Infinite Universes is the 37th electronic ambient album from Australian composer/musician Jim Ottaway. Also a producer and a studio performer, Jim's music spans many genres including space, ambient, electronic, dance, new age, and relaxation as well as music for films and television. He has been the consistent winner of a very impressive list of international music awards since his 2004 debut album, First Light, and I wouldn't expect any less from Infinite Universes. The nine tracks from the album were recorded between November 2008 and April 2023 and examine this idea:

"All there is...
All that exists...
All we can ever see...

"Could it be that our universe is just one part of a multitude of universes... an infinity of universes... a multiverse?"

Ambient space music, by definition, does not need to be melodic, but the music on this album often has a melodic line - or at least parts of a melody - that run(s) through it. Some of the pieces are also quite rhythmic. Others are very firmly planted in the "space music" genre while maintaining a very "musical feel." Jim Ottaway is one of the best artists in this creative field and his albums are consistently outstanding - colorful, evocative, and very beautiful. They are great for background and relaxation music, but are also complex enough to reveal something new with each listen, providing a very rewarding deep-listening experience.

Infinite Universes begins with "Beyond Heaven and Earth," a piece that imagines the vast openness of what is beyond what we know and understand. Very peaceful and ethereal, it's a lovely start to our journey and exploration. "Ancient Starlight" has a simple but very effective rhythm that runs through it, giving the more ambient music a feeling of moving forward through space and time. "Hidden Universes" goes darker and more mysterious, but never feels dangerous. It's a very visual piece that suggests what we might see as we go deep into space. "Until Eternity Passes Away" is one of the more melodic pieces and is so peaceful - kind of like floating on a cloud in a clear blue sky! Although it is very calming, "An Infinity of Universes" seems to be propelled by feelings of optimism and possibility. The gentle rhythms keep it moving ahead while expressing the joy of adventure. The primary instrumentation in "Voices of Universal Infinity" comes from synthesized voices - heavenly and oh so smooth! "Light From Perfect Darkness" brings our journey to a close. This track includes many ambient sounds that feel very "spacey," but that work flawlessly within the context of the music. It would be easy to interpret this closing track in a variety of ways, so I will leave that up to you!

Infinite Universes presents interesting concepts and ideas both musically and spiritually, and Jim Ottaway has done a masterful job in addressing them! The album is available from Amazon, Apple Music/iTunes, Bandcamp and many streaming sites including Spotify. CDs are available from Jim's website.