'What would you do if you could go back and correct past mistakes?'

It's an often heard theoretical and philosophical question, for which there is no right or wrong answer.

Questions may be raised regarding my sanity when you think about the fact that I'm releasing my debut album once again, entirely re-recorded, re-mixed and remastered, almost ten years after the fact. In fact, some of my 'peers' have questioned my sanity already when I announced it through social media.

I may well be making a fool out of myself by re-recording, re-mixing and remastering the 'Samsara' album, some say I am, but a born perfectionist like me always wants to do better. And the fact remains that while the original 'Marooned On Samsara' album sounds decent, I never felt it sounded as good as I knew it could sound. I did the best I could with the means I had at the time and the result was obviously of a lower standard. For one, the mixes lack bass, something my dearly departed friend James Blaast never failed to point out to me at regular intervals throughout his life. This has been corrected. The fact that I'm now using superior gear to record on and with, is also of considerable importance. And I’ve learned a few things as a producer and sound engineer over the years. That also helps. But most importantly, I’ve come to know these songs better. Playing most of them live over the years helped improve their delivery and dynamics.

What it is, is that I love these songs, and I wanted them to shine in the way I know they can shine. I want them to punch, like I know they can. I want them to sound dark and barren, and I know that's all in there. I want them to sound desperate, brooding. And for me, they just didn't do that enough the first time around. So here it is, another chance. Technology makes it a lot easier to correct past mistakes, and I took that opportunity.

So call me insane, laugh if you must and ridicule me if that's how you roll. Some already have. What counts for me at the end of the day, is that I can live with the songs. And this time around, I most certainly can. After the original 'Samsara' album was released, I never listened back to it again, like I did do with 'AnimAElegy' and the 'Desert Songs E.P.'. I want to be able to give 'Samsara' the same courtesy. I may not sell another copy of this album. I don't care. I make music because I have to; everything else that comes from it and with it is just extra; both good and bad. Whether you enjoy this reinvigorated version of 'Marooned On Samsara' with me, is, ultimately, entirely up to you...