HAROLD BUDD & BRIAN ENO: THE PEARL

The followup to The Plateaux of Mirror sees Harold Budd and Brian Eno once more creating ambient soundscapes structured around Budd's minimalistic piano playing. As before, the focus is on Budd performing on the piano whilst Eno's production and sound treatments creates an evocative sonic environment for it; this time around, the formula is spiced up by guest musician Daniel Lanois, whose occasional gentle guitar interventions steer things towards similar territory as his earlier collaboration with Eno and Roger Eno, Apollo. Blowing most of the New Age competition out of the water with ease, the album is a real treat for all fans of Eno's ambient work.