Transparent Sound

Transparent Sound

Transparent Sound is an electro-oriented group from Bognor Regis, United Kingdom, active since 1994. The core of the project is Martin Brown and Orson Bramley, who start making music together in their home town and remain the main members. The act also works with other musicians at different points in its history, including Steve Penfold, Scape 1, Tim Harris and Martin Bundock.

Early development and sound

Brown, Bramley and Penfold begin by shaping a distinctive electro-influenced style. Their first release on Transparent Sound Recordings, Meltdown Ride, appears in the following year. Over the next few years they issue a run of 12-inch records under different names while continuing to focus on electro through releases on the Transparent Sound imprint.

That first phase closes after The Cure ask the group to remix their 1997 single Wrong Number. Penfold then leaves the project, while Brown and Bramley continue recording.

Analogue projects and studio work

In the summer of 1998, Brown and Bramley begin an analogue-only project with Scape 1 and Tim Harris. Working with an 808, two 101s, a basic eight-channel desk, minimal effects and a small collection of old keyboards, they create tracks including Freaks Frequency and Down in Miami through live session recordings.

By the end of 1999 that project reaches a natural ending, and Brown and Bramley establish a new studio called The Chilli Plant. Using simple equipment, they produce a set of tracks that lead to their first studio album, Emotional Amputation, released in 2002 on Electrix. In the same period they also build a live set that they perform in clubs and other venues across the UK and Europe.

Releases in the 2000s

Also in 2002, the mix album Beats Clash - Volume 1 Radioactive Man v Transparent Sound is released. In early 2003 the studio moves from London to a rural farm location called The Electronic Cottage, where the pair write tracks including 350 Short and Your Eyes are Pretty. They record a more melodic and subdued mini-album, Dirty Curtains & Football Posters, a six-track set that remains unreleased while some of the material is used with visuals by Addictive TV for a mix-masters show on ITV1.

Transparent Sound play live shows and DJ sets at clubs, parties, festivals and radio stations including Fabric, Dance Valley, Trans Europe Express, Miami Anti Conference, Club 69, Shine, XFM and Kiss FM. Their touring continues into 2004, including a set at the Sonar festival.

In 2004, Brown and Martin Bundock set up Orson Recordings. Bundock is also associated with the Perverted Science parties at the 333 in Old Street, London, and the label gives a platform to artists that Brown finds interesting.

The studio later moves back to London, and in autumn the group begins work on its second studio album, Hair Cut Fantasy. Released in 2005 on Exceptional Records, it is preceded and followed by singles that include remixes from Swayzak, Espion and Bangkok Impact. Other 2005 releases include tracks on Electrix, remixes for Who Is Who? and Mr Velcro Fastener, and the group’s first release on Craig Richards’ Tyrant label, the Vintage EP.

Further releases and live activity

In 2006, Transparent Sound release the double live/mix CD The Two Headed Monster on Orson Records. It combines a live session from the group with a mix by Fabric resident Craig Richards. The release is issued with three limited-edition coloured vinyl 12-inch records featuring new material and additional tracks from Richards’ mix. The same period also includes plans for the Cider Club and Two Headed Monster EPs, both with remixes by Espion and Fine Cut Bodies, plus additional mixes by Repeat Repeat and Detroit Cobra.