Dan Abrams has some offbeat ideas about music.  He has released CD's on the 12K label as Shuttle 358.  "Stream" is his first release under his given name.  It is on the Mille Plateau label.

The CD is a triumph in the computerized ambience arena.  There is a distinct structure to the arrangements of computerized noise.  It also has definite and positive musical integrity. 

Unlike many albums of this ilk, "Stream" defines itself and its own niche.  The entire project has a human feel to it.  The recording captures random snippets from Dan's repertoire and plays them back as samples.  The structure of the program defines the human element.  The overriding essence is dark minimalism.  That quality requires a human touch!

Reviewed by Jim Brenholts  

"A Monument of Chance" is an eclectic collaboration between Seofon and Thermal, both members of the San Francisco association of musicians known as The Archipelago.  Seofon is also a member of Ambient Temple of I-Magination.  Thermal is a frequent contributor to ATOI. 

The merger of Seofon's sound design skills and Thermal's intuitive creativity gives listeners a dense and organic soundscape.  Like most ATOI efforts, this plays like it belongs in the chill out rooms.  But it does have a greater purpose and destiny.

This CD stands proudly with the best efforts of the modern minimalists and master electronicians.  The experiMENTAL overtones create an aura of mystery.  The electronic manipulations create the organics.

Always bordering - but never crossing over to - the avante garde, Seofon walks that fine line skillfully.  Thermal's contributions add some zest to the art.  This CD is an obscure winner!

Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

Michael Allison began his recording career under the pseudonym of Darshan.  To avoid confusion with a similarly named musician, he changed it to Darshan Ambient.  (It can be fairly confusing.)

There is no confusion about "The End of Days."  Gentle pastoral minimalism is the order of the day and Michael delivers it with style and grace.  The sound design is expansive and drifting.  There is no hidden agenda within the soothing melody.  Michael urges listeners to sit back and go with the flow.  The organics come from his heart and soul.  There are no samples. 

This is a cool disc for lazy days.

Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

Cyrille Verdeaux is a veteran electronician.  He has been recording for over 25 years.  His career has traversed the globe and encompassed tragedy and enlightenment.  He records on the Clearlight Music label.  He is the owner and founder of that label as well.  He has recently re-issued some of the milestone releases from earlier in his career. 

"Nocturnes Digitales," originally released in 1980, is a meditative CD, scientifically designed to stimulate alpha brain waves thus enhancing relaxation and increasing the sense of well being.  Such brain activity counteracts the effects of stress and tension.

The presentation of the CD also corresponds to the color orange, symbolic of family, procreation and sexuality.  Orange also represents tolerance, passion, vitality and optimism.

All of that is very significant and very cool.  The most important matter is that this CD still has absolute musical integrity and is current even after 21 years!  This disc runs the gamut in its presentation.  It has dramatic symphonic passages, expansive minimalism, pastoral ambience and new age sensibility.  The packaging is elegant.  The liner notes are informative.  The nature samples augment the score expertly.

While this might not be the perfect CD, it is flawless.  Again, this CD is essential for meditators.  It has something for everyone!

Reviewed by Jim Brenholts   

THE MORE I EXPERIENCE
THE HUMAN CULTURAL DIVERSITY
OF THIS GRAND WORLD, 
THE MORE I BELIEVE IT IMPERATIVE
THAT HUMANKIND NEEDS BE GUIDED BY
A LONE THOUGHT ANS A SPIRITUAL BELIEF.
MY OPINION HAVING THIS COMMON CREED
WOULD DECREASE CONFLICT,
INCREASE LOVE, AND ENRICH LIFE.
AS ONE GLOBAL CULTURE, OUR HEARTS
BEAT THE SAME PULSE.
WE BREATHE THE SAME AIR
AND DREAM THE SAME DREAMS.
CULTURE AND MANKIND DIVIDED BY TRADITION,
YET COMMONLY JOINED BY
HUMANITY ITSELF.  

Thus John Sosnowsky, a.k.a. Sozra, introduces "Pulse: Music from the Home Planet" a multi-dimensional CD of acoustic space music.  Hannah Vo-Dinh (vocals) and Matt Kraft (bass) accompany John's guitars and keyboards.  The wordless vocals are part of the instrumental soundscape.  The bass carries the gentle rhythm gracefully.

Despite his humility and willingness to give the credit away, john is the star of this album.  His electronics are sparse and well placed; the acoustics are light and airy; the sound design and production are deft.  John does not use a heavy hand anywhere on this CD but the pieces come across as full and satiating as they explore the realms of acoustic minimalism and gentle space music. 

This is a surprising winner from an obscure talent.  John is based in, of all places, Hagerstown, MD and much of the post production work was done in Pittsburgh, PA (my hometown).

Reviewed by Jim Brenholts