Robert Rich
Sunyata
Compact Disc / 2 tracks / 63.09 mins

Yet another in the growing catalog of ambient reissues, Sunyata is a Robert Rich recording from 1981-82, previously only available on cassette. It is historic because it was Rich's first solo album. The music is both subtle and intense. 'Dervish Dreamtime,' at just under 20 minutes, is the shorter by far of the two tracks. On the one hand, minutes go by where it seems nothing is changing, but on the other, there are so many layers of atmospherics competing simultaneously that a sort of ambient chaos ensues.

It is a remarkably mature work for a then-19-year-old college student, but then again he had been already playing music for five years. Some will find this spooky, some will find it beautiful, others exhilarating, and some frankly just won't get it, and would rather watch paint dry. If you are searching for the ultimate mind trip, though, this may just well be it.

Assuming you haven't left this dimension by the end of 'Dervish,' then the 43-minute 'Oak Spirits' should pretty much do you in. It starts just a touch louder, almost abrasive but only by comparison. Rushing water is very prominent in the mix at first, and threatens to drown out the synthetic drones. However, the drones increase, testing the limits of time, space, and the response of your speakers. The music has a sense of deep foreboding, seemingly always on the precipice of something without ever quite reaching the edge.

Finally, about halfway through, it becomes markedly darker and intense, and I find myself looking deep into the pit. I want to look away, but I can't. The water continues to run down past, and as the music lulls the fear subsides somewhat, though it never leaves entirely. The stuff of cavernous nightmares, which will appeal greatly to fans of dark, contemplative ambience. (PD)

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