Nee naw nee naw, just when I’d all but forgotten about Ambient as a musical genre, along comes a modern day Albumulance (sorry) which has rescued & reignited my interest in the beatless ear mist..  After what seems like an eternity relying on the likes of Sigur Ròs, Ulrich Schnauss, old Aphex Twin, KLF Chill Out,, Boards of Canada blah blah.. I recently stumbled into Riceboy Sleeps it’s dripping with emotion and bloody brilliant in my book and all the atmospheric sustenance you need (for this summer).

Jónsi & Alex are the artist(s) responsible for these heaven sent sounds, they were formerly known as Riceboy Sleeps, the title name they have retained for their new album.  For a delightful sample of their sumptuous feast of layered sound see below.

You can find out more about the artist and purchase  music at their website jonsiandalex.com

Jónsi & Alex – All the big trees

Moving backwards

Here’s a mixed bag of a few ambient esque favorites (excluding the Moby track for which you can name the genre as you please..)

Moby – The Ultimate Go in Dub mix

First heard this on a Kiss FM mix by F.S.O.L. and was simply blown away, a dubbed up “Go” that I almost prefer to the original, “yeeeaah”..

Brian Eno – Ambient 1 (Music for Airports)

Since his days in Roxy Music Brian Eno has been a musical force behind so much and so many others and also happens to be one of the Kings of Ambient and has been consistently sampled by a plethora of artists. Staple massage music if ever there was and I do believe I hear some Amercian Beauty in there.

Steve Reich – Music for 18 Musicians

Made between 1974-76 his wondrous wavelengths were described as musical minimalism (ring a bell?) and this track was perhaps Steve Reich’s crowning glory and makes me go weak at the knees.

Wally Badarou – The Dachstein Angels

From Wally Badarou’s beautiful album “Words of a Mountain” the ex Level 42 producer/member shows us his jolly and emotive side. I usually end up singing along and pseudo conducting this song.

The Orb – Blue Room (Ambient Mix)

What would this post be without a bit of Alex Paterson a mix from an album that changed the face of ambient and is still a classic