For those unaware, Wave Theory Records have just released a limited edition vinyl of a single written for Stanley Kubrick’s masterwork, 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The song, subtitled “A Garden of Personal Mirrors”, was written in 1968 by the film’s marketing strategist Mike Kaplan. Kubrick proposed it immediately following an unsuccessful pitch by MGM Records, who wanted to release a single to tie in with the film, and amid reports the Beatles were also writing a song.

Presented by Wave Theory as a historical release, 2001: A Garden of Personal Mirrors adds a new chapter to the film’s mythology.

This limited edition, 7” vinyl is infamous in the annals of film music history for the way that Kubrick abandoned Alex North’s original score in favor of classical and popular pieces that have become synonymous with the movie.

Following a digital release last year that caught the imagination of the film’s fans, Wave Theory now release a limited edition CLEAR vinyl that will give the opportunity for soundtrack aficionados to own a piece of movie history.

Mike Kaplan explains, “The Single’s intent was to capture the different responses 2001 was generating from audiences and the media, the many levels of interpretation and appreciation, from its hypnotic visuals to it’s metaphysical illuminations. We also wanted to instill curiosity among audiences who had not yet seen what was becoming a cultural phenomenon.”

Co-founder of Wave Theory Records Dan Jones said, “Attempting to write any music for Kubrick would be a daunting task, as Alex North — and now we discover Mike Kaplan — were both to discover. Both of them are examples of the complex creative interactions that Kubrick’s films distilled.”

As for the track itself, it is safe to say that it was not what I was expecting, but my goodness, what a gorgeously atmospherically-charged, and musically symbolic of that mid-1960s, lushly orchestrated, gentle psych-prog era flashback it most certainly is.

Layered from start to finish, each chorus is set in motion by some stern piano work before we are gloriously presented with a rhythmical bounce of melodies and hypnotic storytelling within.

2001: A Garden of Personal Mirrors [Official Listen]

Rough Trade 7” Single Purchase Link