Jenkins, Mark

Artist: Mark Jenkins & Hannah Chappell
P: 2020
Cellistica is the duo of Mark Jenkins (electronics) and Hannah Chappell (cello). Fusing the finest Elements of classical, experimental, jazz, pop and rock music, Cellistica creates a rich and imaginative sound accompanied by spectacular computer graphic visuals. A typical set presents Cellistica's own unique take on pieces by some of the world's best known and loved classical, pop, jazz and rock composers.

Artist: Mark Jenkins
P: 2024
The double CD includes a medley from the early 1970's albums which the band never speaks about; an over 10-minute "Autobahn" and other tracks from the album; remarkable re-imaginings of "Radio-Activity" and "Europe Endless"; pieces from "The Man Machine", "Computer World" and "Electric Cafe".There are original pastiche tracks about ekranoplans, airships, pocket calculators and analog synthesizers.There are guest vocalists including Hayley Williams from Heaven 17 & Soft Cell and a light operatic male/female duo.There's A LOT of vocoder and computer generated speech. Then there are striking cover versions which Kraftwerk may have created in some alternate timeline - covers of Kate Bush, Cameo, Electric Six, Fad Gadget and PJ Harvey. "Computer Love" in French, tracks for Stylophone and Casio VL1, laptops speaking Welsh - it's a whole universe of alternate Kraftwerks. With a complete equipment list inside the gatefold sleeve, it's over two hours of Krafty entertainment.

Artist: Mark Jenkins
P: 1995
Eight previously unreleased pieces developed during the early to mid 80's on instruments which "could create rich, powerful textures seldom matched by the later generation of digital keyboards". I certainly wouldn't argue with that, and there aren't many albums around nowadays which have the likes of the Moog Sonic Six and the EDP Wasp & Spider amongst the lineup. 'Where No Shadows Fall' consists of various analog effects and timbres with a short sequenced section near the end of the piece. With 'Ohrwurm' it's sequences all the way and impressive they are too with speaker crunching dynamics. 'Urizen' initially adopts a lilting pace punctuated by rasping synths.The pace then picks up as the collage of sound becomes denser with vocoder joining the fray at one point. Two shorter pieces follow. 'Sun Down' combines an effective melody picked out on flute with a delicate sequence. 'Heart of Darkness' features psychedelic guitar and another pulsing sequence. 'Electric Eden' show-cases some of the most accomplished and effective sequential rhythms on the album, embellished by unmistakable MiniMoog solos. 'Dancing About Architecture' contains many pleasing elements but is unfortunately swamped by crude electronic percussion leaving 'Time's Wingèd Chariot' to close the album with more excellent sequences and lashings of vocoder. Don't expect compositional finesse. Don't expect state of the art sound quality. Do expect a window on a period when synths still sounded and looked like synths and could literally make the foundations shake. The catalogue number perhaps suggests this could be the first of many.

Artist: Mark Jenkins
P: 1995 / 2022
Re-mastered and expanded from its 1995 release, this consistently popular CD presents unreleased archive tracks from 1982-85, an exciting time for synth music featuring pioneering analog instruments like the MiniMoog, Moog Sonic 6 and (kit-built) Transcendent 2000 right alongside early digital and MIDI synths such as the EDP Wasp, Sequential Prophet 600 and Yamaha DX7. The album has a huge range of textures, from looping analog leadlines and sounds to compelling multi-sequences, digital and early beatbox-style fully analog drums, mostly in long tracks of around ten minutes running continuously. Mark's sleeve notes explain the technology of each piece and the use of vocoders, early samplers and the pioneering EDP Spider and Oberheim Mini sequencers. Re-mastered for clearer and louder sound, and with a previously unreleased bonus track "Night Of First Ages Pt. 1" resembling Klaus Schulze's "Wahnfried 1883" and using the exact instrumentation shown on the cover, "Analog Archives" is a must-have for fans of Ashra around "New Age of Earth" and "Blackouts", Michael Hoenig, Cluster and Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream around the period of "Sorcerer", or pioneering US synthesists Michael Stearns and Steve Roach.

Artist: Mark Jenkins & Alquimia
P: 2007
Joining British synthesist Jenkins is Alquimia, who provides vocals for three tracks. Bouncy electronics blend with dreamy backdrops to produce invigorating tuneage that floats. Engaging keyboard riffs interweave with hypnotic looping pulsations, establishing a lush panorama that meticulously evokes an alien landscape--but as perceived through human senses. Lacing a strange milieu with familiar aspects can be a tricky process, but Jenkins handles it with suave skill. Although everything (except the guitars and Alquimia’s voice) is generated via computers, the sonic palette is nicely seasoned with traditional sounds. A horn section delightfully bolsters one track.
The guitars function in a sneaky manner, often disguising themselves through treatments so that they are unrecognizable as string instruments. At other times, however, the energetic strumming is distinct and vibrantly familiar.
Percussion is present throughout this release and results in steady propulsion for the electronic melodies. Snappy beats pitter away, supported by more sedate rhythms, eventuating a lively pace that restrains itself from dominating the compositions.
The three songs that feature Alquimia’s lyrical vocals possess a pleasantly organic quality that tends to nudge these tracks in a quasi-commercial direction. Overall, the tuneage exhibits an eerie character that is congenially tempered by a rich sense of humanity. The catchy percussion abets this disposition by appealing to mankind’s inherent toe-tapping predilection

Artist: Mark Jenkins
P: 2005
The CD If The World Were Turned On Its Head, We Would Walk Among The Stars presents three epic peaces of dark ambient electronic rock music. Fusing the driving instrumental styles of the German electronic acts Ash Ra Tempel and Klaus Schulze with ambient world and rock elements from American artists such as Steve Roach and Jan Hammer, the album creates fascinating textures from the classic days of the Moog synthesizer while incorporating the very latest in virtual synthesis technology.

Artist: Mark Jenkins
P: 2022
With the passing of an electronic music legend comes this lovingly crafted tribute to his music and sonic innovations.
The album pastiches the music of one of the world's leading solo synthesizer composers, presenting his musical styles as they developed from the 1970's to the present day. A debut on drums in the early band improvisation style of Tangerine Dream leads into early keyboard experimentation. Synth rhythms are introduced then bloom into fully-fledged up-tempo sequencer music. Other pieces show how sound sampling, operatic vocals and even techno music were later incorporated.
These recreations of pioneering musical styles through the years use authentic instruments from drums, organ and Mellotron to digital samplers and the PPG Wave. Vocal contributions are included from Arthur Brown and Julia Messenger. Originally intended to accompany the biographical book in the "50 Years" series alongside matching histories of Tangerine Dream and Kraftwerk, this epic tribute album will appeal to fans everywhere.
A tribute album of original pastiche pieces, not cover versions, and not by the original artist. Each sale includes a donation to kidney dialysis services.

Artist: Mark Jenkins
P: 2019
The new CD from synth expert Mark Jenkins channels Jean-Michel Jarre, Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, Mike Oldfield, Emerson Lake & Palmer, Kraftwerk and many more in a true synthesizer spectacular by his own interpretation of known tracks by the famous artists.