Bleep

Optimo delivers another absolutely crucial compilation of unknown-to-most ambient diamonds and new age entities on the lovingly compiled Miracle Steps (Music from the Fourth World 1983 - 2017). Pieced together by forward thinkers JD Twitch and Fergus Clark, the album features some of the most outernational discoveries to be found within the thinking behind Jon Hassell's early '80s ambient post-punk notion of Fourth World music.

From the second the needle hits the groove Miracle Steps is a deeply meditative listen, gathering together the very best recordings from the farthest-reaching corners of the record shelves of JD Twitch and Fergus Clarks they have crafted an album of incredibly cohesive ambient recordings that span countries, decades and sonically engineered visions. Yet with ease hang together via a thread of DNA that sees them all fit into the Fourth World aesthetic perfectly.

From recent acquisitions such as the strung-out drones of Robert Aiki Aubrey Lowe & Ariel Kalma's Mille Voix released in 2016 on RVNG through to the recently emerging X.Y.R. with the Emerald Web spun Middle Of Nowhere, the scope of artists pulled in expresses just how deep the thinking and research into this project went. Elsewhere we are treated to unknown gems from Afro-Disiak's late '80s percussive tambra number that is Tambours D'Eau to the Flying Lizards David Cunningham whose Blue River is so delicate it feels like the piece could shatter into a million pieces at any second.

If the [Cease & Desist] DIY (Cult Classics from the Post-Punk Era 1978-82) compilation left you salivating on Discogs over private press 7"s and self-released cassettes then get ready to meet your new obsession.