Module: The Best of Module 2003-2022 (Loop/digital outlets)

Wellington's Jeremiah Ross (aka Module) has released some of the most soulful, downtempo electronica across – by our loose count – half a dozen critically acclaimed studio albums (including the live Pattern.Dot.Life and singles) in addition to touring with Rhian Sheehan and Fly My Pretties, collaborating with the likes of Paul McLaney (on among other things the superb prog-parody Voyage of the Corvus Corrone) soundtracks (notably Shatter for Playstation) and much more.

This excellent, well programmed 28-track collection offers a beautiful summary and overview of his coherent diversity with reflective neo-soul (the seductive openers Sampa Soul with Hollie Smith and Zimbo Trio, World Goes Round), and the discreetly astral-ambient (Moving Static) alongside influences from Brian Eno (Makeout Magic, Star Gazer Valley, Beneath a Calm Surface which leads into the equally beautiful The Frequent Sea), Kitaro, classical influences (Endlessly Ocean, If I Was) and possibly even the much maligned New Age harpist Andreas Vollenweider.

Module has big ears, as they say, and whether it be gently propelling his atmospheres with beats (Slowly and Silently, the video game pop of The Corporation, the subtle Tokyo Rain) or rippling keyboard pulses (Love is Not the Lesson with McLaney), winding down into romantic keyboard miniatures (Rain), getting' gritty (Kinetic Harvest) or throwing in vocal samples in Japanese (the subtle reggae shuffle of Mangapower), Module offers a warm and thoroughly engaging journey which at times – and this in no way is meant to diminish it – conforms to Eno's definition of ambient music: music which is as enjoyable as it is ignorable.

Mostly here these pieces are so beautifully engaging they are impossible to ignore.

A truly lovely and worthwhile collection.

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You can hear and buy this album at bandcamp here