Biosphere: Substrata LP (Biophon) If albums were like football matches, then this vinyl re-issue of 'Substrata' by Norwegian-born ambient pioneer Biosphere is a game of two halves. The first half is all melody, melancholy and mourning: elegiac strings performed by submerged orchestras. The second half becomes a lot more abstract, with more of a reliance on elongated drone and field recordings. Despite being released back in 1997, this has lost none of its power.

Biosphere: N-Plants LP (Biophon) Sonically its a lot less spacious than previous works, less of a reliance on field recordings and natural atmosphere and more on compressed electronics. Melodies constructed from tones and bleeps and strings that sound more synthetic than orchestral. As a result, a few tracks are actually quite danceable, the signature track being 'Genkai-1' with its ominous bassline and slow-motion swagger. Unsettling ambience par excellence.