Vernal Equinox is the debut studio album by Jon Hassell, released in 1977 by Lovely Music, Ltd. In 2016, the album was ranked number 47 on Pitchfork's top 50 best ambient albums of all time list.
Track listing
Critical reception In 2016, Vernal Equinox was ranked number 47 on Pitchfork's "Top 50 Best Ambient Albums of All Time" list.
In 2020, Pitchfork reviewed the album, stating: "When Jon Hassell coined the term “Fourth World” to describe his work, he fabricated a musical universe that new artists still call home. Melding the work of minimalists like La Monte Young and Terry Riley with non-Western folk, avant-garde classical and electronic, and early-’70s electric Miles Davis, the trumpeter and composer arrived more or less fully formed in 1977 with his solo debut."
Personnel Adapted from the Vernal Equinox liner notes.
Jon Hassell – trumpet, electric piano (A1, A3), production Musicians Miguel Frasconi – bells and claves (A3) Andy Jerison – synthesizer (A3) Nicolas Kilbourn – mbira and talking drum (A3) David Rosenboom – synthesizer (A1, A3), mbira (A2), rattles (A3), goblet drum (B1), recording Naná Vasconcelos – congas (A1, B1, B2), shakers (A1, A3), bells (A2), talking drum (A2) William Winant – kanjira and rattles (A3)
Production and additional personnel Michael Brook – recording Andy Jerison – recording Rich LePage – mixing Ariel Peeri – design
Release history Region Date Label Format Catalog United States 1977 Lovely Music, Ltd. LP 1021 1990 CD
References
External links