“Slit-Scanning Meets Ballet in ‘Ambient Zone 2” – Creators Project
Following the success of The Ambient Zone (“An excellent compilation from the always interesting Just Music label” The Sunday Times), which featured the “world’s most relaxing song” (Time Magazine) in Marconi Union’s “Weightless,” Just Music has followed up with a second beautiful journey into the immersive word of ambient electronica. The atmosphere over the twelve tracks of ‘winter music’ perfectly encapsulates the approaching mood of quiet introspection, comfort in solitude and promise of the new, following the long dark winter nights. Contributors include some new names alongside familiar Just Music artists and alumni in the likes of Jon Hopkins, Chris Coco, Marconi Union, Digitonal and Echaskech, and the album features nine brand new tracks created exclusively for the album in response to a beautiful series of carefully selected photo images. Each artist responded to the atmosphere of the photo, translating the feelings evoked in them by the image into an exquisite and fascinating piece of music ambience.
To coincide with its release, director Richie Johnston (Weightless – Marconi Union, over a million Youtube views) has created a unique and mesmerizing feature-length one hour music video to accompany the album in its entirety from beginning to end. Shot in one continuous take, the video features footage of a ballet dancer performing a live visualization and interpretation of the album, to which Johnston applies a concept he has developed using a digital version of an analogue technique called slit–scan photography to create a totally immersive experience, a fascinating merger of sound and vision, to the most spectacular and enthralling effect.
As you watch, you cannot help but be drawn in with utter wonder and intrigue as the mind tries to make sense of the stunning imagery. At the same time, the video instills in the viewer a beautiful sense of calm and tranquility, a the perfect accompaniment for an album that produces the same effects within its listeners.
Pre-order Ambient Zone 2 now from the Just Music Store and immediately get the opening track ‘Sentinel’ by Digitonal.
Out now:
Just Music Store | iTunes
“It’s the idea of switching the engines off and freeing yourself from the noise of everyday life.”
Essential Ambient, as curated by Heaven 17 & Honeyroot frontman Glenn Gregory
Their twelfth studio album, The Fear of Never Landing, is set for release 6th June. The news is paired with the release of first single Eight Miles High Alone, and accompanied by the official music video.
“”If everything isn’t black & white, I say, “why the hell not”… – John Wayne
“Smell the sea, and feel the sky, Let your soul and spirit fly.”
“Every day I wake up and smile,
Twenty four hours lie ahead of me.
I vow to live each moment fully
And look at all beings with compassionate eyes.”
“I see ambient music as a positive force in our world. It can’t change it but it might be strong enough to inspire people, to help them heal and to spread optimism.”
