Experimentation Encouraged

Every year I look for something new to learn. In years past there have been a range of topics and skills - a new language, deep dive into historical events, vocal lessons, and more. Last year it was learning about a musical genre I am not that interested in - electronic dance music or EDM. Not that I don't like it - I just didn't care for it much. Someone once asked Billy Graham what he would do different in college. He responded in the most surprising way. He said that he would choose classes that he was bad in or knew the least about, and would work hard to excel in them. For me, EDM qualified.

After months of learning how to program loops and effects in Logic, and pestering my son Shamel (who is way better at music composition than I will ever be) to help me with sonic nuances, I finally had some half-decent songs that I didn't mind listening to. After mastering them and beta-testing them with my European friends who are techno buffs, the album was ready for the world. My beloved Gen Z kids called it simple retro house music. I took that as a compliment and called the album SIMPLEX.

A few decades ago, in a land far far away, I had assembled a band with some friends and we made some great music together for a couple of years. I wanted to call ourselves "Voice of God" or something like that. Just for kicks, I took the Latin version of that phrase and it stuck. Only for 2 years or so - but still, people either thought it was cool or had no idea how to pronounce it. Regardless, it has now resurrected as the moniker of my EDM efforts.

The album is available in all digital stores - Apple, Spotify, Amazon, Tidal, and more. Search for "voxdeo simplex" and you should find it.

A little bit about the songs:

1. Have You Heard? - Have you heard about the goodness of God? Have you?

2. Rainstar - probably my favorite song on the album - reminds me of petrichor on a rainy day

3. Aquadance - I may have gone a bit crazy with the water droplet effects, but hey - it sounded cool

4. Teardust - chill vibe on the treadmill

5. Razoredge - pace up in your HIIT

6. Raag M - based on an ancient Indian melody (raag Malkaouns). My daughter said it would make a great entry theme for a Bollywood villain. That's a compliment, right?

7. Sunrizer - cinematic theme for a sci-fi movie about a space ship trying to rescue a planet about to be absorbed by a black hole

8. Spacestroll - just walking along the Milky Way to Alpha Centauri admiring God's creation. My son Shamel helped me with the melody line on this one. You should check some of his work out as well - search for "Shamel Deshpande" on your favorite music store.

Hope you enjoy. Go ahead and experiment with something you haven't done before.

Be blessed!