via the
Alan R Pearlman Foundation
Available on Bandcamp here
Press release follows:
Kingston, NY— In 2025, the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation celebrates the centennial of its namesake, the electronic visionary whose marvelous ARP synthesizers changed the landscape of music forever. As part of the ongoing celebrations, the Foundation is announcing the release of Soul Of The Machine, a 36-track musical celebration of the man and his creations as interpreted by a diverse range of recording artists.
Soul Of The Machine is a 36-track collection of tracks old and new, covering everything from innovative electronic, dance, and space music to jazz, funk, and Latin pop, all featuring the signature sounds of classic ARP instruments. The collection includes everything from ARP’s first synthesizer — the massively powerful ARP 2500 modular system — to the instruments that rewrote the rules on how electronics and music came together. The 2600, Odyssey, Pro Soloist, Omni, and many more ARP instruments sing, cry, scream, and soar, in the hands of musical talents both legends and newcomers.
Soul Of The Machine is a treasure trove of musical exploration. Martin Gore’s “KIno" combines Depeche Mode’s signature rhythmic power with a uniquely lyrical and sweet atmosphere. “Mr. No” is a celebration of the classic proto-techno sound of John Foxx. Award-winning soundtrack composer Mark Isham showcases his signature pulsating energy and evocative moodscapes in the mini-suite “Musings – in Two Parts”. Lisa Bella Donna takes listeners on a journey into timeless wonder in the epic “Conclusions.” JG Thirlwell’s “Sphere” is a synth freakout ricocheting between ominous sci-fi atmospheres and searing beats. Panic Girl offers "Drifting Whispers," a somber and uplifting neo-retro journey into a past that never was.
Other artists on the collection include Michael Brückner, Phil Cirocco, Rupert Greenall, LaMar "Kronick" Mitchell, Jeff Rona, Drew Schlesinger & David Torn, Don Slepian, and many others, as well as tracks by the collection's curators Steve Roach and Chris Meyer of Alias Zone.
Famed ambient / electronic pioneer and ARP user since 1978, Steve Roach shares his thoughts on Soul Of The Machine: "In 2024 I had the honor of meeting Dina Pearlman-Ifil — the director of the Alan R Pearlman Foundation — in person. Over the course of several phone conversations we discussed ways to celebrate the centennial year of her father's life and his place in history. My idea for a compilation of music using her father’s creations grew out of those conversations, presenting a perfect way to directly experience the vast range of music that was birthed by the family of ARP synthesizers. This compilation is just a small taste of the universe Alan inspired in sound explorers and artists across a vast range of genres."
Steve mapped out the music so that CD 1 represents a sonic journey and CD 2 provides a showcase of the depth and breadth of what ARP synths can do. After both CDs were finalized, there were more tracks than room on the CDs. These additional songs are available as a bonus digital supplement to the physical CD set.
Says Dina Pearlman-Ifil: “I have long-dreamed of a multi-genre collection that would illustrate the depth and breadth of the possibilities of my father's instruments. This collection is the embodiment of what my father treasured most: The creative spirit. As the old ARP tagline used to say: ‘The most creative part of an ARP Synthesizer is you.’”
The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation is dedicated to the empowerment of young and burgeoning artists into the future. When we look at classical instruments born hundreds of years ago, we see that Alan Pearlman's synthesizers stand tall, earning their place in the evolution of musical history. Acoustic or electric, their common ground is the enduring inspiration for creativity and sonic innovation that inspires the hearts and minds of musicians, performers, and sound explorers worldwide.
Soul Of The Machine will be available for streaming on October 17, 2025. The special limited edition CD will be available for purchase in early-to-mid-November.
Proceeds go the Alan R. Pearlman Foundation
The Alan R. Pearlman Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Our mission is to celebrate the legacy of inventor, musician, entrepreneur and engineer Alan R. Pearlman, by making his innovative inventions publicly accessible, and by inspiring future generations to imagine and create.
ARP Centennial Compilation Concept: Steve Roach
Project Directors: Steve Roach, Chris Meyer, and Dina Pearlman-Ifil Mastered by: Robert Rich
Cover concept and design by Dina Pearlman-Ifil, production by Sharon Wasko
This compilation wouldn't be possible without the support of our incredible sponsors: Cherry Audio, Korg USA, Moog Music and Steve Roach.
Also HUGE thanks to Chris Meyer / Alias Zone, Mark Marshall / interage.com for all things web, Dr. Mike Metlay/ atomicwords.net for creative input on the liner notes, and Sam Rosenthal / Projekt Records.
Purchase from BandCamp:
https://alanrpearlmanfoundation.bandcamp.com/album/soul-of-the-machine...
Within its pages is an overview of the history of electronic music, from RCA's tube-based Mark I to modern solid-state synthesizers, with photos of the Minimoog and the Moog Sonic Six, as well as the Tonus ARP 2500, 2600, and Soloist consoles. For you tinkerers out there, the book also contains numerous construction projects, including two (2) separate transistorized theremins complete with detailed alignment instructions. All projects come ready-to-build with full schematics and parts lists.
