Ambientblog Mixes

For the 7th year, the Dutch radio station Concertzender schedules an 8-hour ambient all-nighter on the night of the Winter Solstice (December 21, 2025). Compiled by four radio producers – Roel Janssen, Harrold Roeland, Bob Rusche, and myself – each of us presenting a two-hour selection. My contribution is closing the night, between 5am and 7 am. I’m not sure how many listeners will make it to the last part of the eight hours. That’s the reason I also post my contribution here as part of the Ambientblog Mix series.

This mix is NOT intended to help you sleep! On the contrary, I hope it’ll help you stay awake for a bit, or maybe induce some interesting hallucinating moments in your half-sleep. A two-hour trip through many different soundscapes: sometimes comforting, sometimes nót so comforting, and sometimes confusing.

For a more detailed tracklisting and a download option,  visit ambientblog.net

Tracklist:

00:00 Mendel Kaelen – Fertile Voids

After publishing many ambient mix-collages (87 and counting!), I decided to challenge myself. What if I combined ambient soundscapes and classical music? Would that work out? This proved to be more difficult than I expected. It proved to be much easier to combine abstract atmospheric music than ambient music with 'program music' like classical. It proved even more difficult when choosing from 'classical classical' music such as baroque music, polyphonic choir music, or music from the absolute giants (Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, etc.). Maybe because I definitely wanted to retain an introspective atmosphere, but also include some 'tension - release dynamics' to avoid the mix becoming too 'easy listening'.With only two exceptions, the 'classical' fragments come from contemporary composers. Also, this mix features fewer layers playing simultaneously (compared to my previous mixes). In that respect, this is more like a 'mix-tape' than a 'collage'. All titles used in this mix are fragments, only small parts of the original compositions. So: if you hear something you like (and I hope you do), please check out the original.

For a detailed tracklisting and more info visit https://www.ambientblog.net.

The Winter Solstice Ambient Night on Concertzender Nederland has become a yearly tradition: this is the sixth edition already of the 8-hour ambient music night presented by four of their radio show hosts. Like in all previous editions, I'm honored to close the night with a two-hour collage. My contribution is presented here, but for those interested, the complete night will remain available on demand from the Concertzender Nederland website.

Other than you might expect, this mix is not intended to make you sleep. On the contrary, the challenge is to keep you awake in these last two hours of this ambient music night. Which will probably be quite hard if you're listening in real time. As usual, only very few tracks are played in full here. Most are fragments, sometimes samples, taken from much longer pieces (which you can check out using the list below). This time, the overall key of this mix is E minor.

For a detailed tracklisting and more info (including a surround version), visit ambientblog.net.

My 2-hour contribution to the fifth edition of the 8-hour Winter Solstice broadcast on Concertzender Nederland.

For this fifth Winter Solstice mix, I chose fragments (most of them heavily edited) that are all more or less in the same key. In the first hour all tracks are in B-minor, in the second hour the tracks are in F-minor (first half) and A-minor (closing half). These chords define the overall atmosphere: from 'solitary, melancholic' to 'obscure, funereal', and finally 'tender, soothing'. At least, that's what the theory says. In the end, it's the listener that associates his emotions with the soundscapes. But one thing is clear: these two hours definitely fit the darkest and longest of nights.

For a detailed tracklisting and more info (including a surround version), visit: https://www.ambientblog.net/?p=30221

Could this be ‘the saddest mix of all time’? I don’t think so myself, I would rather call it melancholic – in a pleasant way. But it’s a fact that all of these tracks are in D minor (Dm), which is said to be ‘the saddest chord’:“The D minor chord (often written as Dm) is a chord that evokes a sense of melancholy and contemplation on the negative side of situations. Like many other minor chords, Dm can create a heavy, serious atmosphere — and sometimes even creates an almost otherworldly sense of drama.”

For a detailed tracklisting and more info (including a surround version), visit: https://www.ambientblog.net/?p=28862

This is my contribution to the fourth ambient night on Concertzender Nederland, which is traditionally scheduled on or around midwinter solstice. It was broadcast from 5:00-7:00 AM on December 25, and closed the 8-hour night.

As in all of my (Ambientblog) mixes, Winter Solstice 4 is a collage created from (short) fragments - hence the extended tracklist below. This time, I used a different method of selecting tracks: I chose only tracks in the key of C. (Or, to be honest: the tracks that my software told me were in C - I have no absolute hearing). It's quite a hallucinating two-hour trip to dive deep into. I hope you enjoy listening! And of course: feedback is always appreciated.

For a detailed track listing, visit https://www.ambientblog.net/2022-12/winter-solstice-4-in-c-mix/

Most (if not all) previous Ambientblog mixes always had some dark moments in them, they are never 'just' relaxing. You can only feel release if you also felt tension. This time, I wanted to avoid the darkness and create a 'lighter mood mix'. Not of the 'Ibiza Chillout Lounge' kind, but one that can be played in the background and is still exciting enough to listen to. I hope I succeeded, but of course, you're the one to decide about that!With two hours, Cloudwatching is longer than usual. Only a few tracks are included in their full length, but most are heavily edited or even just short fragments. Also, they are often overlayed, so you'll hear the music in a different context. The extensive playlist below may help you track down the original in their full-length versions. I really hope you'll enjoy watching these -imaginary- clouds!

For a detailed tracklisting, visit https://www.ambientblog.net/2022-10/cloudwatching-mix/

Apart from its opening sample - 'It is time to stop seeing. It is time to stop speaking. It is time to listen', from David Cronenberg's Crimes Of the Future - this mix has no central theme or story. It's up to you, the listener to take the time to listen and go with the flow. Let your fantasy tell you the story. And, after you did, I'd love to hear what you heard.

Start time Sample Length Artist - TitleAlbum - Year - Label

• 00:00 01:12 David Cronenberg - Time To Listen (Sample)Crimes Of The Future, 2022
• 00:04 03:35 Dronny Darko & Protou - Sin EaterLiberty: Compilation Of Experimental Music From Ukraine, 2022, Flaming Pines
• 02:28 02:42 William St. Hugh - Voice Of The DolphinsDominion, 2022, self-released
• 04:31 02:16 Tapani Rinne & Teho Majamaki - Lucid DreamOn The Border, 2022, Signature Dark
• 06:13 02:36 Ivan Cebrian & Victor Cerdan- Enemigo IntimoInside // Outside, 2022, Oigovisiones
• 06:40 02:30 Park Jiha - At DawnThe Gleam, 2022, Glitterbeat
• 08:49 02:39 Benedicte Maurseth - EidfyrderHárr, 2022, Hubro
• 10:47 03:51 Bill Fontana - Imaginary Sonic VisionsMSCTY Expo Unknown Pleasures Zone, 2022, MSCTY Editions
• 12:40 02:18 Alva Noto - Odradek (for Jhonn Balance)For, 2006, Line
• 13:31 01:50 Jacek & Ewa Doroszenko - Night MasqueBodyfulness, 2022, Audiobulb Records
• 14:17 02:27 Higher Intelligence Agency - The Black PatchSong Of The Machine, 2022, self-released
• 15:58 02:50 Siddhartha Barnhoorn - Final AscensionOut There, Oceans Of Time, vol. 1, 2022, self-released
• 18:27 02:24 Mike Lazarev - All That RemainsWhen You Are, 2022, Slowcraft Recordings
• 20:27 03:17 Orghanon - Dronework VDroneworks I-V, 2022, St.An.Da
• 22:13 03:27 Aleksi Myllykoski ft Wimme - Composition VI: Inherently Destructive ContaminationSt. Virus, 2021, Signature Dark
• 24:37 04:13 Peter Phippen, Rahbi Crawford, Invar Lunde Jr. - AndromedaGalaxies, 2022, Projekt Records
• 28:46 02:30 Jóhann Jóhansson & Echo Collective - Shell12 Conversations With Thilo Heinzmann, 2019, Deutsche Grammophon
• 29:46 05:29 Maggi Payne - Distant ThunderArctic Winds, 2010, Innova Recordings
• 33:08 03:07 Leo Kupper - Litanea 1987Complete Electronic & Voices Works 1961-1987, 2022, Sub Rosa
• 36:22 04:35 Monty Adkins - Remote CommunionRemote Communion, 2020, Cronica
• 38:56 01:28 Laurie Anderson & Kronos Quartet - Thunder Continues In The AfternoonLandfall, 2018, Nonesuch
• 40:11 04:35 Cell - Passive Control Part 1Onwards System, 2022, Ultimae Records
• 43:27 03:59 Alphaxone & Protou - Sub SignalStardust, 2017, Cryo Chamber
• 45:51 03:03 Wil Bolton & Francis Gri - The Ripples TheoryImaginary Tales, 2022, Krysalisound
• 47:54 02:11 Xqui - NarratorPieces Part 2, 2022, Somewherecold Records
• 48:45 03:57 Michel Banabila - AlienationMonochromes, 2022, Tapu Records
• 52:21 00:55 Stuart A. Staples - FluidsMusic For Claire Denis' High Life, 2019, Lucky Dog
• 52:31 01:13 Helge Sten - Quad 2Monochromes, 2014, Bôlt
• 52:45 02:29 Dean Hurley - Girl Appears /Black SmokeAnthology Resource Vol. I: △△, 2017, Sacred Bones Records
• 54:00 01:55 I Wound - To Wind, Wound, WoundHomework Year 1, Taâlem
• 54:52 05:07 Francois Robin & Mathias Delplanque - Le PuitsL'Ombre De La Bête, 2022, Parenthèses Record

This mix is created for radio broadcast between 5-7 am, but it is not intended to induce sleep: it is way too 'active' for that. I created this with the intention to manipulate your dreams when you're asleep or half-awake at the time of the broadcast. In that case, it shouldn't be played too loud or you'll probably not be able to sleep at all. When listening on-demand, at different times, sleep is not an issue. Just enjoy the ride and let the sequence guide you. But be sure to sit back, relax, and forget about time.

Winter Solstice 3 is created from bits, pieces, samples, and short fragments of music that deserve to be explored in its full original form; only very few tracks are represented in their full original length.

note: first time is start time, second time is fragment length

• 00:00 06:40 Loren Nerell - Last GamelanThe Gong Prophet, 2021, Soundquest Music
• 05:08 06:08 Erik Levander - MassaJöker, 2021, Glacial Movements Records
• 09:54 03:31 Alva Noto - Hybr:ID Oval BlackholeHYbr:ID I, 2021, Noton
• 12:39 02:30 Slim Vic - Ebenist (Part 1)Mörkrets Narr, Lamour Recordsa
• 14:51 02:26 Lustmord & Karin Park - PerihelionAlter, 2021, Pelagic Records
• 16:34 02:26 Hans Zimmer - Bene GesseritDune OST, 2021, WaterTower Music
• 18:05 02:43 Clarice Jensen - The DevilIdentifying Features, 2021, FatCat Records
• 18:06 01:54 Scanner - Drones Places 01Earthbound Transmissions, 2021, Room40
• 18:22 01:40 John Luther Adams - Arctic Dreams 7. Where The Waves Splash, Hitting Again And AgainArctic Freams, 2021, Cold Blue Music
• 19:47 02:46 Jhelisa - Heartlove F. 341 Hz V.17 Keys V.1, 2021, Dorado Records
• 21:02 02:34 Debashis Sinha - Rig_Veda000_03Anthology Of Exploratory Music From India, 2021, Unexplained Sounds Group
• 22:22 05:08 Caldon Glover - Gateway To The Fiber Network DeadworldDeath Mycelium, 2021, self-released
• 26:48 02:40 Otorongo - CjordsSpells, 2021, self-released
• 28:42 01:56 Shida Shahabi - Dog WalkAlvaret OST, 2021, 130701
• 30:21 04:19 Birds Of Passage - A Tale Of Two CitiesThe Last Garden, 2021, Denovali
• 34:27 03:01 Luigi Turra - IIPrisma, 2021, 901 Editions
• 36:52 02:29 Flin van Hemmen - Made Visible I IIYou Can Know Where The Bombs Fell, 2021, Neither/Nor Records
• 37:58 03:48 Hania Rani & Dobrawa Czocher - OuvertureInner Symphonies, 2021, Deutsche Grammophon
• 40:02 06:15 Abul Mogard - Black DustIn Immobile Air, 2021, Ecstatic
• 44:43 04:40 K. Leimer - Fanfare For The Illusion Of ChoiceFound Objects, 2021, Palace Of Light
• 48:45 02:34 Kate Carr - Nothing Is Immobiledawn, always new, often superb, inaugurates the return of the everyday, 2021, Self-released
• 50:33 03:22 Akira Rabelais - … Me Ce Reservoir …Á La Recherche Du Temps Perdu, 2021, self-released
• 52:51 02:46 Jean-Paul Perrotte - All Pulls Towards The SeaA Collection Of Works, 2021, Ravello Records
• 54:36 04:07 Mastrokristo - OceanDepartures, 2021, Lost Tribe Sound
• 57:40 01:50 Alexandra Spence - RainA Necessary Softness, 2021, Room40
• 59:13 01:33 Dustin O'Halloran - Opus 12Silfur, 2021, Deutsche Grammophon

• 1:00:39 03:13 Christina Vantzou - Releasing SporesReleasing Spores, 2021, Slow Moves
• 1:02:27 01:56 Iu Takahashi - Gallery WindowInterspace, 2021, Slow Music Movement
• 1:03:34 03:07 J. Peter Schwalm & Markus Reuter - AbschiedAufbruch, 2021, RareNoise Records
• 1:05:32 02:04 Hexa - ApertureMaterial Interstices, 2021, Room40
• 1:07:00 02:19 Lustmord & Karin Park - EntwinedAlter, 2021, Pelagic Records
• 1:08:34 04:23 Lustmord & Karin Park - The Void BetweenAlter, 2021, Pelagic Records
• 1:12:35 04:19 Sam Rosenthal & Projekt Artists - The Alabaster Reliquary Of Glittering AshesTim, Where Are You Now, 2020, Projekt
• 1:16:05 01:53 Jana Irmert - ControlCusp, 2020, Fabrique Records
• 1:17:22 02:09 Ben Salisbury & Geoff Barrow - I Am Become DeathEx_Machina OST, 2015, Invada
• 1:18:41 03:55 Gareth Davis - In Vivo IIIn Vivo, 2021, Iikki
• 1:22:00 04:08 Lab's Cloud - ReflectionsThe Structure Of Emotions, 2021, Ensancha El Alma Records
• 1:27:18 04:59 Matthew Liam Nicholson - Nine Movements (ft. Miguel Atwood-Ferguson)Nine Movements, 2021, Longform Editions
• 1:29:58 02:00 Michel Banabila - Little BoyDescending The Mountain, 2021, Tapu Records
• 1:31:18 01:53 Robert Lippok - M3 SGlacier Music II. 2020, Establishment Records
• 1:32:22 03:01 Thomas Köner - 33 31'N 35 19' E Hour SixLa Barca, 2009, Fario
• 1:34:43 00:53 Thomas Köner - 42 7' N 19 6' E Hour ElevenLa Barca, 2009, Fario
• 1:35:13 01:32 Jerusalem In My Heart - Qalaq 6Qalaq, 2021. Constellation
• 1:36:30 02:27 Alder & Ash - Stars With No Skytba (Salt & Gravity Series), 2022, Lost Tribe Sound
• 1:38:09 02:48 Kloob - Radiation CloudParallel States, 2021, Winter-Light
• 1:40:34 01:28 Ben Lukas Boysen - PremonitionRestive OST, 2012, Hymen Records
• 1:41:33 01:02 Jon Hopkins - Underwater
• Monsters OST, 2010, Domino
• 1:42:20 02:43 Janek Schaefer - Swallow HoleGlitter In My Tears, 2017, Room40
• 1:44:43 02:40 Snorri Hallgrímsson - SandlóaLandbrot II, 2021, Moderna Records
• 1:46:48 3:55 Skrika - Mechanics Of DesolationFifth Nature, 2021, Cryo Chamber
• 1:49:13 03:26 Monty Adkins - With Love, From An InvaderWith Love. From An Invader, 2021, Crónica
• 1:51:33 04:56 Tetsuroh Konishi - HarunaInner Winds, 2021, Off Record
• 1:55:39 02:14 Alva Noto - Hybr:ID Oval Hadron IHYbr:ID I, 2021, Noton
• 1:57:23 02:33 Michel Banabila - Descending The MountainDescending The Mountain, 2021, Tapu Records