Vintage Obscura Presents: Library Music (1957--1988)

To countdown to our Halloween festivities we are having special mixes with this one showcasing the wonderful world of music made with the intention of . Cover replicated after the utilitarian design of KPM. For more information on the music keep reading after the tracklist: 0:00 The Rainbow Orchestra - Fun Fair (1974) 2:16 Après Midi Orchestra ~ Half (1988) 7:52 The Benito Bernardo Group - Module (1977) 10:24 J L De Tiviera & Thierry Merle - Sweet And Kindly (198?) 12:24 Mood Fantasy Group - Quiet Life (1984) 15:52 Neil Ardley - Road to Tranquility (1974) 17:36 Remigio Ducros - Le Scarpe Al Chiodo (1974) 19:28 James Harpham - Raindrop (1982) 20:56 Delia Derbyshire, Don Harper, & Nikki St. George - The Pattern Emerges (1972) 23:36 Pete Willsher - Alien Tides (1979) 26:40 Phil Green - A Beautiful Waltz (1957) 29:20 Harry Forbes - Communications (1976) 31:28 Alan Shearer - Dark Is The Color (1985) 35:44 Les prospections - Lido (1971) 39:12 André Ceccarelli - Funk no. 2 (1976) 41:16 John Beeman - City Summer (1984?) 43:20 Giuliano Sorgini - Ingranaggi Pesanti (1980) 44:32 François de Louville? - Hot Pot? (1969?) 46:50 Philip Ian Nicholas - Silver Version [Faded Mix] (1988) Lets Go To The Library! Library music refers to music which was produced and licensed to companies for use in film and television. The music was made by session musicians with the intention it would be used at a later date as a background music. Musicians composed this music around moods and atmospheres often giving them vague but descriptive names so referencing would be easier when finding a suitable match. Library Music was never intended to commercial and for most of its existence was music you heard but could never access. With the advent and popularity of CDs music, Music Libraries liquidated their LP catalogs to record stores which kicked off an odd and delightful cult following. Radio DJ and music historian, Johnny Trunk, popularized library music during this time with a record label dedicated to " lost film scores, unreleased TV music, library music, old advertising jingles, art, sexploitation and kitsch releases." Library Music is fascinating as an artform which was utilitarian in its concept but allowed musicians an entire world of artistic freedom since it operated outside the music industry and the standards of the current time. Some of the most famous early electronic experimentation (like the Delia Derbyshire, Don Harper, & Nikki St. George KPM release) belong to the avant garde but was made as background music for another media. This was art being made with the possibility it would be used in an entirely different media than intended or never heard at all. the creation of something to sit in silence or in the background of a toothpaste commercial is wild. It is a process of creation which is alien to many people but the delight and understanding of a few. In 2026, Library Music, much like many art industries, exists in the same market as generative AI. The temptation to use low to no cost music that wont trigger copyright strikes furthers the temptation for creators to use AI libraries. Mood playlists on platforms like Spotify, which are not meant to be scrutinized for their contents, are filled with atmospheric music made by generative prompts. The Library Music industry still exists but like most art industries is at odds with the creeping technology of ease. If you waned to read an AMA from a library musician under the professional username ShartMeDrawers the link is at the bottom of this section. This mix was made by searching the VO catalog and what people tagged as library music. Some of it is genuine non commercial music but the authenticity of every track belonging to a musical library is uncertain. Songs like "A Beautiful Waltz" were commercial and sold as relaxation music for a commercial market. Some of this music might be from soundtrack work and other incidental music which was sold in store upon its release. Additionally, the last track "Silver version" has been intentionally slowed and given reverb becasue I thought it sounded neat. Enjoy the music however you want and enjoy the wild and hidden world of Library Music. Further Reading: https://pitchfork.com/features/starte... https://mocastore.org/products/1036101 AMA on r/composer with a library musician:   / fulltime_composer_for_tv_shows_with_30000