Release data: James Johnson – Minimum (Journeys 2) CD-r/Digital Download, AtmoWorks, 2002 James Johnson initially found his way into ambient music through a fascination with self-created sonic worlds, particularly the immersive, breathing atmospheres Brian Eno evoked on “On Land” – soundscapes capable of instantly transporting the listener to somewhere far removed from the room they occupy. “Minimum”, the second instalment…
Release data: Synergy – Metropolitan Suite CD/Mc/Lp, Audion, 1987 Larry Fast, better known as Synergy, has always regarded music as a soundtrack without an accompanying movie: a medium capable of conveying spaces, atmospheres and emotions without the need for words or visual imagery. “Metropolitan Suite”, inspired by his fascination with urban architecture, is a symphonic progressive electronic work that…
Release data: Ian Boddy & Scanner – Juxtapositions CD/Digital Download, DiN, 2026 Released in early September 2026, the collaborative album “Juxtapositions” explores the creative potential of difference, placing hypnotic repetition, abstract sound design and emotional resonance at its core. Spanning nine tracks and approximately 50 minutes, the album unfolds as an immersive work of ambient art, gently oscillating between hypnotic…
Release data: Rudy Adrian – Twilight (Atmospheric Works Vol. 2) CD-R, Private Release, 1998 Back in the day, David Parsons was kind enough to put me in touch with this musician from New Zealand’s South Island, whose full name is actually Rudy Adrian Hueting. Originally, “Twilight” (Atmospheric Works Vol. 2) was intended solely for friends and family, but it soon…
Release data: Max Schiefele – Berggeist CD/Digital Download, Private Release, 2026 The cinematic impact of Max’s previous recording, “Waldgeist”, finds a compelling continuation in “Berggeist”. Once again, we are presented with a sonic narrative that is not tied to any specific location, nor does it seek to tell a predetermined story. Instead, through nine atmospheric, progressively unfolding melodic tracks—moving between…
Release data: Tangram – Tepidarium II Digital Download, Private Release, 2026 The original “Tepidarium” album was released 17 years ago, inspired by a day Péter Fabók, better known as Tangram, spent at the famous Széchenyi Thermal Baths in Budapest. The atmosphere of the place, the warmth of the water and the experience of spending an entire day there provided the…
Release data: Kurtz Mindfields – Visions Nocturnes CD-r/Digital Download, Visions Nocturnes, 2026 Following his contribution to the concept album Planetarium Century, Jean-Luc Briançon, better known as Kurtz Mindfields, was approached by his friend François Aru, a science communicator, who introduced him to a new exhibition project at the Vaulx-en-Velin Planetarium. The project called for a musical soundtrack to accompany its…
Release data: Vir Unis – Allogenes Digital Download EP, AtmoWorks, 2010 The EP “Allogenes” marks the second chapter in Vir Unis’s “Book of Mutations” trilogy, originally released in 2003. Once again, John Strate-Hootman demonstrates his ability to weave the various facets of his musical vision into a cohesive and continuous flow, blending introspective rhythms with atmospheric ambient textures. Spanning 19…
Release data: Robert Schroeder – Evolution CD, Spheric Music, 2026 Having followed Mr. Schroeder’s album output over the past decade, I wasn’t expecting any surprises from “Evolution” – and, once again, it delivers none. Spanning 63 minutes and comprising nine tracks, the album ranges from meandering soundscapes to more up-tempo passages. “Evolution” offers a familiar and recognisable blend of sequencer…
Release data: Kubusschnitt – The Cube CD/Digital Download, Neu Harmony, 2000 Kubusschnitt is an electronic music project rooted in the Berlin School tradition, bringing together UK musician Andy Bloyce, Dutch synthesist Ruud Heij, Belgian composer Tom Coppens, and German musician Jens Peschke. “The Cube”, released during the heyday of the UK-based Neu Harmony label, follows the group’s debut album, “The…
Release data: Aes Dana – Inks CD/Digital Download/Lp, Ultimae Records, 2019 “Inks” sees Vincent Villuis embark on another exploratory journey through texture-rich atmospheres, digitally manipulated soundscapes, and meticulously controlled rhythms. While the album retains the distinctive sonic identity of Aes Dana, it also represents a somewhat unusual direction compared to his previous releases, revisiting the more beat-oriented aspects of his…
Release data: Rudy Adrian – Southern Isles Sketchbook CD/Digital Download, Spotted Peccary Music, 2026 In terms of mood and style, the music on “Southern Isles Sketchbook” closely follows the sonic path established by “Along the Coppermine Ridge”. Having had the opportunity to hear and comment on several demos of this project over the past year and a half, I have…
Release data: Miktek – Anisotropy CD/Digital Download, Abstrakt Reflections, 2011 Greek producer Mihalis Aikaterinis is the musician behind Miktek, a project founded in 2006. My interest in his earlier work was recently rekindled after rediscovering some of his excellent collaborations with Aes Dana and his release on the Ultimae label. Across the 78-minute “Anisotropy”, Miktek navigates a diverse range of…
Release data: Ascendant – Regenesis Digital Download, Synphaera Records, 2026 “Regenesis” -cut from the 24-bit master source, as is customary at the label- finds accomplished duo Chris Bryant and Don Tyler exploring another contemporary interpretation of ambient and space music. Yet this hour-long release represents more than a continuation of their established sonic vision; it signals a distinct evolution in…
Release data: 2002 – The Sacred Well (The best of 2002) CD/Digital Download, Real Music, 2002 “The Sacred Well” is a Best of compilation by American duo Pamela & Randy Copus, aka 2002, who at that time had released around six albums. Both sonically polished and attractively presented, this collection features twelve compositions, including two previously unreleased tracks, offering a…
Release data: Rolf Trostel – Narrow Gate to Life CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Musique Intemporelle/MiG, 1995/2022 In the spring of 2022, I approached the German label MIG with a suggestion to reissue “Narrow Gate to Life”, the classic fourth album by Berlin-based electronic musician Rolf Trostel. As the label was unfamiliar with Trostel and had been unable to locate him, I helped…
Release data: Amethystium – Odonata CD, Neurodisc, 2000 “Odonata” is a remarkable and beautifully crafted album by Norwegian musician Øystein Ramfjord, better known as Amethystium. Consisting primarily of instrumental compositions, the album combines subtle influences from Enigma with elements reminiscent of Synaesthesia, John Stanford’s trance and dance-oriented sound, and David Parsons’ Tibetan and ethnic-inspired musical style. Deep, resonant bass loops,…
Release data: State Azure – Loom Digital Download, Private Release, 2026 Created across 2025 and 2026, “Loom” is an 18-track ambient sphere painting by State Azure (aka Patrick Unsworth). Spanning 49 minutes, this minimalist ambient release unfolds as an immersive and dreamlike soundscape, characterized by a profound sense of stillness and imagination, subtly enhanced by occasional, softly integrated sequencing. As…
Release data: Baffo Banfi – The Sound of Southern Sunsets CD, Innovative Communication, 1988 This nearly 60-minute, eight-track compilation collects old-school Berlin electronic music recorded by Italian synthesist Giuseppe “Baffo” Banfi between 1979 and 1982. Two of Banfi’s solo releases, “Ma, Dolce Vita” (1979) and “Hearth” (1981), were produced by Klaus Schulze. Remarkably, the latter would be Banfi’s only album…
Release data: Steve Roach & Loren Nerell – Terraform CD/Digital Download, Soleilmoon Recordings/Projekt Records, 2006 A compelling release and a no-brainer for aficionados of deep-listening drones and ethno-ambient textures, “Terraform” was originally issued as a limited-edition, DVD-sized digipak, complete with three grotto photo prints. In 2009, Projekt Records reissued the album in a standard CD jewel case. “Terraform” marks the…
Release data: Numina – Transparent Planet CD-r/Digital Download, MP3.com/Numina Music, 2001 “Transparent Planet” offers a beautiful collage of tracks, some of which have appeared on other Numina releases. Three tracks are taken from the album “Dreamsleep”, while two others had already been featured on “Evolving Visions”: an early mix of “Further Entwined”, which sounds considerably rougher here, and “Emerald Nebulae”,…
Release data: Steve Roach & Vidna Obmana – Ascension of Shadows CD/Digital Download, Projekt Records, 1999 In uncertain and troubled times, there is something deeply comforting about returning to long-form ambient music — music that quiets the mind and creates room to breathe. “Ascension of Shadows”, subtitled “Meditations For the Millennium”, is a perfect example of such an immersive listening…
Release data: Erik Wøllo – Earthshine CD/Digital Download, Projekt Records, 2026 With “Earthshine”, Mr Wøllo presents a spacious and richly textured side of his musical language. Recorded on analogue 4- and 8-track tape machines and later transferred to a computer for further arranging and mixing, the album embraces the character and limitations of analogue recording as an integral part of…
Release data: Steve Hauschildt – Where all is fled CD/Lp/Digital Download, Kranky, 2015 “Where All Is Fled” appears to be Steve Hauschildt’s second solo release following his departure from the ambient trio Emeralds. It is a highly emotive collection of dreamy electronica evoking a sense of drifting that seems to transport the listener to another place. Throughout the album’s nearly…
Release data: Drifting in Silence – Winters Past CD/Digital Download, Labile Records, 2024 Fans of emotive drift-style ambient and serene wintry atmospheres should take notice of this 35-minute recording by multi-instrumentalist and composer Derrick Stembridge. A lush, wide expanse opens up on the 6 tracks, spreading a sonic perfume of loneliness, solitude and introspection as it unfolds. The textures of…
Release data: Mike Griffin – Sudden Dark CD, Hypnos Recordings, 1997 “Sudden Dark” (subtitled “exercises in ambient minimalism”) is the first solo album by Hypnos label owner Mike Griffin, who is also one half of the ambient/experimental project Viridian Sun. He spent around two years working on the album. The artist describes his music as, among other things, “psycho-active soundscapes…
Release data: Applefish – Pale Blue Dot Digital Download, Private Release, 2023 The soothing ambient character found on Nik’s previous albums continues with “Pale Blue Dot”, so there are few surprises here. Across its 47-minute runtime, slow-moving progressive textures and uplifting yet tender atmospheres, enhanced by various environmental sounds, create a distinctly cinematic feel. The drifting soundscapes evoke an introspective…
Release data: Joël Fajerman – L’Aventure des Plantes Lp, Carrere, 1982 Here’s another classic from the old days: an album featuring music for a French television documentary about botany. The composer is French musician Joël Fajerman, who created “L’Aventure des Plantes” by drawing on tracks from four previous projects in his sound library, with the exception of the emotive opening…
Release data: Planet of the Arps 2 CD/Digital Download, Deserted Island Music, 2024 Every now and then, a recording lands at Sonic Immersion HQ that makes me hit play a few more times than the usual couple before I even begin writing the review. Remy Stroomer’s “Planet of the Arps 2” is one of those releases. It’s also an excellent…
Release data: Mathias Grassow & Stephen Parsick – Gratitude and Humility Digital Download, Doombient, 2026 With this release, Stephen Parsick excavates music drawn from more than two and a half hours of deep-listening drone and mesmerizing dark ambient recordings that he created with Mathias Grassow between 2007 and 2008, who passed away in 2025. Across the four tracks, glacial…
Release data: Digital Dream – Sternenmusik Mc, Private Release, 1990 Back in 1987, German composers Andreas Morsch and Axel Stupplich began creating electronic music together under the name Digital Dream. With only a very limited setup at their disposal, the duo would get together twice a year, connect all their gear, and record their music onto DAT using two Atari…
Release data: Biosphere – Inland Delta Lp/Digital Download, Biophone Records, 2023 Improvising on reconditioned vintage synthesizers (but still in a minimal style) is what Geir Jenssen is doing on “Inland Delta”, visualizing rocky, remote but occasionally also a bit eerie yet disturbing aural environments through its partly drony synthetic textures. I can’t say I’m grabbed by the album’s environmental ambience,…
Release data: Max Corbacho – Eclipse CD-r/Digital Download, Silentsun, 2026 This album was prepared to coincide with the solar eclipse in August 2026. The four extended tracks making up the 72-minute recording elevate the listener from the start to smooth, curling, overtly lush and immersive expanses, with many subdued dynamics and intensities surfacing along the way. The calm reveal of…
Release data: Steve Hauschildt – Aeropsia Lp/Digital Download, Simul Records, 2025 A couple of years back I enjoyed Mr. Hauschildt’s album “Strands” quite a lot, but thereafter I lost track of his other stuff. Only recently, I stumbled upon the 2025 “Aeropsia” of this Cleveland native, a release exploring themes of perceptual distortion, disconnection, and renewal. The thoughtful mix of…
Release data: Matthew Florianz – Funicular Prism Digital Download, Private Release, 2026 With “Funicular Prism”, composer and sound designer Matthew Florianz -who relocated to England some 14 years ago- adds his 19th album to his discography. Matthew’s modus operandi (still) is working intuitively, aiming to create “living” soundscapes that function as detailed worlds and quiet places for listeners to explore.…
Release data: Axis – Natural High Lp, Victor, 1983 Despite being around in the genre for a long time, I still stumble upon, often well hidden, recordings deserving mentioning “Natural High” fits into that category, a project released in 1983 by Japanese synthesist Yasuo Ogata and programmer Keita Miyahara, aka Axis. The 45-minute outcome, setting off with warm analogue synths…
Release data: Robert Rich & Markus Reuter – Incubation CD/Digital Download, Soundscape Productions, 2025 The dark-flavored “Incubation” is the soundscape outcome created by touch-guitarist Markus Reuter and the accomplished Robert Rich. It was born out of various improvised sessions at Rich’s studio when Markus stayed there for a week, after one of his tours got cancelled. Don’t be deceived by…
Release data: Jim Ottaway – Treasures of Light CD/Digital Download, Private Release, 2026 When it comes to contemporary, cosmic-angled and melodic music, Mr. Ottaway’s “Treasures of Light” has a lot on offer. Same as the approach of the albums “A Promise of Eternity” and “Somewhere Inbetween”, Jim compiled this album from tracks recorded as early as June 2008 and completed…
Release data: Martin Stürtzer – Portal to Tau Ceti Digital Download, Echo Elberfeld, 2025 What I have here is a one-hour ambient-space recording by accomplished synthesist Martin Stürtzer containing three lengthy compositions. All are highly atmospheric, drifting, ethereal, and calm excursions into outer space assembled of improvised soundscapes and morphing ambient pads. One should best cherish this slow, enveloping and…
Release data: Ascendant – Excursions in Light Digital Download, Aura Exclusive, 2016/2023 In the past years I’ve heard quite a bit of the works Chris Bryant and Don… Tyler created under the Ascendant moniker. For years, “Excursions In Light“ (together with “Into the Void”) was previously only available as an exclusive ambient release through the duos Patreon portal. As the…
Release data: Loren Nerell – The Gong Prophet CD/Digital Download, SoundQuest Music, 2021 The recent passing of California-resident and musician Loren Nerell, a free spirit composer who built bridges between Balinese gamelan, tribal and electronic rhythmic ambient music, prompted me to visit another recording of his. Gamelan (an ensemble of instruments, mostly tuned percussion similar to xylophones) again makes a…
Release data: Sphäre Sechs – Nebular Resonance CD/Digital Download, Loki Foundation, 2026 A rise and fall of spacious synth pads forms the core of the journey of exploration found on Sphäre Sechs’ seventh album “Nebular Resonance”. Approximately half of the darker shaded, free form outcome was introduced at Mr. Stürtzer’s “Phobos live 2025″ free-form live event. Strings of mysterious, spatial,…
Release data: Subheim – Approach CD/Digital Download, Tympanik, 2008 “Approach” is the debut recording by Greek composer Kostas Katsikas, aka Subheim, whose music I ran into by accident. It offers a peculiar but intriguing mix of ambient, IDM, and downtempo, merging crispy beats/rhythms, piano, drones, female voices, electronics as well as a tad of glitch into a rather…
Release data: Chris Meyer’s Alias Zone – Passage CD/Digital Download, Private Release, 2026 “Passage” is a collaborative beat-less and mostly sequencer-less ambient electronic music work between Chris Meyer’s Alias Zone and acclaimed ambient artist Robert Rich, offering an outcome that’s quite a bit different than Alias Zone’s previous albums. According to the promo blurb, Mr Meyer’s has been working on…
Release data: Manuel Göttching – Dream & Desire CD, Musique Intemporelle/Spalax, 1991 Originally, “Dream & Desire” was recorded for a one-hour radio play at RIAS Berlin in 1977, but it never saw the light of day as an album. This stayed that way until 1991, when Bernd Kistenmacher seized the opportunity to release it on his label. What the listener…
Release data: Michael Stearns & Robert Rich – Reunion of Breath and Waves CD/Digital Download, Soundscape Productions, 2026 In June 2025, after many years of friendship and shared musical interests, sound explorers Michael Stearns and Robert Rich finally embarked on a collaboration to create an album together. They actually met back in 1986 when Stephen Hill introduced them to each…
Release data: Phobos – A Perceived View Digital Download, Private Release, 2026 The list of releases by this English musician is becoming lengthy by now, which isn’t a bad thing, as until now there always has been sufficient weight and fine atmospheric content found in each of them. The two-hour “A Perceived View” consists of two extended tracks recorded live…
Release data: Lisa Bella Donna – Moogmentum CD/Lp/Digital Download, Behind the Sky Music, 2021 The magic and possibilities of Moog equipment are demonstrated clearly on “Moogmentum” by Lisa Bella Donna, who’s a proud ambassador & educator of Moog Music and all of the artistry that goes into making their instruments. The sonic landscape enfolding on the continuous 11-track outcome (depicted…
Release data: Ian Boddy & Erik Wøllo – Transmissions CD/Digital Download, DiN, 2025 Those familiar with and/or enjoying Mr. Boddy’s and Mr. Wøllo’s previous collaborative albums “Meridian” and “Revolve” will find some interesting reimagined and revisited versions of tracks from each of them on “Transmission”. The latter chronicles their concert at the Capstone Theatre in Liverpool in April 2024, offering…
Release data: Black Mellotrons – Tripmuziek Digital Download, Doombient, 2026 Ok, aficionados of ambient, drone-based electronic music created with real mellotrons should pay attention here: “Tripmuziek” contains a series of five recordings Stephen Parsick made once upon a time, on his own or as collaborative efforts with Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock (aka Cosmic Hoffmann), to be used for future concert performances or…
Release data: Between Heaven and Sky – A Horizon of Dreams Digital Download, Private Release, 2026 What I got here is the second, now full-length, release by Rishi Bhatia (aka Spacecraft) and UK synthesist Nik Davies (aka Applefish). The 41-minute recording focuses on lush soundscape ambient, sonically continuing where their previous EP left us. A kindred sense of calm and…
Release data: Forrest Fang – Radiance and the Receding Light CD/Digital Download, Projekt Archive, 2026 The outcome featured on this double album -mastered expertly by Robert Rich- is another showcase of Mr. Fang’s rather unique hybrid style of electronic music incorporating ethnic influences from Asia, as such producing rich electronic textures of music that’s often complemented by assorted Western and…
Release data: Loneward – Mosaic – Singles Collection Volume 5 Digital Download, Altus Music, 2026 Mike Carss started this series of albums under the Altus moniker back in 2007 with the first volume entitled “Singulus”. By whatever reason, it now continues under the Loneward banner, offering a batch of eight atmospheric soundscapes -of which five are previously unreleased- composed between…
Release data: Lisa Bella Donna – Mysteries of Time and Space CD/Digital Download, Groove Unlimited, 2026 “Mysteries of Time and Space” -released on E-Day 2026- marks Lisa’s strong debut on the established Groove Unlimited label, seeing her execute a wondrous blend of vintage sound imagery and field recordings in three extended tracks. Here, anyone looking for profound, enchanting pads and…
Release data: Brainwork – Hypnos CD, Cue Records, 2026 In the album’s booklet, musician Uwe Saher elaborates that the content of this album turns away quite a bit from traditional Berlin School. Instead, it focuses on minimalist sound design and layered repetitive sound structures featured on two 20-minute tracks and one 12-minute piece. As such, listening to and appreciating the…
Release data: Perge – Tall Stories CD/Digital Download, Private Release, 2026 When Matthew Stringer initially formed Perge with Graham Getty, it was in response to the TD ‘Tape Tree’ bootleg exchange project being cancelled and that much of what was being put out as EM wasn’t really putting in the effort which was turning the audience off; the large interest…
Release data: Gert Emmens & Ruud Heij – In Perspective CD/Digital Download, Private Release, 2025 Well, these two musicians -who first met back in 1997- don’t need to prove anything anymore as they are both very well skilled and have brought a long list of releases (solo as well as through collaborations) to the table. The 3-cd “In Perspective” (comprising…
Release data: Johannes Schmoelling – Instant City CD, Viktoriapark Records, 2006 One could say the 74-minute “Instant City” by accomplished musician Johannes Schmoelling is one of vision, joy, and experience while also revealing a bit more of Johannes’ personal world and his development through time. In an interview, he once remarked the album in some ways is also the approach…
Release data: Rainbow Serpent – Voyager CD, Ardema Musik, 1996 Same as their fine debut “Futuregate”, their second collaborative work “Voyager” continues nicely in the footsteps of the Berlin School style of Klaus Schulze while being strongly influenced by the available technology, as well as gained experience over the years. Aside from that, I’m sure the duo’s own activity as…
Release data: Hoenig – Göttsching – Early Water CD, Musique Intemporelle/Spalax, 1995 “Early Water” is one of those classic gems in electronic music that found its origin in a jam session that took place in Berlin in the autumn of 1976 between Manuel Göttsching and Michel Hoenig. The “lost” recording remained on the shelf for about 20 years or so,…