Deep dive into outsider music from down under. Midday Moon is a survey of ambient and experimental music that emerged from Australia and New Zealand between 1980 and 1995 curated by Australian DJ and archivist Sanpo Disco (a.k.a. Rowan Mason), and boy are these tracks deep! Sourced from a plethora of micro-labels, private pressings, theatre soundtracks, and even artists' unreleased archives, this compilation is an odyssey in itself. The album takes you on a journey through the unsung (and criminally slept on) world of new age composers from the southern hemisphere isles. As synthesizers and early workstations were entering the consumer marketplace, a new world of sound came with it, conjuring up interior and exterior landscapes and atmospheres from acoustic and synthesized sounds. The songs on this compilation are crafted with synths, field recordings, and traditional - if obscure - instruments, resulting in a warm and dynamic sonic world of impressionistic sounds. Some songs to check out include Blair Greenberg's three pieces "Beach," "Rainforest," and "Gleaming," the cosmic cuts "Starzones" by Ros Bandt or "Quinque II" by Mark Pollard. "Under The Sun" by Helen Ripley-Marshall is on that low-key jazz tip while Sam Mallet's reverb-washed "Westgate Bridge at Dawn" is a perfect track for a late night or early morning session. 19 Tracks in all pressed on 2 LP's, housed in a gatefold sleeve with detailed track credits and liner notes from curator Rowan Mason. Released by Bedroom Suck Records. This has been selling out everywhere it's available, so don't sleep! Recommended.

• 2 LP housed in gatefold sleeve
• includes detailed track credits + liner notes
• music label: Bedroom Suck Records 2019

reviewed by Ralphy Corduroy 2/2019