The crossover from ambient n,nu -garde composer to space to new age is a \l,n anne Amacher, as seamless one, as younger well as Robert Fripp, Jeff musicians like The Orb, Greinke and Biosphere. Banco de Gaia and Aphex Completing the circle, Twin borrow, sample and Steve Roach and Robert NeW AgE pay homage to the '70s Rich, synthesists who have sounds of been making an increas- and Klaus Schulze. ingly organic global fusion, Another strand of musi- have both released their cians are creating a sound most purely electronic al- NEW AGE MUSIC been performed," he explains. called `dark ambient," a psy- bums to date. Rich has Continued from page 53 "There is one thing you can't recon- chologically powerful mush recorded with composer struct-the ears of listeners. They that harkens back to what Brian Lustmord on "Stal- Vox's " Diadema" (Real Music) and changed in time. And so, for me, the Peter Michael Hamel once ker," and Roach has re- creates almost hyper -real vocal question was how to do medieval called "tone color music." A leased "The Magnificent choirs on Sarband's "Libre Vermeil" music fòr a modern audience." litany of dark ambience can Void," both on Hearts Of (Mesa). Ivanoff makes no apologies be heard on the "Throne Of Tangerine Dream inspires new agers. Space imprint Fathom. for his artistic liberties. "You can SPACE IS DEEP Drones" and "Swarm Of This is rootless, rhythmless reconstruct the instruments, you can Some musicians are adapting clas- Drones" compilations from appropriately named Rhythm & music that truly journeys to the cen- reconstruct the hall, the church sical forms, but others are still setting Asphodel records, compiled and Noise. Humon has drawn from a ter of your mind, although you may where a particular kind of music has the controls for the heart of the sum. sequenced by Natu Humon, of the diverse crew of musicians, including not be happy when you get there. "For some people, it has a womblike warmth," says Roach. "Then other people say they felt very unsettled when thy% heard it."

PARADIGM SHIFT As soon as a trend is delineated, it dissolves like ink soaked in the rain, blurring the lines of distinction. New age music has been around NOBODY LIKE long enough to have its own cycles US! of convergence and dispersal, but never has it been so diverse. Benoit

Mandelbrot, the father of fracta I geometry observed, "Clouds are not spheres, mountains are not cones, coastlines are not circles and bark is not smooth." He might have added that new age music is not constant. kfoè 1>A Y 11.T 0 GA Cil 0 ARTISTS Continued from page 48

and \Windham Hill synonymous The LEADING citli IICvV ,LLc music Current release: Forest" (Windham hill Current Passion: Producing Hawaiian Company specialized in Slack ticv guitarists for his Dancing Cat label.

PAUL WINTER distribution and promotion of Background: Jazz saxophonist turned hybrid acoustic fusionist. New Age, First albino: "Jazz Premiere: \V.ashington" (Columbia), 1961 Breakthrough album: "Icarus" (CBS) Adult Alternative, Breakthrough event: The environmental movement Distinguishing features: Gorgeous melodies framed by impeccable Instrumental, Fusion, musicianship and world -music over- tones. Current Release: ° the Man Who Smooth Jazz, Planted 'Trees" (Living Music). Background: Born

i n Greece as Acid Jazz... \'anni Chrysssomallis. Came to America in 1973 to get a psychology degree. NEW SOUNDS MULTIMEDIA first album: °Optimystique" (Varese Sarabande). 1984 (re- released on Via Rovereto 23/29, 20059 Private Music) Breakthrough album: " (Private Music) Vimercate (Mi) - ITALY Breakthrough event: Appearing on the "Oprah Winfrey Show" with para- Phone 39 +(39) +69911 mour Linda Evans Distinguishing features: Over-the-top Fax 39 +(39)- 6991401 orchestral music and great hair Current release: ' " (l'riratc Music)

1996 54 BILLBOARD SPOTLIGHT BILLBOARD APRIL 6. www.americanradiohistory.com