Sceneries Not Songs, Volume One

Larry Heard's melodies do not need a kick drum on Sceneries Not Songs. He slows the gift that made his house records special until it becomes spacious, contemplative listening music. The house vocabulary survives even after the kick drum drops away. A departure and not a definitive statement: a great artist working in a minor key.

Heard alone, in his ambient jazz register. Almost no vocals, no urgency, and one of the very few house records that improves when you stop paying attention to it.

Heard alone in his ambient jazz register, and the deepest record in this whole field. It leads the deep house list, which is where it says most.