Ambient Instrumental-New Age: Phillip Wilkerson & Chris Russell-Dark Measure

Release Date: December 10, 2021

Label:  Spotted Peccary

Website

Dark Measures is the release that follows the 2014 recording Vague Traces.

Getting the perspective from one half of Phillip Wilkerson & Chris Russell, Phillip reflects…"All my music comes from a meditative and contemplative place within awareness and presence," reflects Wilkerson. "I don't necessarily feel like I create music, but rather music is created through me by releasing my consciousness and willful direction of the music and just letting it flow through the channel of open awareness. Attempting to put the process into words feels like a disservice to how it actually happens."

So how does one put all of that introspection into each track on Dark Measures? I certainly have no clue; however, I can say that it is similar to my listening experiences. To put into my perspective as the intent listener is what I endeavor to do for a listening audience.

Ambient electronic music is fascinating to me. It is like watching an artist paint on a blank canvas then create a masterpiece of audible colors, textures, atmospheres, and above all, disposition and feelings. It is that very atmospheric mood that can set you at ease. And I would venture to call this project new age meditation music as well. It fits many molds from where I listen and observe. My viewpoint is all-encompassing as a listener. It offers many touch points that come and go with the progress of the tracks. The time slots range from 4:50 ("Faring Forward") to 10:54 ("Unopened Doors").

If you are looking for stimulation of a different kind, you may find it here. You need to know this is very relaxing and reflective music, so this stimulation end of the spectrum is passive. If you are further along the self-awareness and meditation path, you can seek this music out as a guide to get to your plane of existence, where you heal and find enlightenment. I found that place through this music with ease.

Some passages will peak your awareness and tickle your senses to invite new realizations. The result is always good when listening to the music, you will discover on Dark Measures. And don't let the word dark throw you off. The reference to dark shades is where the light may be. It is all upbeat spacey music that is good for the soul. Dark to light, light to dark, and shades of grey encompass this music from start to finish.
 
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
January 9, 2022

Tracks:
1. Unopened Doors        
2. Evening's Embrace        
3. Myriad Visions        
4. Deep Lane
5. Distant Vistas         
6. Unbroken Devotion         
7. Faring Forward

Ambient Instrumental Review: Nathan Speir-Romantic Electrons

Release Date: January 11, 2018

Label: Neptic Music

Website

If you have not heard of Nathan Speir by now it is time to listen. The creative wizard just released his 10^th solo release titled Romantic Electrons.

As advertised on the artist website, Romantic Electrons is filled with some ambient, chill and downbeat sounds. These tracks are interesting and entertaining at the same time. It does require a lot of creativity for one person to put together music like this and I can appreciate the time and effort that goes into it. The fact that I have always been intrigued by synthesizers and computer-generated sounds and those textures and vibes did not hurt my attitude giving this disc a spin. It opened the door to my mind and feelings. I could not ask for more.

On the inner sleeve of the CD cover Speir asks the question “Why do metaphors exist?”

met·a·phor 

Synonyms: figure of speech · image · trope · analogy · comparison · symbol · word painting/picture

Definition: A thing regarded as representative or symbolic of something else, especially something abstract.

So, is this music symbolic of electrons that are bent and twisted and turned to create the sounds of music that you are hearing, or is there romance involved with these electrons? I think for my own interpretation it would be the artist romancing those electrons to do what he wishes; thus, you have 11 tracks of some very atmospheric and intriguing sounds to hear. 

You can ask yourself all these questions after the one question the artist poses or just listen and enjoy, not thinking about anything. Once again, for my pleasure I like to do both. I asked myself that question, why do we need metaphors and why can’t we just accept what is and not try and put labels on anything? This can apply to anything and everything that is abstract, but again are these electronic sounds abstract or devoid of anything you can touch, feel, or get an emotional response from? The CD is an inanimate object until it starts spinning (and it comes to life) and you can hold in your hand. You cannot do that with sound, you process it the way you see fit, cerebrally and or emotionally. I am not trying to provide a thesis here, I am merely reacting to the question asked. It really made me think!

In the end, what we have here is some very cool music that can be listened at any time day or night. It does have moods, textures and colors. I cannot ever deny that vibrations which come from any kind of music have an effect on me, positive or negative. In this instance Romantic Electrons was a positive experience for my senses and it made me look at the whole picture. This is something I endeavor to do with all the music I hear. Each individual listener has the freedom to do with it what they desire, which makes it all more enticing to explore!

4/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Jan 17, 18, 7:06

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Tracks:
01. Charged on the Drizzle
02. Analog Transit
03. Admittance
04. Waveguide
05. Floating Ground
06. Late Blossom
07. Lost Proton
08. Propagation
09. Relaxation Oscillation
10. S.I.P.
11. Telegraphy