Environments: a pioneering 1970s ambient soundscape series now in app form

David Pescovitz 10:10 am Fri Feb 9, 2018

In 1969, Irv Teibel(1938-2010) released a record that would have a profound impact on ambient and New Age music that's continues to this day. "Environments 1: Psychologically Ultimate Seashore" was the first in a catalog of albums that melded pop psychology with environmental sound recording to sooth the mind. Over the years, Treibel's company Syntonic Ressearch Inc. produced 11 albums with 22 soundscapes ranging from "Optimum Aviary" to "Wood-Masted Sailboat" to "Ultimate Heartbeat."

"The music of the future isn't music," Teibel said.

Now, audio archaeologist Douglas Mcgowan, curator of the sublime I Am The Center New Age compilation that I raved about here, Syntonic Research Inc, and the fine folks at Numero Group have brought the Environments catalog to iOS. Environments is now a fantastic $2.99 app with all 22 remastered long-form soundscapes in easily swipeable form. It's intuitive, beautifully minimalist, and a perfect evolution of the original work. Turn on, tune in, chill out.

Environments for iOS (iTunes)

For the whole Environments story, read: Natural Selection (Pitchfork)

Watch Blondie's Debbie Harry on a pogo stick explaining the punk Pogo dance (1978)

Here's the great Debbie Harry of Blondie explaining the Pogo dance on a 1978 episode of TV Party, the iconic NYC public access cable TV program hosted by Glenn O'Brien… READ THE REST
Kool & The Gang co-founder Ronald "Khalis" Bell, RIP

Ronald “Khalis” Bell, co-founder of legendary funk-soul band Kool & The Gang and co-writer of classic jams "Ladies’ Night,” “Jungle Boogie” and “Celebration," has died. He was 68. From Rolling… READ THE REST
Why The Animals' Eric Burdon is OK with Trump using "House of the Rising Sun"

Last week when Trump arrived in Wilmington, North Carolina for an appearance, The Animals classic 1964 hit "House of the Rising Sun" blared from the loudspeakers. The Animals' Eric Burdon… READ THE REST
Short Post, just one paragraph

Dessert cheesecake wafer bear claw fruitcake. Fruitcake chupa chups donut candy canes marzipan. Apple pie sweet roll tart chocolate cake macaroon marshmallow carrot cake gummi bears sweet. Pastry sugar plum… READ THE REST
Save 50% on a 1-year subscription to Dashlane's premium password manager

We all know vital information about ourselves and our private digital accounts can be compromised by cybercriminals. However, many would be frightened to know just how compromised they and their… READ THE REST
The Bite Helper removes the itch of a mosquito bite in seconds

While mosquitoes have certainly earned their title as the deadliest animal on earth, their impact on most of our lives is usually a lot less consequential. But even though they… READ THE REST