David Borden was is in the room where the pitch wheel was
invented, when it happened. He was also one of the first people
to beta-test Bob Moog’s Modular Synthesizer systems and Minimoog instruments. The Earthquack Records imprint inspired
Mimi Johnson to begin the legendary Lovely Records label with
Robert Ashley. Borden formed the first all synthesizer ensemble
group called Mother Mallard’s Portable Masterpiece Company in
1969, after Bob Moog graciously lent out his prototype synthesizers and allowed them to be blown up and repaired repeatedly in
the process of learning patching techniques. If you’re wondering
where the missing link in American Minimalism lies, look no
further than Ithaca, New York where David Borden has been for
the better part of over 50 years.
David Borden (born Christmas Day 1938, in Boston Massachusetts) is an American Minimalist composer and electronic music
pioneer. “Music for Amplified Keyboard Instruments” is his unsung masterpiece released in 1981 on the now
defunct Red Records based in Holland. After Mother Mallard temporarily disbanded in 1978, many of Borden’s
compositions were not performed or recorded until long after the works were completed. “Music For Amplified
Keyboard Instruments” was released with little fanfare and suffered from seemingly limited distribution (original copies of the album are sparse and expensive on the used market), making the album obscure from it’s early
days. Those not lucky enough to obtain original pressings have settled for compressed YouTube clips and poor
vinyl-to-digital transfers. Spectrum Spools is proud to announce that 33 years after it’s original release, and after
searching the archives of Borden’s reel-to-reel tapes and recovering the one safety master unknown to exist, we
are able to present this reissue of “Music For Amplified Keyboard Instruments”.
“Music for Amplified Keyboard Instruments” contains four tracks each utilizing three players, and six keyboard
instruments. The opening “Esty Point, Summer 1978” begins with a mournful, ominous mood and slowly
blossoms into an immensely arcing humid labyrinth of colorful buzzing textures and howling melodies. “The
Continuing Story of Counterpoint” is a 12 part cycle for synthesizers, acoustic instruments and voice that was
labored on for over 11 years. Parts nine and six, included here, are miraculous achievements not far from the
work of Steve Reich and his “Music for 18 Musicans” or some of the “Dervish” works of Terry Riley. Borden’s
compositions, however, are singular to his own creative style carving out a space unoccupied by the minimalist composers of the day. The “Counterpoint” pieces here are rigidly structured with breakneck key changes and
intricate time signature maneuvering. The resulting audio conjures kaleidoscopic patterns of beautiful melodies
and compositional structure unparalleled in much of the American Minimalism we know. “Enfield in Winter” is
a track that displays some of Borden’s more ambient leanings with slow morphing drones and gentle pad sounds
that erupt into shimmering patterns backed with a grandiose chord progression. Though this wouldn’t be the
only solo release by David Borden, it provides an interesting cross section between his work with Mother Mallard’s Portable Masterpiece Company and his developing interest in complex and ambitious composition technique.
Borden went on to found the Digital Music Program (now known as the Electroacoustic Music Center) at
Cornell and is now retired. He resides in Ithaca, New York with his wife Rebecca Godin. “Music for Amplified
Keyboard Instruments” was remastered with love and transparency by Giuseppe Tillieci at Enisslab, Rome. These
newly remastered works are superior to the original vinyl master giving the world a chance to hear this remarkable work in highest possible fidelity across multiple formats. Extensive liner notes and photos by Borden are
included to unlock the mysteries surrounding this elusive work. Spectrum Spools in cooperation with Editions
Mego is proud to unearth a widely influential album to those in the know, as well as for those who are always on
the lookout for a special recording they’ve not yet heard.