Release data: Roger Eno and Brian Eno – Mixing C0lours CD/LP/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Deutsche Grammophone, 2020 Roger and Brian Eno’s collaborative debut-release “Mixing Colours” (created out of a back-and-forth process between the two brothers over a 15-year period) is an exploration into sound through pastel-coloured impressionistic, contemplative soundscapes. All but one of the recording’s eighteen soft resonating tracks take their titles…
Release data: Yagya – Old Dreams and Memories CD/LP/Digital Download, Small Plastic Animals, 2020 This album sees Reykjavik-based composer Aðalsteinn Guðmundsson redefining his own sound, continuing his quest in exploring new sonic pathways that he already started on his previous effort “Stormur”. Subtle moving away from the icy dub techno sound, “Old Dreams and memories” follows the road taken on “Stars…
Release data: Thom Brennan – Departures CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, TMB Soundworks, 2020 Often, life events are a source of inspiration for music releases. “Departures” was actually not planned and came about as a diversion from another project due to recent events in Mr Brennan’s personal life … it’s about loss. Thom elaborates: our lives are spent accruing friends, relationships and material things…
Release data: DreamerProject – Beyond Dreams CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, AD Music, 2019 What I got here is a compilation release, the story so far, of DreamerProject, aka Norwegian musician Kjetil Ingenbrigtsen. The 72-minute “Beyond Dreams” contains 13 tracks in remastered or remixed form as well as three exclusive new tracks I’d classify as warm, feel-good, easy-going and highly accessible electronic chill-out.…
Release data: Paul Ward – For a Knave CD, Surreal to Real, 1991 Paul Ward’s debut album “For a Knave” saw the light of day on John Dyson’s Surreal to Real label in the begin of the ‘90’s. Before Ward went solo he was one half of the project Quiet Point that broke up shortly after having performed at the…
Release data: Nothing But Noise – Berlin to Brussel CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, DB2fluctuation, 2019 On the 3-track/43-minute “Berlin To Brussel” Dirk Bergen and Daniel Bressanutti offer their listeners Berlin School-inspired electronics spiced with a few quirky hooks and slight experimental twists. The darker-infused soundscape passages on the 20-minute “Berlin” and 17-minute “Brussel” both feature a psychedelic, astral feel next to deep…
Release data: Phobos – A Visual Presence CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2020 The 77-minute “A Visual Presence” -which comes with some great imaginative cover-art- documents David’s fourth concert performed at 2019’s UK’s Awakenings concert series, for the composer turning out to be the most enjoyable to that date. Usually when Mr Thompson performs live he plays completely new music, however…
Release data: Max Corbacho – Dreaming Spaces CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Silent Sun, 2019/2020 Due to popular demand, this album got a limited edition physical release after it had been offered as a free download and thank-you from Max Corbacho to all his loyal fans worldwide. “Dreaming Spaces” is a deep and compelling ambient journey into lucid, multi-dimensional space environs made up…
Release data: Hyperkube – Remnants CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Littl’ Antenna Records, 2020 Hyperkube is a project initiated by Belgium synthesist Tom Coppens (who some may know as a member of Kubusschnitt). With this release he continues his love for classic Berlin School inspired electronics mixed with melodic sequencers and assorted ambient elements, which he does aptly. In his vibrant music Tom…
Release data: Hollan Holmes – Milestones CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2020 “Milestones” -marking Hollan’s debut on the established Spotted Peccary label- had a long way coming, not only as life got in the way. It actually deals with the marking points in the composer’s life where he grew (emotionally and intellectually) the most. Following his prior release “Prayer To…
Release data: Paul Ellis – Interstellar Nataraja CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2019 It seemed Paul Ellis put an end to his EM-career in January 2016 when his trusted studio dissolved, having lost decade’s worth of accumulated studio equipment. This heavy blow caused him to take a firm break from electronic music as he didn’t want to rebuild his working space as…
Release data: David Helpling – Rune CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2019 I’ve been following the musical endeavours of US-composer David Helping for many years, the last few focussing on sophisticatedly treated, pure ambient guitar and electronics. “Rune’s” cinematic outcome is directly influenced by the waters of the ocean and the Norse rune called Laguz, which speaks of deep wisdom and…
Release data: E-Musikgruppe Lux Ohr – Non Plus Ultra LP/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Svart Records, 2020 No other than German Krautrock/Kosmische Musik legend Eroc has been in charge of mastering “Non plus ultra”, the third full-length studio album from the Finnish collective E-Musicgruppe Lux Ohr. Sonically, the 82-minute/eight-track outcome -realised between 2016 and 2019- ranges from Berlin School type of old school sequenced…
Release data: Phobos – Celestial Harmonics CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Frozen Light Records, 2019 With “Celestial Harmonics” (his first factory-pressed album by the way) UK- ambient composer David Thompson continues his journeys into the depths and expanse of space. Long form textures and slow evolving drone-tapestries make up a dense, sombre sonic environment where darkness and sadness roam. The biggest part of the…
Release data: S-A-W – Iconic CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Viktoriapark Records, 2020 Kurt Ader is a talented German sound designer for hardware synthesizer, sampler and iOS apps who performed with Johannes Schmoelling on French Synthfest 2018 while having designed a large range of great sounds for Johannes through the years. In addition, he released his solo album “Priority” through Johannes’s label in 2017.…
Release data: Skoulaman – Fluxes in Philadelphia CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2019 This album documents the (slightly adjusted) concert Dutch synthesist Hans van Kroonenburg (whose motto is the power of a synthesizer is not to imitate but to create) performed at The Gatherings concert series in May 2019 in Philadephia, USA. Totally relying on hardware synths he used no backing tape,…
Release data: Max Würden – Format LP/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, A Strangely Isolated Place, 2019 Fall and wintertime are most suitable to listen to quieting environment ambient, and this one fits in that category. “Format” by Cologne-based soundsculptor Max Würden is a contemporary ambient release recorded over a period of two years using various kinds of techniques ranging from studio recordings, looping live…
Release data: Kurtz Mindfields & Hypnago – Soundtrack with Atmosphere EP/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Wigwam Records, 2019 “Soundtrack with Atmosphere” is a recording featuring two different French artists presenting their own electronic universe on each side. First is Jean-Luc Briançon’s project Kurtz Mindfields who fires off his analogue gear on the 18-minute “Above the wandering moon”. It’s a nicely accomplished cosmic travelogue rooted…
Release data: Jutaro Takahashi – Pleochroism CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Neotantra, 2019 “Pleochroism” is Jutaro Takahashi’s debut-release on Lee Anthony Norris Neotantra-label (motto: Tantric solutions for ears). The outcome -that sees the Japanese composer in search of microcosmic beauty- continues Jutaro’s tranquil textural work as featured on his previous albums. A smooth, lush expanse of pastel colours sets off on the two-part title…
Release data: Daniel B. Prothese – Höllektrokraut / HellEctrokraut CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2018 Ok, time to dust off your speakers as here’s a treat for all fans of dynamic electronic krautrock with a leading role for analogue gear. Daniel B. Prothese, aka Daniel Bressanutti (one half of Nothing But Noise and the famous Belgium electro-act Front 242), fires all vintage…
Release data: Michael Brückner – The Undercurrent CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, SynGate Wave, 2019 “The Undercurrent” is assembled from shelved, unreleased music German synthesist Michael Brückner made between 2013 and 2019. This modus operandi may lead to an incoherent outcome, but the opposite is the result on the 77-minute release as all tracks share a similar vibe, intensity and character. For the composer…
Release data: Jeff Pearce – Skies and Stars CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2019 Well, ambient textural guitarist Jeff Pearce has outdone himself on “Skies and Stars”, a 56-minute epic of blissful space music meant for gazing at a clear night sky and close listening. Pearce’s signature sound is found at the heart of two longform pieces and a short outro making…
Release data: Solaris – Aeon V CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Synphaera Records, 2017 The US Synphaera-label is known for their high-quality ambient releases, some fitting into (or inspired by) cosmic space music. Solaris is a collaborative effort between sound forgers Strahinja Maletic (one half of Fourth Dimension) and Don Tyler (member of Ascendant) leading its listeners into an alternate world of contemplation,…
Release data: Peter Mergener – Astronaut CD, Cue-Records, 2019 Sure, the output of Em-veteran Peter Mergener has been low the last decade, but when something new comes up its worth checking out. This 50-minute concept album celebrates the 50th moon landing anniversary. Various historical speech and lunar communication fragments fly by in the melodic, smooth-sequenced music ranging from nice moodspheres…
Release data: Awenson – Within CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2019 On the previous album “Hope”, Joël Bernard already showed his style is unusual and sometimes a bit peculiar. At first glance, “Within” features some progressive elements along the introduction of distorted e-guitar (similar to Edgar Froese or Frank Dorittke) and bass guitar on two tracks – most notably on the energetic…
Release data: Leandro Fresco & Rafael Anton Irisarri – Una Presencia En La Brise LP/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, A Strangely Isolated Place, 2020 “Una Presencia En La Brisa” (A Presence In The Breeze) by soundsculptors Leandro Fresco and Rafael Anton Irisarri is something for all who have a weak spot for 36’s emotive textural ambient music. The album’s concept deals with human connection…
Release data: The Roswell Incident – Trapped Part One CD, Wool-E Discs, 2019 Same as on their previous albums Koen and Jan Buytaert chose to compose lengthy electronic pieces for their new project “Trapped”. This time around, the release is a well-deserved factory-pressed cd on Wool-E Discs imprint Belgian NeuMusic. Still present is the highly cinematic, mystic-angled current in their…
Release data: Walter Christian Rothe – Secrets CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2019 “Secrets” (a concept album with melodic drama from his time as a composer) offers music from the back catalogue of talented Belgium synthesist Walter Christian Rothe, sonically connecting with some of the emotive and harmonious outcome heard on “Let the night last for ever” and “Alice”. It spans over…
Release data: Rene de Bakker – Our Gift CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2019 Those familiar with the previous work of Dutch synthesist Rene de Bakker won’t be surprised the music of “Our Gift” (Rene’s first factory-pressed solo cd) doesn’t stray far from classic Berlin School. Rene’s (re-)interpretation of that style features a nice mix of vintage Peter Baumann/TD and classic…
Release data: RNGMNN – Arctic Interference CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Winter-Light, 2019 Ambient music dedicated to and/or inspired by the northern regions often has special vibe. The frozen and environmental dronescapes making up the nearly 60-minute “Arctic Interference” by Berlin-based Ronny Engmann (aka RNGMNN) airs desolation and ominous darkness through all its veins as we journey slowly but surely across vast icefields. From…
Release data: Erik Wøllo – Sources (Early Works 1986-1992) Lp/CD, Smalltown Supersound, 2019 On this recording we travel back in time to early Norwegian ambient music when composer Erik Wøllo did various sessons and formative pieces between his albums “Dreams Pyramid”, “Traces” (1985) and “Silver Beach” (1987). The collection was mostly created with a Roland MSQ 700 sequencer, in real time…
Release data: Cosmic Ground – Cosmic Ground 5 CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2019 Here’s a fine 75-minute dish of darker flavoured vintage electronics staying close to the realm of TD’s “Phaedra” and “Rubycon”. Synthesist Dirk Jan Müller once again applied his fine range of beloved analogue synths to create the moody, quite hallucinogenic outcome, weaving intense soundscape parts with sequenced sections…
Release data: David Parsons – Chakra CD/Digital Download, Gterma, 2019 After “Puja” and “Stupa”, “Chakra” is the third album by New Zealand-based composer David Parsons on the Swedish G-terma label. This time around, the tracks on “Chakra” were very much gear-inspired. David purchased a couple of Synthstrom Deluges, a locally made portable synthesizer, sequencer and sampler from Wellington designed for the creation,…
Release data: Sphäre Sechs – Transient Lunar Phenomenon CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Cryo Chamber, 2019 The quality space-ambient of the German duo Sphäre Sechs stands out for its profound as well as cinematic quality. The result on their 50-minute “Transient Lunar Phenomenon” -recorded live during a studio session in winter 2018- continues the path taken on “Particle Void”. This time around the music…
Release data: Nik Owen-Jones – I/O CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Ultrakeys Music, 2019 Here’s another example of an artist releasing his music in the end through perseverance, something he wished to do for a very long time. UK-synthesist Nik Owen Jones has had a love of electronic music since the mid 70’s when he heard “Oxygene” for the first time on a tired…
Release data: Jonn Serrie – Azurae CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Valley Entertainment, 2019 With “Azurae”, Jonn wanted to follow up on musical ideas he developed on “Lumia Nights” and present a new perspective on those ideas. “Lumia Nights” envisioned an elegant “old school” romantic ideal with new age flavored contemporary instrumentals and an arrangement of “Autumn Leaves” help set the stage. With “Azurae”,…
Release data: C-Jay – ADEM CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2019 What I got here is the debut album on Groove Unlimited of Dutchman Christian Jansen who works as an experienced producer, composer and dj under his C-Jay moniker. As such he has put out numerous releases on some of the world’s most respected music labels, most notably John Digweed’s Bedrock Records where…
Release data: Simon Lomax – How the Shadow Falls CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Council of Nine, 2019 The inner world explored on “How the Shadow Falls” is one of intense and profound textural ambiences extending further the emotive realm of its predecessors. Applying synthesisers, samples, effects and highly processed guitar, composer Simon Lomax delivered 7 studio improvisations wandering through desolate, dark-shaded aural landscapes…
Release data: Bart Hawkins – 21 Pulse Eclipse CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2019 Bart Hawkins is an analogue gear-head from the US hereby releasing his inspired debut album. The abstract, industrial side of vintage Em (think Nothing but Noise, Node) is explored on the demanding 17-minute title track following in the footsteps of the harmonious, calming “Dream Meditation” kicking off…
Release data: Rudy Adrian – Woodlands CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2019 For me, the biggest part of “Woodlands” is a trip down memory lane and most familiar to my ears. About half of it consists of aural sketches Rudy originally created and intended for the 2002-album “Across the Silver River” (that ended up as a collaborative project with Ron Boots)…
Release data: Max Corbcho – Echo of Longing CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Silentsun, 2019 Majestic, in-depth and beckoning soundworlds keep coming from Barcelona-based ambient-master Max Corbacho. The 73-minute “Echo of Longing” is another example of his great talent featuring three long tracks that immerse and embrace the listener into a myriad of introspective soundwaves of pastel-coloured splendour in just a few minutes.…
Release data: Sysselmann – Ritual of the Aurora Noir CD-EP, Winter-Light, 2019 Fall and wintertime are appropriate periods to listen, enjoy and immerse into dark ambient music. Well, Winter-Light brings us the dark realms of 32-minute Ep “Ritual Of The Aurora Noir”, Sysselmann’s third release to date (though his debut on the Dutch label). The haunting and gothic enter the stage…
Release data: Kelly David – Meditation in Green CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2019 “Meditation in Green” encapsulates the listener into a hypnotizing world of in-depth dream and drone spheres accompanied by a fine assortment of field recordings and percussion. Inspired by David’s personal exploration of various Khmer temples in Vietnam, the slow evolving immersive journey reveals a kaleidoscope of minimalist…
Release data: Mário Raposo – Humanization DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2019 Mário Raposo is an independent electronic music composer hailing from the Azores. His work ranges from electronic/new age to neoclassical and film music but in recent times he’s been composing mostly melodic electronic-space music and ambient-new age. The concept album “Humanization”, roaming in the eletronic-progressive style, focuses on a futuristic…
Release data: Tonal Assembly – Lost and Found in Imaginary Landscapes CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Groove Unlimited, 2019 The musician behind Tonal Assembly is Dutchman Taede A. Smedes who I know as a frequent and enthusiast visitor of electronic music festivals. I didn’t know he also made music for various years that sees its official appearance as the album “Lost and Found in…
Release data: Matt Borghi & Loneward – The Still Guardian DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2019 Mike Carss is known as an ambient artist who chooses to work on his own, which applies to almost all his recordings he made under the Altus-moniker. Now here’s the first collaborative effort he took on with musician Matt Borghi for the Loneward project painting an…
Release data: GROBEK – GROBEK I DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2019 Grobek (a word without any meaning) is a project initiated by Jörg Erren and Christian Steffen (both know as one half of the fine German quartet EFSS). Same as on previous EFSS- occasions, they went to the Dutch coastal village Ouddorp, played analogue equipment only and relied fully on improvisation…
Release data: Ian Boddy & Erik Wøllo – Meridian CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, DiN, 2017 Contrary to “Frontiers”, the sonic journey of Ian Boddy and Erik Wøllo third collaborative effort “Meridian” is for those preferring slower evolving, denser and atmospheric electronics expanded with lyrical e-guitar additions. The overall 58-minute cinematic ambience -spread out over 11 tracks- passes through various emotive currents, gentle melodic lines along…
Release data: Thom Brennan – Elysian Fields CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, TMB Soundworks, 2019 This recording was and is one of a few albums Thom Brennan finished but held off on releasing. The nine tracks on “Elysian Fields”, recorded mostly between 2015 and 2016, are what the composer likes to refer to as texture improvisations, meaning they were “lead” by the sound development.…
Release data: Matthew Florianz – Mass Object DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2019 Sketching out the realm of untouched, undiscovered matter and delving into deeper layers are just a few characteristics of the ambient music of Dutch composer Matthew Florianz. “Mass Object” offers a 49-minute cinematic journey into expansive cosmic space made up by strings of ominous, dark soundscapes merged with mysterious…
Release data: Planet of the Arps CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Deserted Island Music, 2019 “Planet of the Arps”, the seventh release on Deserted Island Music, is the first ambient side-project by Dutch synthesist Remy Stroomer that evolved in various stages since he drew its first aural sketches in July 2010. Spyra was asked to join a few months later but the project was…
Release data: Mathias Grassow & Michael Brückner – Polar Vortex CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, DataBloem, 2019 “Polar Vortex” -a magical ambient journey created in 2017 and 2018 leading the listener from mystical regions of the north to realms beyond- is a 75-minute ambient canvas featuring various smooth sliding atmospheres and degrees of intensity while addressing introspective spaces as it unfolds. “The North” and…
Release data: Rudolf Heimann – Die Unendlichkeit des Augenblick CD, Spheric Music, 2019 This concept album by German composer Rudolf Heimann -of which the title translates as The Infinity of the Moment- features a mixture of Berlin School-angled synth music, symphonic-ish (score) elements along a slice of progrock surfacing occasionally in the contemporary instrumental music. The 68-minute result is accessible…
Release data: Craig Padilla – Patterns of Thought (Special Remastered Edition) MC/CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 1998/2019 What I got here is a special remastered -20th anniversary- edition of Craig’s classic release from 1998 which was his last recording that came out on tape as a limited edition double cassette. Much of this music ended up being released on two cd-r’s in…
Release data: Toby Marks & Andrew Heath – Motion CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Disco Gecko Recordings, 2019 “Motion” -the first collaborative album by UK soundscape-artist Andrew Health and Toby Marks (better known as Banco de Gaia)- offers a 60-minute ambient journey of processed and transformed sounds leading into the endless unfolding and deeply meditative. The seed and theme came out of a series…
Release data: Alpha Wave Movement – Polyphasic Music CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Harmonic Resonance Recordings, 2019 There’s quite a bit of sleep-inducing music around in the ambient and electronic music genre, just think of Altus’ “Sleep Theory” –trilogy, James Johnson, Eno’s “Thursday Afternoon”, Robert Rich’s “Somnium” or the works of Liquid Mind. “Polyphasic Music” is a most calming and balanced 50-minute space to…
Release data: Lauge – Dawn DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Iboga Records, 2019 This is my third encounter with Henrik Laugesen’s down-tempo electronics, who decided to expand the sound of “Dawn” (that also features two collaborations with fellow Dane producer Feeding Spring, aka Morten A. Nielsen) with a hefty dose of smooth-pounding trance vibes. Slow, steady beats and deep bass lines merged with tasty…
Release data: James Johnson – Environment 2 (Music for The Working Space)(CUBE 1) CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, AtmoWorks/Private Release, 2005 “Music for The Working Space” features one 60-minute track, a collage of slow evolving spheres, gentle textures and occasional piano keys along assorted environmental sounds. The latter enhance the mesmerizing, subdued, minimal impact of the created quietening ambience especially while the brief soft-soaring…
Release data: Boreal Taiga – Iceland DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Polar Magnetic Records, 2018 “Iceland” marks the first album released through Boreal Taiga’s own label Polar Magnet Recordings. It continues the composer’s journey through the splendour of white out conditions and remote, frozen landscapes while exploring each area of this exciting country simultaneously. The very nicely rendered textural ambient mixed with environments…
Release data: Thom Brennan – Soundgardens CD-r/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, TMB Soundworks, 2017 “Soundgardens” was recorded between 2003 and 2005 and was intended originally to build on ideas Thom first explored on “Satori” as well as shorter tracks like “Radiant Ice” (the opening track on the album “Shimmer”). All four tracks, finally mastered in 2019 for this release, are longform, ethereal soundscape…