2. We Three Kings - CRYSTAL DREAMS
3. Through The Snow - BING SATELLITES
4. Treetops Glisten - C.paradisi
5. Seed Beneath The Snow - GREGG PLUMBER
6. Stardust Amidst A Silent Night - MAGNETIC WIND
7. Crystalline - EYES CAST DOWN
8. Midwinter - THE AMBIENT VISITOR
9. Underneath The Mistletoe - SHANE MORRIS
10. Winter Psylence - TANGE
11. Alluvial - BENJAMIN DAUER
12. Winter Sky Memories - ANDREW LAHIFF
13. The Star - PHILLIP WILKERSON
14. Pinegrove - ALTUS
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A man of many and sometimes unexpected talents, The King Of Jingaling, Brad Ross-MacCleod--the beloved and revered proprietor of FaLaLaLaLa.com-- is also the host of an Ambient music Internet radio program, "Free Floating", which is part of the Ambient StillStream network. For the unitiated, Ambient music can cover quite a bit of ground. Some New Age music would be considered Ambient. Some not so much. Same with Electronica. Some artists whom you might see in a Progressive Rock play list might qualify, too, such as Brian Eno or Vangelis. Ambient music is all about arranging the music in such a way as to provoke certain kinds of sensations and visualizations. "Free Floating" is actually a pretty decent description. Of course, this explanation is coming from someone who has a minimal understanding of the form, me, even if I enjoy some of the music.
That said, what about "All Is Calm 2011". Well, I don't know art but I know what I like. And, for whatever reason, I've always liked The Bing Satellites. This year, they give us a ten minute trip "Through The Snow". I also liked "Musicbox Musings" from Burning Artist, "Treetops Glisten" from C.paradisi, and "Underneath The Mistletoe" from Shane Morris. I like Phillip Wilkerson's work, too. And it was interesting to hear an Ambient perspective on a traditional carol, "We Three Kings", done here by Crystal Dreams. But clearly I am not you, and neither you nor I have had a good chance to listen to this straight through. Choose your setting well--a recliner, a hot bath, a brisk walk in the nighttime air--and let the music, and let yourself, breathe.