Op. 02 RHYTHMIC VOICES
Four Collections of Original Pieces Celebrating Traditional Musical Styles From Africa & The Americas
Composed and Arranged by Mark Hughes
The Rhythmic Voices collection was inspired by the traditional musical styles of countries such as Tanzania, Kenya, Rhodesia, French Equatorial Africa, South Africa, Panama, Angola, Morocco, Venezuela, and Brazil. In addition, a few pieces were influenced by the musical styles of the Native American Indian. After a conversation with a local choreographer, regarding our mutual fascination with traditional folk music styles in which rhythmic elements are central, I created the collection, primarily for use as dance accompaniments. However, Rhythmic Voices 2: Guitar Solos & Ensembles was conceived purely to please the ear.
Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 1: Traditional Ensembles
Featuring Woodwinds & Percussion
This collection contains pieces arranged and scored to maintain a traditional “feel”. Flutes and other woodwinds carry most of the primary melody and harmony lines. Xylophones, vibraphones, steel drums, and marimbas create counter melodies and counter rhythms, and at times accent the melodic and harmonic lines by adding unique tonal colors. Typically, the percussion parts are scored for folk instruments such as kalimbas, congas, bongos, toms, taiko drums, claves, maracas, tambourines, cowbells, guiros, and cabasas.
Preview or Download Any of the Tracks From Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 1: Traditional Ensembles A complete list of the pieces in the collection is provided in the Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices I: Traditional Ensembles Content List. You can preview or download any pieces from the Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 1 from
SoundCloud.
Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 2: Guitar Solos & Ensembles
This collection contains pieces from Rhythmic Voices 1 arranged and scored to highlight the unique sounds of solo and ensemble guitars. While maintaining the original thematic material, the rhythmic backdrops vary. Since the guitar is, by nature, somewhat of a percussion instrument, no other percussion instruments are scored. Tempos have also been altered in some cases. This accentuates the moods created with these intimately scored arrangements.
Preview or Download Any of the Tracks From Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 2: Guitar Solos & Ensembles A complete list of the pieces in the collection is provided in the Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 2: Guitar Solos & Ensembles Content List. You can preview or download any pieces from the Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 2 from SoundCloud.
Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 3: Percussion Ensembles
Featuring Marimbas
This collection contains pieces from Rhythmic Voices 1 arranged and scored to focus complete attention on the percussion instruments. The melodic and harmonic voices are scored primarily for marimbas. The rhythmic elements remain essentially unchanged except where a change in mood or overall balance is desired. Overall, this set of arrangements clearly highlights the rhythmic “roots” of the Rhythmic Voices collection.
Preview or Download Any of the Tracks From Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 3: Percussion Ensembles A complete list of the pieces in the collection is provided in the Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 3: Percussion Ensembles Content List. You can preview or download any pieces from the Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 3: Percussion Ensembles from SoundCloud.
Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 4: Fantasy Voices
Featuring Synthesized Effects
This collection contains pieces from Rhythmic Voices 1 as well as additional works specially arranged for this collection. While maintaining much of the original thematic material, the pieces are scored to create a more fantasy-like mood. Melodic and harmonic elements are scored in voices designed to “transport” the listener into a more imaginative world. Instruments such as celesta, vibraphone, electronic piano, and digital synthesizer are used.
Preview or Download Any of the Tracks From Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 4: Fantasy Voices A complete list of the pieces in the collection is provided in the Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 4: Fantasy Voices Content List. You can preview or download any pieces from the Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices 4: Fantasy Voices from SoundCloud.
Op. 02 Rhythmic Voices Details & MP3s
You can view a Cross Reference listing all 82 pieces from Rhythmic Voices, organized by collection.