Search - Harold Budd :: Luxa

Nice, very nice

loteq | Regensburg | 02/06/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Harold Budd's latest album is a return to the minimalistic style of his early work and to his collaborations with Brian Eno in the early-'80s. Budd's early-'90s albums were strong statements of his imimitable standing between pop, new age, and contemporary classical music, but chamber music isn't exactly my cup of tea (although the performance of the Zeitgeist ensemble on "She's a phantom" was flawless). However, "Luxa" is divided into four musically different sections. The first one features the more pop-oriented pieces, like the rhythmic "Niki D." and "Paul McCarthy" with its delicate harmonies. The second part of this album comes up with three minature tracks, showing Budd at his purest. The third section obviously was inspired by Budd's former native place, the Mojave Desert. Synth-driven tracks like "Nove alberi" and "Feral" are the soundtrack to a very hot and dry day in the desert. The last two pieces are dedicated to Marion and Steven Brown. Overall, the sound quality is much better than on Budd's earlier records. I think "Luxa" is his best effort since "The pearl" in 1984."

Same as it ever was....

Hans Stoeve | Cremorne, NSW Australia | 10/04/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Harold Budd is probably sick of reading this sort of praise about his work, but truth is truth. He writes beautiful music. I would go as far as to say pretty music. HB is not going to set the world on fire with his piano technique, but then again he would be the first to admit to that. He has a very minimalistic way of of playing the piano, a very much soft pedaled approach. When HB performs you have feel within that time stands very much still.Like most people who are aware of the music of Harold Budd, I first came across his music back in the eighties via the two releases with Brian Eno. The Plateaux of Mirror and The Pearl with Budd on electric and acoustic pianos and Eno providing shimmering background textures and atmospheres, both went on to become benchmark classic ambient releases blitzing what little opposition there was, and elevating ambient music to an art form.This is HB's first solo work since 1991. It's basically HB paying tribute to people like Chet Baker, Agnes Martin, Serge Poliakoff. The music itself is as usual very light and free floating, the sort of thing we have come to expect from someone like Mr Budd. Sustained atmospheres bring back memories of The Pearl. What a beautiful album that was. This is dream music, hypnotic in effect. This really is beautiful music HB.  "

My Second Rendezvous with Harold Budd since 1984

A 12-year old music fan | Hong Kong SAR | 05/11/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ambient music preoccupied the first half of my life since Eno and Budd had walked into my private chamber in the 70s and 80s. The mood and tranquility that being generated and developed through the collaboration of the two afore mentioned artists, which looked very much aspired by Satie, provided the most relaxing and meditating ambiance to draw city men away from the daily pressurized robotic life. Luxa - a name which made no meaning to me, rather all its masterpieces, had led me to travel through another time and space to experience the beauty and mystery of nature. Pictures after pictures, scenes after scenes, vivid, yet peaceful, flipped across my mind, as if it were an endless trip to a faraway land with no boundary. Hat off to Harold Budd. Ambient 2 and The Pearl hit 80s while Luxa took over the 90s and even transcends the Millennium."