Solitaire was an American one-man project with pioneering live-electronics[1] created by James L. Callahan (born 1965) from Baltimore, Maryland, United States; who performed, wrote[2] and recorded [2] solo synth-pop music between 1983 and 1986.

It consisted of the Sequential Circuits Six-Trak a six-voice, polyphonic, analogue synthesizer that was among the first MIDI instruments designed to be used with a computer.

[4] The computer and software allowed Solitaire to program the Six-Trak sequencer and SCI's Drumtraks to form one of the earliest known MIDI-based [live] performance systems.

[4] From 84–85 Solitaire performed at numerous clubs and colleges in the USA mid-Atlantic region, both as a headliner and as a supporting act for bands such as MCA recording artists The Ravyns.

The single enjoyed limited success locally but was later "discovered" by European DJ's and became a highly sought after record.

'System Overload' is top heavy with beat box and electronic percussions [with] a synth laden metronomic melody".

[12] Solitaire was often compared to English solo synth-pop artists of the period such as the UK’s Thomas Dolby[3] and Howard Jones.

Howard Jones notes that during early performances he, “triggered sequencers live on stage whilst playing and singing, something that no one had done before".

[12] With health issues looming and without chart support from his debut single, Solitaire’s notoriety never reached that of his UK solo synth counterparts.

Despite heavy tour schedules up until 1986 and national promotion in American publications such as Star Hits,[15] Solitaire’s international recognition as a synth-pop pioneer[1] would not come for another twenty years.

Solitaire attributes the international interest to his longtime friend and collaborator Tony Prescott [3] (keyboardist for Liverpool 1980s synth-pop band Cook da Books).

Prescott helped Solitaire gain global exposure by introducing his early works to Australian sound engineer Mark Woods.

Woods known for his indie label e-pop, and work as sound engineer for 1980s Aussie-based bands such as INXS and Men at Work[16] mastered and released a number of previously unreleased Solitaire tracks on a CD entitled "Solitaire: Selected Tracks” on Woods own e-pop label in Australia.

One European critic wrote, "The American solo project Solitaire is bringing his despair into sound with a catchy dark electropop".

This Nightmare Don't Ever Sleep RETROPHAZE: Digital Folklore [17] Label: SolitaireMusic.Net Format: CD Country: USA (Regional – Baltimore, MD) Released: 2004 Credits: Callahan/Demme Tracks: 1.

Solitaire: Best of 83–86[12] Label: SolitaireMusic.Net Distribution:Amazon MP3- ASIN B0037J984K, iTunes, TuneCore Format: MP3 Country: Worldwide Released: 2008 Production Credits: Callahan/Czerwinski/Mingle/Woods Tracks: 1.