Eli Raybon - Saturday Nights In Space
Synthwave auteur Eli Raybon premieres “Saturday Nights In Space” on Rawckus. The track is from his forthcoming sci-fi concept album, Supertoys.
Eli Raybon | Photo: Kevin Blackburn
A committed non-conformist, the genesis of Raybon’s unhampered imagination took place in a small town in Mississippi, where he wrote songs and made his own Hi8 tape movies. Later, he decided he didn’t want to become another listless passenger on the dreary treadmill of life. Just prior to leaving for New York to study mathematics and computer science, he jumped off the monotonous treadmill.
Instead, he recorded his debut LP, The Machine & My Dilemma. Then he moved to L.A. to engage in music around the clock. Without delay he released two singles to vast acclaim. The music video for “30 Cents” played at film festivals throughout the U.S., and was followed by an EP, Green, garnering applause from major music outlets.
Soon after, he became captivated by synthesizers. Realizing his limitations, he hooked up with synth wizard Prozak Morris, who was turning out avant-garde vaporwave. While collaborating on a remix, Raybon recognized Prozak’s genius as a producer. The two set out to create an album, with Raybon working on the East Coast, while Prozak worked from the West Coast.
A gently thrumming breakdown shifts the funked-out feel of the harmonics to a smooth jazz flow, featuring a delicious saxophone exuding nostalgic flavors.
Supertoys is the culmination of their collaborative efforts, a blend of retro-futuristic sounds, cyberpunk, and driving disco grooves topped by synthwave savors.
“Saturday Nights In Space” opens on a pulsing percussive shuffle topped by shimmering synth colors and a fat, muscular a bass line. Spiraling, swirling accents infuse the tune with spacy textures, as vibrant vocals ride overhead, followed by a slightly filtered voice delivering nasal timbres. Funky savors percolate through the harmonics, giving the music a potent pushing vibe.
A gently thrumming breakdown shifts the funked-out feel of the harmonics to a smooth jazz flow, featuring a delicious saxophone exuding nostalgic flavors.
“Saturday Nights In Space” is superb. A beefy funk melody and vivid vocals combined with effervescent synthwave hues deliver enthralling dynamics.
