Orthotonics – Luminous Bipeds (1986, LP, Usa)

Tracklist:

A1. Why Whatever For? 2:59
A2. Sentiment 3:20
A3. Cantagish 3:25
A4. Some Of Us 2:45
A5. Yo Ho 3:04
A6. Luminous Bipeds 3:50
B1. Portsmouth Duck 4:10
B2. Black & White TV 3:49
B3. Square Of Incoherence 3:31
B4. Whack-A-Mole 2:51
B5. Yam Carts 3:40
B6. When The Hay Shines 1:55

Musicians:

Drums, Vocals – J. Pippin Barnett
Keyboards, Guitar, Vocals – Rebby Sharp
Saxophone, Vocals – Danny Finney

In 1975 Danny FINNEY (saxophone, voices), Paul WATSON (trumpet) and Pippin BARNETT (drums) formed a jazz improvisation group, Idiot Savant. When Rebby SHARP (guitar, voices) and Phil TRUMBO (bass) joined in 1979, they began incorporating elements of art rock into their music, and changed the group's name to the ORTHO-TONES. Under this moniker they recorded a single, "Doo-Doo Cars / Woman Fish" which was released in 1981 by Artifacts Records. In 1982 Tom CARSON replaced Phil on bass guitar, and the group's name changed to The ORTHOTONICS.

Drawing on experimental rock, free improvisation and avantgarde jazz, The ORTHOTONICS' music was "densely rhythmic / beat-intensive", a style that attracted the attention of New Wave music fans. In 1983 the group released a cassette-only album, "Accessible As Gravity" which reflected their interest in the Downtown music scene, and in particular English experimental musician and composer Fred FRITH, who was active in New York City at the time. Fred liked The ORTHOTONICS and had regularly spent time with the group. Their first LP record, "Wake Up You Must Remember" was released in 1984, and was mixed by Fred.

After "Wake Up You Must Remember" the group became inactive, but reformed again in 1986 as a trio of Rebby, Danny and Pippin, and recorded a new album, "Luminous Bipeds", which Fred produced. In 1989 The ORTHOTONICS split up, and Rebby and Danny later reunited in the alternative rock group, Rattlemouth.