Tom Vedvik - Ride to Shanti (Self Release) [Ambient]
Originally from Norway, Tom Vedvik now calls warmer and better-lit Los Angeles home, and being something of a climatic refugee myself, I can't blame him. He started making downtempo atmospheric music in ninety-five - probably for tired ravers, and never stopped, and he's been penning soundtracks and scores for a whole host of film and television productions since, which could also account for the move to L.A., I guess.
After thirty years in the game, he's still going strong, having just released his latest album, Ride to Shanti - a fine collection of variously classic, modern and cinematic-sounding atmospheric music. The album is a great start-to-finish listen, and a perfect chill-out soundtrack for tired minds and bodies, but overall a touch familiar sounding for a hearty, TSMM recommendation, although those less obsessed with more esoteric and forward-looking music shouldn't delay in hitting play. What I can heartily recommend though is the album title track, which ticks all my refined, electroacoustic ambient boxes, and is now sitting pretty in the Slow Ambient Playlist.
"Ride to Shanti" eases into existence with a subtle glitchiness and life's surface noise, which, if the track's finale is anything to go by, was captured whilst on a train journey. The machines are soon joined by some sparse, gentle piano caresses that ride the beautifully crafted ambient atmospherics - the twinkling keys the perfect foil for the grainier ambience. It's a thing of ambient wonder and worth the entry price alone, although I recommend you check the rest of the album too.
If this grabs you, and ambient piano is your thing, then I'm sure you'll be pleasantly surprised with Polaroid Notes' Quiet Rooms album.
Playlist Companion
Find Fedvik in the Slow Ambient Playlist.
