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John Came - Rhythmicon is released digitally for the first time on 8th September. Listen here: The album – a concept album using computer software and synthesisers – was shrouded in mystery on its original release in July 1995. Who was John Came? and what exactly was the Radiophonic wizardry concealed in the Rhythmicon? ‘John Came’ was introduced to the instrument by Nick Cope of the electronic group Pnin. The Rhythmicon was a machine co-designed by the American composer Henry Dixon Cowell (1897-1965) and Leon Theremin (inventor of the Theremin). The instrument aimed to realise one of Cowell's musical theories, in which intervallic and rhythmic relationships could be reduced to common mathematical ratios; in effect, a “harmonic“ approach to rhythmic organisation. Having the Rhythmicon as a 'given', Nick decided to invert the logic and derive harmonic and melodic information from rhythmic information, and vice versa. Here ‘John Came’ introduces the Rhythmicon and how ‘it works’. But who is John Came? is this him? Or is this an actor?
