The New Age Thread

Jordan de la Sierra - "Gymnosphere: Song of the Rose - Music for the Well-Tuned Piano" (1977)

The first of two releases from this Californian new age producer, this one being a 103-minute double-album comprised of four lengthy yet stunningly beautiful ambient piano pieces. I simply adore music that can put me into the most tranquil headspace imaginable & "Gymnosphere" achieves this consistently across it's run time, particularly through the two middle tracks which are really quite incredible. In fact, this may be my favourite new age release ever based on the evidence of this week's listening experiences.

For fans of Yutaka Hirose, G.S. Schray & Kevin Braheny Fortune.

4.5/5

Robert Ashley - "Private Parts" (1978)

A two-track, 46-minute journey that draws upon a combination of soothing spoken word & ambient new age music to good effect. The A side is excellent & is the real reason to explore this release although the B side is also fairly enjoyable. You really need to be able to become involved with a record from a purely atmospheric point of view to understand an album like this one as there isn't any semblance of traditional song structure to be found. "Private Parts" is a gentle, artsy record that will appeal to gentle, artsy people.

For fans of John Cage, Steve Reich & Morton Feldman.

3.5/5

Harold Budd - "The Pavilion of Dreams" (1978)

The second full-length from this Californian ambient legend is a pretty decent listen, if not as classic as it's often made out to be. It's four lengthy tracks sit in more of a new age space than an ambient one with a clear jazz & classical component appearing at times. It's perhaps not as exciting as I would like but there are no weak moments included. I don't think it's Budd's best work (not even close) but that hasn''t stopped it from playing a role in a couple of relaxing drives to & from work this week.

For fans of Brian Eno, Pharoah Sanders & Hiroshi Yoshimura.

3.5/5