Due to his past as a former Genesis member, Anthony Phillips is a name that may not need much introduction within prog rock circles. However, I wanted to write this entry because his latest two releases are worth discussing beyond the borders of taste niches, thanks to their unique exploration of ambient music infused with classical sensitivity and subtle hints of his prog rock background.

First up is “Golden Hour,” released on the 22nd of March under the label Esoteric Antenna. It forms part of his “Private Parts and Pieces” series. According to Phillips, this album is “a traditional PPP album of old, a collection of pieces of disparate background hopefully constituting a cohesive whole.” I’d describe it as extensive, given its length is double that of a typical album, featuring 23 distinct pieces to enjoy. The tracks vary widely in instrumentation: some are piano and classical guitar solos, while others feature Phillips’ signature 12-string guitars and soft vocals. The fascinating blend of classical music sensitivity and prog rock influences is present, but there's also a significant ambient music component. Remarkably, the album's cohesiveness makes it easy to listen to in one sitting, a testament to Phillips' vision.

The second release, “Cinematic Guitars,” is a collaboration with James Collins, who also contributed to some ambient tracks on “Golden Hour.” This album is a stunning collection of ambient music, characterized by highly processed guitars playing single chord arpeggios, enhanced by beautiful time-processing effects and synthetic rhythms paired with minimalism. It’s a comprehensive suite of ambient music, distinctly marked by Phillips' unique style.

I highly recommend exploring these two albums, particularly “Cinematic Guitars,” as Phillips' ambient works are often available on streaming platforms for a limited time. These releases are likely to appeal to prog music enthusiasts, casual classical listeners, and anyone looking for ambient music that fits any setting.

Anthony Phillips official website: http://www.anthonyphillips.co.uk

Author: Martín Cacho

Martín is a video game composer, producer and writer from Sonora, México.