Watch Derrick McKenzie’s ‘Bass and Heartbeat’ here and Mark Reeder’s ‘Berliner Erde Mix’ here
Listen to ‘Soil Samples’ EP here
Bowel Research UK and GAS Music Unveil Groundbreaking Sonic Art Project
Soil isn’t just the foundation of life—it’s now the foundation of music. Soil Samples, a first-of-its-kind sonic experiment, brings the vibrant sounds of living soil to life through music.
Commissioned by Bowel Research UK, the project highlights the vital role of a healthy soil microbiome in human health. GAS Music captured the hidden sounds of soil using highly sensitive contact microphones, embedded in the rich, living earth of Glebelands Organic Farm, Manchester. These recordings, spanning an entire week, revealed an intricate soundscape of microbial activity, movement, and organic resonance.
Once extracted, the soil sounds were sped up, pitch-shifted, and processed to bring them into the audible frequency spectrum. The transformed recordings were then integrated into cutting-edge synthesis software, turning the organic noise into playable instruments and drum samples—the foundation of the Soil Samples EP.
Featured Artists & Tracks
Two legendary producers lent their signature styles to this experimental project:
Mark Reeder (MFS Records, Flesh), a pivotal figure in Berlin’s electronic music scene, crafted the “Soil Samples (Berliner Erde Mix),” a brooding, industrial techno track that fuses soil resonance with the pulsating rhythms of the underground.
Derrick McKenzie (Jamiroquai), globally renowned for his infectious funk-house grooves, transformed the soil into “Bass & Heartbeat”, a track pulsating with rhythm and deep, organic textures.
Derrick McKenzie said: “The concept alone had me hooked—turning the sounds of soil into music was incredible. Straight away, I thought of disco-funk vibes, blending organic textures with groove. It wasn’t easy, but creating something so unique was an amazing experience.”
Mark Reeder reflects: “When Gary Hilton from GAS approached me with this project, I was fascinated. Everything has resonance—why not soil? By amplifying its sounds and transforming them, we’ve brought the unseen world of the earth to the dancefloor.”
From Earth to Vinyl
Beyond digital streaming, Soil Samples takes physical form with a limited-edition vinyl pressing, featuring actual soil embedded in the record. Each vinyl comes with a plantable insert, infused with microbiome-positive seeds—allowing listeners to cultivate their own healthy soil while experiencing its music.
The project’s innovative approach to music and microbiology was showcased at the 2024 Chelsea Flower Show, where it was part of Bowel Research UK’s gold-medal-winning microbiome garden.
The Soil Samples EP is available on all major streaming platforms:
Soil Samples EP – https://lnk.to/SoilSamples
Connect:
Derrick McKenzie Instagram
Mark Reeder Instagram
(Derrick McKenzie / Mark Reeder)
