Derrick Stembridge – “Past, Present, and Future Archive I”

Derrick Stembridge, the keyboardist for the band Drifting in Silence, released his new solo album Past, Present, and Future: Archive I, on October 13, 2023. This album offers fans and listeners alike, the opportunity to hear more of his keyboards, without vocals. I absolutely enjoyed his work on Drifting in Silence’s last album, Timeless. Stembridge offers an eclectic mix of ambient, electronic, and industrial sounds on Past, Present, and Future Archive I. “This album also functions as an aural biography that chronicles pivotal moments of his artistic journey”.

The album opens with “Origin”, which serves as the emotional prologue of the album. “Origin” invokes a feeling of seeing the lights of a plane, ascending and lifting you beyond this worldly realm. It is an emotional beginning which comfortably lulls you into calmness; while the magnificent keys and synths promise more. The beats and percussive sounds, provide Vangelic – like memories from Blade Runner, which you can savor and enjoy. Sit back, and enjoy the flight. This is only the beginning!

“Ghost In My Eyes”, “blends industrial and ambient elements”. “This track showcases Stembridge’s ability to unite divergent musical styles into a coherent narrative”. The beats and percussive elements and sounds only enhance the dribbling flow of the electronic synths, that spine – tingle your nerves. The keyboards and synths create otherworldly images and scenes, which are immensely cinematic. Unbelievable, out of this world playing which lasts over 4 minutes.

“Virus”, “explores the unsettling facets of infection on multiple levels; the physical, emotional, and societal”. “The urgent rhythms and the addition of the acoustic guitar, help raise the level of this cinematic keyboard light show. It is an over 4-minute journey through the vicious two years that the world had to live through recently. Very Depeche Mode sounding.

“Forever”, with its drumming and percussion, will surprise you after all the quiet music, so far. However, this track is about living…forever…and what that might sound like. The narrator, states, “Tell you a story, when I was a kid. I had this feeling. Slightly after I was told, I could live forever. It was frightening to me, that I would never die”. Later, a narrator, sounding a little like, Arnold Schwarzenegger states, “God made us in his own image. God created the world in such a way that we would have more than enough. God created the world is such a way that we would be full of abundance. He created the Garden of Eden, not meaning it to be The Garden of Love”. One of the best tracks on the album.  Over 3 minutes that will make you think deeply as well as dream.

“Misunderstood”, is almost an ode to the Who’s “See Me, Feel Me”, at times.  It features the guest vocals of Cris Hodges; who sings, “Trust me, heal me, feel me, see me”. Then, he starts rapping, and the pulse begins to pick up. One of the best songs on the album. Not much into rap, but I could listen to this song, with its beautiful keyboards, all day.

“Facewithin” , includes vocal play and the mixing of Jess Hewitt of Drev. Robot – like vocals set to an irresistible keyboard beat. They blend well with the futuristic keyboard work surrounding the soundscape. I am happy that Stembridge, like I, appreciates a good drum beat with his lightsaber keys. The beat and swirling synths throughout this track, are absolutely killer.

“Desire” is also a mix created by Jess Hewitt. The song delves deep into the emotional realm of yearning. It does so with “electrifying guitar and intricate electronic keyboard and synth textures”. One of the longest tracks on the album, and well worth it.

“Paradox of Time”, may be the best song on the album. I believe Stembridge may have written the definite soundtrack or musical definition for the idea of a ‘paradox of time’ here. It is an amazing labyrinthine of electronic sounds. The added congas are perfect. Close your eyes and dream of worlds beyond this one for over 4 minutes.

“Chameleon”, is another of my favorite tracks on the album. It bends and changes like its namesake. Another maze of curves and sounds, that cinematically weaves and bends with the “fluidity of identity through its oscillating industrial and ambient soundscapes”. The electronic vocals get lost within the soundscape, and the drums are amazing. Over 5 minutes of enjoyment.

“Echoes Of The Setting Sun”, is the closer, and again, maybe the best track on this album of career highlights. This is a “stirring finale, employing whispering voices and vocoder choruses to wrap up the expansive emotional journey encapsulated in the album”. The high note keys are stunning and yes, brilliant, giving light throughout. A fine way to conclude the journey.

Album Track List:

1. Origin – 6:22
2. Ghost in My Eyes – 4:57
3. Virus – 4:41
4. Forever – 3:10
5. Misunderstood – 3:49
6. Facewithin – 4:47 
7. Desire – 5:33
8. Paradox of Time – 4:59
9. Chameleon – 5:09
10. Echoes of the Setting Sun – 3:48

Album Credits:

The album cover art was created by Derrick Stembridge. Past, Present, and Future: Archive I, was mastered by the talented Benjamin Lincoln at Middle Mastering. All music was written and produced by Derrick Stembridge. “Facewithin” and “Desire” were mixed by Jess Hewitt. “Misunderstood”; lyrics were written and performed by Cris Hodges.

Make sure to put your headphones on, before you listen to Past, Present, and Future Archive I, to get the most out of this complex, thoroughly immersive electronic explosion of creative keyboard and synth symphonics! Every note and key is well place and used to perfection. You will hear sounds of greatness from the keyboardists you may remember from the 1980s. They wrote classic songs and encapsulated them in memorable oceans of keyboards that you may remember hearing, all day long, on MTV; if you were around back then. We need more albums like this. We need people from this generation to take over for my heroes like Keith Emerson, Rick Wakeman, and Tony Banks. We need more keyboardists like Derrick Stembridge; and more of these keyboard solo albums. I’m already ready for his next!

Band Website and Social Media Links:

https://derrickstembridge.bandcamp.com/album/past-present-future-archive-i

https://music.tiktok.com/album/Meaning-Of-Life-7272901671566870529

https://linktr.ee/derrickstembridge

https://www.instagram.com/derrickstembridge/

https://www.labilerecords.com/

https://www.facebook.com/labilerecords/

https://www.facebook.com/derrickstembridge

https://derrickstembridge.bandcamp.com/album/past-present-future-archive-i

https://labilerecords.com/album/2614303/past-present-future-archive-i

https://orcd.co/d2wje1n?fbclid

YouTube and Music Video Links:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbLrbyquY9BtIzguAr8Pgfg