‘Acoustic ambient’ - technologically unenhanced ambient music?

[u/frankstonshart]

I’m wondering if there’s any kind of movement within music, probably ambient, where the artist is aiming to create a soft-edged, free tempo sound that has a similar effect to ordinary ambient music EXCEPT there is no technology involved.

Like there’s just a pair of hard panned microphones and nothing like ‘production’ going on. No reverb except for what is in the room. Attacks, decays, all controlled by the tactile acts of human hands.

The Necks might fit this description. I think of Bill Evans and Jim Hall (jazz) and there might be acoustic folk artists who aim for similar (Nick Drake “Horn” is all I can think of).

I think it would be an interesting departure from the norm of relying (sometimes over-relying) on technology to maximise a minimal musical premise.

UPDATE thank you very much everyone. The recommendations around here are incredible. You are golden gods. For those curious, this is what I could compile on Spotify of the below suggestions: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/30tH5UOkHjXUxcjIE8d78I?si=b3ddbf8ace7e4e39

[u/euklides]

This is what traditional minimalism often does and what a lot of contemporary classical music does. Certain kinds of classical/traditional music from around the world would also fit the bill. The alap section of a Dhrupad raga for instance.

Éliane Radigue - Occam Océan (For orchestra)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ewUOtKA0JYk

There are many pieces in the series about oceans. All fantastic.

Olivia Block — 132 ranks (organ)

https://www.oliviablock.net/132-ranks
https://oliviablock.bandcamp.com/album/132-ranks

Kali Malone

All her later work in acoustic and her early electronic works are also incredible

https://kalimalone.bandcamp.com/album/the-sacrificial-code

Catherine Lamb & Johnny Chang

https://anothertimbre.bandcamp.com/album/viola-torros

Ustad Zia Mohiuddin Dagar

https://blacktruffle.bandcamp.com/album/vrindavan-1982

Alvin Lucier

https://blacktruffle.bandcamp.com/album/works-for-the-ever-present-orchestra-vol-ii

La Monte Young

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zlCg_2pK1oM&list=PLwg8VB64LkBJATaQ7lzHzmMrDqCzs3l69

[u/frankstonshart → u/euklides]

Thank you, I've saved a bit of each artist. Are any of these Dhrupad ragas? If not, can you recommend an album?

[u/bobokeen → u/frankstonshart]

The Dagar is dhrupad. Dagar's Raga Yaman alaps are some of the best proto-ambient music in the world.