Coming on the heels of his 8th Spotted Peccary album, 'A Walk in the Shadow Garden,' New Zealand ambient soundscape composer Rudy Adrian's 9th, 'Reflections On A Moonlit Lake' is both familiar and mysterious. Familiar because most of his work evolves from natural landscapes and this is certainly one. Mysterious because these 'Reflections On A Moonlit Lake' are ones you've never actually experienced before, and have an enigmatic aura about theml. Adrian captures the moments sublimely with the perfect blend of electro-acoustic elements to make you really feel like you're looking at reflections on a moonlit lake. This 11 track album is a spiritual successor to Adrian’s early releases 'The Healing Lake,' 'MoonWater' and 'Twilight,' realized as a return to these common themes and inspirations, but with new perspectives that musical maturity can often manifest.

Laid back is an understatement for this album. There is motion in the music, but it is very slow, like clouds drifting across the sky. Nearly as subtle as any "Eno Ambient," these barely there compositions are perfect for relaxation, meditation, and personal rejuvenation. Probably a great sleep aid too. (Listening late at night I fell asleep before the album ended.) I could go on describing the tracks in detail, but truth be told, none are really much different from the other, portraying a consistent mood throughout. It makes not much difference if there is a bird call here, the sound of water there, or a flute with rainfall elsewhere (Last track, "Summer Night Rain"), it is all part of a whole that needs to be taken in album context. (That's not to say you couldn't take a track from the album and add it to your ambient playlist; I would encourage you to do so.) The album's languorous spirit lends to a high replay factor. This could well be Adrian's best album yet.