Jim over at 5 Years recently discovered James’ song “New Horizons”, which was co-written by Bill Ackerman. Jim has many nice words to say about the song, and interviews Bill briefly about James’ process and the song’s creation.

Amy Bauer had this recording since recording it back in 1997… She recently came across it and it seems like James would have want it seen.

Former Thread percussionist Marc Lowe recorded a track named Boy Without Hands which will be included on his upcoming LP “Raging Storm”.

Update: Marc wrote in to share that an updated version of the song, featuring a new arrangement, is available on his new album “A Guide to the Afterlife”. It is available on the major streaming services.

James and I created the cover art for his first cassette LP, Catharsis, in my dining room in Hopatcong.  This was early days of both Photoshop and the Internet.  I can’t remember if we sat down with the intention of creating an album cover, or we were just messing around.  But the above art started with a image of a tomato.
Continue reading “Creating Catharsis Cover” →

(from Middle Pillar Records)

Obituary by James Babbo

The other day mindlessly programming at work my mind wandered in different directions. Upon thinking of a one friend made it’s way to another and so on until James entered it. I thought about his interest in computers, the Internet, music and how there were more things I would of liked to discuss with him. Bands I think he would like, places he could of visited, food he would of enjoyed, and how he will never be forgotten. I realized it has almost been a year since he left us behind, but not forever. His flesh may be gone, but he is with me always. In 2000 James, another friend, and I went on a crazy super fun road trip. This past year I went on that same road trip with a few extra stops and with someone that never met James. I know James was there with me. I spoke of him at times, and to someone who had met us that 12 years before.

From time to time the above happens. James pops into my mind. How to explain it? He wasn’t the first person I have known to pass away suddenly. Yet he was the first friend to. 34 may not seem young when you are 18, but when someone is 3 years younger then you, your first memory of them is when they are 2 or so, 34 is extremely young. May we all leave such a positive impact on others. I am still tearing up when I think about James. I may never stop, at the same time I know he finally got all the answers he was searching for and is in peace.

I just wanted to let others know I am still feeling the impact of a beautiful talented person. Glad I knew him.

Was doing a search on James and his music when I stumbled upon this: Meat Beat Manifesto “Wild Life (Cerulean Mix)” (scroll down to Thread near the bottom of the page). He may have left us earlier then we wanted, but he left many treasures of sound behind for everyone to enjoy.

I was poking around my account on GoodReads and came across a book recommendation from James. I don’t remember every seeing this before, but I thought I would share it.

I host a weeky Internet Radio show over at radio.dosburros.com, and the September 5th episode was dedicated entirely to James.  I played lots of music created by James as well as songs that remind me of him or that we discovered together.  You can find an archive of this show below:

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