Background

Muzak Rock & Minimalism is compilation of the first 3 → ↑ → EPs released between 1979 and 1980.

Muzak Rock & Minimalism LP poster © 1983

Credits

Compositions, arrangement, keyboards & drums - Philip Brophy
Saxophone - Ralph Traviato
Synthesizers - Anthony Montemurro
Guitar - Leigh Parkhill
Studio engineering - John Campbell & Chris Wyatt

1983

LP released on Present Records

Overview

From the original LP cover notes

Venitian Rendezvous

Inoffensive. Subtle, restrained and tasteful. Venitian Rendezvous is a delightful mixture and the certain "je ne sais quoi". A wafting tonal wallpaper of neatly designed music that stylistically acknowledges the most pleasurable bane of our existence: Muzak. This truly s music born of the well-mannered synthesizer.

Nice Noise

That beat. That feeling. That powerful surge down an historical tunnel, hollowed out by the Rock tradition. Stripped to its essence, it's all here: pounding bass, relentless drums, soaring guitar, riveting sax. An impassive presentation os the guts of Rock - no frills, no spills. Nice Noise is the Rock of Rock Rock Music.

→ ↑ →

Freeze frame. Slow zoom. Extreme close-up. Experience the pleasure of the pleasure of listening. The self-titled EP by → ↑ → (aka Minimalism) is not a matter of seduction, of evocative sleepy moods and lush tonal landscapes. This music giddily tip-toes between everything and nothing, opening up a whole world for your ears as you penetrate the nature of Melody. Experience the sensation of falling asleep - while your ears stay wide awake. Cut and fade.

Technical

The LP is sequenced so that each side runs the original sides of the 7" in the sequence of Muzak (the Venitian Rendezvous EP), Rock (the Nice Noise EP) and Minimalism (the self-titled → ↑ → EP).