Debut CD 'Elements' by Japanese multimedia artists Nature of Dislocation is an intense, sonic journey. 'Atmospheric Current' brings you to the heavens for a look around. Droning tones growing and fading throughout seem to elevate you throughout. From the calm, serene beginnings to the rumble of dark clouds over the horizon and electricity in the air, Nature of Dislocation courses through you like a current, with an opposite, elating effect. Just as the darkness begins to roll in, 'Daylight' breaks, giving way to thick, lush layers of textures that build just a hint of tension, hold it, then slowly melt away into an uplifting soundscape just in time for the 'Lagoon' to open the senses. It's slightly darker mood is built around deeper drones creating a bed for more almost angelic textures the writhe upon. As the darkness gradually melts away, the angels are allowed to sing, but it seems a song with just a hint of sadness. An amazing release from this group of multimedia artists leaves only one thing to be desired, the visual aspect of their work. I'd love to see what kinds of imagery they put behind the music of 'Elements' to create a complete, aural experience.

Here Takeyuki Hakozaki's Pollypraha offers 'Jule,' it's sophomore effort. With 'Jule 0' we begin with soft, ringing layers dancing slowly throughout each other, evoking a very soothing feel and (at least for this listener) oceanic imagery in slow motion. This could very easily be the soundtrack to the right piece of film. As we continue on to 'Jule #' we continue the aquatic journey beneath the surface, looking up toward the world above. The longer you watch, the more you realize you're sinking, farther and farther from the surface, drowning slowly, yet beautifully. As 'Jule 1' begins, we step through the light, warming our salt-water soaked bodies, as we enter a plane of existence where everything is beauty in slow motion. Through feeding back of textures, watery field recordings and droning textures, this release transcends.

In his 2009 Release 'White Sun,' sound artist Chihei Hatakeyama takes the listener on a journey through a single, 23 minute track of textured feedback washing into a canvas of acoustic guitars painted very carefully, very delicately to create virtual dreamscapes. If you haven't been to the beach or flown over snow capped mountaintops... you'll feel like you had; you might even question the reality of these images if you let yourself go in this beautifully rich, warmly ambient piece. With it's morphing landscapes and flowing layers, it doesn't get stale, only more entrancing and after these 23 minutes, even the most savage of beasts will be properly soothed.