As the head of the Eglo label, he has brought together a wide range of genres—from deep house to electronic sounds, and from post-rock to world/ Moroccan Gnawa, and more—Sam Shepherd, known as FLOATING POINTS, is one of the key figures driving the contemporary electronic music scene, bringing to fruition his curiosity as a composer, his dedication as a passionate selector and DJ, and his deep passion for music. Joining him is Pharaoh Sanders, a legend of the spiritual jazz world who has actively explored numerous cross-genre sessions—including collaborations with Moroccan Gnawa and the world music avant-garde—and remains a master at the top of his game; and the London Symphony Orchestra, whose strings are also featured in this miraculous session. The grand “Promises” suite, consisting of nine parts. Delicate electronics, the rich resonance and nuance of the saxophone, and the beautiful interplay of subtle, understated orchestration create a harmonious blend. This music—a meditative, spiritual, modern ambient masterpiece evoking a dreamlike utopia—is performed slowly and thoughtfully, deeply resonating with a profound sense of spatial aesthetics. Furthermore, the artwork was created by Julie Mehretu, a contemporary artist from Ethiopia who was named one of “Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in the World” in 2020, resulting in a masterpiece of art that forms a trinity with the music. I highly recommend this album. (Original Japanese text by COMPUMA)