artist: Asura country of origin: France style(s): Ambient trance, acid trance, ethno-ambient essential releases: Life Squared (2007, Ultimae Records)

This French act's debut Code Eternity (2000) holds the honor as the first single artist album released by iconic ambient trance label Ultimae Records. That album has good ideas in abundance but it wasn't until Asura's second Ultimae release Life Squared that the production was good enough to fully realise the music's considerable potential.

Originally a 4-piece outfit, Asura today is the solo project of Charles Farewell and Life Squared captures him in spellbinding form. Opening with an orchestral, almost cinematic overture the album then traverses most points of the ambient trance and ethno-ambient compass with emotion, invention and kind of tension-and-release dynamics that can make you feel giddy if you happen to be standing up (my advice: sit down and stay there). “Galaxies part 1” is a rich, cosmic drone so deep and wide you may get lost and not return for several days. The beatless “Prophecy” is an ecstatic meeting of lush strings and several different vocal chants. Storming 4/4 grooves drive several tracks - the title track is a stunner - but given that these chug along at a modest 120bpm they work perfectly well as chill music.

Kudos not just to Farewell for this exceptional album but also Ultimae alchemists Vincent Villuis and Huby Sea for another first class mastering job. Play it loud, play it often. This is everything ambient trance can be and "chill" music of any variety doesn't come any more moving.

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