Composer Michael William Gilbert blends world music influences into his warm, electronic soundscapes. He was raised in Connecticut and Brussels, where he first heard the music of Africa and East Asia, as well as the electronic music of Edgard Varèse and Pierre Henry. Back in the U.S., Gilbert studied electrical engineering and music, and went on to become a teacher and technical director of electronic music for several colleges, including the University of Massachusetts. This university affiliation continued through his decades of composing. Gilbert's first album, Moving Pictures, was released in 1978 by Gibex, the label that released his subsequent work through the '80s. His follow-up album, The Call (1981), included percussionist David Moss, among others. Gilbert has since scored an independent film by Peter Hobbs, collaborated with a variety of accomplished musicians including master percussionist Tony Vacca, and enjoyed the use of his work by a number of choreographers. ~ Joslyn Layne