Stylophonika by the Kingston University Stylophone Orchestra is an exciting new album, scheduled to be released on January 28, 2022. It features the talents of Kingston University students and staff performing original compositions and creative recreations of classic compositions from electronic pioneers Vangelis, Wendy Carlos, Jean Michel Jarre, and Brian Eno.
The Stylophone Orchestra is the brainchild of Dr. Leah Kardos, Senior Lecturer in Music and Project Lead for the Visconti Studio at Kingston University, London. After the Dubreq company, makers of the Stylopnone, donated an assortment of new and vintage Stylophones to the studio, she wondered if a musical ensemble using the instruments was possible. In 2019 the Stylophone Orchestra was born.
Augmenting the Stylophones with Omnichord, Theremin, Korg Volcas, and voice, the Orchestra worked remotely and, in the studio, to record a stunning and creative record. Produced by Kardos and legendary producer Tony Visconti, the album demonstrates the amazing range of these instruments, presenting faithful recreations of some of the most iconic electronic composers, as well as a stand-out performance of David Bowie’s Space Oddity.
The group employed some unique studio techniques to record Olancha Goodbye, a tribute to the late ambient artist Harold Budd, who passed away in December 2020. Utilizing acoustic and plate reverbs and re-amplifying the music through the studio’s grand piano, they captured synthesizers and vocals creating an emotional piece befitting the artist.
The album is available for pre-order at: https://spunoutofcontrol.bandcamp.com/album/stylophonika in digital and vinyl versions.