More Information

The Zen Master’s Diary, according to Michael Allison who records under the name Darshan Ambient, is a conteptual album that stemmed from reading the teachings of Zen. This album is a true manifestation of those concepts. In fact, I had a bit of a challenging time listening to it while writing this review for I simply wanted to stop everything I was doing, close my eyes, and focus completely on nothing, allowing myself to become absorbed in the total composure of the music and relinquish every bit of thought and tension I had. Stylistically, The Zen Master’s Diary comes from an Eno lineage – slow, evolving and introspective, with minimal chord progressions crafted from low, woodwind sounding synths that underlie subtle, melodic piano drifts. Beautiful in its sheer simplicity, every unpronounced tonal induction impels the listener to pause for a moment and take note of the things that frequently go unnoticed and unappreciated in our lives due to the constant ‘noise’ often present around us and inside our minds. Positive yet melancholic soothing vibrations make this album well-suited for sleep, though I find it musically captures images associated with an early dawn, like dewdrops on thick green grass or still waters reflecting the golden rays of the sun. It is spiritually and emotionally therapeutic - I’ll even go so far as to say that if doctors prescribed music like this to patients with anxiety and stress-related disorders, the number of people on medications for these conditions would be significantly reduced. I am particularly drawn to two tracks: “Drawing Water,” a slightly more aerial and featherweight piece reminding me a lot of Daevine, Michael Allison’s collaborative project with Jourdan Laik – and “Bless You,” which creates a virtuality of completion or returning to the source and true meaning of all things in one’s life. However, every track on The Zen Master’s diary helps to create a peaceful journey from beginning to end, reflecting both the musical gift and genuine depth of this artist. --Candi B. for Ambient Musings