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The making of: Mission Completed

Sleeve - Mission Completed

Futureworld Orchestra’s album Mission Completed, released in 1982, showcases the Dutch duo’s commitment to blending electronic synth-pop with compelling futuristic themes. The creative force behind the album, Gerto Heupink and Robert Pot, were responsible for both programming and vocal arrangements across the tracks, creating a cohesive synth-driven sound that was unique for its time.

The production team included Sytse Gardenier & Sander Bos as the mixing engineer, bringing clarity and balance to the multi-layered tracks. Meanwhile, Louis Debij and Toon Janssen contributed on drums and percussion, adding rhythmic depth that complemented the synthesizers. The production was led by Bernard Oattes and Rob van Schaik, (The Limit) who contributed their own arrangements and guided the album’s sonic direction, creating an experience that was both polished and atmospheric.

The tracklist on Mission Completed includes hits like “Desire” and “I’m Not Afraid of the Future,” which captures the optimistic yet eerie feeling of electronic music in the early ’80s. Other tracks such as “Lunar Eclipse” and “Casablanca Nights” highlight Futureworld Orchestra’s characteristic blend of cinematic atmospheres and synth-pop hooks, bringing their unique sound to life through carefully crafted synth lines and sequencers (ARP 2600, Polymoog, and Korg MS-20, among others).

The album’s visual presentation was crafted by Bart Falkmann, who designed the sleeve artwork, reflecting the sci-fi influence embedded in Futureworld Orchestra’s music. Released on Dureco Benelux in the Netherlands and distributed across various regions, Mission Completed solidified the duo’s place in the synth-pop genre and has since garnered a dedicated following among fans of retro electronic music.