artist: Coolangubra country of origin: Australia style(s): New acoustic, environmental, folk, word beat essential releases: Coolangubra (1988, Celestial Harmonies) Stormcoming (1990, Celestial Harmonies) Spirit Talk (1992, Celestial Harmonies)

Named after an area of Australia’s south-east forests, the now-defunct fusion trio of Cleis Pearce (violin), Stephen Berry (acoustic guitars) and Greg Sheehan (percussion) left a legacy of three exciting, dynamic albums that draw on elements of folk, jazz and ambient soundscaping. In the 1980's they played for many years on the live circuit and released albums locally until discovered by Ekhart Rahn, who signed them to his highly respected Celestial Harmonies imprint and brought their music to a global audience.

The band's versatility and superb musicianship is evident throughout all three of these releases. “Long Red Road” from Stormcoming is a spirited, folksy tribal jam, while the album's lengthy title track takes an altogether different tack with its brooding impressions of an approaching thunderstorm. Despite all the nature themes the band's music is far from being new age earwash; Coolangubra creates real environmental ambience.

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