Ma Ja Le / James Johnson - Seed download mp3 flac

"Methane Sea" is truly a beautiful piece. It sounds just like its name -- it glides, swirls and exists somewhere deep in the endless cosmos, propelled by a constantly changing melodic pattern that never fails to raise the hairs on the back of my neck. That track is the central highlight of this album, which as a whole is quite evocative of the foreboding emptiness of space. Its title, Seed, suggests the birth of new life forms or perhaps the beginning of a new celestial body, and this is conveyed expertly throughout by the artists Ma Ja Le and James Johnson.

Other highlights include “Outside In,” which has a more ethno-tribal tone thanks to some gorgeous flute and hand-drumming work, and the tranquil “Hibiscus Ceremony,” which features gentle piano notes over a quiet backdrop of drones and rain-like shakers.

This album should be sought out by anyone interested in ambient music, especially space-ambient and those who enjoy melody interspersed with drones, effects and textures. As far as I gather, it can still be purchased from the Hypnos online store.