Alien Planetscapes "Ultra Magnus" (Galactus G09-002)
released Sept. 2009:

This is another collection of improvs that were mostly recorded with my camcorder. I don't believe there are any other versions of the first nine tracks, so here they are in beautiful monophonic sound!

KIRK'S GROOVE 1-4: comprises four edits from a long jam featuring Kenny Brown on drums. Kenny has played with AP on many occasions going way back to the 1980's Brooklyn days. Doug & I had spent the year 2000 performing (Quarkstock, Columbus Ohio & The Mandelbrot Sets, East Hartford, Connecticut) & recording (Red Mars cd, coming soon). Plus we jammed with Chris Altenhoff a lot, but rarely with a drummer. These jams, from 12/9/00 were an attempt to get back to the full band version of AP. Chris lays down a nice bass line on the standup bass & there's lot's of nice flute from Doug (as usual). The first two tracks reminded me of a jazz trio so I thought of Roland Kirk, one of Doug's faves. The next two tracks feature a lot of wah-wah guitar & there is nice interplay between guitar & flute. FLARE UP!: has Chris on electric bass playing another great line & he's switching it up, modulating time signatures & playing variations on a motif. This track got a bit wild & loud, hectic flanged guitar, plus: listen to Kenny on drums! Unfortunately, Doug's synthesizers are low in the mix since only one mic was used.
HALCION LAKE: is the second part of the same jam. Nice intro with Chris playing sliding bass notes over a riff or loop. You can hear Doug's synths a lot better on this one, thankfully.
WINDOW PANE WORLD: maybe a bit like 70's King Crimson at times, but I hate comparisons. This is the third part of the same jam. Lot's of long sustained guitar notes, over the top, heavy echo, flanger, a very austere piece. Remember window pane?
PERSEIDS 2000: is actually the third & final piece from this session. Classic Doug Walker synthesizer intro over a bass loop & bowed double bass by Chris. This turns into a 21:00 minute improv featuring rapid fire flute riffs from Doug & nice ensemble playing.
ULTRA MAGNUS: dedicated to Evan Walker. I remember him, in his younger days, playing with Transformers, Gobots & Autobots. This is from a jam in early 2000, I believe. Matthew Block, on drums, was visiting from Florida. Chris started with a truly Alien Planetscapes bassline & Josh Gazes & I just attacked it with dual lead guitars.
IRON MAN OF VENUS (Stereo Mix) is a completely different mix than the version that's on the cd of the same name. It's a 2003 recording with Rob Benson on drums. Chris is playing fantastic bass as always, where else can you hear bass playing like this? Take a good listen. More of Doug's "on the spot" flute playing.... beautiful. Doug is more audible in this version even though it's a guitar heavy piece. I feel that this cut represents what I wanted to contribute as a guitarist of this band. Hyperactive riffs, mellow delayed chords while the flute is soloing, dynamics, improvisation & experimentation with sounds & effects. I really cherished times spent at The Space Station Studio & got a good education there, we all did. This is a stereo mix, recorded by RB who, along with Doug, has been in the band since it's inception, actually, a lot longer than that. Thanks RB, for years of dedication as sound technician, recording engineer, equipment tech, & advisor.
(Richard Orlando 9/10/09)