The post title does exactly what it says on the tin!  Yes, Retrospect is now on the ever-popular iTunes network.  I am utterly impressed by the speed of CD Baby (who handles my digital distribution,) they really are one of the finest physical/digital outlets out there.

Retrospect

As expected, depending on where you are in the world, prices will vary although very similar in some areas.  Also what will be expected from CD Baby is the continuation of distribution to other lesser-known digital networks, I’ll be keeping my eye out for that and try keep all you guys updated on where else you can purchase Retrospect (other than E.A.R or iTunes.)

A total surprise, Earth Academy Records has decided to sell the promotional CDs of Retrospect as ‘limited edition’ products which means .., yes, you can now buy a physical CD of that album.  Of course, limited means exactly what it is and they’re selling like hot cakes.  So if you want one, don’t hesitate or wait any longer!

I’ll be having a 2-day meeting with MIRAI who owns Earth Academy Records next week.  We’ll be discussing (and scouting) venues for future concerts.  The word on the grapevine is that some sort of E.A.R showcase is on the cards.  Additionally if anyone knows of any fantastic venues or if someone is putting on an event, we will definitely be interested.  Please email me (solace@cjwray.com) or email Earth Academy Records (contact information at http://www.earthacademy.org)

For my ever-continuing dedication into blogging, I have decided to return to Wordpress for it’s brilliance in customisation, flexibility & general awesomeness.  My previous blog webpage (christopherjwray.blogspot.com) no longer exists, from now on http://cjwray.com/blog (powered by Wordpress) is the main source for updates from myself.

Thankyouevermuchlyso.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone up-to-now who have purchased Retrospect, I truly appreciate it. As I mentioned before, it’s such a momentum gain, not just for my own wellbeing but for others involved in one way or another. Even with the relaunch of Earth Academy Records’ website (the label I’m signed with,) it wasn’t just any relaunch, it gave such a wonderfully huge aurora towards every artist on there. Even with the new E.A.R flyers which are just about ready to be circulated, those themselves have generated such positive energy. Everything right now is chocolates and roses.

Just a quick reminder on how you can purchase my album …

Earth Academy Records (£8.99)*
Musiczeit.com (£8.99/9.99 [mp3 and flac versions available])*
*price is for digital download product only
iTunes and other digital distributors will be available soon at varied prices

The next phase of updating my own website includes inserting embedded mp3 players for Retrospect samples, these samples can be found at both E.A.R and Musiczeit for all your listening needs.

Retrospect has a release date!

1ST JUNE 2009!

The album will launch first at Earth Academy Records (via Payloadz) & Musiczeit.com. Other distribution networks such as iTunes, Napster & EMusic will follow soon after. This really is an exciting time for me now, just make sure you check out all the upcoming videos, podcasts & interviews. It should be a ball..!

Speaking of E.A.R, check out the new look website. It’s been designed for the “Web2.0″ experience. It’s now much cleaner and easier to navigate (which is better when it comes to buying my albums )

Some of you eagle-eyes may have noticed my website CJWRAY.COM is currently suspended. This of course is a total frustration but I hope to have it resolved and reactivated by the end of the week. Grr.

I hope you all liked the Blue Wave City 2009 video and I hope you have liked all the previews for Retrospect as it’s now time to release the album. I’m so excited and prepared, I only hope you’ll join me in an absolute retro-frenzy party.

I’ll blog again this Sunday with a pre-release party update.

Blue Wave City (2009 Version)
Video sent by solace2007

Blue Wave City 2009 – Christopher J Wray

Taken from the brand new compilation album Retrospect – May 2009 (TBA)

http://cjwray.com
http://earthacademy.org

Having completely avoided Myspace with all my heart as of late, I decided to finally update my profile page. Right now, 6 little sneak previews of Retrospect can now be heard on my profile’s music player.

http://myspace.com/christopherjwray

The release date of the album might be announced next week, the Earth Academy Records label are looking into relaunching it’s website in conjunction with the release, which makes more sense and gives both parties something to “blow their horn” about when the time comes.

I am completely thrilled with the mastering magic from my good friend, Colin Mansfield. Once again he has excelled in making sure this project sounds as good as I intended it to be. Did I mention he’s an exceptional artist? Visit his site @ http://www.colinmansfield.com – Colin is of course one half of the Sound Commandos, so make sure you check that album out, it’s a diamond!

One last thing regarding Retrospect. I have a very good Japanese-based friend called Steve Deg (of Orangey fame,) he is currently reviewing the idea of remixing one of the brand new tracks from the album and to then possibly dish out to the Japanese clubs. If this really does go ahead, it sure would fascinating to hear what he produces. He is also an ambitious, alternative (he’ll hate me for saying that) musician and definitely worth checking out @ http://www.orangey.org

Blog to you all next week…!

I am frantically amending the finishing touches to Retrospect. My good friend (and fellow Sound Commando) Colin Mansfield will be kindly mastering it, he did a fantastic job with the 2008 album Berlin, so I am more than rest assured it’s in good hands for which I am very happy with.

As from the previous post, there are 15 tracks. Three of those are brand new songs and one from waaaay back in 1997, so hopefully it’ll be enough to satisfy your thirst.

I’m hoping for better sound engineering regarding the MP3 side of Retrospect. FLACs, WAVs & RIFFs are no sweat, but we all know MP3 compresses and I really want to make sure these conversions sound sweet as possible. It’ll more-or-less be a gapless album which is something else I’ve had to think about when deciding the final pre-mastering edit. This is purely on the basis on any future physical CD release (Retrospect will be a digital-only product.)

And what better way to get the ball rolling is to be interviewed..

http://148.ca/fab/indie/wrayc.html
Thanks to Phillip Hong for this article.

Make sure you keep coming back to the website (or this blog) for more updates. I’ll have music video news, more interviews and of course that big release date info.

RETROSPECT TRACKLIST:

01: RETROSPECT PART 1
02: PROLOGUE
03: THE DREAM OF FLIGHT
04: THE DREAMERS RUN
05: HANAMI
06: LILAC SYNTHETIX
07: RETROSPECT PART 2
08: BLUE WAVE CITY
09: THE TIME BELL
10: RETROSPECT PART 3
11: WE ARE DREAMERS
12: DREAMERS
13: FUTURESCAPE
14: THE TRAVELLER
15: FIN SYMPHONY

More details can be found at my official website and by clicking on the News section.

Having realised I don’t really have much time left in producing the animated version of the Blue Wave City music video for Retrospect (the upcoming compilation album,) not to mention I also decided it wasn’t working artistically. Plus there’s the fact I can’t really draw. I mean there’s a limit when one’s drawing birds that look like floppy “m’s” that are flying rather awkwardly in the sky. It was very ambitious, perhaps not so much as Origins was, but the fact this canned-animation was being produced in true 1080 HD vision, it was putting more stress into the whole creation.

Why was I using animation in the first place? What exactly have I got to hide regarding Hartlepool (which inspired Blue Wave City)?

So, a live-action video is now in the making.

When you’ll all eventually get to see this, the whole video was shot in one take. The actual location is Seaton Carew, Hartlepool, along part of it’s seafront. I think it works rather well.. and the way it’s filmed complete with extra effects gives it a retro/70’s feel to it. I can’t wait till I release this soon.