Neuronium
Encyclopedia
Neuronium is a Spanish
electronic music
group created by Michel Huygen in 1976. The official biography claims Quasar 2C361 (1977) to be the first cosmic music
album recorded in Spain. Over 30 albums have been released under the Neuronium label.
For a brief time after its founding, Neuronium was a quintet, composed of a percussionist, bassist, guitarist and two synthetists. The guitarist (Albert Giménez) and both synthetists (Michel Huygen and Carlos Guirao, who also play guitars) recorded Quasar 2C361, in 1978, under the label EMI-Harvest. In 1978 Neuronium's second album Vuelo Químico inspired by the lyrics of Edgar Allan Poe
was released, with the participation of singer Nico
famous for her work with The Velvet Underground
, followed by the departure of Albert Giménez.
In 1980 Neuronium released "Digital Dream" under their own label, Neuronium Records
, with the collaboration of guitarist Santi Picó. Musician and producer Klaus Schulze
made remix of the album free of charge, but Neuronium choose to release album in their own mix because of the legal clauses.
"The Visitor" (1981) and "Chromium Echoes" (1982) were released next, the former being the last album with the participation of Carlos Guirao. Thereafter, Michel Huygen was the only member of the band, with occasional collaborations of guitarist Santi Picó.
Also, at the same time those two albums were released, solo albums by Michel Huygen ("Absence of Reality") and Carlos Guirao ("Revelation") were published.
Neuronium collaborated with Vangelis
in 1981. Records of their performances on the Spanish television programme "Musical Express" was released under the titles In London
in 1992, Separate Affair in 1996, and In London (Platinum Edition) in 2002.
In May 1986 Michel Huygen was inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain as the person in charge of the department of electronic music of the Center of Art Queen Sofía of Madrid.
Such albums as "Sybaris" (1991), "Psykya" (1996), "Hydro" (2001), "Azizi" (2002), "Sensorial" (2004) were the milestones of later Neuronium/Huygen production.
Album "Hydro" (2001) became the best-seller of Huygen's music. More than 150,000 copies were sold worldwide. By 2001 a million copies of Michel Huygen's various records had been sold.
Neuronium Records
was created in 2002 as the personal label of Michel Huygen on which the works from other artists like Suzanne Ciani
, Constance Demby
, Pascal Languirand or The Lab
were released, among others.
In some sources, including CD booklets, Neuronium's music is referred to as psychotronic, which purpose is to reach a state of harmony between the body and soul. From a more formal perspective, music by Neuronium covers several electronic music
styles, including New Age
, ambient
and space music
.
Remastered, remixed and partly re-recorded versions:
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
group created by Michel Huygen in 1976. The official biography claims Quasar 2C361 (1977) to be the first cosmic music
Cosmic Music
Cosmic Music is a jazz album by John Coltrane and Alice Coltrane. It was originally released after John Coltrane's death. On this release, John Coltrane actually only plays on Manifestation and Reverend King...
album recorded in Spain. Over 30 albums have been released under the Neuronium label.
For a brief time after its founding, Neuronium was a quintet, composed of a percussionist, bassist, guitarist and two synthetists. The guitarist (Albert Giménez) and both synthetists (Michel Huygen and Carlos Guirao, who also play guitars) recorded Quasar 2C361, in 1978, under the label EMI-Harvest. In 1978 Neuronium's second album Vuelo Químico inspired by the lyrics of Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe
Edgar Allan Poe was an American author, poet, editor and literary critic, considered part of the American Romantic Movement. Best known for his tales of mystery and the macabre, Poe was one of the earliest American practitioners of the short story and is considered the inventor of the detective...
was released, with the participation of singer Nico
Nico
Nico was a German singer, lyricist, composer, musician, fashion model, and actress, who initially rose to fame as a Warhol Superstar in the 1960s...
famous for her work with The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground
The Velvet Underground was an American rock band formed in New York City. First active from 1964 to 1973, their best-known members were Lou Reed and John Cale, who both went on to find success as solo artists. Although experiencing little commercial success while together, the band is often cited...
, followed by the departure of Albert Giménez.
In 1980 Neuronium released "Digital Dream" under their own label, Neuronium Records
Neuronium Records
Neuronium Records is a Spanish record label founded by Michel Huygen. The label features such artists as Neuronium, Suzanne Ciani, Constance Demby, Jonn Serrie, Pascal Languirand, Nadia Sohaei as Nadia, Michel van der Kuy as Run 2, Santi Picó, Brenda Warren, The Lab and CoolWind...
, with the collaboration of guitarist Santi Picó. Musician and producer Klaus Schulze
Klaus Schulze
Klaus Schulze is a German electronic music composer and musician. He also used the alias Richard Wahnfried. He was briefly a member of the electronic bands Tangerine Dream and Ash Ra Tempel before launching a solo career consisting of more than 60 albums released across five decades.-1970s:In...
made remix of the album free of charge, but Neuronium choose to release album in their own mix because of the legal clauses.
"The Visitor" (1981) and "Chromium Echoes" (1982) were released next, the former being the last album with the participation of Carlos Guirao. Thereafter, Michel Huygen was the only member of the band, with occasional collaborations of guitarist Santi Picó.
Also, at the same time those two albums were released, solo albums by Michel Huygen ("Absence of Reality") and Carlos Guirao ("Revelation") were published.
Neuronium collaborated with Vangelis
Vangelis
Evangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
in 1981. Records of their performances on the Spanish television programme "Musical Express" was released under the titles In London
In London
In London may refer to:* B. B. King in London* In London * In London...
in 1992, Separate Affair in 1996, and In London (Platinum Edition) in 2002.
In May 1986 Michel Huygen was inaugurated by Her Majesty Queen Sofia of Spain as the person in charge of the department of electronic music of the Center of Art Queen Sofía of Madrid.
Such albums as "Sybaris" (1991), "Psykya" (1996), "Hydro" (2001), "Azizi" (2002), "Sensorial" (2004) were the milestones of later Neuronium/Huygen production.
Album "Hydro" (2001) became the best-seller of Huygen's music. More than 150,000 copies were sold worldwide. By 2001 a million copies of Michel Huygen's various records had been sold.
Neuronium Records
Neuronium Records
Neuronium Records is a Spanish record label founded by Michel Huygen. The label features such artists as Neuronium, Suzanne Ciani, Constance Demby, Jonn Serrie, Pascal Languirand, Nadia Sohaei as Nadia, Michel van der Kuy as Run 2, Santi Picó, Brenda Warren, The Lab and CoolWind...
was created in 2002 as the personal label of Michel Huygen on which the works from other artists like Suzanne Ciani
Suzanne Ciani
Suzanne Ciani is an Italian American pianist and music composer who found early success with innovative electronic music.-Education:...
, Constance Demby
Constance Demby
Constance Mary Demby is an American multi-instrument musician and composer. Demby is identified with the New Age movement , while some of her output is also classified as ambient or space music. She is also a singer, instrument designer, painter, sculptor, and multi-media producer...
, Pascal Languirand or The Lab
The Lab (electronic music duo)
The Lab is a electronic music duo from Spain formed by Jose Corredera and Miguel Lazaro.- Short Biography :Jose Corredera and Miguel Lázaro began his musical project with VMG pseudonym at the age of 13. Under a visual conception of music, using electronic instruments and influences, developed an...
were released, among others.
In some sources, including CD booklets, Neuronium's music is referred to as psychotronic, which purpose is to reach a state of harmony between the body and soul. From a more formal perspective, music by Neuronium covers several electronic music
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
styles, including New Age
New Age music
New Age music is music of various styles intended to create artistic inspiration, relaxation, and optimism. It is used by listeners for yoga, massage, meditation, and reading as a method of stress management or to create a peaceful atmosphere in their home or other environments, and is often...
, ambient
Ambient music
Ambient music is a musical genre that focuses largely on the timbral characteristics of sounds, often organized or performed to evoke an "atmospheric", "visual" or "unobtrusive" quality.- History :...
and space music
Space music
Space music, also called spacemusic, is an umbrella term, synonymous with a segment of New Age Music and Ambient Music, used to describe music that evokes a feeling of contemplative spaciousness. Space music can be found within a wide range of genres. It is particularly associated with ambient, New...
.
Discography
- album 01: (1977): Quasar 2C361 (Neuronium)
- album 02: (1978): Vuelo Quimico (Neuronium)
- album 03: (1980): Digital Dream (Neuronium) remastered as "The New Digital Dream", with new cover
- album 04: (1981): The Visitor (Neuronium) remastered as "The New Visitor", with new cover
- album 05: (1982): Chromium Echoes (Neuronium)
- album 06: (1982): Absence of Reality (Huygen)
- album 07: (1983): Invisible Views (Neuronium)
- album 08: (1984): Heritage (Neuronium)
- album 09: (1984): Capturing holograms (Huygen)
- album 10: (1986): Barcelona 1992 (Huygen)
- album 11: (1987): Supranatural (Neuronium)
- album 12: (1988): From Madrid to Heaven (live) (Neuronium)
- album 13: (1989): Elixir (Huygen)
- album 14: (1990): Olim (Neuronium)
- album 15: (1990): Numerica (Neuronium)
- album 16: (1990): Intimo (Huygen)
- album 17: (1991): Extrissimo (Neuronium, including tracks from Huygen's solo works)
- album 18: (1991): Sybaris (Neuronium)
- album 19: (1992): En busca del misterio (Huygen)
- album 20: (1993): Oniria (Neuronium)
- album 21: (1994): Infinito (Huygen)
- album 22: (1995): Música para la buena mesa (Huygen)
- album 23: (1995): Sonar (live) (Neuronium)
- album 24: (1995): Astralia (Huygen)
- album 25: (1997): Psykya (Neuronium)
- album 26: (1999): Ultracosmos (Huygen)
- album 27: (1999): Alienikon (Neuronium)
- album 28: (2000): Directo al Corazón (Huygen)
- album 29: (2001): Hydro (Neuronium)
- album 30: (2002): Placebo (Huygen)
- album 31: (2002): Azizi ( Neuronium)
- album 32: (2005): Mystykatea (Neuronium)
- album 33: (2006): Synapsia (Neuronium)
- album 34: (2006): Angkor - "Extreme Meditation" (Huygen)
- album 35: (2007): Irawadi - "Extreme Meditation" (Huygen)
- album 36: (2007): Magic Samui (Huygen)
- album 37: (2008): Nihilophobia (Neuronium)
- album 38: (2010): Etykagnostyka (Neuronium)
- album 39: (2010): Hydro 2. The Deep End (Neuronium)
- album 40: (2010): Krung Thep - Extreme Meditation Vol.3 (Huygen)
- album 41: (2010): Zen Driving (Huygen)
Unnumbered titles
- (1987): Alma (Neuronium) (remixes)
- (1993): In London (Neuronium); (recorded in 1981 with VangelisVangelisEvangelos Odysseas Papathanassiou is a Greek composer of electronic, progressive, ambient, jazz, pop rock and orchestral music, under the artist name Vangelis...
); remastered as "A Separate Affair" (1996) and "In London (Platinum Edition)" (2002), with new covers - (1998): Oniria Neuromance; (CDR) (compilation album)
- (1998): Todos Sus Grabaciones Para Discos EMI/Harvest (1977–1978) (Neuronium) (compilation double album; includes albums "Quasar 2C361" and "Vuelo Quimico")
- (1999): Droit Au Coeur (Huygen) (compilation album)
- (2000): Caldea Music (this is an album not mentioned on official site; but sure is a recording of Huygen; later parts of the album were remixed, rerecorded and released as "Hydro" in 2001)
- (2003): Soplo Vital (Huygen) for ANOREXBU, a psychotherapeutic Association of Anorexia, Bulimia and Light addictions;
- (2003): LSD (Cybernium) (collaboration work with Pascal Languirand of Trans-XTrans-XTrans-X is a Canadian 1980s synth band formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are known for their hit song "Living on Video" which charted world wide.-History:...
) - (2004): Sensorial (Huygen) (includes re-worked version of "Ultracosmos" track under the title "Percepción Cósmica" ("Senso") with guitar playing by Santi Picó)
- (2005): Chilled drive (Huygen) (compilation album)
Other
- (1990): Dalí: the endless enigma; one track: The Great masturbator.
- (2002): Pascal Languirand. Renaissance; Huygen wrote the music for the track: Vivre/Sólo Pensando En Tí (the same song performed in French and Spanish version).
- (2003): Trans-XTrans-XTrans-X is a Canadian 1980s synth band formed in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. They are known for their hit song "Living on Video" which charted world wide.-History:...
. The Drag-Matic Album; producer, executive producer.
Online releases
- (2006): Mentalia (Huygen) (includes the only track "Senso" from "Sensorial" album)
Remastered, remixed and partly re-recorded versions:
- (2010): Quasar 2C361/Ultimate Edition(Neuronium)
- (2010): Chromium Echoes/Ultimate Edition(Neuronium)
- (2010): Vuelo Quimico/Ultimate Edition(Neuronium)
- (2010): Digital Dream/Ultimate Edition(Neuronium)
Upcoming works
As the official website claims, two albums are to be released in the period 2010-2011:- Krung Thep, from the "Extreme meditation" series (Huygen)
- Structurae (Huygen)
External links
- Official Neuronium Web Site
- Official Neuronium Myspace page
- Official site by Cybernium - collaboration project by Pascal Languirand and Michel Huygen
- Official site of Extreme Meditation series by Michel Huygen
- Neuronium Entry at Discogs.com
- Neuronium Entry at EEM
- Article about Neuronium history
- Article about collaboration work by Vangelis and Neuronium
- Neuronium and Vangelis at Youtube