I've had a bit of a thing for Steve Brand's wonderfully unique version of ambient music lately... and cannot recommend his latest release enough - a rerelease of "Sunprints" on his own label 'Pioneer Light'.
I was really grateful to John Koch-Northrup's email giving me details of this album... and downloaded it almost immediately. It instantly grabbed me and so far hasn't let me go... it is simply sublime!
Brand's use of field recordings is unsurpassed, in my opinion. He uses the sounds of nature... of flowing water and birdsong to great effect... creating something that is wonderfully organic. To this he adds his sounds... subtly... gently... graciously... building upon what's there without seeking to overpower it.
What's more... each track is deliciously long-form and has it's own room to breathe... to grow and develop. I love this. It makes for a truly immersive and all-encompassing experience.
On this release he uses the kora, zither, kalimba, shakers, bells, cymbals, gongs, conch, bone, cane and cedar flutes, didgeridoo, whistles voice, accordion, gutterphone, and keyboards to complement these field recordings and create something truly ethereal and other-worldly... a space to get lost in... a place to forget today.
This is why I love ambient music... it is truly varied, wide and rich genre of music... and this album is tremendously rich. The sounds presented are divine... and truly engrossing. I can not recommend this album enough and would consider it $8 well spent... if it weren't for Koch-Northrup's generosity.
Have a wee listen below and do what you can to support independent music.
Tx
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