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For those of you familiar to ambient music, you will surely have heard Tetsu Inoue's name, probably attached to great praise. For those of you who haven't, here's a small bio: Born in Japan, became interested in music, moved to San Francisco, started creating some of the most incredible ambient music in existence. I said it was going to be small!

Anyway, besides having tons of collaborations with geniuses such as Pete Namlook and Uwe Schmidt, he has a trilogy of solo work that is commonly regarded as some of the best ambient music out there. The trilogy starts with Ambiant Otaku, continues with Organic Cloud, and ends with Slow and Low. Organic Cloud is unique in that it's the only disc where each track blends into one another, creating one long and incredible piece.

To attempt to describe the first two tracks in words would honestly be an insult to their beauty. Evoking ancient images of a ritual, performed by Druids perhaps, The Night in Goa and Journey to Ixtlan are simply amazing. Rich, spiralling drones and chants accompany Inoue's masterful synthwork. My favorite thing about Inoue (and ambient music in general) is that the songs are more a work of art than just a "song." They transport you to places long gone, and you feel the majesty of it all - truly brilliant.

If there's more to be said about this album, it escapes me now. Unfortunately out of print, it is a gem you must search for, (and possibly pay a lot for) but in the end, it's worth any price you pay.

RVWR: Chris
March 2000

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