The Ambient Expanse

Artist: Steve Roach , Patrick O'Hearn , Vidna Obmana , Stephen Bacchus , and Vir Unis
Label: Oasis
Category: Music

Average customer rating:

Media: Audio CD

UPC: 771366030627
EAN: 0771366030627
ASIN: B00000DHYU

Release Date: 1998-11-03

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Listmania:

deep drifting ambience
Great Meditation / Ambient Albums
Dark Ambient Soundscapes
The Ultimate Steve Roach List
Spiritual Ambient Music
Trip hazard, Ambient and Lounge with a touch of Trance
13 Atmospheres

Tracks:

35th Parallel - Patrick O'Hearn
The Undivided Flow - Vir Unis
Point Of Safety - Stephen Bacchus
The Space In-Between - Vidna Obmana
The Eternal Expanse - Steve Roach

Customer Reviews:

good for sleeping...sure, but good for listening too.......2006-06-21

I understand that this collection is good for relaxation, and thus may help one sleep. It helps me relax too. But, this is a great collection to "listen to" as well because it's got some awesome ambient tracks on it. When I say listen, of course, I mean putting on and listening to the music as one would classical, jazz, or rock music.

1. I'm a big Patrick O'hearn fan, have all of his albums, and while this is a good track, Patrick's a better song writer than an ambient music writer. The best ambient music is that which takes us away from the norm and creates an entirely new sonic reality; this reality's created by a new sonic language, a language which isn't dependent on Western music's tonic/dominant relationship or at least not dependent on it to the point of being obvious. Patrick's song is good and pleasing to listen to, but it's too grounded in the tonic/dominant relationship and thus fails to achieve a higher ambient musical status.

2. This is a fantastic work by Vir Unis. It's a work which reveals exquisite moments of openness, where the horizon seems to go on forever, like looking at a large forest of trees all blowing in the wind simultaneously. I can barely think of another ambient work which has brought me to tears with it's beauty and inspired moments. The album's worth having alone for this work. (Contrast this to the Patrick O'hearn track where this one isn't reflective at all of a tonic/dominant relationship.)

3. Stephen Bacchus' piece is pleasing to listen to, and it also relies very heavily on a tonic/dominant relationship. It's as though someone took a chorale from J.S. Bach, and slowed it way down, this time playing the chords with a synthesizer. Because of this, it fails to enjoy the otherworldliness of the Vir Unis and Vidna Obmana tracks. But, nonetheless, I listen to this and enjoy it's solace and it's clearly conveyed "point of safety."

4. Vidna Obmana's a favorite of mine. This track reminds me of a mixture of his "Crossing the Trail" album, and his duets with Steve Roach. Don't let the first 5 minutes fool you, "a splendid place" is revealed to us beyond and it's full of moments of shimmering sun-speckled beauty. This is another gem worth buying this album for.

5. Steve Roach is one of those take it or leave it writers for me. Sometimes, his works are inspired, but unfortunately, I feel little inspiration from this and many of his other works. He's got to be paired with another more talented individual to achieve his full potential. I always forget that this track's on the end, and by then, I usually skip it to play either the Vir Unis track again, or the Vidna Obmana track again.

In conclusion, there's a lot to be had from this album. I would've given it 5 stars if it wouldn't have been for the lackluster Roach track, and the inclusion of works too traditionally inspired for my taste.

Nonetheless, the Vir Unis and Vidna Obmana tracks are rare gems, they'll continue to move and inspire you on repeated plays. It's silly, but I always feel like a better person after I've experienced these 2 wonderful gifts. Listen closely...

Really beautiful.......2005-12-09

This is my favorite compilation of ambient music. It's too bad it's hard to find. Roach and Obmana's work together and separately covers a wide range of styles: from "space" music (which I love) to "drone" music (which I find unpleasant and irritating; I don't know what activity best suits this music-- staring at static on the TV screen?). Some of Roach's work is rather dull. This collection is beautiful, calming and elegant--dark but not depressing. The tracks work together very well, last a long time, and are evocative of natural landscapes. It is also richly produced. Go get it.

Incredible background music.......2003-08-18

I've had the CD for quite a while now and it's my absolute favorite as far as office background music is concerned. All of the selections, from the masters of dark ambient sounds (Steve Roach, Vir Unis, Vidna Obmana), are ideal for de-stressing and provide an unobstrusive yet productive atmosphere for conducting the day-to-day business common to most of us office slaves. I can put the CD in my computer or stereo and listen to it not only all day long but also for a week at a time without become tired of it.

Most highly recommended! Take a listen, you'll be hooked.

Incredible background music.......2003-08-18

Most highly recommended! Take a listen, you'll be hooked.

One of the Most Relaxing and Stunning Ambient CDs You'll Own.......2002-07-29

I have many of Steve Roach's and Vidna Obmana's CDs, but this collection put together in Steve Roach's studio of some of his favorite ambient artists is one of the best compilations and ambient albums I own. I play it all the time in the background and late at night when trying to calm my ol brain down. Went to sleep to it many times...

Music CD:

Music CD

Music CD

Music CD

De Magazine ~ Grupo Wao

Y los Cantos de Escalona ~ Vallenato Trio

Mejores Exitos Bailables ~ Fidel Funes

The Ambient Expanse ~ Steve Roach, Patrick O'Hearn, Vidna Obmana, Stephen Bacchus, Vir Unis

Irish Prayer: Mystic Songs ~ Various Artists

Vim N Vigor ~ Joe Farell, Louis Hayes

Incredible Big Bands ~ Various Artists

Danzón By Six: Elegante ~ Danzon By Six

Evolucion ~ Xandro Y Su Punto

Mis Necedades ~ Chacales de Pepe Tovar