artist: Michael Hedges country of origin: USA style(s): New acoustic, folk, ambient essential releases: Breakfast In The Field (1983, Windham Hill) Aerial Boundaries (1985, Windham Hill)

Tragically killed in a car crash in 1997, the late Michael Hedges was a first-rate guitar instrumentalist and his first and second albums on new-acoustic imprint Windham Hill found him in spellbinding form. Pretty much everything works here, with the tracks ranging from gentle, enchanting mood pieces to lively rhythmic stomps. And his technical brilliance matched by decent, fleshed-out compositions. Like his mentor Leo Kottke, Hedges was forever exploring the possibilities of the guitar and here he produces some amazing sounds with unusual tunings, two hand hammer-on techniques and by generally slapping about the instrument. Essential records for both guitar afficianados and chillout fans.

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