HAROLD BUDD & BRIAN ENO: AMBIENT 2 - THE PLATEAUX OF MIRROR

In 1978 Brian Eno took the liberty of only producing a work by Harold Budd. Later on the two were back together to co-write music for the first time. The result turned out to be some of the most compelling ambient music I've ever heard. Neither "The Pavilion of Dreams" nor "Another Green World" can beat this work.

There is not a single flaw from start to finish except for the closing track, a blurry variation of the opener, that only does little soothing and properly closes the album. Also, even though "Not Yet Remembered" is supposed to be quiet and soothing, this track is too loud in the entire mix of the album. That is, if you have access to a volume knob, you might want to turn it down when it comes to this track. Still, this piece is very, very nice. The Chill Air might seem to some people to be sappy to some extent, but I'm just fine with this kind of mood. This music is deeply intrapersonal, much deeper than any superficial romantic affair in music that I could think of. No, it's more than that.

Other than that, the album has enough reasons to win over its worthy contenders. But music, of course, isn't about competition. Why am I buzzing so much about this record? I have seven reasons for that. Seven tracks out of ten. These reasons are too good to be overlooked and they all won five stars from me.

Any tips for a stretch of appreciation? In my case, it is the tracks that evoked both the sparse landscapes in my head and the mood to those landscapes. I did not put any effort into trying to get the music. I just had enough willpower to give it enough time to get to me. All I can suggest is this: think of yourself hanging or flying some 100-200 feet above the ground or sea, and there is a huge sun shining on a few of the best things in nature. It's the sea, the ground, and the seagulls. Maybe even a few swings on a kindergarten area in the early morning. If that doesn't help, I'm out. Think of something else, I suppose.

The bottom line is: this is pure, ethereal music. Sometimes, methinks, it's too good to be held in human hands. OK, enough of crazy talk.

1. "First Light" - **** ; 2. "Steal Away" - ***** ; 3. "The Plateaux of Mirror" - ***** ; 4. "Above Chiangmai" - ***** ; 5. "An Arc of Doves" - ***** ; 6. "Not Yet Remembered" - ***** ; 7. "The Chill Air" - **** ; 8. "Among Field of Crystal" - ***** ; 9. "Wind in Lonely Fences" - ***** ; 10. "Failing Light" - ***

Recommended for all ambient lovers out there, especially those who want to hear some classical-jazzy connoisseur piano work backed with truly original sonic "treatments" from Eno.