hearts of space | news

PGM 1249 'ETHEREAL ELECTRONIC' : may 29-june 5

In the early 20th century, the Theosophists and the Rosicrucians theorized an ethereal plane—a nonmaterial level of reality above the physical plane.

When applied to music, ethereal implies subtle, light and airy, immaterial and weightless. It's a word that's often used to describe electronic music, where sounds are not produced by physical instruments and have an abstract, immaterial quality. This music can take us to virtual spaces and imaginary worlds.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, synthetic journeys on the subtle planes, on a program called ETHEREAL ELECTRONIC. Music is by NICHOLAS GUNN, DAVID ARKENSTONE, GILES REAVES, KEVIN BRAHENY FORTUNE, PAUL AVGERINOS, BING SATELLITES, IASOS, and ERIK WØLLO.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]

PGM 1248 'SIX DEGREES OF AMBIENT' : may 22-29

FOR DECADES, globalization has been a fact of life. And even before Covid-19, it was becoming controversial. Now, with critical supply chains being disrupted by the pandemic, we're having a bit of a rethink. Whatever happens with global trade, one thing is certain: the global exchange of music, film, art and media is a cultural fact of life that will remain as vibrant and creative as ever.

San Francisco is the home of Six Degrees Records, a company that's been dedicated to crossing musical borders since 1996, with the provocative slogan "everything is closer than you think." They live the idea, releasing a wide range of traditional and progressive music from around the planet.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, an Anglo-American ambient journey, on a program called SIX DEGREES OF AMBIENT. Music is by ANOTHER FINE DAY, TOM MIDDLETON, BOB HOLROYD, TOM GREEN, HALFTRIBE, ANDREW HEATH, DARSHAN AMBIENT, JEFF PEARCE, RICHARD NORRIS, and MARK ISHAM.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]

PGM 1213R 'PROGRESSIVE AMBIENT' : may 15-22

The "progressive" label is growing, and it has nothing to do with politics. 

In music, the term has a history that goes back to Progressive Folk in the 1930s. After that came Progressive Jazz from the 1940s to the 1970s, Progressive Rock, Pop, and Bluegrass in the 1960s, Progressive Country in the 1970s, Progressive Metal in the 1980s, and Progressive Electronic and Progressive House in the 1990s.

Progressive is what happens when a genre has matured, and there's an abundance of highly skilled musicians who want to stay creatively challenged. 

On this transmission of Hearts of Space...if the progressive label means expanding stylistic and conceptual boundaries and synthesizing cultural influences—then I'm gonna say we're overdue for a genre—and a program—called PROGRESSIVE AMBIENT.

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PGM 1247 'DEEP SERENITY' : may 8-15

The relentless pace of the modern world just had a global reboot, and the reason wasn't even human. It's beyond ironic that it took a rogue microbe to force the world to take a time out. Sheltered in place, working from home, reaching out with video and electronic messages, we're moving toward a world that's going to be slower, more limited, and less intense than before. After that, who knows? We might like it better.

For ambient and contemplative musicians, speed—or to use the musical term—tempo, has always been an artistic choice. And for centuries, a select group of them have chosen to make music that's slow, quiet, and heartfelt. If it sounds better than ever these days, it's because we need it.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, a journey from serene to introspective, on a program called "DEEP SERENITY." Music is by FLOW, PAUL WINTER CONSORT, AUKAI, GINA LENEÉ, KATHRYN KAYE, TOM EATON, PATRICK O'HEARN, and DAVID NORLAND.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]

PGM 1246 'DRIFTING IN SILENCE' : may 1-8

Flying.   Drifting.   Floating.
Three kinds of virtual movement we find in ambient music.

Flying...is moving through space with speed, purpose, and destination.
Flying is active.

Drifting...is horizontal. You surrender to prevailing forces and let them move you.
Drifting is passive.

Floating...is vertical. You hang suspended, neutrally buoyant, in equilibrium with gravity.
Like drifting, floating is passive.

On this transmission of Hearts of Space, we drift wide and quiet, on a program called DRIFTING IN SILENCE. Music is by DRIFTING IN SILENCE, MASSERGY, CLIVE WRIGHT, STEVE ROACH, PHILLIP WILKERSON, VIR UNIS, JOHN FOXX + HAROLD BUDD.

[ view playlist ] [ view Flickr image gallery ] [ play 30 second MP3 promo ]