Funkousmatic One (2026) - 3.55 minutes - an 8-channel music composition for tape and fFlower interface. Performed by author.
This composition is the presentation of the larger concept of Funkousmatic Music - a fusion of rhythmical and timbral structures, inspired by a diverse musical heritage of Funk, with concepts of Electroacoustic (acousmatic) tradition - presented in the multichannel setting (4 or more sound channels).
For the Funkousmatic One we explored the classic acousmatic piece “De Natura Sonorum” (Bernard Parmegiani, 1975) for the syncopated rhythmical constructions. We found the most pronounced ones, isolated them and arranged them with rhythmical and timbral elements, inspired by electro-funk. We added computer-generated rap lyrics and mixed everything in an octaphonic surround sound.
The piece culminates with the part, containing a solo on the multichannel-music interface - the fFlower - which is performed live on top of the pre-recorded multitrack.
Premiered live at the Spring Festival in Experimental Theater of Music Department of UCSD April 18 2026.
Special thanks to: organizers, participants and audience of the Spring Fest 2026; Rose Sun, Ana Diaz De Cossio; staff of the Experimental Theater.
Here is the full piece (8 channel surround mixed into a wide 2 channel stereo):
Here are the lyrics:
In the dark room, speakers talk, no face, no sight
Acousmatic waves drifting through the night
Sound with no source, just a phantom in space
Close your eyes, let the rhythm leave a trace
Tape loops spinning, fragments rearranged
Texture over melody, perception gets changed
You don’t see the cause, only feel the effect
Abstract vibration, intellect connect
From the unseen sound to the groove so tight
Electro funk brings that body to life
Hidden roots in the signal, deep in the mix
Acousmatic ghosts in the funk’s kinetics
Ain't no static
F U N K O U S M A T I C
Here is the photo from the performance: (click for full size)
[photo credit: Rose Sun]
