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Number Ten: For ambient variations from a previously unheard source :
Kent Sparling: Under New Manna (9.2)
(Purling/Jicama Salad Co. - 2000) - Fairly normal instruments are processed into gorgeously unrecognizable mirages and dreamlike surroundings of "picophonics".
Number Nine: For recommended listening from a relatively "new" voice...
:
farfield: the edges of everything (9.2)
(Farfield - 2000) - Gorgeously understated instrumental presences are merged with the subdued textures and half-heard entities
Number Eight: For doing something about the weather... and doing it well:
Steve Roach: Atmospheric Conditions (9.2)
(Timeroom Editions - 1999) - Synth-shaman Steve Roach dives headlong into naturalistically evolving soundclouds.
Number Seven: For consistently transportive tribal sound explorations:
Vidna Obmana/Jan Marmenout: Spirits (9.2)
(highgate - 1999) - Accomplished guides lead listeners in to a Spirit world of neoprimitive magic.
Number Six: For going between "minimalism" and "microscopics":
komet: rausch (9.2)
(12k - 2000) - Proving that less can indeed be more, tiny bleeps and beats are strung together in patterns which evoke warmth..
Number Five: For defining what a mixture of electronic ambiance and rhythm should be:
Patio: Parallel Play (9.2)
(Involve - 2000) - Easygoing rhythms and just-slightly-edgy electronics form some of the coolest sounds coming out of New Zealand.
Number Four: For cyber-ambient-communal importance:
Various Artists: ambient.01@hyperreal (9.3)
(aquaFM - 2000) - This cyber-democratically-assembled collection is imbued with the combined effect of collective enthusiasm and burgeoning new talents.
Number Three: For brightening up a "Blue Day":
Robert Scott Thompson: Blue Day (9.3)
(Aucourant Records - 2000) - Gorgeously-realized dreamworlds which reflect both the lightness and the dark in a misty fantasy land of sonic beauty and mystery
Number Two:For a rainbow in your ears:
Ashera: Colour Glow (9.3)
(Ashera - 2000) - An absolute ambient gem conveys achingly peaceful moods in the warm ethereality.
Number One: Two winners from "one man":
Vir Unis: The Drift Inside (9.5)
(GreenHouse Music - 1999) - Luscious expanses of inner space from Vir Unis are highly recommended.
AND
Vir Unis: Aeonian Glow (9.3)
(Greenhouse - 2000) - So unreal, yet so lovely... nearly all traces of "normal" instrumentation are artfully smeared into a deliciously morphing soundworld.
Honorable Mentions:
Jeff Pearce: To the Shores of Heaven (9.2)
(Hypnos - 2000) - Jeff Pearce takes his listeners To the Shores of Heaven on luxurious floating carpets of hyperprocessed guitar strings
Maitreya: From the Mothership (9.1)
(Council of Nine - 1999) - Gorgeous interstellar pieces are perfect soundtracks for deep space explorations, even if only through the constellations of your mind.
Various Artists: Convergent Evolution (9.1)
(GreenHouse - 1999) - A most impressive debut from a new, but very focused, ambient label.
Jet Jaguar: Jet Jaguar (9.1)
(Involve - 2000) - Computerized music and e-percussion from New Zealand brim with abundant life, spirit and attitude.
bill laswell: lo. def pressure (9.1)
(quatermass - 2000) - Cross-cultural pollenization has rarely sounded this good... drummy, dreamy textures.
Jim Cole & Spectral Voices: Sky (9.1)
(Spectral Spiral Music - 2000) - Within a 120-ft. water tower, Spectral Voices achieve ephemeral a cappella excellence in upwardly spiraling choruses of formless beauty.
Vidna Obmana: The Surreal Sanctuary (9.1)
(Hypnos - 2000) - Expect more "sanctuary" than "surreal", or at least anticipate surreality of a gently marvelous, if unknowable, nature.
Robert Rich: Humidity - Three Concerts (9.2)
(Hypnos/Soundscape - 2000) - The live essence of the ambient master himself has been condensed into three must-have CDs of ethnically-tinged, organically-evolving soundworlds.
Danna & Clément: The Best of Danna & Clément (9.1)
(Mirage - 1999) - A retrospective of timeless, nature-oriented ambience from Canadaian duo, Danna & Clément.
Steve Roach: the deam circle (9.1)
(Timeroom Editions - 1999) - This appreciated re-release delivers uninterrupted immersion in a soft, warm, gently undulating pool of sound.
Posted December 31, 2000
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