SONIC SOLUTIONS INCORPORATED – Pax Romana 1-5

This is what I call ambient music!

Flowing, inconspicuous, calm but active… in the background, filling the space. The first thing I’ve noticed is that main theme has been stretched over entire album and percussions are virtually the same through all 5 tracks. You guessed right, not much changes in pace. Then, what keeps this album interesting? The actual existence of percussions that are unassuming, repeating theme that is calm + soft and ‘side dish’ of beeps, sounds and chords. “Orb on Thorazine” is what I call S.S.I.

More moving music then, for instance, Biosphere’s, Goff brothers named “Pax Romana”. Is it suitable? ‘Peace’ part certainly is. Promo info suggests mixing Kraftwerk, Pink Floyd with aid of modern computers and live percussion. Don’t agree. The only thing classic I find on this album is ambience. 100% of it. Sometimes it is electric (track 1), sometimes psychodelic (track 3) but always pure. Good stuff.

Recommending ambient albums.. hm.. tough ground. I haven’t checked Azra’s site if there were some samples for you to find, but if your musical interests span from Orb to Biosphere to even Orbital, you might fancy S.S.I. Note: they’re still far from mastery of abovementioned projects, but close enough to be taken seriously. Read magazine, a book or sip some tea – “Pax Romana” surely beats (holiday) music from your local coffee shop.