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2012 marks the 10th anniversary of the first release by Andy Murkin on the Fortspring label, From Aardvark to Zebra (2002 FORT 01). To mark the occasion, Fortspring is releasing this collection of selected tracks under the title DECADE.
4 CDs may seem excessive, but since 2002 there have been no fewer than 17 regular albums released (up to and including Holiday on Devil's Island); and since a number of them were doubles, even triples, this represents a total of 27 CDs - over 24 hours of music - not including the original material, re-edits and remixes which appear in various parts of the 18 albums (up to and including Protosynthesis [2012 FORG 18]) in the GENRE series.
So there was plenty of material to choose from, falling naturally into 4 distinct periods, bounded by Flotsam and Jetsam (unreleased tracks 2002-2004, (FORT 04), Bits and Bobs (unreleased tracks 2004-2006, FORT 09), ODZNENZ (unreleased tracks 2006-2008 FORT 15) and Holiday on Devil's Island (2012 FORT 17).
It would be inaccurate to describe these as 'Greatest Hits', as none of them has been a hit in the usual sense. In fact, none of them has been a hit in any sense at all - and instead they have been chosen as accurately reflecting the distinctive mood and style of the album from which they are taken. Each of the 17 regular albums is represented by at least one track, and the 4 CDs as a whole illustrate the variety and development of the Andy Murkin style over the period.
Disc 1
1 A to Z (Fast) [6:08] Aardvark to Zebra (2002 FORT 01) [Flotsam and Jetsam version (2004 FORT 04)]
2 Islington [12:31] Aardvark to Zebra
3 The Shipping Forecast [16:38] Goodbye Finisterre (2003 FORT 02)
4 Perpendicular Ideal of the Glasshouse, Pt 1 [7:39] Goodbye Finisterre [2004 mix, Popular Classics (2007 FORG 06)]
5 Thunderbirds [5:54] (Gray) Devil's Island Discs (2004 FORT 03)
6 Devil's Island [6:36] Devil's Island Discs
7 Freefall [8:15] Devil's Island Discs
8 90 Years [1:42] Flotsam and Jetsam (2004 FORT 04)
9 A to Z (Slow) [6:10] Aardvark to Zebra [2007 Remix, Smooth Sounds (2007 FORG 09)]
Disc 2
1 Skyhop [5:02] A Walk in the Park (2005 FORT 05)
2 Accordion Man II (Land of Great Skies and Measureless Horizons) [1:21] A Walk in the Park
3 On Queensway [1:09] A Walk in the Park
4 River [8:24] A Walk in the Park
5 Bee Song [1:24] The Birds and the Bees (2005 FORT 06)
6 Elastic Band/Chippings from Syston [2:38] The Birds and the Bees
7 Messenger of Spring [11.54] Return to Devil's Island (2005 FORT 07) [+ other material, Aeolus to Zephyr version (2008 FORG 12)]
8 Picnic [8:43] Walking with Bees (2006 FORT 08)
9 Fantasy [9:43] Walking with Bees
10 Merry March and Song [11:28] Walking with Bees
11 39 [6:26] Bits and Bobs (2006 FORT 09)
12 3 Pizzas Lee [4:45] Light Classics version (2007 FORG 07)
Disc 3
1 Caravan Pt 1 [9:31] Caravan (2006 FORT 10)
2 How Can You Say? [9:02] Zoo Time (2007 FORT 11)
3 Tracks of My Tears [6:38] (Moore/Robinson/Tarplin) Quiet Storm (2007 FORT 12) [Single Edit ODZNENZ version (2011 FORT 15)]
4 Yelling Woodwind 1 [8:57] Yelling Graveley (2008 FORT 13) [Practical
Classics version (2010 FORG 16)]
5 Symphony No 1, 1st Movement [10:09] Symphony No 1 (2009 FORT 14)
6 Symphony No 1, 2nd Movement [9:39] Symphony No 1
7 Symphony No 1, 3rd Movement [9:50] Symphony No 1
8 Spectrum Part 3 [3:46] Symphony No 1
9 Spectrum of Light [4:50] Symphony No 1
10 Windsong II [5:39] ODZNENZ
Disc 4
1 Freefall Falling [6:06] ODZNENZ (2011 FORT 15)
2 In a Silent Way [4:48] (Zawinul) Axe (2011 FORT 16)
3 Across the Universe [5:30] (Lennon/McCartney) Axe
4 Earthdrone [10:48] Axe
5 Postlude [11:23] Windsurfing (2009 FORG 15)
6 Dubtime and Space [16.22] Holiday on Devil's Island (2012 FORT 17) [DECADE Edit]
7 Windsynthing A (extract) [5:28] Holiday on Devil's Island
8 Windsynthing B (extract) [5:44] Holiday on Devil's Island
All songs written (except where otherwise indicated), arranged, performed and produced by Andy Murkin.
Cover: 'Wild Animals Escaping From a Zoo and Invading a Film Set, Seen Through Binoculars' by Andy Murkin.
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