Search - Ed Van Fleet :: Oceans

Kristi M. from HOBBS, NM
Reviewed on 8/8/2006...

Soothing, beautiful, relaxing - nice.

Gently mysterious and well-crafted

Brianna Neal | USA | 12/31/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ed Van Fleet combines his trademark synthesizer compositions with recorded ocean sounds to produce a relaxing yet thought-provoking listening experience. All the selections are in a minor key, but not ponderously so. Rather, they have light, bouyant, mysterious qualities reflective of a calm yet wonder-filled exploration of the unknown. The simultaneous beauty, quietude and adventure of life on, in and by the sea is nicely captured here in all its variety. Much of the New Age music that appeals to me is either extremely energizing or soothing to the point of sedation, but this recording does neither of those things, finding instead a comfortable and intriguing middle ground between the two extremes. What I like about Ed Van Fleet's compositions is that, though replete with texture and atmosphere, they feature harmonic structures and melodic elements that are engaging enough hold a listener's attention. They really do sound like music rather than just collections of cool, atmospheric sounds. There is progression and purpose; the pieces begin pregnant with promise and then deliver, at least enough to keep the listener hungry for whatever might come next. And indeed, in this recording, the whole point seems to be depicting the haunting-yet-enticing quality of the ocean, which always has something of value to offer but never reveals all the secrets (or hazards!) hidden in its depths. "Oceans" is the mellow cousin to another of Van Fleet's releases, "The Forgotten Tribe", which is more intense and cinematic, and definitely worth seeking out as well. For another musical take on the ocean, try the exotically meditative "Pacific Moon" of Gary Stroutsos, and if you are in the market for more gentle music of exploration and journeying, try the recordings of Jeff Johnson and Brian Dunning, and Tim and Paul Frantzich."

Music so beautiful, it almost hurts!

angierfam | VT United States | 03/14/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have this in cassette form, and am now buying it in CD form, because it is absolutely wonderful!!!

I always go to sleep with music, and this is a perfect CD for that, hauntingly beautiful, espcecially #3 Tides!!!

Click on the listening samples and you'll see what I mean!"