The two Dettinger albums on Kompakt are the best things the label ever released IMHO. Re: Gas, I always thought Pop was the weakest of the four albums, though many people seem to gravitate toward that one.
FYI two recent Steve Roach albums are "name your price" on Bandcamp right now. Anyone unfamiliar with his work should check those out: Spiral Revelation (name-your-price), by Steve Roach Painting In The Dark (name-your-price), by Steve Roach This one from last year is still NYP as well: This Place To Be, by Steve Roach
Basically: - any of the Ambient series by Eno and other early ambient albums. - any of the Ambient series albums released alongside Eno's Ambient series. - any of the artists who Eno collaborated with during this period (many names mentioned above, for good reason) - none of the "new age" artists which emerged and produced soulless elevator versions of ambient art. You may find it worthwhile to explore some of the music from the classical "minimalist" school, eg. Philip Glass, Steve Reich, etc.
I love Eno but many on this forum seem to think ambient starts and ends with him....there is so much great ambient music out there beyond Eno and his influences.
Some minimalism and ambient artists approach music making with an almost mathematical/scientific/clinical precision. Why doesnt that render it as soulless as the new age you disparage? Honest question... and I recognize this is definitely not true of all minimalist works (many of which I love)...but it certainly is of some...
I'm not sure what this means, but if you're referring to records in the ambient series not featuring Eno as a performer, there's only one (Laraaji's day of radiance). it's great. and ironically, it's a new age album, or as close to one as makes no odds. those looking for more floaty, Enoesque material will be very surprised.
I could have sworn there was a "All Purpose Ambient" thread, or something similar here somewhere but I can't seem to find it.
Dettinger is great for sure. I mentioned Pop because the other are a bit more "beaty" I guess. I love them all, the EPs too.
A reasonable question. I can only speak for myself here, so some of what I might explain may not hold for others (who are welcome to express their thoughts in this area). I guess the difference for me is that the minimalism and ambient artists approach their work as artists/composers who are making a musical statement. Sure, some styles can be almost mathematical/scientific/clinical in nature, which may not be for everyone's taste. In comparison, I find the work by most new age artists to lack an element, to lack a bit of depth in the music. It feels like they have learned about and have been inspired about ambient music from the masters. However, they can replicate the basics, but not create originality with an emotional depth that the masters can do (hence my term soulless). I recall Philip Glass saying that his music sounds like it is a short pattern repeated, but it is repeated with great skill so it appears to be repeating but has subtle changes so not to become monotonous (to people who don't dismiss his music outright as monotonous!). New age artists have some skill, but to me don't compare to the masters. Plus I have found a lot of new age music to be churned out to be sold as a commodity in incense shops, like production music. It may serve a purpose and function, but this end of the market is not high art. I'm sure there are new age artists who do produce work of depth and substance (that I'm not familiar with), and I meant no offense to those among us who do like that music.
oh, the stuff on obscure. I don't know that I'd call any of it ambient, though, not even the Budd (pavilion of dreams is a brilliant record, but it predates his 'soft pedal' style).
Very good answer. I will say that personally, I think my favourite minimalist work is by Philp Glass -- Aquas da Amozonia as performed by Uakti. Nothing soulless about that...
Not sure I'm really on top of what would be termed "ambient" but when I saw this thread I immediately thought of 'Watermark' by Enya.
I got few favorite ambient-albums, but as Im kinda busy at work and can't come up with anything else for now. So anyways, here's one of my favorites: Brian Eno - Apollo: Atmospheres And Soundtracks (1983) 1. Under Stars (Eno - Lanois) 00:00 2. The Secret Place (Lanois - arranged by Brian Eno) 04:25 3. Matta 07:55 4. Signals (Eno - Lanois) 12:20 5. An Ending (Ascent) 15:00 6. Under Stars II (Eno - Lanois) 19:30 7. Drift (Eno - Roger Eno) 22:50 8. Silver Morning (Lanois) 25:55 9. Deep Blue Day (Eno - Lanois - Roger Eno) 28:40 10. Weightless (Eno - Lanois - Roger Eno) 32:40 11. Always Returning (Eno - Roger Eno) 37:15 12: Stars (Eno - Lanois) 41:05 Track #5 An Ending (Ascent) is one of my favorite tracks.
Oh yeah! See also: the Fripp and Eno Live in Paris 28/5/1975 box set; Travis and Fripp's Live at Coventry Cathedral or Discretion.
Or for something rather different: Continue by Lull... You will be a long way from the likes of Thursday Afternoon or Neroli with that one...
Big fan of Lull's output from Cold Summer onwards. Probably not for people looking for light floaty atmospheres. Same with the works of the incredible Thomas Koner...