(Funprox) By the hand of fm3, a collective of computer and classical artists based in Bejing. The collective, headed by Christiaan Virant, creates minimal soundscapes, using ancient Chinese folk music. The results are beautiful meditative tracks. Although their sound is minimal and clean, the overall feeling of this cd is a warm dreamy soundscape.

(Cyclic Defrost ) The opener to Ambience Sinica is a dark meditative drone workout from the Chinese ensemble reportedly made up of classical and experimental musicians. A gentle piece that drifts between two chords, whilst a higher pitch oscillates barely within earshot, it effectively sets the mood of this amazing three track 3” disc. Whilst the second cut is much the same, dreamy almost new age in its energy, the third cut with a repetitive bass heavy pulse feels almost like lo fi micro house. Recorded in Beijing in 2003 and released on local Melbourne label it continues the labels penchant for gorgeously lofi yet evocative sonic vistas and is well worth taking the time to embrace the sounds and get horizontal.

(Heathen Harvest) Ambience Sinica shows an equal use of diversity in its compositions. The first song is a collection of drones played along side a dissonant whistling sound. This first song is not about relaxation but rather tension. Tension builds gripping the listener and making you remember that not all ambient is soft and cuddly. FM3 follows up the nerve wrecking of track one with the softer sounds of track 2. The second track of Ambience Sinica starts with a gentle piano loop. The piano is joined by experimental string arrangements and various electronic additives. What results is a fine balance of acoustic experimentation paired with ambient electronics. The last track in the FM3 trilogy is a powerful bass driven epic. The song begins with a thundering subsonic bass loop that shakes the very ground you stand on. Rhythmic bass descends along with industrial sounds. The industrial elements invoke heavy industry deep in the earth. The track is drastically different from FM3’s previous tracks. The track is deep and menacing and delivers a powerful performance.

(Ampersand Etcetera) Fm3 (dr003) have Ambience Sinica, a restrained collection which gently rolls through chords and crackles with an antagonist high tone if the first track, looped piano (possibly played live) rising and falling (tone and volume) against a higher washing tone, and finally a very very deep pulse with scattered string shimmers and a slight rumble.

(Taped Crusaders) Track one is the birth of a new sun. Slowly, using only two minor chords in progression, a red giant dawns itself upon a helpless darkened world. Long shadows draw shorter and yet the darkness does not dispel. To whence can you turn? The agonizing tension never breaks, it builds...slowly...and subsides...slowly...but in the end Sol Imperiatrix and you realise your innards have been exposed to its sinister and indifferent radiation. Track two presents a somewhat cold (as in chilling) piano workout, once again two minor chords, theres no instrument in this empty room but the sounds are coming from somewhere. Other sounds seem to swoop at you from other parts of the room, you look around but see nothing. Getting worried? You should be. Track three is the pulse and heartbeat of some infinity under your feet, below the ground, working its way through your nervous system. Insistent. Unrelenting. And once again, that unbearable tension that makes you want to shout relief but instead goes on and on and on and on and....