In An Unlikely Alley

"A tale of 2 kitties, told through a 3 ½ minute jazz-influenced OST."

If you like what you hear or want to know more, each song has a short description, with a written chart and some music theory notes found below.

My suggestion is to listen to the music alone first. 

Click this to load the album :

 0. Alleyway Tension

 [Sound Check] (Raga for 2 percussionists)  

Raga is not jazz, but it does introduce our percussion, and the sounds of interesting musical "modes". Please take a moment to check your audio - bass should be heavy but not overpowering, drums supportive and loud enough to have some dynamics.

Raga is part of the Indian music theory, and features "shruti" or drones, which percussion keyboards (vibraphone, marimba) do nicely.

(The base "raga", played with some variation)

1. A Stray Cat Approaches

Tension, ready to strike, like when cats sometimes meet. Even friends and loved ones. 

Early jazz drumming used military patterns or "cadences". Here, the drums immediately change the energy from the slow "raga" and the delicate solo marimba theme heard just before in "Camille's Theme".

2. Emile's Theme

Emile has a story to tell. The strong implication of natural minor, suggested by the dissonant, repeated Ab on the marimba is suddenly shifted. In the high point of the theme, the emphasized tones are B and Db, both outside the earlier mode. Returning to the Ab should be a familiar new home . Intrigue. 

3. Nine Lives

A sweet melody for 2 cats, whether meeting for the first life or the ninth together.

"Camille's Theme" opened with a questioning A-E interval (without the major or minor third tone), the melody is a bit unresolved, but hopeful without its partner voice.

Later, the melody returns as "Nine Lives" and moves more freely, with a stronger, more confident start and playful resolution. Here the marimba is supported by a wandering bass line.

Made Nov. 1-15, 2023

Music with BeepBox, pixel art with Aseprite.

in memory of P. Ulrich

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