Brian Eno ‎– Thursday Afternoon

this music will stun you in all its stillness. the soft ring of each key stroke will gently tap your mind before you zone out ensuring you're still listening. this music is a soundtrack to a lazy daydream on a thursday afternoon.

This release was one of the first pieces of music specifically written to take advantage of a 'magic' new audio format, the compact disc! That basic premise doesn't sound too promising but Eno delivers the listener a quiet, plangent, softly layered soundscape that is the aural equivalent of watching distant clouds form and dissipate. There is attention to sonic detail that rewards the listener who fails to 'nod off' or 'switch off'. This is classic ambient, rarely imitated and quite unique. The nearest thing I can think of like this is Autechre & Hafler Trio's 'æo³ & ³hæ'. Two decades separate these releases and although the base sound palate is different there is a 'drawing in' effect that is similar and satisfyingly attractive.

Possibly, one of the most beautiful pieces of music ever written. From the genius mind of Brian Eno evolves a random computer driven soundscape which evokes calm and serenity.

One of the first releases to take advantage of the then still new wacky world of compact digital media both in length and use of silence or quiet.
One that'll stick around for years.