Each album Jim Ottaway releases is without doubt a masterclass in the construction of ambient electronic music that pushes the boundaries for this very specific style of music.
Space music is perhaps a better name as within each track Ottaway manages to capture the awesome magnitude that is space.
It is often pondered just what is out there in deep space, but perhaps Ottaway has somehow managed, thorough channeling, to tap into the reality as his work contains something indefinable, hard to describe and yet is redolent of the timelessness humans imagine is or could be the sounds of deep space.
There is a primal understanding within each piece, underpinned by the occasional sounds that one imagines may be captured by various pieces of technology now cluttering up space, which gives credibility to the ever-changing space scape captured on Threshold of the Universe.
Choose any piece and sink into the moment, allow the mind to float fee, to travel the universe with no expectations, and enjoy what is found. Deep peace, refreshing waves of sound wash over the soul, gently offering to release stress and conflict, allowing these negatives to simply float free into deep space, to leave behind a beautiful tranquility.
Threshold of the Universe was created over the period of August 2007 to June 2021. During this time the journey of traveling through space has been subjected to many influences, which in turn have helped create the inspiration for the music. If there is a need to have the journey set out before the commencement, the nine track listing will offer you the flight itinerary, but if you simply choose to let the music flow, taking the mind and soul on an intimate journey, simply settle into your seat and relax.
Finally arriving at the Threshold of the Universe, which is the last track, it is time to take the next step to return to the everyday world imbued with a rich all-encompassing warmth not often created with this style of music. How Ottaway always seem to know when less is more to create the perfect ending to a magical journey is his secret and although the final tack is no more or less than the previous pieces, it has achieved the perfect balance of sound to allow a gentle return to earth.
For all earthbound beings that have always wondered just what is there in deep space, perhaps a journey with Jim Ottaway and his transporting music could be the answer, as once again, Ottaway has set the bar very high with his emotional, intimate and perfect ‘space-music allowing all who care to spend the time to be transported to an alternate universe just for a short moment in time, to the Threshold of the Universe.
Website https://jimottaway.bandcamp.com/album/threshold-of-the-universe
Distributor Jim Ottaway
Released August 2021
Artists Jim Ottaway
Review by JANET MAWDESLEY
Review by 
