Chemical Process by Munkie

This is a darker, more intellectual affair whilst still retaining some of the characteristics of the debut. It takes a look at human emotions and life from depression (In my darkened room) and sadness (shatter the circles) to love (antidote to strychnine) and courage (cry no more tears). This album will take you on an ambient, "chilled" journey exploring different personalities.

Chemical Process, is a fantastic blend of ambience and haunting vocals. It's the kind of album you would put on when you are chilling with a bottle of wine in a candlelit atmosphere, and hopefully someone to enjoy it with. Because you will want to spread the word once you've had the total chill out experience this album offers. Each of the 11 tracks has a personality from Fire in my heart where the emotion pumps out the speakers to the beat sounds from Dream of you (in colours).

Opener 'Antidote To Strychnine' is a mellow piece of downbeat electronica, complete with some of the haziest, melancholic vocals. The sweeping synths and the minor chords whip about the track, giving it the edge that most 'chill out' music lacks. With the songs ranging from three to five minutes, the full effect is on view, with some tracks a bit more sprightly and commercial, whilst the song 'Shatter The Circles' is just so full of heavenly passion and beautiful instrumentation, as strings, synths, piano, electro-percussive rhythms and deep bass supply the backdrop to a smoothly flowing vocal.

In the downtempo / electro style but with a dark ambient edge, this has an experimental style. Being influenced by many different genres of music has shaped this unique sound. This album is a superb quality slice of ambient song-writing, playing and vocalising, as the tracks unfold to perfection, with stunning composition on the entire album.

------------------------------------------------------------

TRACK DESCRIPTIONS - "CHEMICAL PROCESS"

=======================================

ANTIDOTE TO STRYCHNINE

======================

At some point in life we fall so in love with someone that you cannot even think of living without them, you want to spend every moment with them, share experiences and your lives together. That they will be your antidote to the bad things in life. An ambient lo-fi style track with a seventies funk / soul feel. 90bpm in Bb minor with female vocals.

DREAM OF YOU (IN COLOURS)

=========================

This song is based on the book "Vurt" by Jeff Noon, where the main character (Scribble) is so obsessed by the love of his sister that he will give up his own life to save her. It has become his life quest to get her back into his arms. 140bpm in A minor this Ambient Electro stomper with a driving bass and drum track, female lead vocal.

MORE PRECIOUS THAN GOLD

=======================

Certain aspects of modern society put possessions higher in priority over life, the idea for this came about when I read an article that a person was killed for £20 and a few worthless possessions in their own home. Insanity is taking over. 140bpm Experimental Industrial Electro style track in D minor with computerised vocals

FIRE IN MY HEART

================

By being infatuated or obsessed with someone you long to be with them. You go out of your way to be near them or speak to them. But they don't know that you exist. A slow triphop / electro style track with an industrial / funk / dub style lead synth, in A minor at 90 bpm with a breathy female lead vocal.

(WE ARE) AUTOMATED

==================

Life tries to put people in boxes, some people seem to put themselves in boxes and resist anything that will force them out. Sit back sometime and watch them live like robots. A 140 bpm Techno / Electro track with ambient synths in A minor with a female lead vocal.

CHEMICAL PROCESS

================

Some people are trying too hard to change themselves and future generations to be this perfect human body through cosmetic surgery and genetic alterations, they just can't accept who they are and what they look like. We will end up all looking the same - diversity is what makes us unique. A 140bpm Electro track in C minor using programmed sounds and a computerised vocal

SHATTER THE CIRCLES

===================

You have just lost someone who was your life, your everything. Your whole body aches with pain, sobbing so much that your entire body is shaking with grief. The song came to me when remembering the agony of losing someone close, watching the tears drop into a pool of water and the circles being shattered by the next tear. A minimal ambient track at 100bpm in A minor.

THIN SKIN

=========

Everything that happens in life shapes who you are and even small things that happen in childhood can leave scars and doubts in adulthood. A melancholic track using unusual instruments in 3/4 time but based around a 4/4 pattern at 110bpm in F# minor with female vocals.

TORN APART

==========

Things happen for a reason, they can be completely out of your control. But they still shock you, even if you knew it was coming and tear your world apart. A funky disco/house style track at 115 bpm in A minor with ambient synths and female vocals.

IN MY DARKENED ROOM

===================

This song is about living with depression. that you just want to hide away in the corner of a darkened room, not wanting to speak to anyone or be around anyone. A dark triphop style track at 90bpm in A minor with a heavy bass and weird synths.

CRY NO MORE TEARS

=================

When you realise that there is a better way to live your life. That you don't need that person who doesn't respect you, care about you or want you. You can make a new start without them and hold your head high with pride. A 100bpm Ambient Electronica track with a R&B/Hip Hop drumbeat in A Minor with female lead vocals.

-----------------------------------------------------------

BIOGRAPHY

=========

MUNKIE is the brainchild of Jason Clark, multi-instrumentalist, record producer, composer and remixer. The music he creates is a sonic art-form containing elements of different genres, it creates visual images in the mind, stirs the emotions and contains intellectual lyrics. The best way to describe this truly original downtempo / electro style music is a long chilled drink that is made up of seventies funk, eighties electro / synth-pop, ska & punk ideals, psychedelic & new wave weirdness with world music to add the flavour. Jo Cowap from Zejo Music put it best with - "MUNKIE music is a fantastic blend of ambience and haunting vocals. It's the kind of album you would put on when you are chilling with a bottle of wine in a candlelit atmosphere, and hopefully someone to enjoy it with. Because you will want to spread the word once you've had the total chill out experience this music offers"

Born in Essex, grew up in Torbay, Devon but is now living in Leeds. "After moving around the country in the early part of my life I feel that this formed my writing style, with never having that sense of belonging. I have always looked on aspects of life from an outsiders point of view, being intrigued by people and personalities", this inquiring imagination can be heard on both his albums, with the second album "Chemical Process" exploring the darker reaches of the human mind. Most of his musical influences are from the 70s and early 80s ranging from David Bowie, The Specials, Joy Division, The Clash to Kraftwerk, RUN DMC and Depeche Mode, this is reflected in his unique music style.

With tracks from both albums currently receiving radio airplay and heavy promotion on the internet through ringtones & digital distribution, MUNKIE are looking to release their first official single "Antidote to Strychnine". This is to coincide with this track, from the new album "Chemical Process", being included into a compilation CD released through Soundlab Entertainment. Jason is now writing Film & TV music for music libraries and has been asked to score his first independent film. With Merchandise now available we hope to promote MUNKIE even further. Jason has some interest from distributors and publishers with the catalogue and hopes to secure a deal soon. Looking to the future MUNKIE are now putting together a unique live show, which will hopefully go "on the road" in the next few months.

Jason and Kate met at the Leeds College of Music where they were both studying, with Jason having an extensive background in music production and composition having been a semi-pro DJ for a while, playing guitar in an Indie Band and creating remixes. He won the Media Records back catalogue to remix in 1998, then created a remix of the BECK track "Mixed Bizness". Other remixes followed over the next couple of years (Fatboy Slim, Tweaker, Baldwin Brothers, Liberty X), then through advice given by a respected label boss decided to concentrate more on promoting my own music to become a name. "The best thing so-far was getting a centre page article in the Yorkshire Evening Post about my music and debut album printed in Jan 2004, they also included a colour photo of me."

After creating some early songs without "live" vocals, Kate being an accomplished vocalist, was brought in add extra edge to some tracks where needed. Through tireless promotion and hard work MUNKIE is now starting to get some recognition, to this end have been asked to supply promo videos to cable TV networks in the USA. Jason has a clearly defined vision with his music and wants to be seen as a composer, producer and remixer with a unique style that is easily recognised.

Jason says, "I love making music and enjoy all the creative aspects of music production. The reason is I enjoy the reaction from people when they listen to what I have created whether positive or negative. I like to think that somehow I can make a difference to someone's day."

Average Customer Review: