Album Download: AUD $15.20

I was a teenager in the 70s, a small window of time when most homes had a stereo system but no computers, games consoles or even VCRs. My friends and I would spend hours and hours listening to albums by Jimi Hendrix, Stevie Wonder, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, The Beatles and Bob Marley.

I was also listening to jazz and fusion, especially Herbie Hancock, Weather Report and Mahavishnu, and classical music, in particular Bach and Beethoven.

Emergence is the culmination of those influences; you will hear traces of them all; the soundscapes of Pink Floyd, Hendrix's backwards guitar, wah wah and general awesome bodacity, soothing reggae grooves, Mahavishnu's crazy intensity, the introspection of Bach, Headhunters funk, bossa nova, and, from the Beatles; a love of composition, varied musical textures, unorthodox production techniques, and presentation of the album as a whole concept. However, I made use of modern recording techniques such as sampling and digital editing for a 21st Century sound.

Emergence is very much influenced by the towering presence of keyboardist/composer Sean Wayland, a multidimensional musical genius whose passion, virtuosity and uniqueness permeate the album throughout. The other musicians, Tom Mason, Darryn Farrugia, Patrick Bettison and Les Davidson made inspired contributions to the album, and engineer Tom Davidson recorded the music with clarity, simplicity and a beautiful warm glow.

Emergence is a very contemporary album but one that I hope will sit comfortably next to your dog-eared Steely Dan, Beatles, and 70s Miles albums.

Carl Orr: Guitar, Sean Wayland: keyboards, Tom Mason: bass, Darryn Farrugia: drums and percussion, Les Davidson: rhythm guitar on Shoten Zenjin