REVIEWS reviews...... sounds...... pictures...... words...... links...... info written by Jim Brenholts for Ambient Visions http://www.ambientvisions.com/ Rhomb Hidden Topographies "Hidden Topographies" is a delightful surprise from Rhomb. It comes to us from the folks at The Foundry, a label in Berkeley that specializes in experimental minimalism and electronic music. Rhomb is not subtle in his/her/their message. The liner notes address discovery of new vistas and the limitations of our subjectivity. On the other hand, the music is very subtle! Through a variety of dense and drifting sound designs Rhomb takes us on a vast adventure through introspective landscapes. I was particularly captivated by "Ice Fields." This track conveys an image that very few have been able to convey. I like to call it "Tundra Desert Ambience." It has the feel of Steve Roach desert ambience and also recalls Vidna Obmana's early minimalism that I found to be warm and icy at the same time. (Rudy Adrian, Craig Padilla, Vidna Obmana and TUU have evoked similar imagery for me.) The entire CD combines drifting minimalism, dense atmospheres and experimental dissonance. Those complimentary and contrasting sounds give "Hidden Topographies" its charm and unique status in my library. This CD was released in 1998. It is time for Rhomb to take his/her/their place in many other collections!