Various Artists "Floatation" (Interchill Records CD012) This is an incredible new compilation from Interchill Records and contains a collection of ten well chosen works of ambient music. The album features music by Neil Sparkes, Adham Shaikh, Ishq, Mystical Sun, Mere Mortals, Steve Roach, Makyo Clarity, Shpongle, Eat Static, and Circular. According to the liner notes, and the information on their site," the producers asked the musicians to imagine that they were lying on a beach in the tropics, having coconut oil slowly rubbed into their shoulders, and to make a tune to fit this moment. The pieces have been placed in a careful and intentional order that guarantees the maximum chill-out quotient." The order of the songs is excellent creating a deep chill state of mind for sure. This is deep musical navigation of the inner spaceways. Floatation contains some of the finest music I have heard on an ambient compilation in a long time. It is music that merges the primordial and the present with mesmerizing force and galvanizing power. It's like lifting off into an interstellar dream. What stands in this compilation is the careful flow of tracks, and the overall cohesiveness that makes thiscollection a real standout. If you're new to ambient music, or Interchill Records, I recommend you start here and plan for some deep listening. There is much wealth to explore. From the first notes of Neil Sparkes' "Miramar," to the final fading sounds of Circular's contribution, "Drifting," it goes boldy where no synthesist has gone before, redefining the boundaries of ambient music. Highly recommended. Review by Ben Kettlewell information: website: http://www.interchill.com/

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