- O Yuki Conjugate: Equator (Staalplaat - 1994)
- Abstract yet musical, the sounds on this disc are truly artful constructions. Exotic instrumentation and unobtrusive tribal influences intermingle with shapeless synthforms. Some tracks are subdued (like Sunchemical, or the breathtaking drift of Departure); others are enlivened by active rhythms (like the "slappy" percussion of Skinned, or the jungle drums and bells of False Prophet). Definitely a disc to be thankful for!
- Roach/Obmana: Well of Souls (Projekt - 1995)
- Two dark and lovely discs featuring long (8:14 to 29:24) collaborations between ambient masters Steve Roach and Vidna Obmana. Combining their formidable talents, they lead the listener on an aural journey into unknowable atmospheres... sometimes murky, sometimes spooky, always otherworldly. Less emphasis on tribal rhythms and more on shifting synthscapes with various minor embellishments. Incidentally, Well of Souls is encased in the most sumptuous, neo-primitive packaging I've encountered.
- Tom Vedvik: Slowdiver (Cyber Octave - 1996)
- I scored this in the used bin for $1.99 because it seemed to point in the right direction... upon investigation, it would easily be worth full price. Call it Electronic World, rather than Ambient, though its effect of its exotic atmospheres is quite relaxing. Despite occasionally stepping into New-Aginess, the pieces are smoothly well-crafted, mixing World Music influences with tasteful beats. The more-than-20-minute Clocks Don't Bring Tomorrow closes the disc on a very mellow note.
- Woob: Em:t1194 (Instinct - 1994)
- The world-ly dubbiness of the 32-minute-long On Earth is worth the price of admission. Woob's tastefully sample-laden creations go to many places; from the spacy shimmers of Odonna, to the rootsy acoustics of Amoeba, to the lilting ebb-and-flow of Wuub. The horror-film screams of Strange Air dispel any notions that ambient music needs to be somehow soothing. Highly recommended listening!
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