Kirlian Selections
Encyclopedia
Kirlian Selections is the sixth full-length album by The Flashbulb (Benn Jordan), released in April 2005.
Jordan had strongly considered not releasing the material at all, considering it more of a testament to what he was capable of achieving rather than as a piece to be openly acquired (and subsequently criticized) by the public. He originally planned to have the album released as either a super audio CD
or a DVD-A, as the album was mixed in 5.1 surround sound, and for it to be released under his real name, so as to disassociate any expectations that would arise if it were released as "The Flashbulb". However, Sublight Records
received the material and managed to convince Jordan to release it on CD as "The Flashbulb", suggesting that it would sell more copies if released under that name. Several months later, Jordan finished mixing the album down to 2-channel stereo
from the original 5.1 mix and Kirlian Selections was released.
According to Jordan, over tens of thousands of dollars of expenses were used in the recording of this album. It is his first album that was recorded entirely outside of his own bedroom, taking advantage of string orchestra
and brass
sections that he was working with at the time for film score
s and advanced acoustic environments and recording equipment that were previously unavailable to him.
Track 24 is a cover of the classic song by The Mamas & the Papas
. Apparently, Jordan actually purchased the copyright to the song before he released this album. The titles of tracks 17, 18 and 23 are at least partially if not entirely written in the Cherokee writing script
. Track 3 featured in the award-winning Dove soap Evolution
campaign in 2006.
Jordan had strongly considered not releasing the material at all, considering it more of a testament to what he was capable of achieving rather than as a piece to be openly acquired (and subsequently criticized) by the public. He originally planned to have the album released as either a super audio CD
Super Audio CD
Super Audio CD is a high-resolution, read-only optical disc for audio storage. Sony and Philips Electronics jointly developed the technology, and publicized it in 1999. It is designated as the Scarlet Book standard. Sony and Philips previously collaborated to define the Compact Disc standard...
or a DVD-A, as the album was mixed in 5.1 surround sound, and for it to be released under his real name, so as to disassociate any expectations that would arise if it were released as "The Flashbulb". However, Sublight Records
Sublight Records
Sublight Records was a Canadian record label started in 2004 by Aaron Rintoul and ran until June 2007. Based out of Winnipeg, Canada. It was named among the top 25 indie record labels of 2006 by XLR8R magazine - "Sublight has gone from spewing out splattered beats fresh from bedrooms where the sun...
received the material and managed to convince Jordan to release it on CD as "The Flashbulb", suggesting that it would sell more copies if released under that name. Several months later, Jordan finished mixing the album down to 2-channel stereo
Stereophonic sound
The term Stereophonic, commonly called stereo, sound refers to any method of sound reproduction in which an attempt is made to create an illusion of directionality and audible perspective...
from the original 5.1 mix and Kirlian Selections was released.
According to Jordan, over tens of thousands of dollars of expenses were used in the recording of this album. It is his first album that was recorded entirely outside of his own bedroom, taking advantage of string orchestra
String orchestra
A string orchestra is an orchestra composed solely or primarily of instruments from the string family. These instruments are the violin, the viola, the cello, the double bass , the piano, the harp, and sometimes percussion...
and brass
Brass
Brass is an alloy of copper and zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties.In comparison, bronze is principally an alloy of copper and tin...
sections that he was working with at the time for film score
Film score
A film score is original music written specifically to accompany a film, forming part of the film's soundtrack, which also usually includes dialogue and sound effects...
s and advanced acoustic environments and recording equipment that were previously unavailable to him.
Track listing
- "Eyes of June" – 1:15
- "Binedump" – 3:42
- "Passage D" – 2:00
- "Lawn Wake IX" – 2:35
- "Mellann" – 2:11
- "Kirlian Isles I" – 1:37
- "Kirlian Isles II" – 3:35
- "Dishevel" – 2:26
- "My Life of Loving Ghosts" – 2:09
- "Kirlian Shores" – 3:19
- "At One Last Night" – 1:19
- "Blackout" – 1:25
- "Creep" – 3:05
- "Autumn Insomnia Session" – 3:25
- "Shortcuts" – 2:50
- "Kirlian Choices" – 5:03
- "ᎧᎸᎬ Highways" – 1:51
- "ᏭᏕᎵᎬ Highways" – 3:19
- "Dakota June" – 1:53
- "Parkways" – 2:48
- "Lifeless Indoors" – 1:43
- "Six Months Without Light" – 3:03
- "ᎡᎯᏍᏛ ᏠᏓ" – 2:32
- "California Dreaming" – 3:43
- "Kirlian Changes" – 1:46
- "Kirlian Isles III" – 2:13
- "Miles and Miles" – 3:03
- "Five Karots" – 1:45
Track 24 is a cover of the classic song by The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas
The Mamas & the Papas were a Canadian/American vocal group of the 1960s . The group recorded and performed from 1965 to 1968 with a short reunion in 1971, releasing five albums and 11 Top 40 hit singles...
. Apparently, Jordan actually purchased the copyright to the song before he released this album. The titles of tracks 17, 18 and 23 are at least partially if not entirely written in the Cherokee writing script
Cherokee syllabary
The Cherokee syllabary is a syllabary invented by Sequoyah to write the Cherokee language in the late 1810s and early 1820s. His creation of the syllabary is particularly noteworthy in that he could not previously read any script. He first experimented with logograms, but his system later developed...
. Track 3 featured in the award-winning Dove soap Evolution
Evolution (Dove)
Evolution is an advertising campaign launched by Unilever in 2006 as part of its Dove Campaign for Real Beauty, to promote the newly created Dove Self-Esteem Fund. The centre of the Unilever campaign is a 75-second spot produced by Ogilvy & Mather in Toronto, Canada...
campaign in 2006.
Personnel
- Benn Jordan – composer, producer, performer, recording, mastering, photography, design and art direction
- Mark Messing – additional composition on "Kirlian Isles I" and "Kirlian Isles III", brass
- Greg HirteGreg HirteGreg Hirte is a professional violinist based out of Chicago, Illinois.He performs with a handful of bands, including The Flashbulb, Mucca Pazza, Soundframe, and Mojo and the Bayou Gypsies. His violin performances have also appeared on many albums, most notably The Flashbulb's "Kirlian Selections",...
– violin - Claire Nicholson – cello