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New: Book and Three-CD Set
The definitive guide to modern ambient and electronic music! A must-have set!
Limited-time, promotional pricing! Instant shipping!
   
Tracks Across the Universe
A Chronology of Ambient and
Electronic Music
by
Jim Brenholts
   
Complete Book on CD-ROM! - and -
Special Promotional Pricing - $25.95 (plus shipping)
Three 80-minute Audio CDs!
Ships within 24 hours!
 
    CD -ROM
  1. Complete Book "TRACKS ACROSS THE UNIVERSE: A CHRONOLOGY OF AMBIENT AND SPACE MUSIC"

The definitive guide to ambient and electronic music featuring many interrelated genres. Over 200 pages of dense, beautifully written text. All major artists and releases covered. Many new and compelling artists also discussed. A must-have book and music set for every serious fan of this special music! Brilliant!

    CD - Audio #1
  1. Jeff Pearce - An Isle Songs For The Gathering [6:24]
  2. Craig Padilla - Distant Signals Unique [6:55]
  3. David Parsons - Ago Unique [7:31]
  4. Robert Scott Thompson - From The Free Field Alchemy [5:47]
  5. Robert Rich - Deliquescing Procession Mp3.com [5:58]
  6. Vidna Obmana - Temple Unique [6:26]
  7. Loren Nerell - Plane Of Density Mp3.com [4:37]
  8. Todd Fletcher - Refraction Unique [4:26]
  9. Ma Ja Le/vir Unis - Star Sailing Unique [5:22]
  10. Robert Carty - Deep Reflections 1 Unique [5:00]
  11. Tuu - Ghost Road Unique [4:01]
  12. Biff Johnson - Across The Crest Unique [7:52]
  13. Steve Roach - Ceremony For Ancient Unique [7:22]
    CD - Audio #2
  1. Constance Demby - Out Of The Mist Attunement [3:30]
  2. Suzanne Ciani - Love In The Waves Seven Waves Of Love [4:20]
  3. Kevin Keller - Across The Sky Part 3 Iris By Night [5:02]
  4. Dino Pacifici - Currents Of Space Unique [6:57]
  5. Kees Aerts - Put Me Down, Scotty Unique [6:21]
  6. Rudy Adrian - Rain Shadow Rain Shadow [5:25]
  7. Ron Boots - Sleeping Drive Unique [6:24]
  8. James Johnson - Slowly Away Unique [5:51]
  9. Richard Bone - Inevitable Zen Unique [4:42]
  10. Dreamstate - Between Realities Between Realities [4:43]
  11. Etere-o - Dedalus Pulviscolo [4:22]
  12. Never Known - Shifting Through An Abiding Rest Unique [4:25]
  13. Larry Kucharz - Space Noise Unique [4:52]
  14. Matt Borghi - Lucentia Unique [5:12]
  15. Max Corbacho - Predawn Darkness Far From The Immobile Point [3:55]
  16. David Tollefson - Painted Sky New Eyes On The Universe [2:12]
    CD - Audio #3
  1. Cornsmoke - Cambodian Moonlight Freedom Saviors [6:24]
  2. Raye - Liquid Silk Liquid Silk [6:21]
  3. Dubois - Blink Reinventing Me [6:58]
  4. Pemble - Sear Unique [5:57]
  5. Ian Boddy - Gamma Omicron Unique [6:04]
  6. Synthetic Block - 4 Days On Unique [4:26]
  7. Jim Cole - Noctillucent Clouds Coalescence [2:03]
  8. Jim Cole - Primeval Forest Coalescence [2:00]
  9. Roth - Chatter Tongues [4:19]
  10. Paul Ellis - Appears To Vanish Appears To Vanish [5:30]
  11. D.a.t.t. - Alpha Mastered Dweller At The Tape [7:49]
  12. Tony Gerber - Dusk Altamira [7:08]
  13. Spacecraft - House Of Gaudi Cybersphere (upcoming) [6:24]
  14. Metcalf - Seeking Guidance 2 Helpers, Guides & Allies [1:43]
  15. Forest Fang - Postcard From Heaven Unique [3:46]

PROMO package. Contains 1 CD-ROM with the book and 3 CD-R's with music. Co-produced by Robert Scott Thompson.
Unique means that the music was composed specially for this project.
If there's a text in Italics behind the title then that's the title of the CD where it's from.


The book is about electronic music and related genres (native american, world music, didgeridoo, celtic, new age, avant garde). The book is a series of chronological reviews and artist biographies tracing the beginnings of electronics and ambience from the mid 1960's to 2001.

 
Excerpts form the forward toTracks Across the Universe:
 

I have encountered many enthusiastic customers and music lovers in my 30 years in the music business. The levels of knowledge that they bring to their inquiries vary greatly in my experience. Three factors usually define the basic make-up of these aficionados. There are those with a strong, general familiarity of the music, those with tremendous hunger to dive into music they don't know, and those with a strong passion for the music they already love who will explore all edges and sides of their own self-defined boundaries. Seldom do you find one who scores heavy on the positive side of all three, but Jim Brenholts is such a person. With a voracious appetite, keen ears, and the ability to write about the variances and distinguishing characteristics of the music he so obviously loves, Jim's own gift is to share what he has found and heard while traversing his unique sonic travels. He's very receptive to the recommendations I make, as are most of our customers, and they are received with great enthusiasm (and a high degree of accuracy I must say!) by this fellow expert who really knows the ins and outs of electronic/space/ambient music. This music has been explored and written about way too little. An opportunity like this to delve into it and trace the historical and chronological development reveals a treasure chest of listening gems. Putting it into perspective requires quite a detailed perspective of its own. Jim Brenholts has such a view, stemming from the Vinyl LP days through the digital revolution, with the chronology carefully placed, and helpful pointers of peaks and valleys noted with great accuracy. It seems quite evident that many will benefit from his ability to put the passion on the paper as he has done with "Tracks Across the Universe: A Chronology of Ambient and Electronic Music."

- Lloyd Barde, Backroads Music
 

A BRIEF EXAMINATION OF AMBIENT

WHEREIN I GET TO SUBJECT THE READER TO MORE OF MY OPINIONS

Ambient music has been around since time began. The term is new. Webster defines the word as "encompassing." Musically, ambient is the ultimate background sound. While music has many functions in today's society, its primary purpose has mostly been entertainment. At times, its main function has been communication. Some of today's artists have taken longer steps. They are able to communicate feelings through music. They promote mental, spiritual and emotional introspection and healing. Others still put the music out there as entertainment. The recent resurgence of space music has been in both of those modes. Building on the rapid advancements in technology since the advent of the Moog synthesizer in the 1960's, today's synthesists are able to build monumental walls of energy or ethereal soundscapes. Indeed the term sound designer is new. The function is not. What does all this mean? In simple terms, nothing. The only consistency will always be, "I like what I like!" There is no logical explanation for the appearance of M or Captain Beefheart alongside of Richard Bone or Ron Boots. I like it, so I bought it and I wrote about it! As you read this volume, you will notice that I have made no attempt to "rate" the albums. There are no stars or bullets or any of that nonsense. Each CD is from my personal collection and stands on its own merit - or lack thereof. I relied freely on outside sources for data. (I have listed some web sites at the end of the book for reference.) I relied mostly on what the music did for me emotionally, spiritually and intellectually as listened. I also gained SOME insights from liner notes and personal communication with some of the artists. I used those insights primarily as starting points. Some of the artists were kind enough to assist with the bios. Some explained their musical intentions in ways that I had not considered. All of them, without exception, were glad to know that someone took the music seriously enough to write about it. Most of them were glad that I shared my opinions with them. (One of them requested an autographed copy of the book. I am both honored and humbled. I will certainly honor the request.) The reviews are, of course, completely subjective. The views are mine and I stand by what I have written. To quote my good friend, Lloyd Barde, owner of Backroads Music, home of the Heartbeats Catalog, "It's not like it's something important like ice cream." Indeed, if you are unhappy with some of my opinions (Tangerine Dream diehards will be outraged that I dislike some of their CD's), drop me a line and let me know. (My e-mail address is listed above.) I might or might not change my mind, but I will revisit the CD with a fresh perspective. I promise to respect your opinion. I also encourage you to visit the websites listed in the index. Thanks for purchasing this book! Happy browsing!

- Jim Brenholts
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