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The Circular Ruins is one of the four projects that Canadian ambient musician Anthony Paul Kerby -alias APK- is involved with, yet The Circular Ruins seems to be the most important of them all. “Confluence” dates from June 2001 and was originally only available in Mp3 format until Anthony’s good friend John Strate-Hootman (aka Vir Unis) decided to release it as a second cd release on his own label, immediately resulting in a much improved sound and production quality. “Confluence”, in my opinion, offers a both difficult and idiosyncratic form of ambient that has to suit you, this despite the formless soundscapes, restrained minimalist rhythms, sequencers and effects as they slowly make their way through e.g. the title piece. There is also an indefinable dose of sadness woven through the music. The centrally positioned 17-minute piece “Cathedal” (which was not available on the Mp3 version) seems to gradually develop into a high-tech-like composition, but remains surprisingly controlled soundscape-like with Eno’s “Ambient 4”-drones and pulse effects. This notwithstanding, it is a strange, slightly experimental composition with a similar alienating atmosphere as the following “Premonition”, which (at least for me) balances on the edge of being digestible. However, the slumbering gloominess here combined with pulse/sequencer beats quickly make this track the most exhilarating and interesting composition on the album. All in all, “Confluence” makes a pretty wacky release that seems to be reserved only for the seasoned ambient enthusiast.
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