Release data: Sverre Knut Johansen – Earth From Above CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2016 With “Earth From Above”, Scandinavian musician Sverre Knut Johansen takes his listeners on a continuous trip up above, which in many aspects seems to follow in the aural footsteps of Erik Wøllo. Like the latter, Sverre’s aerial and lush sonic vistas also feature e-guitar licks…
Release data: Heavenly Music Corporation – In the Garden of Eden CD, Silent Music, 1993 The rather transcendental music with organic undercurrent contained on “In the Garden of Eden” was created for the Space Age Lounge, a techno-mystical chill room in Goa, India. The sonic scenery of spacious ambient chill-out sketched out here by US composer and sound designer Kim…
Release data: Ascendant – New Land DIGITAL DOWNLOAD EP, Private Release, 2014 Ascendant is a project by US-based electronic music producers Chris Bryant (aka S1gns of L1fe) and mastering engineer Don Tyler (aka Phase47 / IO Mastering). Their debut Ep “New Land” is a 5-track/25-minute narrative ambient journey where captivating dreamworlds are embedded in surreal, mysterious-angled aural landscapes while touching…
Release data: Liquid Mind – XI: Deep Sleep CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Real Music, 2016 Ten years earlier to this album, Liquid Mind’s album “Sleep” saw the light of day. At that time, and with any release following after that, Chuck Wild proved a master of creating profound calming soundscape music to reduce stress and help the mind, body and soul unwind.…
Release data: Craig Padilla – Heaven Condensed CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spotted Peccary Music, 2016 What I got here is Craig Padilla’s musical interpretation of the Heavens through spiritual/cosmic/romantic/space music. To him, most of all it’s a happy place whether found in the clouds above, deep within one’s self, somewhere in the universe or wherever the listener finds their own version of…
Release data: Simon Lomax – An Ember Glows DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Council of Nine, 2016 Since composer Simon Lomax started releasing music under his own name he has been able to refine his creations on levels of introspection and expansiveness. He refers to it as an exercise of restraint, allowing the music to breathe and evolve, placing each note intentionally amongst…
Release data: Biosphere – Shenzhou CD, Groove Unlimited, 2009 There are various degrees of minimalism applied to and found in electronic music. Biosphere’s “Shenzhou” – based on the orchestral works of Claude Debussy upon which tracks 1 to 10 are adapted- features a drastic form. This time around and contrary to his previous two albums, Geir Jensen has transformed and…
Release data: Ishqamatics – Spacebound CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, …txt, 2013 Ishqamatics is Lee Anthony Norris (aka Metamatics, Autumn of Communion and owner of the …txt label) and Matt Hillier (aka Ishq). “Spacebound”, their third full-length effort, is a continuous 10-track ride of vibrant and contemporary electronics, pairing sophisticatedly moulded spacious drone textures with minimal and hypnotic structures to aural splendour. This…
Release data: The Tower Tree – Transposing CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 The Belgium project The Tower Three is an initiative of Didier Dewachtere (aka Bysenses) and Johan de Paepe (aka Owann). With the 5-track “Transposing”, the duo has delivered a 60-minute album of vibrant, energetic, imaginary and contemporary electronic music. Melody or tunes are no key element in the…
Release data: Stefan Erbe – The Sounds of my Comfort’Sone CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Erbe Music, 2012 “The Sounds of my Comfort’Sone” compiles 15 tracks of various projects Stefan Erbe was involved in 2011, most notable the pieces part of his monthly “Sound of Sky” planetariums-show. Sparkling energy and symphonic mellowness both apply to the outcome on “The Sounds of my Comfort’Sone”…
Release data: Havdis – Novemberlys CD, Gterma, 2016 Released during the winter of 2015/2016, “Novemberlys” contains seven calming ambient pieces compiled and mixed by label-owner Johan Rehn from the Havdis-catalogue. The first two (“Waterhorse” and “Dressed in Dark Water”) were made in 2012, the rest composed in the last two years. As was the case on Odd’s previous albums, the…
Release data: Vlad Nedelin – Postante CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 “Postante” is the debut-release of Stockholm-based composer Vlad Nedelin is a contemporary electronic music album offering nine abstract ambient compositions with slight experimental and down-tempo edges along bits of glitch. Like many ambient recording, the versatile outcome is a very journey-like, implementing lots of environmental sounds as the continuous…
Release data: Mick Chillage – Infinite Perspectives CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, …txt, 2015 Dublin-based composer Mick Chillage (aka Michael Gainford) has produced a lengthy list of albums since 1996. “Infinite Perspectives” contains a selection of seven minimalist-flavored and fulfilling ambient music tracks made in 2014/2015, all centered on emotive atmospheres. “Requiem” opens the album beautifully with mesmerizing, elevating textures that are stacked…
Release data: S1gns of L1fe – Language of the Ancients CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2013 S1gns Of L1fe is Chris Bryant, a skilled ambient producer hailing from California’s Bay Area. He’s also one half of the ambient group Ascendant along with fellow ambient artist Phase47. The projects debut album “Language of the Ancient” (inspired by the natural and social complexities…
Release data: Magnetron – Photonic Waves CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 Magnetron, founded somewhere in 2013, is a project of the always busy Phil Booth and Xan Alexander. “Photonic Waves” proves a captivating and energetic affair, a journey through time and space led by a strong sound current. The 22-minute opener “Tachyon” makes a great and attractive opener: after an…
Release data: Tangerine Dream – Quantum Key CD-EP, Eastgate, 2015 One of the first thoughts that flashed through my mind while listening to “Quantum Key” was: this is pure electricity. The 4-track/32-minute cupdisc (referred to as the vanguard of the forthcoming “Quantum Gate” album) by the post-Froese TD lineup Thorsten Quaeschning, Ulrich Schnauss and Hoshiko Yamane is a solid achievement.…
Release data: Mike Andrews – Retrospective CD, Invisible Shadows, 2002 Composer Mike Andrews has released quite a bit of music on cd-r, but only found a home for them on two established labels as factory-pressed cds. This feels a bit awkward as his music is melodic and accessible, a fine blend of Vangelis and Jarre stylings along an own signature…
Release data: Robert Scott Thompson – Pale Blue Dot CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Anodize , 2015 Electro-acoustic ambient is a specialty of Robert Scott Thompson, who’s a professor of music composition at Atlanta’s Georgia State University, a genre which challenges him to reset the boundaries during his many releases. “Pale Blue Dot” curls up eight compositions where ethereal and lush atmospheric drift…
Release data: Irezumi – Thirty CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2016 Seven years after his impressive debut “Endurance”, the Em-scene sees the return of Paris-based musician Manuel Mesdag, aka Irezumi. “Thirty” –dedicated to his late brother – collects nine most personal and intimate ambient tracks dealing with emotions like depression, doubts, fears, mourning and resilience that affected Manuel’s life in various…
Release data: Vir Unis – Primary Space (Early Works Vol. 2) CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, AtmoWorks, 2004 Following-up on “Dreamers at the Edge of Decaying Light”, this release offers a second batch of early soundscape music by John Strate-Hootman (aka Vir Unis), all made between 1992 and 2000. The 15 tracks on “Primary Space” all are pure atmospheres and drifting journeys fitting…
Release data: Steve Roach – Alive in the Vortex CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Timeroom Editions, 2015 “Alive in the Vortex” is another addition in the (ongoing?) series of live recordings which Steve Roach has (re-)discovered, this one focusing initially on expanded textural atmospherics with some high-tech sequencer stuff and tribal style coming alongside as the recording progresses. The album features eight lengthy,…
Release data: Cymphonic – Dimensionata CD, DataBloem, 2013 Since he started composing music, Dutchman Stanley Swinkels (aka Cymphonic) has found his own way in the genre of organic-spiced, minimal-flavoured and subtly moulded ambient music. The 11-track “Dimensionata” is a quieting journey in the otherworldly and surreal with occasional sequenced parts, unfolding rather complex and meticulously in layers. Soothing and sensual…
Release data: Simon Wilkinson – Cryosleep Dreams DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 Simon Wilkinson is a UK-based composer for film, TV & documentary who composed a collection of atmospheric and imaginary space music for “Cryosleep Dream”. Being an avid fan of the genre for many years, I’ve been accustomed to some high and essential criteria to make this type of…
Release data: Paul Ellis – Breathing Space DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2014 “Breathing Space” features two long form pieces (“Breathing” and “Space”) which were created after Mr Ellis finished “Wrapped In Silence”. They were shelved as they were both too long for his cd releases until he rediscovered them one day, noticing how well they worked together. This made him…
Release data: Robert Schroeder – Floating Music LP/CD, Innovative Communications/Racket Records, 1980 The cosmic music that was released in the ‘70’s and ‘80’s has a special significance and flavor to many. German composer Robert Schroeder jumped on that wagon around 1979 by introducing his highly acclaimed debut “Harmonic Ascendant”. For his music he applied custom-build electronic instruments along acoustic instruments…
Release data: Brian Parnham – See None, Hear None, Speak None CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Floating Point Records, 2011 US-composer Brian Parnham describes “See None, Hear None, Speak None” as an intense electro-acoustic-trance/ambient album with an edge. On my part I’d like to add the labels energetic, tribal and occasional minimalist-flavored. The 15 interconnected tracks don’t take on any melodic shape, being…
Release data: Perge – Green Dessert CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2014 Where do you end up when you’re able to distil and do a re-interpretation of the essence of Tangerine Dream’s music laid down in the mid 70’s and early ’80’s? The answer is Perge, a fine collaboration founded in 2012 by UK-musicians Graham Getty and Matthew Stringer with the…
Release data: Chihei Hatakeyama & Dirk Serries – The Storm of Silence CD, Glacial Movements, 2016 “The Storm of Silence” is a soundscape recording by Chihei Hatakeyama, a Japanese sound artist and musician living on the outskirts of Tokyo, and Dirk Serries (known previously as vidnaObmana). In 40 freeform minutes, the duo sketches out four longform, isolationist and distant ambient…
Release data: Stefan Erbe & Steve Baltes – S-thetic CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Erbe Music, 2015 Intelligent, contemporary and energizing are the key words for “S-thetic”, a fine debut album by Stefan Erbe & Steve Baltes. The 70+ minute recording contains the music played in December 2014 at a concert in Planetarium Bochum. Quite danceable occasionally, the spatial sounding mood music is…
Release data: Phobos – An October Evening CD-R/DVD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLO, Private Release, 2015 Since I’ve been following the nicely crafted atmospheric works of Phobos, David Thompson has been offered several opportunities to perform at UK’s Awakenings festival. If I’m not mistaken, “An October Evening” is his third live album recorded at that venue, featuring his full gig of October 17, 2015.…
Release data: Various Artists – Digiseeds CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Ultimae Records, 2015 “Digiseeds” is the first in a series of conceptual compilations compiled by Czech artist Lubos Cvrk aka Ambientium. The outcome is a 66-minute dreamscape and playground which sees 11 composers (established and new) from all around the world displaying their ambient craft. Helped by the excellent mastering of Vincent…
Release data: Kitaro – Daichi / (From the) Full Moon Story LP/CD, Zen/Polydor/Geffen, 1979 This album sees a further continuation of the cosmic space sound explored on the composer’s debut-release “Ten Kai/Astral Trip”. Present once more are tribal drums/percussion and repetitive melodic lines, as are an overall sweetness, tranquil nature sounds and Kitaro’s fusion of eastern sound worlds and those…
Release data: The Great Schizm – For the Ancient Ones DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Cloud Hunter Records, 2015 As the composer states, this album is dedicated to the lost cultures of the world, and the fallen cities and ancient monuments they have left behind. The music that UK synthesist Anthony Bloxham (aka The Great Schizm) composed for “For the Ancient Ones” is…
Release data: Robert Schroeder – Dream Access CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Spheric Music, 2015 With “Dream Access”, Robert Schroeder stays close to his signature sound, playing lush solos and creating melodic/moody spheres without getting the least complicated. It’s nice though to see the composer try a few new things, such as the less structured, more atmospheric-oriented “SpacePort” featuring nice choir pads, a…
Release data: Navigator – Northern Consequence CD, Invisible Shadows, 2000 What got here is the debut album by the band Navigator (aka Tony Anderson, Kent Eskildsen and Jens Peschke, presenting their brand of energetic and spiralling electronic music. The spicy music found on the first half of “Northern Consequence” will be a treat for all who love to listen to…
Release data: The Roswell Incident – Adrift CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 This album is the start of a new series or trilogy featuring further highly atmospheric and cinematic music by the Belgium duo Koen and Jan Buytaert. The soundscape entrance of “Adrift” is beautiful and dense, leading the listener into a surreal, uncanny world existing somewhere beyond imagination. The…
Release data: Mank – Solipsism DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Manky Music, 2015 Composer Ben Powell (aka Mank) told me some of the tracks on “Solipsism” have been around for a long time as he spent a long time getting the mix how he wanted it. As happened on previous Mank-releases, there is a definite two half thing going on: the first half…
Release data: Paul Ellis – Wrapped in Silence DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2010 For “Wrapped In Silence”, containing one 58-minute piece, Paul Ellis set up all his keyboards with various string pad sounds and dialed in every sound to fit together for the mood he wanted. He made sure each sound was to be distinct, but not clashing in any…
Release data: Numina – Dreamsleep CD-R, Private Release, 2000 The title of this album may suggest tranquil and relaxed music from start to end, but the start proves much more active and upfront sounding. “Dreamsleep” features 13 ambient tracks, kicking off with two pieces containing quite loud and heavy drums paired with layered soundscapes and ethereal pads. The next few…
Release data: René van der Wouden – Stargazer CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, REWO Records, 2015 It’s been a while since I reviewed an album by Dutch synthesist René van der Wouden, so I’m glad to investigate one of his recent endeavours. “Stargazer”, released in June 2015, is a smoothened-dynamic and melodic recording featuring nice sequencer/rhythmic underlayment paired with sound effects along classic…
Release data: Loren Nerell – Lilin Dewa CD, Side Effects, 1996 “Lilin Dewa”, the follow-up album of Loren Nerell’s 1986- release “Point of Arrival”, takes us on a deep sonic trip into the culture of Java and Bali. The 5-track outcome offers gamelan (an ensemble of instruments, mostly tuned percussion similar to xylophones) along loops and assorted field recordings, making…
Release data: Arcane – Black Knight DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 Composed almost entirely with analogue and modular synthesizers, composer Paul Lawler hereby continues his journey through space environs. This time though, he has given the free form outcome a much darker, enigmatic and sometimes even abstract flavor. The slow-paced 4-track EP “Black Knight” contains a fine dose of choir…
Release data: Skoulaman – Andros Awakenings CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 In the week after his live performance at UK’s Awakenings festival in October 2015, Hans van Kroonenburg (aka Skoulaman) worked very hard to have this album done for E-Live 2015, as he was offered to play there as well. “Andros Awakenings” contains the 50-minute set played in the UK,…
Release data: Alpha Wave Movement – Harmonic Currents CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Harmonic Resonance Recordings, 2015 Travels to the coastlines of Southern Oregon and Northern California along the hypnagogic lure of the vast ocean were the inspiration for Gregory Kyryluk to create the music of “Harmonic Currents”. According further liner notes, the outcome was conceived on a very minimal arrangement of electronics,…
Release data: Altus – Komorebi DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 “Komorebi”, a Japanese word describing sunlight filtering through foliage, sees Altus return with another fine nature-inspired release for which he applied similar composition techniques from the Elements-series. The chosen concept though reminds me of the older albums by Thom Brennan, who also feels a strong connection with the natural beauty…
Release data: Mario Schönwälder – Traum & Trauma CD, Manikin Records, 2015 Berlin-based Mario Schönwälder, well-known as synthesist of the trio BKS, hereby present a new solo album after a lengthy pause of 19 years. I would rather call the outcome an Ep, as it contains only 40 minutes of music. The two-track “Traum & Trauma” though doesn’t stray that…
Release data: Edgar Froese – Pinnacles LP/CD, Virgin Records, 1983 Being fascinated by the outback found in Western Australia, Edgar Froese named his fifth album after strange stone figures found in Western Australia, north of Perth. Sonically, “Pinnacles” lines up nicely next to TD’s output made at the beginning of the ’80’s (“Hyperborea”, “White Eagle”), and the sampling techniques, sequencing…
Release data: The Grey Encounter – State of Decay CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Private Release, 2015 Since 2013, The Grey Encounter (aka UK synthesists Xan Alexander and Phil Booth) starting building a nice collection of gloomy, spacious and dark sound collages, only suitable for the experienced ambient listener. The 75-minute “State of Decay” is dominated by strings of post-apocalyptic, dense, desolate and…
Release data: Stefan Erbe – 2Club Genetica CD, Erbe Music, 2015 This is an album for all who love contemporary electronic music incorporating slight influences of dance, chill-out and techno. Wandering through the vibrant and fresh 71-minute “2Club Genetica” (a follow-up to the 2008 “Club Genetica” release), I was reminded quite often of Schiller’s instrumental tracks. Mr Erbe’s music though…
Release data: Pyramaxx – Distance CD, Private Release, 2015 Well, what a surprise to see this joined project-release of Axel Stupplich and Andreas Morsch (aka Pyramid Peak) accompanied by Max Schiefele (Maxxess). All are known as respected, successful and talented Germany musicians for many years within and outside the EM-genre. “Distance”, referring to the traveling distance between the composers, sees…
Release data: Eddie Jobson – Theme of Secrets LP/CD, Private Music, 1985 When we have a look at ’80’s synth albums, Eddie Jobson’s “Theme of Secret” is a most interesting and creative one. The 40-minute release, composed solely on the polyphonic Synclavier synthesizer offering lots sampling techniques to the user, sees Mr Jobson exercise his great playing skills and explore…
Release data: Martin Nonstatic – Granite CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Ultimae Records, 2015 I’ve encountered the name of German producer, sound designer and composer Martin Nonstatic (aka Martin van Rossum) on various compilation albums previously, but this is the first full-length release I get my teeth into. “Granite” is a 70-minute dub/down-tempo ambient album inspired by natural rock formations, featuring lots of…
Release data: Harold Budd – The Room LP/CD, Atlantic Records, 2000 The core inspiration for this quiet album was drawn from a painting of the same name LA-composer Harold Budd encountered in the late ’80s. “The Room” eventually ended up as a base and the start to explore the various aspects of what rooms can actually be or become, which…
Release data: Harold Budd – Lovely Thunder LP/CD, Editions Eg Records, 1986 Mr Budd’s aim to make his music as beautiful as possible at every moment is a firm understatement when it comes to the music found on this amazing recording, which lines up nicely to his collaborative effort “The Pearl” with soul mate Brian Eno. Composer and sound engineer…
Release data: Steve Roach – Ultra Immersion Concert CD-R/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Timeroom Digital, 2007/2013 In the summer of 2007, Steve Roach performed a 12-hour nocturnal concert at his Epona Range for a selected audience. Of the full set, a 2,5 hour montage ended up on two cd-r’s (limited to 50 copies) that were given to the people who attended as part…
Release data: Gert Emmens – Triza CD, Groove Unlimited, 2015 Telling sonic narratives is something Gert Emmens is getting very good at when you look back on his output in recent years. The 73-minute “Triza” travels through a dark, mysterious and post-apocalyptic world, aptly depicted on the cd cover. Moreover, it deals with suffering in different aspects, which is also…
Release data: Simon Lomax – 5 Textures CD/DIGITAL DOWNLOAD, Council of Nine, 2015 Dissolving and immersion in the beckoning silence of a foggy world would be an appropriate description in a nutshell for Simon Lomax’s release “5 Textures”. The spacious, gentle evolving glide of emotive, cinematic-flavored and at times slightly blurred soundscapes on each of the six tracks merges the…
Release data: Erik Seifert & Josef Steinbüchel – Softlock USB-STICK, Pleasure Sound Music, 2014 “Softlock” a limited edition USB-stick (embedded in a card in the size of a credit card) which premiered at the Schallwelle Award on March 29th 2014 in Planetarium Bochum, Germany, where an outtake from the album was performed live in concert. Next to 90 minutes of…
Release data: Kitaro – Ten Kai/Astral Trip/Astral Voyage P/CD, Zen/Polydor/Geffen Records, 1978 After having joined the progressive Far East Family band, Kitaro decided to pursue a solo trip, starting with the spiritual, heavily synth-based “Ten Kai/Astral Voyage”. The latter proves a rather weird and trippy release featuring both calm and more dramatic passages that not yet connect to the stronger…
Release data: Jonn Serrie – The Stargazer’s Journey CD, New World Music, 2003 After too many cheesy, chill-out, feel-good and profound romantic albums I gave up hope Jonn Serrie would ever be able to release any new mature space music. Well,the 60-minute “The Stargazer’s Journey” is exactly that, a full-length release of traditional cosmic music with no weak spot. Words…