Biography
The initial concept behind SP Ambient was formed by the production team of Simon and Peron in the sedate surroundings of their adopted hometown of Nîmes in 1989. Never to be pinned down, as two major players in the burgeoning "Adaphel" Acid House scene they came together over a shared love of early ambient electronic works and the lush atmospheric sounds of 4AD, determined to combine these influences with the jazzier house sounds for which they were known. Soon finding that this project took a more unintended direction into deep organic and ethereal soundscapes, which rapidly attracted them a growing fanbase, they decided to turn the project into their more experimental and eclectic outlet, not limiting themselves to any style in particular, instead focusing on fusion of organic ambient with psychedelic, new age, trip-hop, freeform, world fusion, darkwave and neoclassical, always bringing something new to the table and welding disparate styles seamlessly, especially in their famed mixes.
Inevitably, soon SPA became the in-demand duo's main outlet and they focused less upon their hugely succesful yet often uncredited hit production work. As time went on (and after influencing so many others) they pushed their sound in as many directions as was possible, drewing from such influences as Eno, Varèse, Love Spirals Downwards, Shpongle and, most lately The Kilimanjaro Darkjazz Ensemble - whom some have likened to being the natural inheritors of the torch carried by SPA for so long in the dark in their blending of ambient and new jazz. However, despite the wealth of palettes to draw from SPA always succeed in combining these sounds into a fresh new atmospheres, providing along the way a ready supply of source materials new generations of remixers are ever eager to work with.
After a short hiatus in the late 90s in which Peron focused on establishing her jewelry chain with Simon spending some time in Indonesia on his ill-fated "Celdular" project, SPA returned in style with their crossover Celtic ambient release "Good Fortune", guesting with a number of singers in a progressive new style that nonetheless was a hit with their fans. In 2003 they struck lucky once again with a hit drum and bass remix of "Ela Doria", ushering in a period of popular collaborations in this style. With several projects and a number of collaborations in the works, it is clear there are many new chapters in the SPA story yet to be written.
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