artist: Diatonis country of origin: USA style(s): Ambient, envronmental essential releases: Ambient Life (2003, Diatonis Music)

Fans of Brian Eno's more melodic ambient works should find this outstanding 3-CD set a delight from start to finish. Correct me if I'm wrong but in the first decade of the new century not many albums in this style are getting released anymore. Dark ambient rules. Unlike much of the environmental ambience coming from North America in recent years, American composer Stuart White aka Diatonis has fashioned an ambient album that's neither overly dark nor tuneless. This is minimal, fragile impressionism, ethereal but tonal too, in the classic old-school tradition.

Two years in the making, this is the clear masterpiece among a handful of Diatonis albums released to date. The defining sound on Ambient Life is reverberating and slightly washed-out sounds from electric guitar and various keyboards coupled with found sounds, subtle environmental and vocal effects. Each disc has a different theme. Disc 1 is impressions of mostly man-made environments like "Ghost Town" and "Winding Road". Disc 2 is sonic pictures from the natural world ("Light Rain"). Disc 3 enters the realms of fantasy environments and string-laden electronic ambient, and although there's slightly suspect new age titles like "Spiritus Helios" the music itself is sublime. All up this is intelligent, spacious, accessible music and excellent value for a 3-CD set.

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