June 2003

Volume 1, Number 4

Soundician (ambient and new age duo)

George Skaroulis (new age/adult contemporary pianist)

COMING

ATTRACTIONS

Besides the usual crop of reviews , there are several new additions to the webzine this month:

Thanks to his generosity, we will be cross-posting Brian Bieniowski's well-written and in-depth reviews of ambient/electronic music. Brian also has his own website where the reviews originally appear, but he graciously allows us to feature them as well so that his astute critiques can reach as broad an audience as possible. Welcome, Brian - and thanks! Ambient fans, be sure to check out Brian's reviews. The man is as prolific as he is talented.

It's still in rough draft form, but finally, the Wind and Wire store is back open for business. Some of the albums for sale here at Wind and Wire are exclusive to our site (other than the artist's site, of course) e.g. Mike Simmons and Soundician.

I've published a "news/information" page for the month, featuring updates on artists both well-known and relatively unknown as to their current and future projects. NOTE: if you are an artist or work for a label and want me to publicize a recording or a concert or whatever, please drop me an email. I'm only to happy to oblige, but it's much easier for me if you email me than just to put me on your mass-mailing list, since I don't know what you want publicized.

Be sure to read the two great interviews this month.

George Skaroulis is one of the best of the current crop of new age/adult contemporary piano players recording today. He has some funny and candid recollections about the path he walked to get to where he is now.

Soundician are the personable duo of Kit and Odette Johnson who craft lovely electronic music that straddles the line between ambient and new age. Their interview is as unconventional as their music, yet is also as warm and engaging as their latest album, Tranquilicity.

Summer is here in Minnesota and the living is easy - if you don't count pulling weeds, refinishing the deck, and a million other home improvement projects. While my review production is up slightly from last month, I hope to do better next month. Thanks to my "staff reviewers" for helping me pull the load once more.

Wherever you are in the world, I hope your journeys are safe and rewarding.

Peace, out.

Bill Binkelman