Nest

Love it.

I'm a big fan of Robert Rich & Steve Roach so I'm a bit biased. But this Cd is a little different than what I expected from Robert Rich. I guess working with Steve Roach rubbed off on him. The music is both calming and entertaining at once.

His music is always uniquely different, I guess that was why I bought his music.

Robert Rich is the honored guest in my home, I keep his music playing throughout the house just because of the mood it sets! Gifted, calm, inspired..

This is the best relaxing video, I have found, so far. I have used to sleep (on my kindle), every night for more than a month. I really love it.

Great to relax to.

While I own quite a few of Robert Rich's albums and enjoy each of them in their own way, Nest is my favorite among his recent releases. Having given this CD multiple listenings, I find that its most profound impact comes from the music's ability to convey a sense of both harmonious and darker moods simultaneously, yet still maintain a sense of serenity throughout.I would describe the overall feel of Nest as consisting of longer tones of lush harmonics which slowly shift throughout the course of the CD. These underlying layers are, at times, accompanied by softly-played ethnic-sounding instruments as well as some ethereal (and perhaps slightly detuned) piano sounds, which bring an almost Harold Budd-like feel to the music. The rich harmonic elements are a constant throughout the work, blending the tracks together, creating a sense of cohesion to the piece as a whole. While each track has its own feel, the transition between the tracks is often subtle; requiring an active listening to know when one track ends and another begins.The are also very subtle uses of nature sounds in some of the individual tracks. I appreciate this nuanced, deft use of nature sounds compared to how they are often used in a way that comes across as obligatory.For me, what makes Nest so unique is the intriguing mood that it creates. The entire album contains what I would describe as a "comforting melancholy", where the layers of light and dark moods are produced nearly simultaneously. As the music shifts, these contrasting layers gently crossover each other in very subtle ways, at-once lighter, at-once darker, creating a kind of emotional indetermination where the differences between the lighter and darker sounding elements are nearly indistinguishable from each other. The occasional inclusion of the gentle nature sounds provide a sort of serene backdrop; this serenity takes on different perceptions as it is contrasted against the slowly changing moodscape.All of this is done in a way that still feels gentle and enveloping, as if there is a sense of solace to be taken from the familiarity of the occasional disquietude. It is perhaps from creating this sense of comfort within the disquietude where the CD gets its title.The music works on many different levels; depending on the listener's mood, it can be something to contemplate to, zone-out to, or actively listen to. It can be appreciated as serene and beautiful as well as moody and melancholic all at the same time. Intriguing and intoxicating, I find this to be a refreshingly different style of music from Rich, and is one which I will find myself returning to listen to quite often.

This album was firstly announced by Robert Rich on his website at the end of August and by his words it reminded him the place he was about 30 years ago when recording works like "Trances/Drones" or "Inner Landscapes". My jaws dropped immediately, I was counting every day and couldn't wait to explore the next chapter of Robert's more atmospheric fragranced works. Inspired by the natural wonders during Robert's Australian Tour in January/February 2012, "Nest" unfolds with utterly tranquil ambience "Memories Of Wandering, Part 1", precisely bridging wonderfully captivating nature sounds with pristine and luscious piano and trademarking, quietly soaring flute-like sounds. Symphony of chirping bird sounds with gentle rain drops with Robert's virtuosity immerses immediately each listener into dense forest, and even if the night falls, this scenery is absolutely beautiful and contemplative. This peaceful sonic postcard overlaps also to the second part of "Memories Of Wandering", this time less organic, but still deeply soothing with quiet interplay of piano and washes, safely guarded by intangible choirs. This magically colorful sonic stillness holds each journeyer in highly relaxed frame of mind. Amazing flute wizardry invades "Seeking Eden", it's mysteriously yearning and primordial and is as good as anything Robert has recorded with this ancient wind instrument. Hauntingly evocative landscapes are explored through this powerfully distinctive electro-acoustic fusion. "Moss Carpet, Sky Blanket" dives deeply into subterranean realms with gently tinkling bells supported by deeper hissy natural soundscapes and masterful lap steel guitar techniques, sounding nearly like some voice roars. This is Robert Rich at his best and most meditative!!! The next composition, "Generosity Of Solitude", is again divided in two parts, clocking over 8 and 11 minutes. The first part, with piano, drones and occasional bells, is again wrapped by hissy blankets. A quite minimal and silent piece, but incredibly intimate and reflective, and enormously soothing. The second part keeps on the minimal, but effective route, where hazy nature sounds appear rather sporadically, with sparse piano textures interplaying with serenely expansive drones and soaring flute sounds, deeply immersing and bringing back nostalgic moments. Few distant, sort of thunder-like disruptions attractively color this piece as well. Meditative bell sounds and deep drones announce "The Gate Is Open", but soon cinematic drifts along with expressive lap steel guitar artistry join the stage for another highly distinguishing and intense listening experience, a journey showcasing extraordinary innate ability and perfection. "Memories Of Home" get close to 14-minute mark and close this triumphant performance with another expertly harmonizing mixture of piano, drones and flutes, surrounded by a tranquil atmosphere of cicadas and raindrops. "Nest" is musically beautiful and utterly captivating, accomplishing highly sophisticated balance between instrumentation and field recordings. "Nest" will resonate in my ears for many more hours. And my eyes are delighted again thanks to the gorgeous artwork by John Bergin, frequent designer of Robert Rich's releases. "Nest" is an essential listening for any quiet activity and another virtuoso performance by Robert Rich, one of the giants of the genre!!!Richard Gürtler (Nov 11, 2012, Bratislava, Slovakia)

EXCELLENT.

Sehr zu empfehlen für alle jene, die der Slow Motion in der Musik etwas abgewinnen können.Viel mehr Spannung und auch Gefühl kann Ambient Music nicht bieten als "Nest".

Si l'absence de rythmes, de percussions peut vite nous faire sombrer dans l'ennui, cet album est à écouter comme une oeuvre méditative. Un peu long parfois. 13,9 / 20