Artist: Andy Pickford
Tracklist:
- Phoenix
- Angel of the Water
- Wish
- Brightstar
- Quest
- Opal
- Gardenia
- Rainwashed
- Decay
- Vapour
- Clear Blue
'Vanguard 1’ is the first major solo release by Andy Pickford since 2003 and a welcome return for the enigmatic UK synth maestro. As one of the most popular of the 1990’s UK ‘new wave’ of electronic music exponents, Andy Pickford’s music is characterised by strong rhythms and sequences, and above all, melodies and themes to die for!
To state that this album is a ‘stunning return’ would be a huge understatement – ‘Vanguard 1’ is mind blowing – a selection of 11 dynamic and expertly constructed, interlinked tracks that power into the senses like a juggernaut. Full of ideas and creativity, it’s utterly compelling! As you’d expect the music is very melodic, with one memorable theme after the other demanding ‘repeat play’. Sequences and rhythms are tight, imaginative and contemporary, yet they don’t lose sight of Andy Pickford’s EM roots, even when flirting with the chill and electronica style vocal tracks that permeate this extraordinary album. ‘Vanguard 1’ is the first in a trilogy of releases planned on AD Music – with ‘2’ and ‘3’ already recorded and awaiting release in the near future. The music featured on ‘Vanguard 1’ is beautifully produced and shows a maturity and expertise that will appeal to his existing fans and is sure to garner praise from the wider electronica/chill market.
After a long period of doing as near to sod all as makes no difference, I am now compiling what will become my first album for AD Music.
If you've been aware of what I've been doing for the last 6 years or so, it's been mainly composing new tracks which have gone straight to archive. There have been a few exceptions, namely those very limited online EPs (and the even more limited private issue CD Jera), which were there to give a taster of the kind of work I've been up to.
The AD album however, will be a proper commercial outing. As such, I'm going to be drawing on the full archive (including anything from those EPs since they are no longer on release) in order to compile what I think will be the best, most "me" sounding album I can offer you. Dave Wright does specifically want it oriented towards EM and given the vast range of styles I've explored over recent years, I'm glad he's at least given me a pointer in terms of getting this album honed down as required. As some of you know, EM, to me... hehehe... I could chuckle all day and wear an evil grin! I've always pushed boundaries and as I get older, I sure ain't showing any signs of giving those tooth-grinding orthodox knob-box spunkflutes a peaceful time :-D Let's be truthful here, Maelstrom wasn't typical fare; it pushed the limits and that's why you loved it right? If you loved it because the bits which sounded more traditional, you weren't figuring it out. I was a mixed-up kid into synths from an early age and then into Punk and New Wave in my teens. As much as wanted to get my hands on a synth and start making freaky shit, I also had this insatiable need to stick a finger up at anyone telling me how to do it. I'm about to turn 50 and I'm pleased to say that precious little has changed!!!
So, what to expect from this new album? Well I've got well over a hundred finished pieces to choose from, all of which exceed the standard of production of my previous works. Some of them are too far out of the niche to include, but they'll come in later releases. You can expect big, blitzy long tracks, emotional melodic pieces, more rhythmic work and pretty much what you'd hope and expect for really. There won't be any fillers, not with this quantity of work to pick from. It'll be the best of what's already damn good to start with. As such, I've decided it will be called VANGUARD.
