Gryphon: Red Queen to Gryphon Tree (Folk, Instrumental, Progressive Rock) (1974)

Other than the song titles and the occasional tension, not much gives the impression of a "chess album" but the slight medieval tinges and pleasant motifs (especially on the 3rd song) do give a beautiful archaic tang much like much of fantastical scene of 70s UK prog, but this much with an apparent baroque and folk influence while still maintaining electronic instruments, organs, a rustic percussion section and all the gimmicks and intricacies of prog.

Medieval Folk/Progressive Folk/Progressive Rock

Clams Casino: Instrumentals (2011) (Electronic,Hip-hop,Instrumental)

Icy beats, that helped solidify cloud rap as a genre. Surreal warped vocals and spacy samples allow for not only a fruitful, ethereal background listen but a cerebral sound that grows on listeners. It is repetitive enough that the loops get stuck in your head but intricate enough to be worthwhile. A benchmark in the genre.

Best Tracks: Motivation, Real Shit, Realist Alive*, Numb, What You Doin', The World Needs Change, Illest Alive




Cloud Rap/Electronic/ Instrumental Hip-hop/ Witch-house

Ahmedou Ahmed Lowla: Terrouzi (2019) (Electronic,Instrumental)

The occasional trap drums can be stale but the Moorish instrumentation can often be worthwhile and some melodies are catchy. The album is, for the most part, mellow and warm, well fit for summer listening.





Best Tracks: Khal Kar, Kar, Lestkal, Niamey*, Mentou*


B


Electronic/ Ethnic Psybient/ Moorish Instrumental


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Brian Eno: Apollo (1983) (Ambient, Instrumental)

It's easy to see why Brian Eno is not only one of the most influential figures in ambient music but also music in general. The textures and soundscapes that he conjures are serene, meditative and ethereal keeping you in a hypnotic trance then bursting out in moments of subtle intensity when you least expect it, making it certain this album could not be dismissed as "just background music". This is largely due to the borrowed elements of sleepy country and classical music and the large, wonderous tone the album sets. Though an ambient album and much of it can be characterized as unintrusive, it was not long before I was taken in awe by creeping beauty and wonder that Brian Eno conjured on Apollo. 

Best Tracks: Under Stars, Signals, An Ending (Ascent)*, Under Stars II, Silver Morning, Deep Blue Day, Weightless*, Always Returning*, Stars

A+ Spacy Vibes/Ambient

D'eon: Music for Keyboards IV (2013) (Electronic,Folk,Instrumental)

Pleasant, minimalist, instrumental medieval Celtic tunes. The transitions from dreamy ambient to jumpy folk may seem jarring but the whole album embarks listeners on an earthy almost exalting journey, that manages to stay aesthetically consistent. Though very organic sounding, the melodies are executed in an electronic, poppy fashion by keyboard. At times the instrumental arrangments and patterns may feel a bit stiff, however, the instruments used and the simple approach allow for a fruitful listen. 

Best Tracks: Sewer Mine*, Blood Sport, Putrid Water, Seigneurial, Yout Father Used to See Airplanes in the Sky, Aviation Graveyard, Dread God*, The Birds Eat Our Corpses* 

B

Forest Vibes/ Folktronica/ Medieval Celtic