Psychedelic Orange

 Psychedelic Orange

Composition Background

Psychedelic Orange is my Arabic Rock fusion inspired by "Habibi - Orange Blossom" and "Kashmir - Plant and Page"

This track combines Arabic themes with a rock-based track. This track is probably my most ambitious Arabic fusion composition (so far).

This track features alll of the Arabic instruments that I have been learning for this project. Namely the Saz Baglama, The Ney and the Zurna.

(Movie Walls, 2013)

Composition Structure

There is a bold phased rock bass driving the track with a steady rock bass in the chorus. The verse contains a Zurna melody accompanied by Arabic strings. The chorus is a a riff based rock mashup with some Arabic strings to accentuate the mood. There is also a live recorded Ney in this section

The bridge drops off to a calmer mood and features Saz in high an low octaves and also reversed. Some sound effects have been used at the start and end of the composition to add to the atmosphere.  

Composition Development

The song starts with an introduction consisting of midi chords played through two different synth pads and a sample of street noise recorded in Gaza City.

The verse melody is played live on the Zurna and was recorded at the University studios. Arabic strings and a driving bass / drum section accompany this section.

The chorus consists of a guitar riff and some power chords accompanied by a counter melody played on Arabic strings. From the second chorus onwards, there is also a Ney played in this section.

In the bridge or breakdown, the drum track is replaced with some Arabic percussion and a trance bass is added. The solo elements of this section incorporate the Saz played at octave intervals with some reverse Saz slightly lower in the mix.

The final chorus is doubled and ends with a "Call to prayer" sample. 

This video demonstrates me mixing in my DAW (Reaper) and highlights some of the elements in the track.

Reflection

This was an ambitious composition but as always, a very enjoyable task. The Arabic / rock fusion threw up a wide number of possibilities of what to use and how to use it.

The Zurna part was re-recorded several times as my playing improved.

I was particularly pleased with how the string parts evolved, both as backing chords and counter melody.

I was also pleased with the bridge / breakdown which allowed me to play some Saz and introduce a new dynamic into the track and of course, it's always nice to play some noisy rock based guitar.

The completed composition.