Ernest Hood – Neighborhoods

The long-awaited reissue of Ernest Hood’s private press masterpiece is a must-have for any ambient music fan. Released in 1974 before the term “ambient music” was even coined, Neighborhoods is a deeply nostalgic record that brings back memories of times past, lost youth, suburban streets, and children at play. Musical narration is the central component here with environmental sounds, field recordings, zither, keyboards, and synths all expertly employed to paint pictures with sound. If that’s not enough, each track is also accompanied by anecdotal liner notes from Hood describing the mood of each scene. “No school today, you can sleep until 10:00!” “How could you end the day without a little Kick in the Can? Or throwing yourself with wild abandon into the neighbor’s hedge?” There’s an endearing sense of longing and sadness hidden within it all. In Hood’s own words, “If the music seems a little bittersweet, well…isn’t that the taste of nostalgia?”

– Phil Cho

Recommended – Full listen

Purchase in the ISC Record Store: https://insheepsclothinghifi.com/product/ernest-hood-neighborhoods-lp