Sunday Synth Jam: This video captures Kebu performing his all-analog synth cover of the Giorgio Moroder Italo-disco classic, The Chase from Midnight Express.
The performance was filmed live at the Sthlm Italo Disco Party 2015 at Nalen, Stockholm, 16.5.2015.
Here’s what Kebu has to say about his arrangement:
This cover version is a mixture of the both the original version and JAIA’s Express Remix – with a few of my own additions thrown in.
The song was performed using only analog synthesizers, either played live or sequenced. The performance was recorded directly from the mixer to a stereo track and later mixed together with the ambience from the room. A few mistakes have been cut out and replaced with the audio from a rehearsal take.
Equipment used in this song: Logan String Melody II; MXR EVH117; Roland TR-808, Juno 60, Alpha Juno 1&2; Korg Polysix, Poly 61, Mono/Poly, Micro-preset M500; Moog Source; DSI Tetra; Jomox AirBase99; Touched-by-sound DRM1; Oberheim Matrix 1000; Marion Prosynth; Akai MPC2500 (only for MIDI sequencing), M-Audio Trigger Finger; Yamaha 01v96; Lexicon MPX500 & MPX550, as well as a midi patchbay and additional preamps for my mixer.
What a great performance! He looks like he’s having the time of his life, it’s infectious!
Mind you, if I had that set-up I would probably always act like that..
Really nice footage , great tune and lovely sounds.
A world away sonicaly and visualy from soft synths etc
but not necessarily a better world…
Match that then with your I pad and post a video.
i’m not such a romantic for the past (like this has become). i strive to write NEW music (unless paid for otherwise) and if you were paying attention you might have noticed that i said “not necessarily better.” what i mean there is analog and digital both sound beautiful and have their places (sometimes even together!! OMG!). sorry but in my opinion you’re simply not aware or educated enough if you believe other wise, ask morton subotnick, wait do you know who he is?
btw, my name here (him) has a link to my music, hope you enjoy!
It’s wrong to suggest that this is all about romanticism for the past. For me, this video is about the engagement of the performance and the intrigue generated by seeing a performer masterfully incorporating the character and nuances of the different instruments.
P.S. Most people don’t know who Morton Subnotick is, so no need to be so condescending.
And yes, analog is better if you’re doing authentic 70’s disco music..
He uses analog only for the synth chords and melodies. All of the percussion is digitally sampled and it doesn’t sound quite so nice…
Why the hell does he then have Vermona DRM analog drum machine on stage if all is sampled?
this guy rules! ha ha
I’ve been following Kebu for some time (sadly missed this gig in Sthlm).
Impressed by his work and always looking forward for what’s to come.
Inspiring!!!
Cool, old school synthification going on here!
Very well executed, Kebu is the man!
Whoa! I haven’t seen a video of Kebu for something like 2 years. He has improved so much! I used to think the only nice thing about his stuff was the gimmick of it being all retro synths but this- THIS was an artistic performance! Great work man!
i wonder if this guy uses a roadie, cuz damn
Nice arrangement of a great tune. I’m jealous of this Italo disco festival! Most of the U.S. electronic events seem to be DJ-style, with no playing of real gear.
Yeah, most of the American stuff is DJ orientated or leans toward abrasive stuff. I like the big shows they put on in Russia with Italo stars…I have seen them on Youtube. A former co-worker from Ukraine told me that indeed Italo is still big over there…it seems the Eastern Europeans still love the stuff. I am gonna plug this right now: http://www.italo.nu Fantasy Radio is the BEST, RadioPolska is decent too
Italo Forever
…and not a single mini keys in sight!
Brilliant. This is the sort of electronic music and live performance that inspires me to keep trying even though I’m nowhere as good as him.
Bet he would have no trouble playing and using a minikey synth if it had a sound he was after.
I have also been following Kebu for a while and love his work. His original works are excellent. “To Jupiter and Back”. “Le Carnaval des Étoiles” Very talented. Puts on a great show. I believe Kebu is close to composing his own pieces that will hit the charts in the near future.
ah, he has an akai mpc 2500!
I saw Kebu some years ago and I really liked the performance. He is very talented and positive guy. I met him after show when he came to talk with audience.
I guess people in Stockholm don’t dance … ?
Hooray! Someone else has a polysix and a poly61!!
I would like to learn how to use a sequencer like that. Maybe I need to try the Akai MPC series. I have a Roland MC-50 and is is not exactly a joy to use…It works though.
Create/edit your MIDI-data in your favorite DAW (or other tool that suits your workflow) then dump it to your hw sequencer… Kebu used to have an RS7000, now replaced with an Akai MPC. I guess it also sends data to his mixer…
Art Bell would be proud.