All Saints Vinyl & CDs

Review: The White Arcades ranks amongst one of Harold Budd's best loved solo works. The ambient pioneer and celebrated pianist is of course well known for his work with the likes of Brian Eno, but this 1988 album demonstrates how clear-sighted his approach became when he was recording on his own. There's a pristine quality to this kind of ambience which allows it to sink into any number of settings, but it's far from banal. The subtlety of Budd's composition and performance as the piano and synth lines enmesh is a marvel to behold, suggesting half-hidden mysteries waiting to be solved, but only when the time is right. If there was ever music to soothe a troubled mind, this would be it.

Review: John Cale's Word For The Dying album was first released in 1989 on the Opel label. It was produced by Brian Eno and is Cale's "heartfelt response to the Anglo-Argentinian War." It takes the form of Cale's favourite Dylan Thomas' poetry set to music and the lyricism and melodic phrasing throughout is truly sympathetic and complementary. The compositional qualities of this album are astounding and make for a resonant listen. This reissue comes via All Saints on limited clear vinyl and a download code is included.