ericsublett
This has been my favorite ambient album
since it came out in 2022. Ive always been fond of Budd and Ryuchi Sakamoto’s piano works in the ambient space…this album perfectly fills that void.
Favorite track: . . . on reflection (three).
ajpoet
Tender, airy and spacious, Basinski and Schafer's rich and pure collaboration is like cold water falling on leaves in slow motion, or bittersweet memories transformed into aural tincture.
Favorite track: . . . on reflection (four).
Time and duration are core themes in the work of both William Basinski and Janek Schaefer, and this long-distance collaboration took a suitably long gestation of eight years from start to finish. In that time, our collective perception of time has at times become disorienting. “ . . . on reflection ” remodels that instability as an exquisite work of art – one that is unmoored by time or space.
Limitation breeds creativity, revealed as an expression of minimalism and close focus. Deploying a delicate piano passage from their collective archive, Basinski and Schaefer weave and reweave in numerous ways, forging an iridescent flurry of flickering melodies. The sounds of various birds heard from late night windows on tour can occasionally be heard throughout, ricocheting off mirrored facades, reflecting on themselves as they continually reshape their own environments with song.
“ . . . on reflection ” looks backwards, a bustling revelry of positive emotions heard through the aging mirrors of memory. It is a celebratory meditation where sound shimmers through time like the light of the sea’s waves glistening as it folds and unfolds upon itself.
Created 2014-2022 between L.A. & London. Mixed at Narnia, Walton-on-Thames.
supported by 266 fans who also own ““ . . . on reflection "”
Even at 80 years old, Pharoah Sanders played his tenor sax with the conviction of a gospel preacher. Every second of this album is arrestingly beautiful. As far as I'm concerned, this is essential listening regarding all genres of music. 3sidesinasquare
supported by 179 fans who also own ““ . . . on reflection "”
Personally, this is my favorite Grouper album. The lofi sound of this record is amazing and it gives off that melancholic, ethereal, and somewhat depressive feel to it. That kind of album you listen to either when it's a cold early morning or when it's a freezing moonlit night. Love this album so much. The Laughing Stock
On her new EP, Japanese producer Mikado Koko deconstructs the traditional, mixing avant-garde vocals and glitch breaks with koto. Bandcamp New & Notable Dec 15, 2020
Deep, expansive drones that are alternately soothing and unsettling, with sudden moments of melody rising from within the fog. Bandcamp New & Notable Jul 30, 2025
supported by 176 fans who also own ““ . . . on reflection "”
A fantastic compilation/extras album, I love a lot of these tracks, they sound really good, love this. Though I really wish the CD version was here as Elusive Sunshine is one of my favorite Caretaker tracks ever. rod