Emilio Aparicio Moog
“Expansion Galactica”
I’ve often said that I like to collect and listen to records that shouldn’t exist. This compilation is a quintessential example of that designation.
Due to the benevolence of Roberto Abularach Jr. (the scion of one of the richest families in Guatemala) his friend and schoolmate Emilio Aparicio ended up with modular Moog synth model 3P with the serial number 00003 in 1969.
Number 00002 was owned by Wendy Carlos. Number 00001 was owned by Robert Moog himself.
Aparacio embarks on recording these wonderfully explorative and divergent songs without any concern for commercial viability.
After two years of recording, the songs are released as a collaboration with Abularach’s family soft drink company, Salvavidas Roja.
In exchange for four “corks" (this may have been mistranslated and I suspect it should be bottle caps) of the drink and three quetzal coins, folks would receive one of these records.
How beautifully odd and understandably unsuccessful.
But beneath it all, there’s an exploratory oddness and fresh perspective of these songs. I cannot imagine how these would’ve been received at that time or in that country, but I am extremely grateful the stars aligned for this brilliance to be captured.
The Moog Craze of the 70’s always reminds me of this strange record called, “Switched-On-Country” that played in my house. I’m particulary fond of the strange cover of “I Walk the Line.” I can’t tell if I love it or hate it.
https://tidal.com/browse/track/170160665
When I listen to this, I feel like I’m riding in a boat across a lake. An underground lake. On another planet. Thanks for the experience.
I just wanted to share this kishi bashi before it slipped my mind again… I think you might feel the wave its on and the guy might buy some of TMR hardware if you give him a heads up that its out there floating around…. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BgqAmZHkkTg …. thanks for sharing the electronic fields again… goes well with my electromagnetivity studies of late… stellar even
If I send four bottlecaps and 3 coins to Third Man Records, what will I receive?
Slightly reminiscent of George Harrison’s “Electronic Sound” from the same year.
Love this one… thank you. I’ve always loved Moogs, how did you come to possess this random Moog knowledge?
im going to spend some time working around the edges before i just throw caution to the wind and get all freaky about the range and depth of this particular release…. not sure if any cracker jack boxes ever had a musical download associated with them but its safe to say that the concept has been thoroughly presented in this venture…. thanks ben… keepin it simple has always done you proud too… gonna put my third ear on this…
Hmmm. Well, alright!
Nice