Saltbreaker - Ancestor Midwife (Self Release) [Ambient]
- The Slow Music Movement
- Jul 19
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 21
Whether it's ambient jazz with Yali Rivlin, remixes for the likes of Sólstrauman, the new age sounds of Yimes with Andrew Taetz or his solo work as Saltbreaker, the ambient wanderings of John Hanson are something of a regular fixture in TSMM's pages.
Well, I'm happy to report he's back with a new album of electroacoustic ambient music, that was recorded over a two-year period 2023-2025 in his home city of Detroit with the help of a few friends: Jeffrey Niemeier, João Repolho, Sunniva Halstensen, Jordan Hamilton, Christine Hucal (instruments unknown) as well as reuniting with Sólstrauman for her vocal talents on "Entering Life as Wind".
If you've heard his work before then you won't be dissapointed by Ancestor Midwife, that muses on pregnancy, birth and our connection to the spirit world, and is another peaceful transmission, although if the album is autobiographical and there is a follow-up, I can't help thinking it will be something of a noisier affair.
The album opens with the blissful new age sounds of "From The Spirit World" and it's the perfect introduction for the fauna-infused, gently morphing drones and sparse piano of "Spring Sun". "Sign of the Midwife" is surprisingly anxiety-free, the more ambiguous field recordings melting into the elongated tones and pads, which paves the way nicely for the gently tension-building, ultimately cinematic and rightfully dramatic sounds of "The Labor".
"Earth Nursery" trickles water through the speakers as somewhat otherworldly flute tones welcome the new visitor to their new, well lit home. "Matriarchal Land" is a somewhat fuller-bodied, restless ambient affair; sonic currents washing into each other whilst twinkling machine noise bobs around on the surface. "Nights are for Sleeping", perhaps ironically, is inhabitated by all sorts of nocturnal creatures, before some gentle bowing and Sólstrauman's lullabies rock the little one back to sleep, and see this most pleasant album out in fine style.
Playlist Companion
Find Saltbreaker in the New Age of New Age Playlist.
