The Technical Academy Plays -bØb-
2.20.15 by Jamie Orlando

bob large

In 1991, Bob Lee wrote some algorithms in a programming language called Fourth on an old Atari 1040ST to generate musical notes. He dubbed the “performers” in his computer “The Technical Academy”. He then hooked up a Roland U-110 rackmount synth to his computer, sat back and hit the record button. The tape was released to his friends and family, most of whom laughed it off due its highly unconventional experimental nature.

Almost 25 years later, Fixture Records came across Lee’s Bandcamp page, got in touch with him and the rest is history. The recordings sure are kooky, and have a very atonal vibe to them, reminiscent of some of the early 20th century avant garde classical composers. Lots of chaotic timpanis, clarinets, saxophones, pianos, trumpets, violas… you name it. Of course the sound source is an old outdated digital synth, so there is a certain charm to hearing these very fake-sounding instruments. It reminds me a bit of Zappa’s work on the Synclavier, but whereas Zappa meticulously programmed the notes, Lee’s notes are generated with random number generators, and the resulting work differs quite clearly from Zappa’s.

I am compelled to talk about the presentation. I was QUITE pleased with this. The tape is pro-dubbed on a red cassette and has great liner notes that describes each track. I enjoyed reading the summary of each track before it played. Also included is a download card, a bØb postcard and a booklet of some of his source code. Additionally, we get a zine with an interview with bØb himself!

If you are one of the first 30 to buy this, you get a second tape which are recordings of Bob Lee from all the way back in 1969. This tape, titled “Electro Media Mix” is noisier and not at all similar to the aforementioned “Technical Academy” tape. It was created with a couple tape machines and a couple of Radio Shack “science kits” over 20 years before the “Technical Academy” was born.

I would say that both of these tapes would be great additions to the collections of fans of the more vintage flavor of experimental music. “The Technical Academy Plays -bØb-” is a C40 limited to 150 copies and available for $8.00 + shipping from Fixture Records. Thanks for the listens bØb!