Csillagkod - “Silent World” CD

Deep and mysterious ambient

Transylvanian-born Oliver Dombi is Csillagkod (Hungarian for “Nebula”), and this is his debut full-length release of deep and evocative space/ambient music. The opener, “The Communication System Between Civilizations Of The Universe” is a fairly static collage of cloudy, layered drones and darkened rumblings, like a less-focused Lustmord, almost, Being a longtime fan of classic “industrial” sounds, I have no problem with that, but luckily Dombi moves along from there on “Silent World”.

“Empty Galaxies” lightens up a bit, moving outwards into the celestial heavens. Dombi really hits his stride with the evocative space music of “The Birth Of The Solar System”, which brings a melodic slant to his drifty and cinematic universe. “Water From Another Planet” is a sublime and beautiful journey, with swells of dramatic strings and tender plinkings, while “Kettoscsillag” is 4 minutes of reverberated chimes and dark undercurrents.

“Silent World” is a surprisingly mature and subtle debut, packed with mystery, emotion, wonder, and majesty. Csillagkod is an artist to watch, and this is a wonderful album.

Spotted Peccary

Csillagkod site

Paul Ellis - "I Am Here" CD

Taking cues from the analogue electronic space music of Tangerine Dream, Klaus Schulze, and Jean-Michael Jarre, veteran American composer Ellis here crafts a series of three extended soundscapes that honor the ancient Chinook people and a small island Ellis recently discovered that holds a very mystical allure.

Beginning with the 20-minute "She Who Watches", Ellis' constructs complex and shimmery rhythmic electronic spaces -- percolating sequences, deep synth textures, and dabblings in melody that don't point to pop-song structures, but to celestial expanses. "Chinook Wind" follows, and is another 20 minutes of wispy and fleeting synth-strings, bells, and chimings that are simultaneously elegant, mysterious, and amorphous. At about the 12 minute mark, it opens up to lovely strings and flowing water. This, for me, is a crescendo of "I Am Here". Just lovely.

The final track, the 29-minute "I Am On An Island In The Columbia River", evolves from flowing Berlin-style sequencer-driven sounds to space ambience. It's a beautiful journey that Ellis has created with "I Am Here", and I'm glad to have taken a ride.

Lotuspike

Paul Ellisbook

Justin Vanderberg - "Synthetic Memories" CD

Composer Vanderberg's second album is a delightful and wistful collection of deep ambient electronic sounds that gently ebb and flow in a relaxing manner. It's an ambient album with depth and clarity, combining the best of modern electronics with a timeless, Eno-esque quality that works equally as well as background listening or immersive contemplation.

"When I Walk" is a droning, meditational piece with celestial inclinations, while the title track brings a gorgeous collage of serene strings alongside percolating sequencers, like classic Vidna Obmana meeting Vangelis somehow. This is a standout, being simultaneously majestic and mysterious. "The Path" ushers in a heavy rolling rhythm of an almost trip-hop or industrial nature, which works well alongside the crystalline strings."Dusk" shows a hint of darkness around the edges, but remains true to the album's gentle overall vibe. "Synthetic Memories" is a superb work from a composer I'll be curious to hear more from. (Spotted Peccary)

Vanderbergspace

Deborah Martin - "Deep Roots, Hidden Water" CD

This is a remaster of an early work (1999) by ambient composer Martin, who wowed me this past year with her outstanding "Between Worlds" collaboration with Erik Wollo. And while "Deep Roots" isn't as convincing overall, it's still a strong album worthy of attention from fans of ambient and space music.

This one's more electronic in nature, and, with the opening cut, "Haunted By Water", it even approaches a classical structure. "One Sun" brings around some tribal drums for a more nuanced, natural approach, and this is Martin's strength -- wedding sparse electronic elements with organic, worldly textures. "The Strength Of Stones" is a certain highlight, and an effective and mysterious collision of sounds. With former King Crimson member Tony Levin's moody, snaking bassline, this track is a memorable and exotic slice of fourth-world atmosphere. Levin features throughout the album, and the tracks with his involvement also benefit from a more rounded and diverse sound palette. "Voices On The Rim" works well, too, being a Native American-inspired piece. The closer, "Across Sky", is a synth-strings flight of fancy, leaving the ground for a more airborne journey.

Whereas "Deep Roots, Hidden Water" isn't perfect, it is a lovely and refreshing backdrop for some reflective meditation and relaxation. (Spotted Peccary)

Deborah Martin Music

Rudy Adrian - "Distant Stars" CD

New Zealand-based composer Adrian is a veteran of soundtracks and ambient synthesizer music, and this release turns another new leaf for the prolific artist. His most recent works have been stunningly evocative and atmospheric homages inspired by terrestrial landscapes, but this one aims much higher. As the title refers, this is Adrian's extended work exploring the heavens.

Interstellar influences in electronic music have been more than well-documented, from the 60s German synth-sequencer brigade (Tangerine Dream and Klaus Schulze, for example) and on through recent works from such artists as The Orb or Pete Namlook's FAX recordings. But seldom does it work as well as Rudy Adrian's deep, mysterious, and contemplative driftworks. Tracks like the 15-minute "Le Songe Du Singe" are truly "space music", as they approximate the infinite expanse of the abyss with a sense of wonder, awe, and sometimes trepidation (as in the foreboding sci-fi textures of "Netherworlds"). It's a successful journey that ends well with the relaxing freefall of "Entering The Temple Of Haruka Kawagishi". "Distant Stars" is an album of sparkling, otherworldly, and well-crafted ambient sounds to soak in and drift away with. (Lotuspike)

Rudy Adrian site

'kirchenkampf' - "Dark Planet" CD

This lovely and mysterious ambient CD is the ideal soundtrack to a Kubrick-esque space journey, and the intense visuals this one instills make it a must-hear for fans of dark and cinematic electronic music. Beginning with the suspended animation sleep of "In Transit" and "Homesick", the crew then awakens to some startling visions of distant worlds in transformation. Confusion arises with the chaotic "Dark Planet", which seems to cause some distress, as heart-rate increases and otherworldly sounds envelop the cabin. "Terrorform" and especially "Firemountain" are dark visions of what may be a distant world sustaining a violent disturbance. Could it be natural, or ??. Regardless, "Newmoonrise" sees a new beginning, as deep drones and reverberations bring a peaceful conclusion to the day's tumult. "Waiting For The Sun" brings an even more hopeful ending to this incredible sojourn. "Dark Planet" is a memorable and evocative collection of thematic instrumental pieces that sparkle with just the right balance of light and dark hues. Fully recommended. (Cohort Records)

sound samples courtesy of Cohort Records