Michael Brook | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1951 (age 73–74) |
| Origin | Toronto, Ontario, Canada |
| Genres | Post-rock,folk rock,electronic rock,experimental rock,soundtrack |
| Occupation(s) | Musician, inventor,film score composer |
| Instrument(s) | Guitar,Infinite Guitar,sequencer,keyboards,bass guitar,djembe,surdo,percussion |
| Labels | Real World,E.G.,4AD |
| Website | michaelbrookmusic |
Michael Brook (born 1951) is a Canadian guitarist, inventor, music producer, and film music composer.[1] He plays in many genres, including rock, electronica, world music,minimalism and film scores. His collaborations with musicians around the world have made him "one of the most sought-after producers in the music industry."[1] Born inToronto, Ontario, Canada, Brook lives in Los Angeles. He is the creator of theInfinite Guitar.[2]
Brook studied music and electronics atYork University and worked as an engineer at the Grant Avenue studios, then owned by theLanois brothers.[2][3] Here he worked withBrian Eno,The Edge,Jon Hassell andHarold Budd. In 1985 he released his first solo albumHybrid, containing instrumental tracks with Indian and African elements.[2]
Another notable collaboration wasSleeps with the Fishes withClan of Xymox memberPieter Nooten (4AD, 1987). He worked on the albumSet byYoussou N'Dour,Miss America byMary Margaret O'Hara and collaborated withNusrat Fateh Ali Khan on the albumMustt Mustt.[2]
He toured as a member of theSylvian andFripp tour group, with the final concert at theRoyal Albert Hall in December 1993 documented on the albumDamage: Live.[4] He also opened the concerts with a solo set, featuring theInfinite Guitar with effects and sequencer backing. In 1998, he produced the album "Volcán: Tributo a José José", a tribute album to singerJose Jose. In 2006, the solo albumRockPaperScissors was released, with an ambient remix version following in 2007. Brook toured small venues in Canada and the United States in late January/early February, 2007. In writing about his score for the film 2015 filmBrooklyn,Variety said the film was "buoyed along by a beautiful Michael Brook score[5] andThe Hollywood Reporter praised his "evocative scoring."[6]
He was nominated for aGrammy Award in 1996 for his production work and as a co-artist onPakistani singerNusrat Fateh Ali Khan's albumNight Song.[7]
Brook's soundtrack toInto the Wild was nominated for aGolden Globe Award in 2008.
He also contributed a track to The Edge's soundtrack for the filmCaptive (1986). Brook's Infinite Guitar was later utilized by The Edge on U2'sThe Joshua Tree (1987).[2]
Two films that he scored,Brooklyn andAloft, premiered at theSundance Film Festival in 2015.[8]
He wonASCAP awards in 2011 forThe Fighter and 2013 forThe Vow. He won theHavana Film Festival award for best music in 2011 forEl Infierno.[9]
| Year | Artists | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Michael Brook withBrian Eno andDaniel Lanois | Hybrid
| |
| 1986 | Jon Hassell | Power Spot
| Brook plays infinite guitar on three tracks |
| 1987 | Pieter Nooten and Michael Brook | Sleeps with the Fishes
| |
| 1990 | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan | Mustt Mustt
| First collaboration with Khan; credited only to Khan |
| 1992 | Michael Brook | Cobalt Blue
| Reissued together in 1999 as a 2-CD set titledCobalt Blue & Live at the Aquarium |
Live at the Aquarium - London Zoo 21 May 1992
| |||
| 1994 | David Sylvian andRobert Fripp | Damage: Live
| Featuring Michael Brook |
| 1995 | U. Srinivas and Michael Brook | Dream
| FeaturingTrey Gunn |
| Michael Brook | Shona
| Unofficial release, recorded live during the Lanzarote Music Festival, December 1989 | |
| 1996 | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook | Night Song
| Second collaboration with Khan |
| 1997 | Iarla Ó Lionáird with Michael Brook | The Seven Steps to Mercy (Seacht gCoiscéim Na Trocaire)
| |
| Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook | Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Michael Brook Remixed: Star Rise
| Last collaboration with Khan; features remixes of tracks fromMustt Mustt andNight Song[11] | |
| 1998 | Djivan Gasparyan and Michael Brook | Black Rock
| |
| 2001 | Hukwe Zawose and Michael Brook | Assembly
| |
| 2006 | Michael Brook | RockPaperScissors
| |
| 2007 | BellCurve
| Remix album ofRockPaperScissors by James Hood | |
| 2008 | Djivan Gasparyan and Michael Brook | Penumbra
| Second collaboration with Gasparyan |
