The Ghost in Science

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The Ghost in Science
File:The Ghost in Science.png
Studio album by Susumu Hirasawa
Released May 25, 1990 (1990-05-25)
Recorded
Genre
Length 44:22
Label Polydor K.K.
Producer
  • Akiro "Kamio" Arishima
  • Susumu Hirasawa & Yūichi Kenjo (Executive Co-Producers)
Susumu Hirasawa chronology
Water in Time and Space
(1989)Water in Time and Space1989		 The Ghost in Science
(1990)		 Virtual Rabbit
(1991)Virtual Rabbit1991
Singles from The Ghost in Science
  1. "World Turbine"
    Released: May 25, 1990 PODH-1008

The Ghost In Science (サイエンスの幽霊 Saiensu no Yūrei?) is Susumu Hirasawa's second album. It is the second part of a trilogy, with Water in Time and Space being the first part and Virtual Rabbit being the third, that explores reality, religion, science and dreams.

Overview

A month after the release of Water in Time and Space, Hirasawa signed with management company I3 Promotion (アイスリー・プロモーション AiSuri Puromōshon?), which also managed Jun Togawa and Kazutoki Umezu. Octave, the company that Hirasawa created in 1979 to self-manage P-Model and others, was reduced to the music publisher "Pre-Octave". From then until Hirasawa's departure from the company, every single release of his credits an I3 Promotion employee, on most occasions Yūichi Kenjo (見城裕一?), as "executive producer" (although the producer didn't work on actual production itself), who was often present during the recordings (Hirasawa would occasionally use Kenjo when a song needed a large choral backing). The recording sessions were filmed, and an advertisement (intercutting various clips of the recording session) aired on TV.

The Ghost in Science goes in the same style as its previous and following albums (mix and experimentation of various different music styles), although it has a more whimsical feel than the others. The album is marked by a futuristic thematic, and glimpses seemingly contradictory concepts; Hirasawa accompanied the overall concept by making the album with a more electronic sound than the others of the trilogy, he also reduced the guest participation which, while having more guest personnel on the album, they are mostly present in large ensembles and have reduced roles. Most of the album's songs are in the fast-paced, rapid-fire style similar to the style of P-MODEL. Through this, Hirasawa painted an image of himself as a mad scientist.

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Susumu Hirasawa, except "Fish Song" by Hirasawa & Akiro "Kamio" Arishima with string arrangements by Hirasawa & Kayo "Kokubo" Matsumoto. 

No. Title Length
1. "World Turbine" (世界タービン Sekai Tābin) 4:03
2. "Rocket" (ロケット Roketto) 3:31
3. "Fish Song" (フィッシュ・ソング Fisshu Songu) 6:06
4. "Cowboy and Indian" (カウボーイとインディアン Kaubōi to Indian) 2:50
5. "QUIT"   6:50
6. "Amor Buffer" (アモール・バッファー Amōru Baffā) (instrumental) 1:29
7. "Dreaming Machine" (夢みる機械 Yume Miru Kikai) 3:24
8. "Techno Girl" (テクノの娘 Tekuno no Musume) 3:47
9. "FGG"   2:22

Track information

World Turbine

The only single from this album and the first Susumu Hirasawa solo single; the song opens with the chanting of the Old Korean phrase "Ring the jing once and play Daechwita" (Hangul: 명금일하대취타; hanja: 鳴金一下大吹打; RR: Myeonggeum Il-ha Daechwita; MR: Myŏnggŭm Ir-ha Taech'wit'a (Japanese: ミョングミラデツィタ Hepburn: Myongumira Detsita?)), used in its original context to mark the beginning of a procession.[1] The chant first appeared on Fukō Project's "Fukō Sono Ni" (unreleased at the time, later on How about FUKO?), a correspondence experiment with 4-D's Kenji Konishi, who owns the source recording of the phrase and included it in the Fukō track. A Promotional Video was shot for the song, it features a mix of surreal imagery and 3D models made on an Amiga, Hirasawa appears through the video by chroma key, dressed with the costume used on the album's cover, while doing an action or holding an object, such as a light bulb (which at times is lit and at times it isn't), a fish (held as if it was a telephone) and a model car (Hirasawa used to collect model cars when younger because he liked their paint[2]), the Computer Graphics used in the music video were included in the PHOTON-2 video under the title "Wireframes & 2Dimensional effects".

Rocket

A song with Andean stylings, it features choral backing, with people who were present in the recording session. Jun Togawa's vocals were recorded alone, while the other backing vocalists recorded together.

  • A live version of this song is included on the error CD album. Unlike the other tracks on the album, it was recorded on a different show, without most of the backing band or the orchestra, but with Jun Togawa (Togawa had a cold on the day the show that makes most of error was recorded and couldn't come). This version is very similar to the original arrangement, the main differences being the live acoustics and Togawa backing Hirasawa in every refrain, while his backing keyboardists come in where Togawa originally came in in the studio recording.
  • Re-arranged by Hirasawa in 1994 in the style of AURORA for live shows as "ROCKET TECH"; this version is included in the making of tokyo paranesian (only the introduction, the chorus and the coda) and HIRASAWA error ENGINE - Hirasawa Three Acts in Three Hours～Lower live videos.
  • A live version is included in the PHONON 2551 VISION video. This version is a variation of the original arrangement, played with updated synths, the only element of the original arrangement kept is the programmed percussion.
Fish Song

A re-recording of the P-MODEL song of the same name from the Scuba Cassette Book. This was one of the P-MODEL songs that Hirasawa would play in his solo shows in 1989. Its one of the longer, slower tracks in the otherwise fast-paced album, having a calm, grandiose feel (also in contrast to the original, frenzied recording). The version on this album has a fuller arrangement: A new section performed entirely on string instruments opens the song, the original's synth-strings melody lines are performed here with string instruments, except for the lead riff, here played with a synth-flute sound. The original drum machine pattern is reproduced with live drums, and Hirasawa's vocals are double-tracked in the pre-chorus.

  • The Scuba version would be later remixed with the rest of the album for its 1989 CD re-issue and in 1995 as Scuba Recycle; a remix of the original (with overdubbed strings and percussion) is included in the Hil'de #3 Cassette Book (those versions were also remastered by Hirasawa and included in the Ashu-on [Sound Subspecies] in the solar system box set in 2002).
  • A live version performed by P-MODEL is included on The Physical Atlas Of Three Worlds video.
  • A live version performed by Hirasawa and his live band iss included in the error CD album. This version has live orchestral backing and a slightly different arrangement from the album version. The intro gets extended, with a Wind Synthesizer melody not present in other versions, which keeps going until the first verse starts and reappears every time the main melody is played; a different, chirpy Wind Synthesizer line is played in the chorus. The backing band sings backing vocals in the pre-chorus.
  • A live version performed by Hirasawa and his live band is included in the making of tokyo paranesian video. This version has the strings and flute melodies played on synths. The bassline and the drumming, here performed on Fretless Bass by Toshihiko "BOB" Takahashi and by Wataru Kamiryo, respectively, are more prominent in the mix the previous versions.
  • Kazuhide "Kitune" Akimoto recorded a couple of demo covers of the song a few months before his death.
Cowboy and Indian

Follows the tradition of Hirasawa including Western-styled compositions on his first album trilogy; following Coyote on Water in Time and Space and followed by Hawk In My Heart, Don't Take The Moon Away [Planet Eagle] on Virtual Rabbit.

  • A live version is included in the error video, starting as World Turbine ends (the error CD version of World Turbine fades out before the beginning of Cowboy and Indian can be heard), Kazutoki Umezu reprises his album performance on this show.
  • A live performance at the second Errors of P-MANIA! fan covers contest by "Kameari Towers" (consisting entirely of P-Model members/associates) is included on the 2nd tape of the Errors of P-MANIA! series, the lineup featured Hirasawa on Drums, Jun Togawa on Kazoo, Tadahiko Yokogawa on Keyboard, Takanori "TAKA" Yamaguchi on Guitar Bass and Kensō Katō on Vocals and Bass Guitar.
  • Another live version is included on HIRASAWA error ENGINE - Hirasawa Three Acts in Three Hours～Lower, Umezu and Togawa reprise their album performances on this show.
QUIT

A slow-paced track, punctuated by a conversation between an Old Man (actor Mamoru Kikuchi, "Dr. Ochanomizu" in Astro Boy) and a Dreaming Machine (The Amiga program "Say"). Ends with the intro of "Haldyn Hotel" from Water in Time and Space, Hirasawa would later do a similar technique with the song "Parade" from Byakkoya - White Tiger Field/Paprika. The Old Man and the Dreaming Machine reappear on the Virtual Rabbit song "Please Push "UNDO" Key". Its one of the longer, slower tracks in the otherwise fast-paced album. It has generally been used in Hirasawa's shows (when it is played) as the last song before the encore(s).

  • A live version played in the third and last show of Hirasawa's World Turbine Tour (世界タービン・ツアー Sekai Tābin Tsuā?) at the Shibuya Public Hall was released in the error live video and error CD album.
  • Another live version played at the Third Act of the HIRASAWA error ENGINE - Hirasawa Three Acts in Three Hours show is included in the HIRASAWA error ENGINE - Hirasawa Three Acts in Three Hours～Lower video. This version featured new narration, performed by Hirasawa.
  • Another live version played on the first show of Hirasawa's PHONON2550 tour at the LIQUIDROOM ebisu live house was included in the PHONON 2550 LIVE album and the PHONON 2550 VISION live video. This release's performance does not have narration and features updated synths. Due to the thinness of the strings of the ICE-9 guitar, Hirasawa had difficulties playing the song's guitar solo, which led him to buy a Mosrite to circumvent this.
Amor Buffer

An instrumental sound collage, similar to the percussion on Water in Time and Space and "Immortal Man" from Virtual Rabbit. The song is based around guitar and percussion sounds with occasional whistling and coughing.

Dreaming Machine

The lyrics of the song mention Topaz, the default Workbench font, at an unusual font size of 18, when the standard for Topaz is 8.

  • Remade in a symphonic, orchestral, string-oriented style as part of "The Aggregated Past KANGENSHUGI 8760 HOURS" project, this version was released on the Hen-Gen-Ji-Zai album, Hirasawa released 5 sketches of the song on the Kangen Shugi website as he worked on it.[3][4][5][6][7] This arrangement, like the latter-day arrangements that preceded it, heavily features a Zeusaphone, as well as an acoustic guitar with special tuning (also used on the remake of "ISLAND DOOR (PARANESIAN CIRCLE)" from AURORA), as Hirasawa found it difficult to perform the song using his standard tuning.[8] This arrangement was later performed live and released on Tokyo I-jigen Kudou, where the guest SP-2 cabaret performers Neng & Rang controlled a Zeusaphone through the Graviton.
  • Live versions were included on the error (which incorporated elements from "FU-RU-HE-HE-HE" from the P-MODEL album ANOTHER GAME), HIRASAWA error ENGINE - Hirasawa Three Acts in Three Hours～Lower, PHONON 2551 VISION and PHONON 2555 VISION (the last one being based on the "Kangen Shugi" version) videos.
  • Re-arranged by Hirasawa in 2009 in the style of Planet Roll Call for the accompanying Interactive Live Show.
Techno Girl

An orchestral number backed by an electronic beat, similar to the songs of Technique of Relief. The disorganized arrangement of the song displeased the members of the string section that performed on it, who found it difficult to perform. Hirasawa ended up laughing at the situation, but later apologized after some members reportedly cried.

FGG

A short, slow-paced, soothing composition.

  • A live version was included in the error CD album, extended to include a live band member roll call, which also serves as an intro to "Haldyn Hotel", having a march rhythm.
  • A live version, performed with Kenji Konishi in a Fripp & Eno style arrangement, was included in the HIRASAWA error ENGINE - Hirasawa Three Acts in Three Hours～Upper video.
  • Rearranged in a hikigatari style, with accompaniment solely by guitar synthesizer, for the second Solar Live show, as part of a promise to elementary school students who charged batteries for the show as part of a school assignment.[9]
  • Rearranged in a Thai style for the SWITCHED-ON LOTUS memorial album, where it featured a string based sound, Thai vocals and Piano.
  • A live version, based on the SWITCHED-ON LOTUS version with vocals by SP-2 cabaret singer Naangfaa, was included in the INTERACTIVE LIVE SHOW 2009 "LIVE Planet Roll Call" video.
  • Elements of the Thai version were used for "P-0 FGG" in the video novel P-0.
  • Shopping bags emblazoned with the song's title appear at various points on the film Perfect Blue.[10]

Personnel

Release history

Date Label(s) Format Catalog Notes
May 25, 1990 (1990-05-25) Polydor K.K. CD POCH-1009
July 1, 2005 (2005-07-01) Universal Music Japan, Universal Sigma Digital Download none
February 29, 2012 (2012-02-29) Chaos Union, Teslakite CD CHTE-0055 Remastered by Masanori Chinzei. Disc 2 of the HALDYN DOME box set.
September 24, 2014 (2014-09-24) Universal Music Japan SHM-CD UPCY-6910 Part of Universal's "Project Archetype" (supervised by Osamu Takeuchi & Kasiko Takahasi). Remastered by Kenji Yoshino (supervised by Chinzei) with both original liner notes and new ones.[11]
  • "Techno Girl" is included on the AD.POLICE - DRAGON TRIP drama CD.
  • "Fish Song" is the B-Side to the "Root of Spirit" single.
  • "Rocket" and "Fish Song" were included on the Root of Spirit～ESSENCE OF HIRASAWA SOLO WORKS～ compilation.
  • "World Turbine", "Rocket", "Fish Song", "Dreaming Machine" and "Techno Girl" were included on the Archetype | 1989-1995 Polydor years of Hirasawa compilation.

References

  1. ↑ http://academy.gugak.go.kr/eduhome/gugakhome/pds/app/zu_app_15_eng.html
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  6. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Hirasawa confesses about what he calls "transgressive tuning" of his acoustic guitar Susumu Hirasawa on Twitter. 20 January 2011. Retrieved 11 February 2013.
  9. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  10. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  11. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

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