As always with me the song titles tell a story. This one “Up for air” should be pretty obvious as I’ve been quite busy and it has been a while since I’ve released anything brand new. A point which gets pointed out to me 100 times a day on the guitar boards I might add. That said, I did promise even in my retirement from music that I would still be producing tracks now and again. Well, here’s your now, and there will be many more agains I’m sure…
This song is a bit of fun with a classic guitar effect and sound that’s often misunderstood, and one in fact many guitarist either don’t even know about, OR worse yet get confused with a Flanger or Phaser. Truth is it’s close to a Phaser, but it doesn’t sweep, and it only goes in 1 direction, then repeats. It’s a sound produced with something called a “Uni-vibe”. And there’s nothing else like it. The Uni-vibe is the sound that made Rock in many ways, at least in the 60’s and 70’s anyway. It most notably was how Hendrix got that awesome tone and vibe on the “The star spangled banner” at Woodstock. In fact a Uni-vibe is essential for that sound. It’s also the core tone The Smashing Pumpkins used on their track “Rhinoceros”. In fact you’ll hear that sound in your right speaker when listening to my song. And of course the Uni-vibe is the sound as I used it here on this track in your left speaker that made many “Pink Floyd” tracks sound awesome, most notably “Us and them”, and the solo on “Have a cigar”, but there are countless more..
This song is very Pink Floyd in nature, with a pinch of Hendrix and even some Van Halen elements as well.. The key element is the sound and mix, all of which utilize the Uni-vibe. In this case an MXR Uni-vibe for anyone wanting to pick one up. While the boutique brands are great, the MXR utilizes the original design of the Uni-vibe and I think it does the job just fine.
Whatever brand you choose the Uni-vibe offers shimmer, and a haunting element. When overdrive is added to it as I did on the solo for this track, the notes whine and cry out. For the Hendrix sound by the way it’s important to put the Fuzz BEFORE the Uni-vibe in the hook-up. It’s counter-intuitive but the Uni-vibe doesn’t fare very well when put after a Fuzz unit in the effects chain. It is however okay to put an overdrive unit after the Uni-vibe. In fact in the case of an “overdrive” unit it’s ideal..
Enjoy the song, its got some vibe to it for sure. It’s one of those thought provoking smoke’em if you got’em sort of tunes.. A good set of headphones is highly suggested!!
Cheers, and don’t forget to come “Up for air” once in a while yourself… It’s always very healthy and wise to stop and smell the roses every so often…
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"Up for air"
Composed, arranged, & performed by Jeff Fiorentino (ASCAP)
Released: July 7, 2022
Performance notes:
Jeff Fiorentino - All Guitars
Jeff Fiorentino - Bass
Jeff Fiorentino - Drums
Copyright © 2022 JFRocks Music Publishing, Hollywood CA - Unauthorized use is prohibited!
**All Jeff Fiorentino and JFRocks song materials are produced for film and television licensing and are registered with ASCAP. We reserve ALL rights over this or any Jeff Fiorentino song. Unauthorized use without our written consent is prohibited.
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