One of the reasons to create the reviews section was that I needed a page where I could place more or less detailed CD reviews I've written over the years. This also allows me to expand the format a bit in that I'm free to write here reviews of items that otherwise wouldn't quite make it to the general EEM pages for various reasons. This is one of those instances, and in spite of the material presented here sitting firmly in the Ambient camp, the fact is that this music is all-acoustic. Prior to "Water Birth", Lee Ellen Shoemaker (aka The Tunnel Singer) had already released two albums "Inner Runes" (1995) and "Ravens In Moonlight" (1997) where she combined her own voice "processed" by natural acoustic reverberation of places like the Sound Column in San-Francisco and fog-muffled World War II artillery tunnel with minimal instrumentation and concrete sounds. "Water Birth" is entirely based on voice, as all sounds on this recording were derived from Lee Ellen's singing using the 45-seconds long reverb of empty underground concrete 2 million gallon cistern. The results are nothing short of brilliant. Lee Ellen's voice, supported by echo, creates absolutely otherwordly journey into blue depths, very warm and emotive. This is magical music that proves the fact that you don't need to have sophisticated equipment to make beautiful and convincing music. In fact, most of it sounds as if it was electronically processed, but it wasn't. This is absolutely magical music that's among my top Ambient releases. Actually this album reminds me on "Le Gran Bleu", that's been my favorite movie for a long time now. I'm especially reminded of the final scenes because you really feel like drowning sometimes, when listening to this. But you're not afraid at all because this is music like a warm bed. A bed of deep blue abyss that surrounds you. It's amazing how this music manages to be extremely calming and relaxing and so very beautiful and touching at the same time. My top recommendation! After this album, Lee Ellen released "Night Skies" (2000) and the more electronic "Sailing the Solar Wind" that's reviewed on regular EEM pages. - http://www.pugachov.ru/eem/reviews.html