V.A. - United State Of Ambience Vol. 1 & 3 (1994-1995)

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V.A. - United State Of Ambience Vol. 1 & 3 (1994-1995)

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United State Of Ambience (1994). The first of the United State of Ambience series probably features a more stylistically diverse collection of tracks than either of the follow-ups. In fact, at many times the collection seems to veer off into the worldbeat genre, where sampled chants and hand drums take the place of synth pads and computerized sound effects. Other times, it hovers perilously close to new age. The compilation was released in 1994, when electronica was still a very new genre - and it shows. Both the Eastern-influenced "Goa: Season of the Monsoon" and the uplifting "Creation" are underscored with fairly up-tempo drum tracks - something you would never find on a more recent ambient work. This collection features some of the earliest offerings by groups such as Dubtribe and Rabbit in the Moon (writing under the name LunaSol). Though this collection came out four years before the chart-topping Pure Moods I compilation, it has a very similar vibe. One could say that it laid the groundwork for the hugely popular electronic/new age compilation. However, where Pure Moods features tracks that are commercial enough to be almost cheesy, USA remains happily within the underground. Though some of the artists featured on United State of Ambience became somewhat famous, none of them ever crossed over into the mainstream. One can only assume that it was their choice to remain on the cutting edge of music.

United State Of Ambience III (1995). The last of the Moonshine series, this compilation features some of the best ambient artists of the mid-'90s. Electric Skychurch and Salt Tank, two of the first live acts to ever achieve success in the electronic music scene, contribute one track each, just the same as on United State of Ambience, Vol 2. Skychurch producer James Lumb opts to work without a vocalist this time, and her presence is sorely missed. New to the lineup is Florida-based DJ act Rabbit in the Moon, known for its trancey-housey remixes and beyond-the-pale live shows. For this album, RITM offers up a vaguely tribal, quasi-hypnotic downtempo track – slow to build, but worth the wait. (Note: RITM worked on two tracks for the first USA album, but released them under the name LunaSol.) Lesser-known contributors include Lumukanda and Jain. Ambient supergroup Skylab starts the set with a moody, thoughtful piece that could be - and probably has been - featured on any of a hundred art film soundtracks. As always with ambient music, there are extended periods where the music doesn't really seem to be doing anything or going anywhere (the nine-minute "Withered in My Knapsack" is a prime example), but at least it's always pleasant. At most, it showcases the best in experimental electronica.

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V.A. - United State Of Ambience Vol. 1 & 3 (1994-1995)

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V.A. - United State Of Ambience Vol. 1 & 3 (1994-1995)

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