James Bernard - Only Now (2024)

Digital half-price until 9th August x

Music by James Bernard
Mastered by Alex at quiet details studios
Artwork by quiet details in collaboration with James Bernard
Design by quiet details

Extremely pleased to say that next up with their interpretation of quiet details is the wonderful James Bernard.

Since the 90s James has been responsible for some of the most beautiful and inspirational music around, crossing genres and always having a firm footing in the most ethereal of spaces.
Starting with the hugely influential album, Atmospherics on Rising High Records, James has continued to evolve in the thirty years he has been honing his craft.
Many self-releases and on leading labels such as A Strangely Isolated Place and Past Inside the Present, in addition to his work as a mixing/mastering engineer, have led to James being considered one of the leading lights in modern ambient music.

Only Now shows exactly what James is about in this moment in time. Stunningly beautiful waves of bliss undulate across each track - layers of delicate synthesisers and electro-acoustic textures so carefully constructed.

Using a range of carefully chosen sound sources, from electric bass to a vintage 303, cutting-edge digital synths, granular devices and pedals - he draws out magical soundscapes full of intuition and emotion.

As he says:
“most of these compositions are live improvisations using a single instrument source, performed and captured in one take incorporating sound on sound looping techniques
they have been recorded in different locations, including remote areas of the Los Padres National Forest in California (as you can hear in some of the field recordings)”

You can hear all the years of experience flooding out of the music, the patience and confidence in allowing things to bloom in their own time creates a feeling of euphoria mixed with pure serenity.

There’s a constant flow of meditative calm as the album drifts ever forward, this is music for contemplation and reflection - realised in the most gorgeous way by a master of his craft.

It’s evident from the music this is beautifully conceived, as it is from James’ words:

I find my center in the creation of improved musical motifs
exploring different themes, guiding them and shaping them
listening to them in wonder as they slowly morph, evolve
and form into something that is enigmatic
something that speaks into music, the words that can be elusive

this album would not have been possible without the love and support of one amazing woman, my wife cynthia

A breath-taking album of peaceful beauty, so pleased to share it with you.
Huge thanks to James for everything, a wonderful addition to the series.