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Back in the early 90s, we wrote a game called Jetstrike for the Amiga. Later we followed up with a version for the CD-32 which included this soundtrack - one of the first full studio production CD soundtracks to be used in a video game.

Recording took place in a makeshift studio/office using various synths, drum machines and a Fairlight Series 2 (which was only powered up for short durations as it would heat up the room to uncomfortable conditions!)

Everything was recorded digitally - which was a method in its infancy at the time. We had a massive 4 track Roland DM80 which, despite being digital and hard disk based, was still slow to use! Given we only had 4 tracks on the DM80, and wanted to record as much as possible from the mixer in digital format, we bounced this to DAT tape several times in order to build up the final tracks.

Vocals were done in a makeshift booth comprising of me and 3 mattresses rammed in a small cupboard with about 1 ft to spare. I’m not blaming the intense heat, but ‘Drop the Bomb’ soon went on to feature on Amiga Power’s cover CD with their quote “The Vocals are a crime against humanity”..........

Despite this I have actually re-recorded ‘Drop The Bomb’ for a new Amiga Power compilation album (‘Amiga Power - The Album with Attitude’ available on kickstarter). Whether the vocals retain their original description has yet to be established, but the original version remains on this album for your enjoyment.

Split between Rock and Electronic, The album pays homage to classic soundtracks like TopGun (with ‘Fast Jet Fever’) and even some older games that inspired me as a musician. ‘SkyFox’ on the Apple ][ using the vibrant FM Mockinboard chips inspired some of the bright brass sounds on ‘Main Jetstrike Theme’.

Finally, as a bonus, we have 3 of the best blues sections that accompanied the game.

Originally formed for the Jetstrike soundtrack, Aerial Anarchy is one of several working names for myself Adam Fothergill. I’m a self confessed synthoholic and music technology addict (maybe even classified as some sort of musician!) My brother Aaron also appears on this first Album playing the Fairlight sampler and is responsible for some of the tongue in cheek lyrics!

1. strangeflavour.com