Jazz Articles

Stephen Philips: Dreams 4

by AAJ Staff
December 1, 2001

Stephen Philips, the tireless and prolific performer behind Maryland-based Dark Duck Records, returns with two more albums of sonic atmospheres, one under his “Deep Chill Network" alias and another under his own name plus a mysterious “Isomorph." Philips has, in the last few years, established a niche for himself in the esoteric world of minimalist ambient. This genre is characterized by non-rhythmic, floating electronic sounds that are not meant as structured “music" but as a sonic background establishing mood and ...

Stephen Philips: Yukon

by AAJ Staff
February 1, 2001

Washington DC-area electronic artist Stephen Philips returns under his “Deep Chill Network" byline to bring us another album of dark, atonal electronica. There are four shorter pieces at the beginning, and then two extended pieces in the main body of the album. Track 1, “Cold Breeze," sounds quite appropriate with a hissing deep drone; track 2, “Ice Crystals," features water-like drips and glassy tinkling sounds. Track 3, “Droplets," is the only piece that has any kind of recognizable harmony, synthesizer ...

Stephen Philips: Dreams 3

by AAJ Staff
December 1, 2000

Maryland-based ambient producer Stephen Philips is back under his “Deep Chill Network" imprint, with another album of slow, somnolent sound. Unlike “Deep Chill's" earlier album, Heart of the Tundra, this one has more recognizable notes, sometimes even in conventional harmonic sequences like the notes of a major triad or fifths. But there isn't any melody here, nor did Philips intend there to be. Almost all of this album is done in series of single synthesizer notes, soft and mostly low-pitched, ...

Stephen Philips: Desert Landscapes

by John W. Patterson
December 1, 2000

If Steve Roach’s Quiet Music or Structures From Silence era releases are exactly your ambient cup of tea, your preferred sonic sauna setting, or you just want ultra-restful, deeply, minimalistic synth structures and unimposing drones, (pause to breathe), then add this Stephen Philips creation to that certain area in your CD collection. Whew, long sentence, as if I were a word-drone-smith – now back to the review.“Dry River”: Philips departs somewhat from Roachisms in adding some synth embellishings ...

Various Artists: Ambient Landscapes

by AAJ Staff
December 1, 2000

So far, 2000 has been an exceptional year for ambient music. The new releases that have come across my listening device have been filled with interesting sounds and evocative sonic passages. This compilation from Stephen Philips' “Dark Duck" label is an example of the high class of 2000.

Remember, new readers and listeners, that “ambient" can't be judged by the standards you use for either popular or classical music. Someone used to “mainstream" music will say, “Ambient DOESN'T GO ANYWHERE!" ...