Ambient topic - Selected works Deel 2

Hoogste tijd dat deze diepgaande muziekstroming een tweede deel krijgt

Voor de leken heb ik ff een stukje geknipt over wat ambient nou precies is:

Ambient music has a rhythmic or trance-like nature, with (generally) electronic keyboards and/or space music melodies or themes. Notably, it is the consistent combination of varying elements that provides a common thread or theme throughout ambient music. Today's ambient music, usually referred to as "New Ambient" or "Ambient Dub," means full of rhythms, for dance or trance, body movement or mind relaxation mode, and often sounds floaty or "groovy," with drop-out beats, tribal treats, ethno-primitive, textural and/or cyber-phonic music. Curiously, the previous view or definition of ambient music suggested no rhythm, carving backgrounds that were potentially fertile foregrounds, a la Eno, Budd, Roach, Stearns, Schulze or early Tangerine Dream. Ambient music grew into its own genre out of the "chill-out" rooms that became a part of the rave scene, a place to escape the pounding, throbbing techno beats (often in excess of 160-180beats per minute!), where DJ's mixed together nature sounds, New Age music tracks, and tape loops or other sound samples. As greater skill emerged in the molding of these sound spaces, CDs were issued which were usually compilations - Excursions in Ambience, From Here to Tranquillity, United States of Ambience, Ambient Dub, Ambient Extractions, Chill Out, Feed Your Head, One A.D., etc. As we watch the ever-evolving growth and fast-rising emergence, and acceptance, of this genre, we often hear terms like "mutated," or "deconstructed" - i.e. anti-categorization at best.

What are the sub-genres of Ambient music? With examples of each.

I see seven different types of Ambient music. There is, of course, much crossover, as there is in any style. But I will cast these as currently definitive, & feel that at the very least they act as a good guide.

Ambient Dub with a bass backbeat and reggae elements, echoey electronics...
One A.D. series from Waveform, Excursions in Ambience series, Zero One, Patchwork, Higher Intelligence Agency, Sounds From The Ground, Ambient Odyssey series

Ambient Space derived from New Age/Space music, less rhythm, long tracks
Deeper Than Space, Pete Namlook's FAX series (re; Air), Barramundi series, Instinct Ambient

Ambient World cross-cultural, dense rhythm tracks, vocals more predominant
Loop Guru, Banco De Gaia, Makyo, Atman, Global Spirit, Tya, Waterbone,, Transglobal Communication, Professor Trance, Nomad, Electric Skychurch, Pangea, Tom Vedvik

Ambient Pop can sit just as easily in the rock/pop section; rock idioms, vocals
William Orbit, Enigma, Babble, Delerium, One Dove,

Ambient Electronic descendants of Tangerine Dream, European electronics
Synaesthesia, United States of Ambience series, Global Communication, Biosphere,

Electronica the current "rage" in the press, and moving up the charts
Chemical Brothers, Future Sound of London, Orb, Moby, Orbital, Underworld,...

Ambient Techno softened yet techno nonetheless; heavier beats, harder edges
OM, Aphex Twin (some, not all), Freaky Chacra, Trance-Europe Express series

Trip Hop -softened yet techno nonetheless; heavier beats, harder edges
Trip Hop Test series, Trip Hop Samplers, Future Sound of Jazz, Five-Star Galaxy, Frosty

How is ambient music different than new age or space music?

New Age music, while commonly used as a "banner" heading, can still be separated as a specific style, generally void of rhythm, meditative, relaxing, etc. Similarly, Space music is a specific type, as represented by Jonn Serrie, Kevin Braheny, Steve Roach, etc. It conjures up either outer "space" or "inner space", and is heard in Planetariums, on massage tables, and as soundtracks to many videos and movies. As explained above, Ambient music is a broader term, encompassing (at least) six sub-genres, part of which includes New Age or Space music.

Also, a new generation of musicians, meaning usually a younger generation, that have come from techno, dance, rock and punk realms rather than a general tracing back to New Age ideas or circles that was prevalent 10-15years ago and mostly since. While Brian Eno has been (reluctantly) lumped into New Age association, he has much more "fathered" this generation than perhaps anyone else.

Part of this is strictly nomenclature, and which term is more appropriate for the overall general section. Most stores in the record industry have a New Age section; some may be tempted to call it Ambient and hence can finally discard the New Age term. But let's not be hasty! The New Age banner fits nicely over the whole section - for record stores. But for bookstores and specialty stores it's different. Their categories tend to be more along the lines of tribal, meditative, world, drumming, vocals, Native American, Celtic, shamanic, massage, guitar, piano i.e. by instrument, "usage," or music type, as perhaps all of their titles fit under the broad New Age term. And that leaves room to segment or group the ambient titles, shown above as examples, to tie into certain radio shows, local dance venues, etc.

Where is modern instrumental music heading now?

Several directions simultaneously! And, yes, it is specific... Most of this map has been laid out and clarified over the past 10-12 years. Suppose you were to draw a wheel. Each spoke, tracing a thin pie-shape out of the whole, would contribute to the modern or "New Ambient" movement: new age, neo-classical, space, electronic, ambient, progressive, jazzy, tribal, world, folk, ensemble, acoustic, meditative, and back to new age...The order and placement is no accident; each comes in and out of the previous, leading into the next, with shades of overlap and crossover visible at every turn.

Each "type" has its own history, its own cornerstones and "hall of fame "artists and titles. Each has crystallized and grown, achieving greater artistry over time, and becoming more recognizable in the marketplace. A more far-reaching answer addresses the real challenge, which is dictated by today's machines i.e. synthesizers, and how their use and placement is balanced by human kind's ability to interface with the machines. Man's inherent ability to adjust artistic integrity in keeping with the times demands sensitivity to the roots, the spirit of the music, the calling of past generations and the need for continual originality. More in this hybrid ambient music than perhaps anywhere else is this challenge being met; that is why people are responding so favorably to the combining of elements - rhythm 'n' space, tribal cultural intermixes that open the mind and move the body.

www.ambient.us

linkjes van eerdere ambient gerelateerde topics:

Aphex Twin: Selected Ambient Works 85-92
Wat zijn je favoriete ambient/IDM albums?
Griezelige ambientmuziek

Discussier hier over ambient albums, post de nieuwste releases, de oude klassiekers etc. etc. Hier eerst een paar klassiekers:

Aphex Twin; selected ambient works 85-92

quote:

Aphex's music takes you you through the spectrum of emotions and even manages to introduce you to a few you didn't know you had. This is probably his finest moment, the sounds on this offering are truly original (aphex either builds or modifys his own equipment)and are strung together by an musical imagination equaled only by Brian Eno at his best.

Global communication - 76:14

quote:

Every single piece oozes class and meaning. The subtle rhythms are judged to perfection, the melodic motifs scream to be played over and over again. Each individual track is a time capsule of magnificence with tardis-like credentials containing so much wealth within fleeting minutes. Phil White deserves much praise for switching us onto this. It is quite simply a sensational album. In fact, it’s so good I think I’ll buy an extra copy and get it cryogenically preserved for a future life.

Biosphere - substrata

quote:

The long drones and beautiful progressions are just wonderful. Every single piece of every track fits together, even the Twin Peaks samples which are throughout the cd. Substrata is not simply ambient, it has all sorts of beats, rhythms and different samples that come in and out all over the place....perfect for a drive home in the dark.
Ambient reduced to its essential parts. This is a 100% must-have.

Overige aanraders:

Carbon based lifeforms - Hydroponic Garden

quote:

Another evidence for the high quality A&R of Ultimae Records. CBL perfectly adds to the portfolio of them. The atmosphere built by the soundscapes within this records are so peacefully relaxed and you feel like the music is surrounding you tightly, yet smoothly with its sonic arms. Great stuff for extended walks through a sunset lit forest. Or maybe just floating away lying on your sofa.

Loess - Loess

quote:

Sparse and desolate. There's a soothing beauty through these tracks, but also there's a feel of despair. Quiet, thoughtful, dry sounding tracks that are full of emotion. There's not enough music out these days that capture the sounds and feelings that Loess does here.

Ulrich Schnauss - Far away trains passing by

quote:

While not exactly breaking new ground, 'Far Away Trains Passing By' takes the familiar, but rarely mastered approach to electronica that has generated much admiration for similar acts such as Herrmann & Kleine and Boards of Canada. I know that's a pretty tall order to fill but if there is any album this year that deserves such comparisons, it is this one. This is one of those rare works that you just want to play for everyone you know.

Voorafgaand deel (1)
Ambient topic - Selected works

[ Bericht 22% gewijzigd door -CRASH- op 05-09-2006 20:53:26 ]

quote:

Op dinsdag 5 september 2006 20:41 schreef teknomist het volgende:
Ambient topic - Selected works -

Linkje naar het vorige deel. . .

Was er nog mee bezig
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Ik heb laatst de film Kundun gekeken
En daar zat de (herkenbare) muziek van Philip glass bij.


[ Bericht 15% gewijzigd door -CRASH- op 05-09-2006 21:08:04 ]