Track Listing

1. Multiversal (Live) [feat. Tommy Lehman]

2. Covert Ops (Live) [feat. Max Schlenk]

3. Mind Your Weather, Weather Your Mind (Live) [feat. Bobby Selvaggio & Dan Bruce]

4. Earth-Two (Live) [feat. Ben Tweedt & Garrett Folger]

5. Men of Steel (Live) [feat. Zach Warren & Clint Bleil]

6. Ain’t No Sidekick (Live) [feat. Chris Coles]

7. Inner Beast (Live) [feat. Johnny Cochran Jr. & Dustin May]

8. Tectonic Shift (Live) [feat. Dan Bruce & Bobby Selvaggio]

9. Band Intro Blues (Live)

10. Covert Ops (Alternate Take)

11. Earth-Two (Alternate Take)

All music composed by Stephen Philip Harvey and published by SPHarvey Music (ASCAP).

Produced by Stephen Philip Harvey

Recorded live at Bop Stop in Cleveland, OH on March 29, 2025

Recorded by Tuck Mindrum and Ian Douglas

Mixed and Mastered by Dave Darlington at Bass Hit Recording

Album Art & Design by Stephen Philip Harvey

Photography by Mollie Crowe at Little Blackbird Photo

This album is supported in part by the Maryland State Arts Council (msac.org) And Salisbury University (salisbury.edu)

Released by Hidden Cinema Records on August 22, 2025

HCR 2501

©Ⓟ 2025 SPHarvey Music (ASCAP)

Stephen Philip Harvey, composer, arranger, conductor

Bobby Selvaggio, alto & soprano sax, flute

Chris Coles, alto sax, flute

Max Schlenk, tenor sax, clarinet

Johnny Cochran Jr, tenor sax, clarinet

Clint Bleil, baritone sax, bass clarinet

JD Chaisson, trumpet

Tommy Lehman, trumpet

JaKobe Henry, trumpet

Garrett Folger, trumpet

Zach Warren, trombone

Will Horner, trombone

Lauren Rudzinskas, trombone

Amber Forrer, bass trombone

Dan Bruce, guitar, pedals

Ben Tweedt, piano

Jordan McBride, acoustic and electric bass

Dustin May, drums

The music of Multiversal is another foray into the world of comic books and superheroes.  The SPHJO’s original album, Smash!, Established this theme for my large ensemble music and the nerd in me is ecstatic to continue paying homage to this vast bibliography of characters. The multiverse has been used as a plot device for many classic stories in comic books and broader popular culture. Imagine a parallel world (or Worlds) to our own that contain an infinite number of differences that range from minute to monumental. The boundless concept of the multiverse leads to limitless possibilities in storytelling.

The piece, “Multiversal,” was originally composed and premiered during our first album release tour, and thus began our journey into the multiverse. This piece is meant to pique the listener’s curiosity of the multiverse; Taking a bright theme and changing it over the course of composition until the listener hits an unexpected ending.

The multiverse theme is continued with “Earth-Two.” in comics, This name is usually designated to the first alternate earth that your character encounters. While familiar, this alternate earth contains Mysterious perils and unimaginable wonders.

“Covert Ops” takes the listener into the realm of espionage and spy-craft. The harmonic progression nods to the British spy of MI6 while the orchestra adds tension and excitement to this tenor feature.

“Mind Your Weather, Weather Your Mind” takes the listener away from the action to explore a soundscape inspired by telekinesis and atmokinesis. The title comes from a joint quote from two comrades/sisters, Jean Grey and Ororo Munroe (Storm), who wield those powers, respectively. These two characters are some of the most powerful in their history and that power is only rivaled by the power of their sisterhood.

“Men of Steel” was originally commissioned by the Bop Stop to celebrate their 10th anniversary at their current location. To loop in the city of Cleveland and comic books, I decided to honor the comic duo of Siegel & Shuster, whose iconic character has become classic of the comic ethos. This piece pays homage to the two creators with two low-voice soloists as these titans of comics.

“Ain’t No Sidekick” was commissioned by the Baltimore school of the arts back in 2023. When thinking about comics and high school, I wanted to write a tongue in cheek piece about young heroes maturing into their own identity.

“Inner Beast” pays homage to the countless animal-based characters in comics. Heroes & villains alike have a long History of tuning into their inner beast. This piece is meant to embody that ferocity of that wild nature.

The inclusion of “Tectonic Shift” is a of cheat on my part. Originally composed for my Elemental suite, I thought including a large ensemble version of this would be a fun nod to the superpower of terrakinesis.

Large ensemble records are always a mammoth project. While this music was written in solitude, it would not have been made without the assistance and support of many people.

Thank you to the 115 backers on Indiegogo that helped bring this project to life. This project would not have been possible without your direct support! Special thanks to Craig Cardwell, JD & Paig Devlin, Tiante Devlin, Brandon & Emma Everett, Nancy Kerhle, and Laura Pulliam!

Thank you to our phenomenal band. I am always in awe of your amazing talents and dedication to the craft of music. It is an honor to be able to have you all on the bandstand bringing this nerdy music to life.

Thank you to the crew of audio engineers, videographers, photographers, and Bop Stop staff that were a part of this experience.

Thank you to you, the listener. Thank you for spending your time with my music. We our now a part of each other’s multiverse.

- Stephen Philip Harvey