2350.org - Compilation - Ambient Compilation 2

Namlook further refined his three Ambient Compilations from 93 when Fax released the Definitive Ambient Collection in early 94, which I've previously reviewed as an *essential* purchase for every Fax lover. Fortunately only three tracks were lifted from this release so it's definitely worth getting both, bearing in mind the 50+ minutes here which wasn't duplicated on Ambient World. Admittedly these Compilations are very rare - mine is actually the limited edition (Xmas 97) repress, courtesy of Andre, with cool artwork by CUE - but, they're all most excellent examples of PK at his early, ground-breaking best.

The continuous edit definitely enhances "the whole" ... in fact it's quite difficult to spot exactly where some tracks start/begin and the overall feel is of something as coherent as say the original Air. Detractors of early Fax stuff, particularly the vinyl, would probably say that some of these sounds are dated now but, if that is the case (?) then it doesn't matter because it's so good! Arguably, Lost In The Sea (Sequential) is possibly a touch naive yet, I've never come across anything else that conveys a dreamlike, sinking feeling so effectively. A real out-of-body experience.

The Sextant tracks enjoyed a spirited remix with Hubertus Held five years later (PK08/131) but, I'll still take these original versions ... it's a quality that you can't quite put your finger on. Another gem is the sublime Angel (Synsyl project) a wondrous precursor for The Mystery (4Voice) which is probably my favourite track, though none disappoint! One other way to pick up most of these tracks is to locate somewhat less rare copies of Rising High's Definitive Ambient Collections - Volume 1 being a reissue of the aforementioned Ambient World release and Volume 2 being the one which incredibly never actually made it onto the AW series.

(review by Paul Milligan)