Not only was he in the room when the pitch wheel was invented, but he was trusted with Bob Moog's prototype synthesizer, ran Earthquack Records, and, in 1969, started Mother Mallard's Portable Masterpiece Company, the first all synthesizer ensemble. When not with Mother Mallard performing pieces by John Cage, Philip Glass, and Terry Riley, Borden was writing and recording his original compositions. In 1981, Red Records out of Holland released David's first solo release, Music For Amplified Keyboard Instruments. Limited press and distribution secured the unwarranted scarcity of this release, so outside of a few lucky collectors, hearing a quality version of this release was all but impossible. Gaining access to David's private master tape, Spectrum Spools has remedied this malfeasance and re-released it to a very receptive modern audience.

Differing from synth artists of the time, David's pieces are full orchestrations instead of simple songs. Fully utilizing the synthesizer as an instrument instead of as a tool, the compositions on Music For Amplified Keyboard Instruments are multi-layered, wonderfully composed, and skillfully played. His dedication to the craft can be seen in twelve part series, "The Continuing Story of Counterpoint." Two of these (part six and part nine) are on this release, and give us a lovely insight into David's passion. A synthesizer seems like the perfect instrument to explore counterpoint, too. With the ease of creating arpeggios and the note holding ability of the circuitry, layers are able to interweave, play, contrast, and complement each other. The two, 13+ minute "Counterpoint" pieces are a wonderful testament to the brilliance of the synthesizer, it's addition to modern music, and the foresight of those to accept and compose with it. The remaining tracks, "Esty Point Summer 1978" and "Enfield In Winter" are every bit as well done as the "Counterpoint" pieces, but they're significantly lighter. Somewhat dreamy and score like, these well constructed pieces move with quick notes and long drones. To my modern ear, I can only hear the scores to video games I wish I had spent my entire life playing. They're exciting, interesting, would work very well when guiding your hero to victory.

David Borden is currently an under-appreciated name in the synthesizer world, but Spectrum Spools' reissue of his first solo record hopes to change that. Coming at a time when synthesizer are at a peak of popularity, fans should snatch this bit of history up. Synthesizer musicians should seek this out as well, and see what a master of the craft can do with the circuits they love so well.