A Visionary Sound Arts Interface
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Then came Brian Eno.

Eno had been in the rock band, Roxy Music. He had begun
a fledgling rock career but was also showing an interest
in exploring the quieter side of music and the use of
self-generating music systems. He released a very quiet
album called "Discreet Music" which was generated
using a randomized process. Quite peaceful

Eno and King Crimson guitarist Robert Fripp, struck up
a collaborative relationship resulting in the two
astounding works, "No Pussyfooting" (1973) and 
"Evening Star" (1975.) Classics of visionary music!
These were using a continuum approach to music and
a tape looping system to produce infinite repetitions
of guitar licks and runs. (Fripp & Eno, have a 2004
release, "The Equatorial Stars," which is excellent.)

Then, I believe it was 1978, Eno released the first
work in his "Ambient" series, "Music for Airports."
Eno described his idea of ambient music as that which
puts a "tint" in the air. I often refer to this as the
"Sonic Incense" idea. This album was far more 
successful than anyone dreamed it would be. The following
recordings in this series each was successful in its
own way. The idea of ambient music was here to stay.

Eno's full career contains many twists and turns. In
terms of ambience, "Thursday Afternoon" is probably his
greatest work (in my opinion, of course) and "On Land"
is also deeply satisfying and profound.

check out Enoweb

The early Eighties saw the emergence of a long lasting
highly varied synthesis movement. In a short period of
time: Steve Roach, Robert Rich, David Parsons, Michael
Stearns, and Constance Demby. These artists, among many
others of that time, began to explore the limits of
expression in synthesis.


Steve Roach may be the consummate current exponent of
Brian Eno's original dream for ambient music to provide
the atmosphere of another world, what he called "fourth
world music," but might be better considered, "World
Ambience." Steve's long career began with a more
electronic sound focussing on explorations of movement
through space ("Now" and "Traveller.")He then explored
pure space in his most ambient period ("Quiet Music" and
"Structures from Silence;" two exquisite discs and prime
choices for first timers.)

Steve Roach developed a love for the didgeridoo and the
cultural and natural ambiences of the indigenous people
of Australia. His 2-cd "Dreamtime Return" is a landmark
in World Ambience. Following this release, Steve entered
a relatively long period of dark ambient releases using
the didgeridoo to convey atmospheres of the primordial
shamanistic trance. This music sounds like aboriginal
ancestors of eons past, chanting drumming and didging
in a fire-lit cave with moving handpaintings on the
walls.

This dark period culminated with
"The Magnificent Void," which was an exploration in
depth, so to speak.

Steve has made numerous continuum discs (that is, 
the entire cd is one long piece that presents an 
ambience which is generally the same but with 
constant subtle variations, "sonic incense.")
He calls these "Soundworlds." 
"Dream Circle" is delicious and satisfying.

Lately, Steve has been into a more modern sound, with
infectious, optimistic percussion tracks. His collaborations
with Vir Unis, "Body Electric" "Blood Machine" (superb!)
are exciting and energetic. His recent releases,
"Light Fantastic" and "Core" continue to mix
aspects of his previous periods. While it is
near impossible to keep up with his prodigious
output of 3 or 4 discs a year, you can visit
his site for the latest.
    "Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces" (2003) is a
four disc set which shows Steve operating at
the height of his powers. Very reverential,
supernatural and dreamy!


 Go to Steve Roach's website

Michael Stearns might be thought of as the premier space
music composer. "Planetary Unfolding" is superb. His many
fine albums stand the test of time and lately he has
been composing music influenced by the various indigenous
musics of the Americas. "Sacred Sites" is great. Check
out his collaboration with Steve Roach and Ron Sunsinger,
"Kiva." Native American synthesis nonpareil! The recent
"Within" cd is eclectic, tasty.

Go to Michael Stearns' website

Robert Rich has created intriguing continuums of organic
sounding music. His work is mostly in just intonation.
He has lately been in a dark "glurpy" period, exploring
primal goo and so forth. Early ambient efforts feature
"Trances," "Drones" and the impeccable "Rainforest."
His collaborations with Steve Roach, "Strata" and
"Soma" blow my mind. Rich continues his sonic
excellence with the recent 3cd set "Humidity," and
the recent "Somnium."

Go to Robert Rich's website

David Parsons creates "sound paintings." His music is
very influenced by the indigenous musics of Tibet. "Himalaya,"
"Yatra," "Dorje Ling" and "Parikrama" are exemplary works 
which give fine electronic representations of 
deep meditative states. His disc, "Shaman,"
is a wonderful fusion of modern trance synthesis 
with authentic ancient trance musics. The recent,
"Maitreya," release is perhaps his finest since
the "Himalaya" release.

David Parson's bio

Al Gromer Khan produces synthesis in the manner of
music from India. "Mahogany Nights" and "Tantra Drums"
are quite exotic. Sufi synthesis. I am now
realizing that i have a whole bunch of ALK discs.
"Sufi" is his best rhythmic work yet. "Music From
An Eastern Rosegarden" is sonic perfume, indeed
(some may find it too minimal, but i love it.)
"Tantra Electronica" and "Kamasutra" are also
FABULOUS.


Al Gromer Khan discography

Kip Mazuy has produced some of the most excellent
ambient music around! Radically beautiful, engaging
on repeated listening and superb production. His
release, "Now Is Forever" is a classic. "Beautiful
Sound" is also terrific. If you like Brian Eno's
"Music For Airports," Kip Mazuy has followed this
idea of simple, elegant beauty to a new level!
"Ocean Euphoric," his 2003 release, surpasses
all his previous work for being one completely
engaging and thoroughly satisfying sonic experience.
I have NEVER heard bliss states described so
accurately on disc! Although a little pricey, is
definitely worth it and a major contender in my
mind for best visionary sound work in 2003.
2004's "Nurturance" is another fine release.

Check Out Kip Mazuy's Bliss Music!

Lucia Hwong has produced excellent goddess music
with a heady asian bouquet. She had two releases
in the 80s, of which I highly recommend "Secret
Luminescence," and then a long hiatus until
"The Goddess Trilogy" of the late 90s. Of these,
"Celestial Realms" is pure healing magic.

info on Lucia Hwong

Robert Carty is simply amazing in the amount and variety
of his output. This Utah composer's sound is an aggregate
of some of the  best touches of the greatest synthesists
around, yet he brings his own style and elegance to every
piece. Lately, I've been really enjoying "Himalayan Dreams,"
but there are so many strong albums it is hard to know what
exactly to recommend. "Cloud Pull," "The Living," 
"Timeless" and "Tonalities" are all exciting.

info on Carty click here

Glenn Deardorff is a newcomer to dark ambient, much like
Steve Roach's darker work, but his album, "Primordial
Mariner" is so exemplary that I have to include him.
Glenn, e-mail me and let me know what is going on.

go to Glenn Deardorff's
website

Robert Scott Thompson has done some very credible
ambient work. His influences are quite evident,
here sounding like Eno, there like Roach, but
overall a promising artist. "The Silent Shore"
is a very satisying listen for the traditional
ambient listener.

Go to Robert Scott Thompson info

Brannan Lane has produced some very interesting
ambient music of which I currently recommend
"The Lost Caverns of Thera" to anyone who
enjoys the dark organicism of artists like
Robert Rich or Lustmord. This music has a
variety of grotto-like sonic environments.
Lots of dripping water and voidness. The
emotions do get spooky and claustrophobic
at times, but range into deep states of
introspection and, at the end, elation. An
audio spelunking adventure!
Lane has various styles on different cds. 
His "Sleep Cycle," is i think his best
work, accessing delta brainwave tech to
create a restful environment. "Troposphere"
is great for those who like drones. It is
a sonic description of the layers of the
earth's atmosphere.

Check out Brannan Lane's website

Vir Unis is a remarkable ambient composer
who has done some impressive work with
Steve Roach. Their recent, "Blood Machine,"
disc is an extremely complex collaboration
featuring subtle techno-ambient grooves
under intriguing swirling textures. Their
previous, "Body Electric," is similar and
a good companion. Unis' solo work is quite
savory, particularly "The Drift Inside,"
which is recommend listening for all Enophiles.
Check also his on-going collaboration with James 
Johnson, the "Perimeter" series, which is
astounding to say the least!

Go To Vir Unis' Website

I should mention James Johnson here. He
is a modern master of drift music and
his collabs with Unis are first rate
"Linger" is a solid drift outing. Go to
their website and check out all the
cool stuff that is there.

Unis' & Johnson's GREAT Atmoworks website

Vincent Clarke (of Yaz and Erasure) &
Martin Ware (of Human League, Heaven 17 and
the British Electric Foundation) have created
an ambient recording which is nothing less
than a TOTAL STOKER! 
"Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle" is a quintessential
ambient recording which just about has it all:
Radical Beauty, harmonic resonance, chakra-
specific tunings, binaural sound which allows
hemi-sync brainwave effects, sculpted natural
sounds, and intriguing thematic contexts.
Made with state-of-the-art digital processing
equipment, this recording achieves a level
comparable to "Music For Airports" by Eno,
"Structures From Silence by Steve Roach or
the first Heavenly Music Corporation disc!
Connoisseur's Choice.

Clarke&Ware:Spectrum Pursuit Vehicle

Ashera is Australian composer Anthony Wright.
I picked up a copy of "Colour Glow" recently
and it is quite good. here's the link:

Go To Ashera website



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ambient music

 

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