Several years in the making, this instrumental concept album takes you on a musical journey through the course of a full day – from first light to midnight and beyond.
Several special guest artists have made valuable contributions to this recording:
Charlie Hearnshaw: clarinet on 1 First Light, alto saxophone on 4 Midday, basset clarinet on 6 Twilight.
Gina Carmello: vocals on 1 First Light, 3 Morning, 5 Hazy Afternoon, 8 Last Light, 9 Nightwalk, 11 Beyond.
James Alexander Smale: drums on 3 Morning, 4 Midday, percussion on 1 First Light, 7 Dusk
Coach York: drums on 6 Twilight.
Max Abbatt: vocals on 8 Last Light, 9 Nightwalk.
Ed Raynham: vocals on 8 Last Light.
Other instruments Marcus Darc
Composed by Marcus Darc
Visual Design: Chi Wang Darc
Kinda speechless. Definitely masterpiece level. Proper job. Definitely something to listen to again and again.
S.W.
Like! Very good, enjoy - 10/10!
V.C.
Whoa, talk about a symphony for the senses - from dawn to dusk and every note in between! ???? Can’t wait to dive into'Portrait of A Day' and get swept away on this musical hour-by-hour adventure! ????????
I.K.
Album is - in my best engineering voice - foooooookin amazin!
S.W.
Your album is fantastic - very engaging, all the way through.
C.H.
This is an album that I never imagined I would produce. Over the years, I have come up with a number of solo bass pieces that have never been performed to anyone; only ever played for myself. In fact, I’ve often made a joke of saying “of course, what the public is really screaming out for is more solo bass” – thinking that nobody (expect perhaps some bass players) would have much interest in it.
Then, when everything went into lockdown and all the gigs disappeared, I decided to send out some material that I found on a hard drive, which I’d never released, to some friends. This included a couple of rough recordings of some solo bass pieces. To my surprise, it got a amazing response – with some people saying the bass pieces were their favourite thing that they had heard me do.
So this prompted me to round up a collection of bass pieces into an album. It comprises tunes from 20 years ago up to a couple of new ones. They are performed on fretted and fretless bass guitar, double bass and acoutsic bass guitar.
I have tried to select pieces that have an emphasis on musicality, rather than ones that I would play more for technical practice. I like to think that they represent how tuneful the bass can be, and reflect those special moments of solitude when one is simply appreciating and enjoying one’s own company.
Cover artwork: Micky Betts – Mixter Art
Photography: Chi Wang Darc
“That's lovely Marcus, and what a surprise, it's like a suite for bass! A few classical references in there.”
M.G.
“Smooooooth choons! I like it. Shared too.”
M.B.
"My son said: what kind of music is this? I actually don't hate it! Very comforting and harmonious"
Y.L.
"Very therapeutic - feels like being in the wilderness or highlands overlooking beuatiful natural scenery. I really like it"
P.C.Y.
"What kind of God-like melody is this? So stress-relieving!
D.D.
From reviews:
“The Sleepless Dream is the new concept album by Marcus Darc. A modern day symphony which is stylistically eclectic, portraying a wide breadth of emotions. Reaching across a full spectrum of influences, it blends many genres into a unique musical journey which interacts vividly with the listener.”
- S.C.
“It is relaxing, challenging and stimulating to the imagination. It is pleasant to play as background music, or very listenable to in it’s own right. It is a very imaginative piece of music; well written, well executed and an excellent piece of musicianship.”
- P.H.
Mastering: Stafford Wheaton
Album artwork: Micky Betts – Mixter Art
“Loved it. What a talent!”
- T.F.
“For days I had fragments going round in my head, till I eventually realised where I had heard it all”
- C.H.
“This is an email to say how much I love your CD…. Best regards from a fan”
- M.Y.
“Those are some awesome instrumentals, great stuff”
- M.G.
“I f***ing love your album!”
- A.D.
“My mum really likes your album - now that is impressive!”
- C.O.
An experimental project in developing a truly three dimensional sound experience was undertaken several years ago (2013-2015). This included the production of custom built hardware (in collaboration with robotics engineer Stafford Wheaton) for controlling the motion of sound, a prototype configuration of 27 speakers, along with reprogramming music software to link it all together, and blowing up several computers in the process. Watch the video below to see a demonstration of the prototype setup.
Due to a lack of resources to move into the next phase, the project was unfortunately interrupted, however an album of music entitled “The Musical Universe”, was composed which was designed for the 3D experience. The movement of the various parts was actually written into, and formed part of, the composition itself. This material was not released, as it was hoped that the project would later continue and be able to deliver the music in the true context for which it was envisioned. However, this stereo mix of the album that was made at the time is now being made available.
From reviews:
“Indeed it feels like strolling in the endless universe and many galaxies- searching for the undiscovered virgin planet. There’s no boundaries anywhere around. Starting with gradual movement as if just waking up - sometimes drifts elegantly and comfortably - then it thrives passionately, and at last, steadily marching forward with certainty. Fantastic music experience.”
- S.C.
“I got goosebumps and chills - but in a good way. It was relaxing, ethereal. It felt like I could just float away, separate from anything else that was going on in the world. Very cool. Took me on it's own journey. When I'm listening to it, I'm listening to it – you have to give it attention. It's not easy to define the structure - meanders all over the place so you have to follow it. It's like having a conversation with you.”
- L.H.
“Very relaxing when listening to it. It’s a feast in the mind.”
- J.H.
“It’s really like ambling in the galaxy. I have lots of pictures coming out right now - as if I am there.”
- S.C.
“This music is so elegant, so dreamy! It really makes me feel like ambling in the magnificent and boundless galaxy.”
- C.C.