Steve Quinzi covers a lot of ground on "Rhythm of the World."  As the title suggests, the CD is rife with world beat rhythms.  Steve surrounds those rhythms with elements of jazz, new age, rock and roll, techno and electronica.  In short, this disc came at me from everywhere.  I must confess that I did not experience an emotional reaction nor did I experience any gut level spiritual twinge.  It struck me, though, that "I LIKE THIS CD!"  In order to appreciate this album, I had to get down off my ambient minimalism high horse and take it at face value.  This CD is a fun listen!  It does not promote spiritual journeys or emotional release.  The infectious rhythms and riffs do entwine the mind and body.  The music grabbed me and shouted, "LISTEN!  Don't meditate.  Just f*****' listen!"  So I did! I am pleased that I did.  After two and a half years of looking for messages in the music, I'd forgotten about "music for music."  While I still cherish the messages within music, I thank Steve Quinzi for reminding me that music can be just a pleasant diversion without introspection. Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

I think that for a musician like Robert Rich, it's maybe a good thing to look back at the past. Just to be able to say that this is where he came from, and that the path that he explored was indeed the right one. Not ever having heard Sunyata prior to its current reissue on Hypnos, I'm struck by the thought that for a piece of drift or sleep music which was written twenty years ago, this still holds up remarkably well. One piece of course turned up on the Extreme release Trances and Drones back in 1992, but with Sunyata come the other two tracks. You get to hear a very young nineteen year old Robert Rich performing on analog synthesizers no doubt buzzing with ideas regarding where he wanted to take his audience. The ideas are all here, long deep drones lulling the listener into an intense sleep (I'll vouch for that many times over), improvised pieces of great depth and darkness, dark minimalist musical structures which seem to keep evolving and reinventing themselves for what seems like an eternity. Having said that, some people have said that for them nothing is happening at any time, but the point I raise time and time again is how do you listen or better still how do you not listen, especially for someone who is not into exploring this type of music. That glurpy aqueous sound which he is now well known for is, as usual, evident on the longest track Oat Spirits, which gets downright dark at times. I've listened to this a lot since it arrived, and I have to say that this is not a 'pretty' Robert Rich release by any means, compared to some of the Hearts Of Space recordings. In fact for me it contains some of his darkest moments to date, yet at the same time it's an exceptional piece of work . There is something about it that keeps me wanting to hear it again and again, a dark organic substance of sorts which feeds the soul. Then again, that has always been what it is about Rich's work which appeals to this listener, the ability to not only go beyond certain states, but also to give back some sort of musical 'elixir'. At a time when so much of what we hear on the radio is so utterly vacuous ( and ironically downright successful) this comes as a welcome change for those like me who want much more out of what we are listening to. I often say life is too short to listen to uninteresting music. Robert Rich has certainly developed his own unique sounds into a more subtle and graceful palette with the passing of years and the availability of new technologies, but as I said earlier on, this stands up remarkably well. And as usual the production on this is first rate. I'm looking forward to the seven hour release I keep hearing about. Now THAT should test my audience. Reviewed by Hans Stoeve from the Power Spot website (used with permission)

"Serpent Mound" is a slice of Native American minimalism from Rusty Crutcher.  Rusty highlights the benefits of blending Native American sensitivity with modern technology.  He builds upon three major themes - an acoustic piano dirge, a synthesizer drone and Lakota flute melodies - to explore the spirituality of the Adena.  (The Adena people of Ohio created the serpent mound.  It is "the largest surviving raised earth mound in North America.") The exploration of the spirituality of others allows us, the listeners, to explore our own inner selves.  The solemnity of the dirge and drone suggests that we are to explore the darker or more sullen sides of our psyches.  The music maintains the even flow of minimalism, allowing for uninterrupted meditation or for relaxing background ambience. While I was listening, my screen saver popped up with J. S. Bach's "Toccata and Fugue."  (I am always amazed at how often that piece plays into today's minimalism.)  the effect was quite chilling and unsettling.  I sat back and let the mood and the music take over.  I just wandered around inside myself for a while.  I came back quite refreshed, having again confronted some demons and found them to be less than I had perceived. "Serpent Mound" does much to validate the inclusion Native American sensitivity and sensibility in modern ambience.  My own listening experience validates, again, my contention that many classical have places there as well! Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

Another Fine Day is the pseudonym under which Tom Green creates his solo projects.  He has, as a writer and producer, collaborated with such diverse performers as The Orb and Baka Beyond.  "Salvage," his latest solo effort, recalls those collaborations and then some. Tom blends ethnic (African thumb piano), traditional (violin) and electronic instruments to create a sound that is similar to Baka Beyond and Afro Celt Sound System and unique in its own right.  His jazzy overtones, tribal minimalism and experimental electronic sounds create the uniqueness.  The electronics are, for me, the threads that bind this enchanting CD to the ambient vision. "Lost in Space" features a piano dirge surrounded by electronic and experimental effects and samples.  It is a great track of minimalist space music.  It is also NOT the highlight of the album!  That would have to be Tom's instrumental transcription of "Scarborough Fair."  His interpretation of that folk-rock classic is the lead track.  The ethnic and electronic treatment of the Simon and Garfunkel mainstay grabbed my attention and said, "Whoa, Dude!  Pay attention to this one!"  "Irish in China" stands out as an 'East meets West' delicacy. All in all, "Salvage" has something for everyone.  Tom's virtuosity with the diverse styles and instruments makes this a winner, grabber and keeper! Reviewed by Jim Brenholts

"Thinking of You" is a romantic set of new age symphonic synthesizer pieces from the "man of love" - Kitaro.  It would be east to simply categorize this as formulaic and maudlin new age muzak.  At many levels of listening, it is just that.  However, Kitaro is so sincere and unpretentious that the formula works well for him and his listeners.  The pastoral beauty of his arrangements and soundscapes surrounds deep listeners and embraces them.  This is a journey from the heart and soul of this great performer.  It goes straight to the hearts and souls of listeners making the effort to go beyond the surface.  Kitaro belongs in the same league as Constance Demby.  Both of these superb artists embody all that is good and honorable in the holistic new age lifestyle and attitude! Reviewed by Jim Brenholts