"If Surround can be listened to as music that’s as close to air itself, allowing us to enter each listener’s sound scenery, or as something that exists within a new perspective, expanding the middle ground between sound and music, and transforming it into a comfortable space, it would be much appreciated."
— Hiroshi Yoshimura
Originally released as an album in January 1986, Surround was recorded by Yoshimura as a commission from home builder Misawa Homes as part of their Soundscape series, intended to function as an “amenity” designed to enhance the company’s newly built living spaces.
In his original notes for the album, Yoshimura recommends that Surround be placed in the same family of sounds “as the vibration of footsteps, the hum of an air conditioner, or the clanging of a spoon inside a coffee cup.” And, as he suggests, “with the addition of city noise from outside the window,” you may hear Surround in a completely new way.
A pioneer in the field of environmental music, Yoshimura’s previous works included Music For Nine Post Cards (1982), originally produced to be played back inside a museum space, and designing sound environments for public spaces and subway systems. Surround was recorded almost concurrently with the acclaimed and popular GREEN (1986); the two albums are described by Hiroyoshi Shiokawa in his liner notes as being Yoshimura’s yin and yang.
— Hiroshi Yoshimura
Originally released as an album in January 1986, Surround was recorded by Yoshimura as a commission from home builder Misawa Homes as part of their Soundscape series, intended to function as an “amenity” designed to enhance the company’s newly built living spaces.
In his original notes for the album, Yoshimura recommends that Surround be placed in the same family of sounds “as the vibration of footsteps, the hum of an air conditioner, or the clanging of a spoon inside a coffee cup.” And, as he suggests, “with the addition of city noise from outside the window,” you may hear Surround in a completely new way.
A pioneer in the field of environmental music, Yoshimura’s previous works included Music For Nine Post Cards (1982), originally produced to be played back inside a museum space, and designing sound environments for public spaces and subway systems. Surround was recorded almost concurrently with the acclaimed and popular GREEN (1986); the two albums are described by Hiroyoshi Shiokawa in his liner notes as being Yoshimura’s yin and yang.
STAFF COMMENTS
Barry says: One of the finest ambient composers of his generation brings us an album in the same world as his much-lauded 'Green', and it's more fluttering new-age ambient with atmospheric organic syncopation and environmental noise. There's an otherworldly experience to be had by sitting and listening to these at high volume, so it's a delight to have 'Surround' next to the player too.TRACK LISTING
1. Time After Time
2. Surround
3. Something Blue
4. Time Forest
5. Water Planet
6. Green Shower