Orfeon Gagarin – Halibut-Vaporub [Cass] (1990, Toracic Tapes)

Orfeón Gagarin is the experimental music project of Miguel A. Ruiz, a Spanish electronic musician who has been active since the early 1980s. He’s closely linked to Spain’s underground cassette scene and is known for releasing music through small DIY labels and his own imprint, Toracic Tapes. His sound moves between experimental electronics, industrial, noise, and abstract atmospheres, often rough, lo-fi, and intentionally strange. 

 
Over the years, Ruiz has worked under several different aliases, with Orfeón Gagarin being just one of many outlets for his ideas. This project in particular reflects his interest in unconventional structures, surreal titles, and a very hands-on, tape-culture approach to making and releasing music. 

 
'Halibut-Vaporub' is a cassette release from 1990, originally put out by the Tragic Figures label. Like much of Orfeón Gagarin’s work from that period, it was designed for the cassette format and fits perfectly into the late-80s and early-90s experimental underground. 

 
The music on 'Halibut-Vaporub' leans toward industrial and experimental electronics, with abstract textures, odd rhythms, and a raw, homemade feel. The track titles are playful and surreal, matching the offbeat character of the sounds themselves. Over time, the release has become something of a cult favorite. 

 
Overall, 'Halibut-Vaporub' works as a snapshot of Orfeón Gagarin’s early style and of a moment when underground electronic music was driven by curiosity, experimentation, and DIY spirit rather than polish or mainstream appeal. 

 

 

Label: Toracic Tapes – none 

Format: Cassette, Album, C46 

Country: Spain 

Released: 1990 

Style: Industrial, Experimental, Minimal Synth 

 

Tracklist: 

A1 Halibut-Vaporub 2:15 

A2 Theory Of Raw Fish 1:35 

A3 Take Your Shotgun! 2:20 

A4 Life Under Your Seat 2:53 

A5 Un Improbable Omnibús 2:08 

A6 El Rencor De Un Viticultor 1:33 

A7 Procreation Dance 1:42 

A8 The Nameless Mussel 1:30 

A9 Un Malvado Hipocampo 1:40 

A10 Napalm Nap 3:17 

B1 Song Of The Glittering Sons 1:27 

B2 Ultimo Ritual En Nihombashi 1:55 

B3 El Error De Un Apicultor 2:12 

B4 La Premonición De Ismael 2:00 

B5 Perseguido Por El Vudú 3:08 

B6 Hípica Y Vida Birmana 0:50 

B7 Survol Du Pole Nord 3:01 

B8 El Címbalo Presuroso 1:50 

B9 Yo, Piscicultor 2:20 

 

Other Versions: 

'Halibut-Vaporub' (Cassette, Album, C46) Tragic Figures [TFT017] (Portugal, 1990)

 

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