Opening with “Ice Forest”, this composition is a gently affecting, minimal ambient piece that feels somewhat reminiscent of composer Harold Budd, with its drifty piano notes hovering amid subtly-shifting tones, as it perfectly evokes a quietly peaceful and snowy landscape. The second piece, “Snowfall” is my favorite of the three, as it pleasantly brings-to-mind the similarly more ambient-space compositions of Jeff Pearce or Michael Stearns. Comprised of slowly-evolving textures that collectively form an expansive, blanketing atmosphere, this gorgeous composition perfectly imparts a sense of deep reflection and nocturnal observation. Finally, “Winter’s Grace” closes the set with a gentle and understated melody comprised of keyboard and soft strings that lends the piece a stylistically more contemporary instrumental/new age feel. In fact, it reminds me somewhat of David Arkenstone’s outstanding winter-themed album Snowfall.
Spanning just thirteen minutes, Winter Vol. 3 sells for less than three dollars online and is a beautiful treasure to own, particularly for fans of seasonal ambient and new age music. I’m looking forward to more installments in this (and possibly other seasonal) series, as well as a follow-up to Pangaea Projekt’s full-length debut! ~Candice Michelle
For more information please visit the artist's website. This release is also available on Amazon, iTunes and Google Play.
