With Eyes to the Height Murray takes the Ultimae panoramic sound experience to a new level of idiosyncratic creativity that places him at the forefront of the ambient electronica arena as one of the most innovative and individual sounding artists of our times.
James Murray‘s 2008 debut album Where Edges Meet is one of the hidden pearls in the Ultimae catalog. It was well-received but deserved a lot more attention. Now, as the British producer returns with Eyes to the Height, his sophomore album for the label, and considering the increased popularity Ultimae has been gaining in recent years, surely more ambient aficionados will want to get their hands on Where Edges Meet. Although not on Ultimae, Murray has been quite active since 2008, operating his own label Slowcraft Records and releasing several solo outputs with a more minimal approach, including one on Eilean Rec. called Loss.
Eyes to the Height contains ten slow-mo, provocatively controlled emotional outbursts full of caressing warmth and nuance. Each one is deeply effective, highly atmospheric and penetrating thanks to peculiar mesmerizing themes, minimalist beat work, seductive fluidity, spacious behavior, a soft, dreamy lo-fi roughness and graceful, spiritual restraint. Throughout the crystallized journey Murray fantastically manages to be emotionally bare and profound yet mystically mysterious simultaneously.
With Eyes to the Height Murray takes the Ultimae panoramic sound experience to a new level of idiosyncratic creativity that places him at the forefront of the ambient electronica arena as one of the most innovative and individual sounding artists of our times.
Eyes to the Height is available on Ultimae.
