Release data: Gert Emmens & Ruud Heij – Echoes From Future Memories CD, Groove Unlimited, 2015 After their beautiful excursion into the textural domain on “Signs”, the Dutch duo Emmens/Heij shifts back to the analogue, sequencer-driven soundworlds on “Echoes from Future Memories”. In four lengthy, structured pieces, they once again venture into far-off lands with great combos of sequencer patterns,…
Release data: SiJ & Sergey Gabbasov – Zhang Zhung CD, Gterma, 2015 What I got here is a Himalayan-inspired, slow evolving and grand sounding soundscape meticulously put together by Ukraine composer Vladislav Sikach (aka SiJ) and ethnomusicologist Sergey Gabbasov. The two have come up with a captivating 80-minute tapestry of assorted sounds, textures and environmental recordings that’s most cinematic, enchanting…
Release data: Max Corbacho – Splendid Labyrinths CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, ad 21 music, 2015 Since he started out releasing music in 1999, accomplished composer Max Corbacho had delivered the ambient community a very nice and consistent collection of highly spherical ambiences. “Splendid Labyrinths” (following right after his download-only dark ambient recording “Future Terrain”) is a next chapter in his what Max…
Release data: Jorge Reyes – Bajo El Sol Jaguar CD, Opcion Sonica/Mexican Records/No-CD Records/Musiqu, 1991 “Bajo El Sol Jaguar” (Under the Sun of the Jaguar) is a key ethno-ambient release by Mexican multi-instrumentalist Jorge Reyes, who later on would team up with Suso Saiz and Steve Roach to found Suspended Memories. It’s a concept album addressing ancient mythology of the…
Release data: Dan Pound – Change Of Weather CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 With “Change of Weather”, US-composer Dan Pound had delivered another intense and quite enjoyable ambient recording. A captivating atmosphere is already set by the two-part opener “Through the Fog”, aptly weaving thick and lush textural waves with a slight melodic line and even a high-tech touch. “After…
Release data: Sean Washburn – Wave Mantra CD, Gterma, 2000/2015 “Wave Mantra” was originally released privately by the composer in 2000, but has been out-of-print for a long time and been sought after by many. This reissue (with new art work) has been gently remastered by Anders Peterson (A.P.). For a review of the music (a sonic journey through an…
Release data: John Christian – Sol Invictus CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 On his fourth album “Sol Invictus”, Airsculpture-member John Christian invites his listeners to join him on a trip that features a good bunch of heavy sequencers. In the process of creation, John experimented with tracks that would slowly alter their mix or sounds to keep the very prominent…
Release data: Circular – Nanotopia CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Origo Sound, 2007 What I got here is the debut album by the Norwegian project Circular, which was established two years earlier. Influenced by the sound that was to be known as arctic ambient (see Biosphere and alike), Bjarte Andreassen and Jostein Dahl Gjelsvik decided to explore a wider and even unfamiliar sound…
Release data: Yagya – The Inescapable Decay Of My Heart CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Kilk Records, 2012 It came as a bit of a surprise to find out accomplished Icelandic dub techno and ambient producer Aðalsteinn Guðmundsson (aka Yagya) hereby presents a record with upfront vocals, as all his previous recordings offered exquisite ambient-techno pieces with none of these. Fortunately, “The Inescapable…
Release data: Tangerine Dream – Mala Kunia CD-EP, Eastgate, 2014 This long-run cupdisc, the first (and also last release I reckon) in “The Quantum Years” was made available on the occasion of TD’s live performances in Australia in the last quarter of 2014, but was recorded upfront. There also was a new band line-up featuring the talented IDM-musician Ulrich Schnauss…
Release data: Steve Roach – Skeleton Keys LP/CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Projekt Records, 2015 “Skeleton Keys” is a labour of love for the analogue synth domain and one Steve Roach has been attracted to since he started composing in the late ’70’s. As a matter of fact, he never could resist the urge and growing desire to explore the “essence of the…
Release data: Michael Stearns – Music for the Dome DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Earth Turtle Music, 2016 This release containing selections from planetarium scores recorded over the last several years, had a long time coming. The outcome, all written to picture initially, has been in the works for several years. “Music for the Dome” originally clocked over 70 minutes but felt too…
Release data: Under the Dome – The Heavens CD-R, Cochlear Vision Records, 1997 “The Heavens” was the first cd-r of synthesist Grant Middleton as Under the Dome. It was originally recorded in 1990 on a Fostex X-26 four-track cassette. “The Aeon’s Day” was made with Pro-One, Ensoniq ESQ-1 and Yamaha TX-7 (a DX-7 in a rack). By the time it…
Release data: K2Project – K2Project CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Fairy Nuff Music, 1999 K2Project is a fun electronic music collaboration established in 1999 featuring Stephen Whitlan with local musician Keith Corbett (who he’d met on a community Arts program) while still living in Ireland. The album was actually the result of Stephen re-assembling his studio (which contains lots of analogue goodies) after…
Release data: Zanov – Virtual Future CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Zanov Music, 2014 The fans of vintage electronic music may be in for a surprise to find out legendary French synthesist Zanov, aka Pierre Salkazanov, has resurfaced recently after “disappearing” 30 years ago. Much has change since, but the pioneering/progressive electronic composer of the old days once made a promise to himself…
Release data: Steve Roach – Michael Stearns – Ron Sunsinger – Kiva CD, Hearts of Space/Fathom, 1995 “Kiva” (representing the unbroken circle of the earth, according the album cover notes) is a tribal-ambient release full of sound archaeology which involved Native American singers and Native American ceremonial artists. In its own way, the deep sound current connects to the artists…
Release data: Zanov – In Course of Time LP/CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 1983/2015 Enigmatic, surreal, futuristic and deep mysterious are the keywords to best describe Zanov’s third album “In Course Of Time”. Legendary French synthesist Zanov, aka Pierre Salkazanov, already started work on this landmark album before his last concert in Villebon (near Paris) in June 1978, followed by some…
Release data: Solitaire – Fearless CD, Recycle or Die, 1995 At the time of release, this album was presented as ambient music shifting between various cultures and ages. Sonically, Solitaire’s album “Fearless” sees a switch to more progressive-oriented electronic music with a minimal edge. As a whole though, it’s quite weird and halucinogenic listening experience. Distorted guitar textures already fly…
Release data: Tim Story – Abridged (Selected Miniatures 1979-1988) CD, Hearts of Space, 1991 One of the goals set by Tim Story is to evoke things in the listener that connect them to their own imagery and emotion. His music simply speaks its own language, with its own insinuations and its own life. The 73-minute “Abridged” offers an overview of…
Release data: Something Completely Different – Megacatz CD, Invisible Shadows, 2001 “Megacatz”, the debut cd by Boele Gerkes, is a compilation cd featuring music made in previous years. The 53-minute outcome is a mixed bag offering 14 melodic songs which are not as sophisticated as the ones found on Boele’s next to albums “The Last Gate” and “Book of Love”,…
Release data: Michael Stearns – The Middle of Time CD, Earth Turtle Music, 2000 Sound artist Michael Stearns is an expert in composing ambient soundscapes that imagine the travel through time and space. On the 49-minute “The Middle of Time”, the soundtrack to the PBS documentary The Mystery of Chaco Canyon”, afficionados of space-ambient that incorporates a node of world…
Release data: Hollan Holmes – Incandescent CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 With “Incandescent”, composer Hollan Holmes has delivered an excellent album that even beats his previous gem “The Spirits of Starlight”. Mr. Holmes dedicated the album to the late Richard Burmer, who he admits had a profound influence on musical road taken since entering the electronic music domain in 2010…
Release data: Erik Wøllo – Blue Radiance CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Projekt Records, 2015 From the first notes on this recording its clear Erik’s characteristic sound design has stayed the same, lining up easily next to the emotive instrumental music of e-guitars, assorted rhythms and synths we’ve accustomed to in previous years. Imaginative, sparkling and with an eye to detail are keywords…
Release data: Max Corbacho – Future Terrain DIGITAL DOWNLOAD/CD, ad21 Music/GSP, 2015 In April 2015, Spanish synthesist Max Cobacho announced two new releases. One of them is download-only album “Future Terrain”. Created alongside the factory-pressed cd “Splendid Labyrinths”, Max imagined the outcome a remote sci-fi futuristic landscape, a dark background filling the space in slow motion. Well, the 58-minute outcome…
Release data: The Lonely Bell – The Lonely Bell DIGITAL DOWNLOAD EP, Private Release, 2015 The Lonely Bell is an isolation ambient project initiated by Scottish/Isle Of Lewis-based musician Ali Murray, merging elements of post-rock and shoegazer in the 30-minute instrumental outcome. Dense, minimalist and dark-atmospheric drone tapestries make up the opening title piece, in which the sound of chimes…
Release data: Vir Unis – Dreamers at the Edge of Decaying Light CD-R, Private Release, 2001 This is the first album on John Strate-Hootman’s own label In the Bubble comprising a collection of atmospheric and ethereal music made in the late ’80’s, early ’90’s and into 2001. The music on the 70+ minute release is based in a more experimental…
Release data: Steve Roach – Dave Hudson – Sarah Hopkins – Australia: Sound of the Earth CD/MC, Fortuna Records, 1990 This tribal album is a spin-off from Steve’s second journey to Down Under, which led earlier to his masterpiece “Dreamtime Return”. Next to Steve Roach, the 63-minute sonic document “Australia: Sound of the Earth” also features experienced didgeridoo player David…
Release data: Mark Mercury – The Art of Space CD, Private Release, 1991 “The Art of Space”, the second release by Pasadena-based composer Mark Mercury, is a 60-minute suite of contemporary and classical/symphonic electronic music, including five tracks containing the spoken verse by actors of poets addressing space themes. The poetry chronicles the thoughts and emotions of a lone space…
Release data: Steve Roach – Kevin Braheny – Western Spaces CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Fortuna Records/IC, 1987 A special article on this album can be found in Ultimate Desert Soundtracks: Western Spaces & Desert Solitaire Website: www.steveroach.com You can see what reviews I have done of this artist on the Steve Roach, Kevin Braheny artist pages Sonic Immersion
Release data: Steve Roach – Kevin Braheny – Michael Stearns – Desert Solitaire CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Fortuna Records, 1989 A special article on this album can be found in Ultimate Desert Soundtracks: Western Spaces & Desert Solitaire Website: www.steveroach.com You can see what reviews I have done of these artists on the Steve Roach, Kevin Braheny, Michael Stearns artist pages Sonic…
Release data: Steve Roach – Dreamtime Return CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Fortuna Records, 1988 A special article on this album can be found at “Steve Roach: Dreamtime “Revisited” Website: www.steveroach.com You can see what reviews I have done of this artist on the Steve Roach artist page Sonic Immersion
Release data: Three-Six (36) – Heather Spa DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, A Strangely Isolated Place, 2013 This is a concept album centered round the moorland area on the edge of the UK’s Yorkshire Dales National Park, which served as both a place of escape and inspiration for composer Dennis Huddleston aka 36. The 40-minute “Heather Spa”, which was the catalyst for the…
Release data: Steve Roach – The Dream Circle CD, Soundquest/Timeroom Editions, 1994 “The Dream Circle” is the first recording in an ongoing series of 70+ minutes recordings intended for infinite playback. According to Steve website, the music was first experienced as an atmosphere playing before and after the concerts in the early 90’s. Well, the continuous 74-minute outcome is a…
Release data: Steve Roach & Michael Shrieve – The Leaving Time MC/LP/CD, RCA, 1988 In the same time Roach’s ambient masterpiece “Dreamtime Return” was released, the rather forgotten “The Leaving Time” (referring to Steve’s trip to Down Under) saw the light of day. This collaborative album with Santana percussionist/drummer Michael Shrieve though always stayed in the far shadows and is…
Release data: Steve Roach – World’s Edge CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Fortuna Records/Timeroom Editions, 1992 The double album “World’s Edge” is a transitional work of inspired ambient music, also Steve’s first solo project created after his move to Tucson, Arizona in 1990. It’s an in-depth and intense journey merging the expansive soundscape delights from “Dreamtime Return” and “The Magnificent Void”, while also…
Release data: Leila Abdul-Rauf – Insomnia CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Malignant/Antibody, 2015 Isolationist drone music comes in various forms, but receives an even different treatment on the environmental ambient effort “Insomnia” by San Francisco-based multi-instrumentalist Leila Abdul-Rauf. The latter incorporates her ethereal voice pads (which remind slightly of the gothic vibe of Lisa Gerard and het DCD-project) with fluid brass textures, synths…
Release data: Troika – Faeries CD, Enso Records, 1999 “Faeries” welcomes the listener in a dreamy, pastel-coloured world of New Age mood music evoking a realm of magic and enchantment. David Arkenstone and co. have created another album of overtly soothing, romantic and relaxing musings where Gaelic, Native-American, Japanese and Indian flavours fly by. The joyful, uplifting and sweet all…
Release data: Forrest Fang – Gongland CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Projekt Records, 2000 Being an avid fan of ethereal ambient music, the smooth shifting atmospheres and exotic-flavored textures found on Forrest Fang’s classic album “Gongland” is still a release to cherish in this genre. The eclectic outcome of hypnotizing, slow morphing soundscapes with world music elements is poured into 13 vaporous tracks,…
Release data: Sphäre Sechs – Enceladus CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Malignant Records, 2015 It’s time for another stride through the galactic netherworld where the darker elements meet, one solely created on analogue gear without the use of computers. The continuous 53-minute aural alchemy of drifting synth drone tapestries and morphing atmospheres mapped out on “Enceladus” by Sphäre Sechs -aka Martin Stürtzer (Phelios)…
Release data: Sayer – Time Travelers DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 For this album, Sayer Seely spent a lot of effort in creating a work covered with a range of retro sounds referring to different periods in time. “Time Travelers” ended up eventually as a straightforward, sequencer-driven release where a range of infectious melodies and spheres merge. Well, the music…
Release data: The Gateless Gate – Landslag Norður Íslands (The Landscape of North Iceland) DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2014 Like many other ambient releases, this is an album trying to capture the feel, wonder and hidden power of the landscapes found in the Northern hemisphere of our globe. The focus here is on the coastal region and the living earth…
Release data: Ishq – Seascapes CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Virtual, 2014 Here’s another fine album meant for low-volume listening. For the 7-track album “Seascapes”, Matt Hillier (aka Ishq) has come up with a set of imaginative and textural soundscapes backed by subtle environmental recordings, all based and inspired by the winter seas in Cornwall and written as a series of seascape paintings…
Release data: Sensory ++ – Planet CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2014 Sensory++ is a Belgium electronic music project by Joost Egelie, who releases various albums under his own name previously. “Planet” is a concept album about the fragile relationship between Human and Nature, and how in the end the two find their own way in a far, far future. To…
Release data: Valley Forge – Leaving to Nothing CD, Private Release, 1995 From time to time, there’s electronic music that sounds highly original and rather weird at the same time. In my view, the Valley Forge debut album “Leaving to Nothing” belongs to that category, featuring psychedelic electronic (post)rock with occasional symphonic elements made with analog synthesizers, electronic/acoustic drums and…
Release data: Optical Image – Interference CD, Soundart Productions, 1994 The instrumental synth-orchestral music featured on Tom Habes second album as “Optical Image” shows the same sound signature as his debut album, but delivered in a more thoughtful and better composed manner. Symphonic and cinematic airs fly by in the 59-minute melodic outing, which again is pushed forward by rhythms,…
Release data: Australis – Adrift CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Essential Noises, 2014 All Australis albums I’ve heard until now have been graced with many emotive components and a core that celebrates the wonders of life. “Adrift” though took shape in a period of the composer’s life where he endured many hardships which affected his personal life deeply and without remorse. Despite the…
Release data: Sequentia Legenda – Blue Dream DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2014 The inspiration and sound of the classic ’70’s, more specific those of Klaus Schulze and the Berlin School, has found another fine outlet by the means of Sequentia Legenda. The latter is a French musician from Mulhouse, who has established a tour-de-force with his range of hardware synths…
Release data: Howard Givens & Craig Padilla – Life Flows Water CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2015 “Life Flows Water” was performed one week after Craig Padilla gave several solo performances in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho and Seattle, Washington. All these occasions provided a lot of music within a matter of weeks. However, the live performance with Howard Givens (founder of…
Release data: Forrest Fang – Letters to the Farthest Star CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Projekt Records, 2015 One of the great things about the music of the skilled composer Forrest Fang is his ability to incorporate world music influences from Asia (focusing on stringed and percussion instruments most notably) with mesmerizing electronic textures into his ambient minimalist style in a most sophisticated…
Release data: Alio Die & Lorenzo Montanà – Holographic Codex CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Projekt Records, 2015 “Holographic Codex” is a peculiar sonic breed which sees introspective, moody ambient landscapes paired with IDM sequences and psybient textures. Moreover, the cross-pollination of the styles of the two ltalian composers has led to a progressive electronic amalgam of ritualistic soundscapes and technogenic aural landscapes…
Release data: Ovod – Between the Days DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 If you’re into ambient/cinematic music, the energetic but darker-shaded sonic ride making up “Between the Days” may be worth checking out sometime. It’s composed by Russian musician Ivan Lavrov, who came up with eight tracks which incorporate atmospheric density, glowing and mysterious (under)currents along a nocturnal-like feel. The…
Release data: Simon Slator – Magellan DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2014 “Magellan” is a 30-minute concept album inspired by the Arthur C. Clarke’s book “The Songs of Distant Earth” and the album of the same name by Mike Oldfield (along the composer’s own love of science fiction). The outcome delivers two 15-minute tracks of imaginary ambient space music with a…
Release data: Alex Farhoud – (A + M)² CD, Audiogram, 1988 Compared to “Nosso Nosso”, I characterize the music on Faroud’s album “(A + M)²” as a totally different sonic breed. The ten easy-going tracks feature a very light and faceless style of music that can line up next to muzak and new age without effort. Next to a low…
Release data: Todd Fletcher – Star CD, Arya, 1996 A lot of quality stuff can be found in the genre of ambient soundscape music next to loads of mediocre and amateurish work. This 1996 release by Arizona-based composer Todd Fletcher is one of the few from his catalogue that made it to a factory-pressed cd. Although “Star”, a fine aural…
Release data: Todd Fletcher – Byzantium CD/CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 1994/2002 “Byzantium” was originally put out as a real cd, and saw a re-release as the fourth cd-r album on the Mr Fletchers own Microrelease label (which appears defunct now). “Byzantium” is a 69-minute instrumental album clearly reflecting the composers growing fascination with Middle Eastern music. Singular sound atmospheres, samples…
Release data: Soundician – Wise Trees DIGITAL DOWNLOAD EP, Private Release, 2015 Since the beginning of 2000, the UK-duo Soundician writes and produces their own style of electronic music, a perculiar as eclectic mix of electronic minimalism and experimental/classical alongside a touch of ambient/space and lush melodic EM. According to the liner notes, the EP “Wise Trees” is a sonic…
Release data: Lambert – Drachenreise CD, Spheric Music, 2015 When you’re a fan of general-melodic, highly accessible synth music, Lambert’s newbie “Drachenreise” (his first new album after almost 20 years) will most surely be of your liking. The composer considers his music an outlet to express his personal life and feelings, an inner flight within two worlds: the one on…
Release data: Alpha Wave Movement – System A CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Harmonic Resonance Recordings, 2015 The beauty, mystery, grandness and awe of the solar system have been an inspiration for many albums by Gregory Kyryluk’s project Alpha Wave Movement, founded in 1992. “System A”, influenced by enigmatic cosmology, adds another fine chapter to the journey in these ever fascinating environs. The…
Release data: Bruno Sanfilippo – Inside Life CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Ad21 Music, 2015 “Inside Life” is a contemporary classical work of art built upon piano and strings, which see Bruno Sanfilippo continue his quest through the quiet sonic landscape of minimalist piano and electro-acoustic music. Piano, cello, treatments and voice (on two tracks) form the heart of the 44-minute recording, a…
Release data: Jamacaru – Nebelland DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2014 I became aware of this album through the site of Johannes Schmoelling, which mentioned German visual artist Peter Uhlig (known for the pictures on the cover of Johannes “Instant City”) had released his debut album of electronic music using the moniker JamaCaru (named after a type of cactus). In the…