This is my new favourite CD. A compilation of synthtastic instrumentals from music libraries in the 70s and 80s, Bob Stanley brings us ‘primitive, melodic, space-age lullabies’. It’s an interesting comparison to the Tears of Technology compilation (also with Ace Records), which covers some of the same years and sounds, but the music was for a different audience.

Once thought of as uncool, library music is now appreciated for what it is. Certain records from De Wolfe and Bruton are now very collectible and unless you have hundreds of pounds to spend on these, your only chance of physically owning some of the best electronic library tracks is to get this CD.

With names such as ‘Videodisc’, ‘Atomic Station’ and ‘Telecom’, these futuristic-sounding and dramatic pieces are ideal soundtracks for advertising the latest technology (video recorders, brick mobile phones, home computers…) or perhaps documentaries on how in the year 2000 we’ll be living on the Moon. Some of the tracks are funky, others are awe-inspiring. Most of them were not memorable after two listens, except for ‘Leaving’ by Sam Spence, ‘Coaster’ by Simon Park, ‘Space Walk’ by Rubba and ‘Northern Lights 1’ by John Cameron. I remembered more of them after I listened again. The booklet notes that some of the artist names were actually the same people and it seems there was quite a small, if talented, group of musicians and technicians who produced for music libraries.

My favourites are ‘Spaghetti Junction’ by Peter Reno (this track is from 1973, the year after this famous road interchange opened!), ‘Planned Production’ by Warren Bennett, ‘Future Perspectives’ by Tektron, ‘Waterfall’ by Chameleon, ‘Astral Plain’ by Alan Hawkshaw, and ‘Earth Born’ by Brian Bennett. This is a gem; if you love old synth music, buy it!