optica / optic eye: tribute to jake stephenson

"On behalf of re:discovery records, it is with great excitement that we announce this tribute to the music of Jake Stephenson. Sadly, Jake passed away in 2005. A prolific producer with hundreds of credits under many names and many styles. An eccentric hippie of sorts, music historian and audio savant certainly, Jake was truly a unique, talented and special person. While a 5 track EP hardly scratches the surface, we at re:discovery wanted to honor an artist who impacted the label owner and the history of chill out music more than maybe some know. A true visionary and audio explorer. 'The Listening' opens up the tribute with a beautiful spacey track that sets the mood for this deep interstellar journey. Jake was a mastermind of ambient and trance. Under his Optica and Optic Eye names the balance of both of these genre's was at its pinnacle for myself. True space music in the upmost. Brain of Morbius' further emphasizes this balance adding a bit of his psychedelic and Goa influence that is was also well known for under his Transfinite name. After getting to know his brother Silas and his fellow collaborator Brian Trower more we understand that Jake's background in music was nearly on the level of early John Peel with a wide arrange of tastes and music collection. From punk, dub to acid house and trance, we felt this amazxing depth lent to the staying power of these sounds while many in this vein do not stand up to these examples. 'Dolcevita' ends the A-side with one of their most featured tracks on chill out and techno comps of the day. 'Hashidity' is one of our favorites and it was difficult choosing to use the original or the remix. Another brilliant space journey. Lastly, 'Macrorobotic' is the most upbeat and trance like track to end the album on a high note. We hope that this album helps showcase Jake Stephenson's music and helps push it forward those who are new to his music and those who cherish his back catalog. Thank you Jake, we miss you"