass
Abstract Expressionist In A Funk
(2:35) 128kb-encoded MP3
Very funky tune in the Parliament/Funkadelic vein with horns, synth
squiggles, and rhythm guitars. The final 45 seconds has some great
competing bass sounds.
Accidental Invaders (3:28)
160kb-encoded MP3
Moody stop-n-go electronica with water noises, my first piece created
using the Crystal VST integrated with Acid.
Adsorption (5:25) 128kb-encoded
MP3
An ambient classic. Very much "space music" with the blend of synths.
Reminds me of some of the instrumental passages on David Sylvian's "Gone To
Earth" album. Some touches of bass and rhythms enter towards the end.
And Then It Was Dry (4:04)
128kb-encoded MP3
This is a beat-driven and remixed version of the "Powerdown" track.
Orchestral touches, gurgling synths, baseball stadium-style organ, actual
nature sounds recorded digitally north of Cedar Rapids, various drums...
what a beautiful mess of sound. A brilliant piece. May 12, 2002
Aphexion (3:10) 128kb-encoded
MP3
An electronic/ambient track that is just over 3 minutes long. Very
sparse. A tribute to Richard D. James, the Aphex Twin, particular with a
nod to his "Selected Ambient Works, Volume 2" CD set. November 9, 2001.
As Good A Place As Any To Start (3:48) 192kb-encoded
MP3
A slice of trance/electronica/ambient-ness with
several different sections, including muted trumpets! This took a little
over 3 weeks to complete in numerous sessions. December 19, 2001.
August Three (3:24)
128kb-encoded MP3
It's a 150bpm eurotechnofeast for your ears - with dreams of dancing the
night away under humid skies. August 4, 2001.
Automater (8:15) 128kb-encoded
MP3
An extended dance tune. Kind of generic. Lots of recycled loops in here,
moving all over your head.
Automatrix (5:56) 128kb-encoded
MP3
Extremely fast remix of "Automater".
Black Box (4:53) 192kb-encoded MP3 - June/July 2003
Originally titled "Techno vs. Prog", breakbeat-driven piece has a nice piano
melody and lots of haunting keyboards and electronics lurking in the
background. Real drums throughout. Amazing. Dense.
Burned Into Existence (3:41)
128kb-encoded MP3
A 'thick electronica' dance piece in several sections with orchestral
touches. Definitely mixed with the levels too high. October 15, 2001
Cascade (1:57) 128kb-encoded
MP3
An early exercise in changing pitches and using deep bass. Nice piano lick
that's doubled-up.
Chrome Frog (6:30)
128kb-encoded MP3
I was intent on making a slower groovefest in which to base a longer
song on, but I liked the combination of loops in this track that I kept the
backing "as is". It's 20 loops in total, all royalty-free. Gotta love the
tablas towards the end. June 30, 2002
Crossing That Bridge (version 2)
(3:45) 160kb-encoded MP3
An alternative version of the original, but without most of the beats. The
acoustic bass and gurgling synths shine through. Very haunting. Finished
in late March 2003.
Crossing That Bridge (3:45)
160kb-encoded MP3
Lovely mid-tempo dance track with a various piano and synth melodies going
on all over the place in the background. Quite accomplished. Very
accessible. Finished March 31, 2003.
Daybooks (4:06) 192kb-encoded
MP3
Very slow-paced beat-driven electronica with odd piano and scary sounds.
Finished June 16, 2003.
Disappear Now (3:55)
160kb-encoded MP3
New Age-y remix of This Is How You Disappear. Full of synth washes
and spacy themes. Finished February 9, 2003.
Driving Under Stars (3:59)
128kb-encoded MP3
An edited-down version of "Swimming Under Stars" with an alternative
synth-squiggle melody and prominent bass.
East Highlands (3:00) 192-kb
encoded MP3
An 'acid jazz' and 'drums'n'bass' track also featuring piano, organ,
artificial strings, industrial groans, and odd gallops throughout. All
sounds were originally recorded, edited, and mixed by me. This was a big
breakthrough for me at the time. August 20, 2001
East Post Bypass (5:31)
128kb-encoded MP3
A remix of East Post
East Post (5:37) 128kb-encoded
MP3
Mid-tempo dance track with scary synths from late 2000.
Economy (5:28) 128kb-encoded
MP3
Part New Order, Part Chemical Brothers
Envelope (8:17) 128kb-encoded
MP3
A track that 'builds' throughout. The kind of thing you'd find on the
B-side of a 12 inch single in the early-to-mid 1980s
Episode Of December (4:21)
192-kb encoded MP3
A downtempo companion piece to 'As Good A Place As Any To Start'. Slower, in
a different key, and considerably rearranged/remixed. A meandering collage
of 'buried' synths and quite lovely. Created December 21, 2001.
Extension Of The Age Of Reason
(12:08) 128kb-encoded MP3
Essentially a 12 minute remix of Start Of The Age Of Reason with some new
things throughout, mostly in the last half of the song. Created Sept 18,
2001
Fireman Turn Away (There's A DJ)
(2:31) 128kb-encoded MP3
Starting out as an acoustic/chamber-y jaunt, this cute little number
quickly turns into a rocky electronica disco stomper featuring 2 1/2 year
old Isabel on voice. Created June 19, 2002
Five Phases (1:17)
128kb-encoded MP3
This is just a short little interlude. It's fast-paced (144bpm) and
dance-oriented electronica. Kind of an 80's flavor... Created June 30,
2002
Flurry Of Activity (1:07)
128kb-encoded MP3
Sounds like a commercial jingle.
Ganadores (2:32) 128kb-encoded
MP3
Three months in the making, this 2 1/2 minute funk-fest with Latin guitar,
Rhodes, scratching, and electronics was created out of 25 different
royalty-free loops. Happy summer! Created June 17, 2002
Gelato (3:27) 192kb-encoded MP3
A derivative of another recent track called 'Thickwood'. Slightly
longer, in a different key, but in a definite acid jazz / chill out sort-of
direction. Turn your mind off and listen... Finished March 3, 2002
Got My Windows Down (3:09)
128kb-encoded MP3
70's funky with loud bass and noises
Groove Loop (6:40)
128kb-encoded MP3
Slow-disco baggy with Fender Rhodes, horns, and subtle techno synths
Half Hour On The Hour (3:09)
128kb-encoded MP3
I remember making this on my lunch hour over the period of a couple weeks
while at work (not my current employer...) - pretty simple tune with
guitars, but still kinda cute. Spot the obvious key changes.
Halo Of Locust (3:04)
192kb-encoded MP3
More symphonic electronica... Plucked strings, cello, and bass
compete with different staccato synths and wandering tones - all within a
funky groove-fest. Yes, the title is a theft from a Scott Walker lyric.
Created March 24, 2002.
Hellbent (2:29) 160kb-encoded
MP3
Super-funky electronic dance tune. Unfinished and destined to stay
that way.
Hello (featuring Isabel) (2:35)
128kb-encoded MP3
Cheesy recording of 18 month old Isabel over a simple
synth-scratching/electronica beat.
High Wires (4:06) 128kb-encoded
MP3
More safe generic fodder with guitars from early-on.
Hi Mommy, Hi Daddo (2:37)
192kb-encoded MP3
September 5, 2001 - this is a 2 1/2 minute tune composed over a couple of
nights featuring numerous new voice samples by Isabel.
Host Receive (1:02)
128kb-encoded MP3
Based partly on "Envelope" - this is just a short little synth jingle.
Hurry Home (3:04)
128kb-encoded MP3
Starts out somewhat electronic, but the guitars quickly kick in and get
grungier as things progress. Female voices fly around. Think "The Strokes
meet The Cocteau Twins"? It's fast (156 bpm) and has an excellent aburpt
ending. It was an unusually lightning-fast creation, the basic structure
and 95% of the mix was created within 30 minutes on November 20, 2002. The
next night I remixed things, corrected some arrangement problems, but spent
little more than 5 minutes on it. Done November 24, 2002
I Like It (2:49) 128kb-encoded
MP3
EuroCasioDance, featuring loops from the Casio SK-1 and rendered in
Sound Forge. Created November 20, 2001
Initiative (4:06)
128kb-encoded MP3
One of my earlier tracks which has still held up. It's fast-paced and
contains some obvious loops, but it's still good.
Intercooler (4:08)
192kb-encoded MP3
More chillout acid jazz fading off into an ambient landscape. Finished March
3, 2002.
Jazzy DNB Interlude (1:06)
128kb-encoded MP3
Just what it says + some grungy guitars and synths
Kickback (2001 remix) (3:20)
128kb-encoded MP3
Lots of wah-wah guitar and a funky and rocky remix or the original 11 minute
tune.
Kickback (11:11) 128kb-encoded
MP3
A long and meandering electro piece that comes and goes.
Live Version (3:24)
192kb-encoded MP3 - June/July 2003
A muted-electronica tune with an audience grafted on for "live" effect.
Lurker (3:34) 128kb-encoded MP3
Easy-going ambient-electro.
Meditation #1 (Focus On The
Solution) (2:28) - October 20, 2002
It's 2 1/2 minutes long. Very ambient/mellow in an Aphex Twin/Pink Floyd
sort-of way. Altered electronica loops merge with altered orchestral loops
to produce hypnotic 'space music'. It should be appearing on my MP3.com
site within 24 hours.
Meditation #2 (Suffered Not The
Devils To Speak) (8:18) - November 6, 2002
Another long track. This starts out as ambient electronica and kicks in to a
guitar and bass groove after a couple of minutes. Cellos and strings
embellish other parts. This is the second in my "Meditation" series. The
track took about 7 weeks to put together, proof, and title over numerous
sessions. The slow pacing (77 bpm) affects the Acid-ized loops as they sound
*too* slowed-down - but this is my intent. They are supposed to sound this
way.
Meditation #3 (Cracking Up)
(2:22)
Scary piece of electronica with violin, voices, radios, and drums
Memory Trigger (3:25)
December 16, 2002
It's done. I liked it too much to mess around with the arrangement or
composition any more. If you've not heard it, the track is very mellow and
drifty with a restrained beat. Ultimately it's about those invisible waves
in the air that trigger a person's memory.
Mobyesque (2:55) 160kb-encoded
MP3 - October 8, 2001
Slightly orchestral-ish beginning, then it goes electronica/dance.
Motivation (3:28) 192kb-encoded
MP3
An ambient electronica piece, about 3 1/2 minutes in length, based upon
samples used in Swimming Under Stars. I've also added a new sequencer bit
that I composed using Reason, as well as a techno-y rhythm track. I
suppose this is the 'radio edit' version. New as of January 30, 2002.
Motivational (8:56)
128kb-encoded MP3 - January 30, 2002
An 8 minute 55 second extension and remix of Motivation.
Multiple (2:56) 192kb-encoded
MP3
an electronica tune, just under 3 minutes long. 136 bpm, key of D. This
was based upon some Episode of December chunks, but barely sounds
recognizable sitting next to it. Lovely Krautrock keyboards, rhythmic
acoustic guitars, and gurgling bass synth. New as of December 26, 2001.
Multiple Multiple (9:03) -
128kb-encoded MP3 May 21, 2002
This is an extended remix of my late-December 2001 tune "Multiple", a
song which I always thought deserved this treatment. I'm extremely happy
with the results.
Otis Road (1:12) 128kb-encoded
MP3
Wah bass with a touch of acoustic guitar and ominous keyboards.
Panopoly (2:34) 128kb-encoded
MP3
If I remember correctly this was done with nearly all original loops from my
Yamaha synth, except for the break and scratching. It's pretty simple. One
of the first attempts at decent panning. With the title I was trying to
invent a new word, something of a cross between "Panoply" and "Monopoly".
Peripheral Vision (4:32)
192kb-encoded MP3 - February 5, 2002.
4 1/2 minute dance-oriented tune with guitar and e-bow samples in
it.
Post-Rock (4:35) 128kb-encoded
MP3
What ended up as the "final version" of this song, even though the ending is
badly mangled and falls off rather quickly. It's a great "build up" piece
with various pianos, guitars, keyboards, and excellent 'discrete' drums.
For some reason the mix sounded 'quieter' than most tunes, so you'll have to
move the volume up a notch or two. This one has the "walking acoustic bass"
in the beginning.
Post-Rock (early mix) (5:08)
160kb-encoded MP3
Longer, early mix. And without the "walking acoustic bass".
Pre-Emergence (3:53)
160kb-encoded MP3
An extremely subtle bass-driven ambient electronica piece
Recurring (4:26) 128kb-encoded
MP3
Another Yamaha synth-creation. Bad recording of the loops led to lots of
white noise, but it's still an interesting piece. Kind of reminds me of
Harold Budd's "Gypsy Violin" phase.
Recurring Event Driven (3:23)
128kb-encoded MP3
Techno-ish remix of 'Recurring'.
Retaliation (3:49)
128kb-encoded MP3 - July 22, 2002
A slow-paced progressive electronica tune with rock influences.
Road Blur (4:00)
128kb-encoded MP3 - July 22, 2002
My first "New Age-y" song. Yep, it's come to this...
Satellite Interlude (0:32)
128kb-encoded MP3
Slow down a whole bunch of rhythm loops and you get a great Bill Nelson
knockoff piece.
Shallow Green (3:04)
128kb-encoded MP3 August 27, 2001 - a 3 minute ambient track featuring
artificial vibraphone and organ. Most samples were composed and processed
by me. All others are royalty-free, public-domain loops.
Shallow Green With A Kick
(3:00) 128kb-encoded MP3
August 27, 2001 - around 3 minute 'acid jazz' track with an
electro-beat and synth punctuation on top of remixed samples from 'Shallow
Green'.
Shallow Green Revisited (3:00)
192kb-encoded MP3
Another remix in the 'Shallow Green' series. This
version features a slightly different rhythm track (fewer cymbals), enhanced
vibraphone, and a few other manipulations. Uploaded November 23, 2001
Slip (0:32) 128kb-encoded MP3
Short piece. Packs a lot in 32 seconds. Drums and synths. Post-prog, but
in a 'commercial' way.
Start Of The Age Of Reason
(3:52) 128kb-encoded MP3
I had the software package 'Reason' for a while, but never took to it. I
altered some of the basic patterns and came up with this.
Swimming Under Stars (long version)
(27:14) 128kb-encoded MP3
For the truly motivated or those interested in ambient excess, here
is a 27 minute extended version of the original 11 minute Swimming Under
Stars.
The Advent (8:20)
128kb-encoded MP3 - October 15, 2002
The Advent was originally based off of 3 samples from another tune before I
added other loops, but is more techno-influenced and is considerably faster
(119 bpm) than the last one. It also has a rhythm track, courtesy of a loop
created by Mick Fleetwood (!). I'm on it, playing my Yamaha PSR-280
keyboard into a loop that was heavily treated in Sound Forge 5.0. Other
loops are by Twine, Ma Ja Le, Ugly Remnants, Cinematix, and others. This
track was assembled and mixed in Acid Pro 4.0. Originally this track was
going to be about 3 1/2 minutes, but I added a middle and doubled-up the
second half with a few little twists and a fade out. I think this mix is a
keeper. It's very dense and sludgy but has a nice Giorgio Moroder-like
quality about it at times.
The Advent (2003 Remix) (8:24)
128kb-encoded MP3
Changed a few things in the piece and arrangement.
The Drive (6:12)
128kb-encoded MP3 - late 2000
One of my earlier pieces. I'm still learning the ropes with Sonic Foundry's
ACID on this one. Fast paced electronica/dance.
The Escape (4:39)
128kb-encoded MP3 - September 15, 2002
A piece of 'progressive electronica' - a bit goth-y, a bit ethereal.
The Illustrious Transient Sky
(3:25) 128kb-encoded MP3
3 minute and 20 second piece of lounge-y mellow jazz with a killer rhythm
track, wormy bass, synth washes, and vibraphone. (Sept 18, 2001)
The Ramp (0:32)
128kb-encoded MP3
More 'commercial' theme music.
The World's Design (2:12)
128kb-encoded MP3
The first track I ever completed. It was done for a Bill Nelson tribute
album called 'Multiplex - Our Secret Studios'. Spent forever on it since I
didn't know much about loops or the ACID program.
Theme From Lincoln Highway (early
mix) (3:46) 128kb-encoded MP3
A more ethereal and "space-y" version. You can tell it still needs work,
but it's interesting to hear.
Theme From Lincoln Highway (early
mix 2) (3:46) 160kb-encoded MP3
The keyboard line is in this one, but it's still not quite the finished
product by listening to the arrangement.
Theme From Lincoln Highway (long
version) (7:03) 160kb-encoded MP3
A "close to the final version", but extended out a ways. Drops off at the
end.
Thickwood (2:56)
192kb-encoded MP3 - March 3, 2002
Guitars and synths battle it out with a disco-y beat and heavy on the
breaks. More than a little influenced by The Avalanches, except I do the
loops in a royalty-free way.
This Is A Warning
(3:49) - 128kb-encoded MP3 - July 6, 2002
It starts out as a groovy, funky shuffle of an instrumental and then
launches into a full-blown hard rock thing before coming back down and doing
it all over again. Very accessible.
This Is How You Disappear (Early
Mix 1) (2:38) 160kb-encoded MP3
A skeletal version of the final product.
This Is How You Disappear (Early
Mix 2) (3:34) 160kb-encoded MP3
Still not quite there, but it's close. I'm obsessed with having it descend
into a lot of noise and confusion at the end.
Under My Own Power (3:16)
128kb-encoded MP3
All rhythm-oriented loops in this one.
Undercurrent (3:52)
192kb-encoded MP3
Techno-y remix of Perpetual Vision. Also 3:52 in length and
uploaded February 7, 2002. Created during the same session as Perpetual
Vision.
Untitled 010901 (1:48) 192kb-encoded MP3
Synthy - almost too "synth-y".
Untitled 010908 (2:06) 192kb-encoded MP3
Space-y, a "The The-Infected-era" beat, and some familiar samples.
Untitled 011020 (1:37) 192kb-encoded MP3
Like something you'd hear while riding a 21st Century Carousel.
Untitled 011106 (2:25) 192kb-encoded MP3
Heavy use of Reason loops and effects I created.
Untitled 011121 (0:39) 192kb-encoded MP3
Outer spacey theme.
Untitled 030131 (3:25) 192kb-encoded MP3
Drifting piece with shifting synths, percolating drums, and bits/chunks of
stuff.
Untiltled 030202 (1:42) 192kb-encoded MP3
A drifty, scary piece.
Untitled 030203 (3:28) 192kb-encoded MP3
An unfinished piece where I used some VST plug-in for ACID. It's nice, but
never was able to make the cut.
Untitled 030226 (3:06) 192kb-encoded MP3
Synth-oriented with heavy bass. It sounds almost done, but I never got
around to completing it.
Untitled 030426 (3:54) 192kb-encoded MP3
The Casio battles with an orchestra while guitar, bass, and keyboards create
a "lite jazz" moment.
Untitled 030504 (2:45) 192kb-encoded MP3
Jazzy drums, distant voices, and noisy synths make for a confused time.
Untitled 030608 (1:04) 192kb-encoded MP3
Weird synth squiggles and very fast drums. Very unfinished.
Untitled 030705 (3:54) 192kb-encoded MP3
This is still "in-progress", but I almost like it enough to give it a title
and declare it done. Guitar noises and synths battle it out until the horns
appear in the mid-tempo thing.
Untitled 030726 (4:00) 192kb-encoded MP3
Something I cooked up in one evening right before I assembled the
Florilegium. Jazzy piano with female voices and extra drums/hi-hat. Pedal
steel appears in a recurring manner. Unfinished.
Up And Down (2:17)
128kb-encoded MP3
A multi-stage thing with "car passing" noises, synth weirdness, and a slight
melody. Just a goof-off tune.
Vivid Red (3:34)
128kb-encoded MP3 - late 2000
An early decent track. The drums are too loud. Guitar loop is great, but
it's an obvious one. Arrangement is quite good, considering how long I'd
been doing music.
Westbound (4:18)
192kb-encoded MP3
Kind of a weird pop tune with a slowed-down House beat, orchestra,
cello & bass, banjo, and sitar - some electronics too - oh, yeah, and a
couple of voice samples from me....Uploaded February 24, 2002.
Whatever Whatever (3:40) 128kb-encoded MP3
A synth tune which never could make the final cut.
What Works (3:59)
128kb-encoded MP3 - September 10, 2002
Upbeat dance-electronica stomper with guitars.
Whiteout (6:19)
128kb-encoded MP3 - February 12, 2003
This was created, assembled, and mixed entirely in one session on February
10, 2003 and proofed the next night. 107bpm sort-of downtempo dance tune
with perpetual electronica, a variety of acoustic and fretless basses, gated
synths, and tabla. Very hypnotic and full of groove.
Whiteout (early mix) (6:19)
160kb-encoded MP3
Just an early mix.
Wide Swath (0:56)
128kb-encoded MP3
More 'commercial' music with kalimba, synths, and fake drums.
Zoe's Theme (3:28)
128kb-encoded MP3
Electronica-dance tune with haunting synths.
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