To mark the 20th anniversary of Layering Buddha, Astral Industries have announced a newly remastered 2LP 180g black vinyl gatefold edition of Robert Henke’s pivotal ambient work. Set for release on 30th January, the reissue features new artwork from illustrator Theo Ellsworth and has been remastered by Henke himself.
Originally released in 2006, Layering Buddha remains one of Henke’s most conceptually distinctive works. Best known for his Monolake project and as a co-founder of Ableton, here Henke built the album entirely from recordings of the FM3 Buddha Machine – a small loop-playing sound device whose meditative tones became cult listening in the mid-2000s.
Rather than simply documenting the device, Henke captured its output in high fidelity and subjected it to delicate layering, processing and transformation. The resulting pieces unfold with glacial patience: evolving drones, hovering harmonics and fragile tonal shifts that encourage sustained, focused listening. It’s an album that highlights Henke’s fascination with systems, constraints and sonic materiality, while revealing the emotional resonance that can emerge from minimal means.
Across the years Layering Buddha has grown in stature, gaining recognition as a landmark in contemporary ambient and drone music – an elegant bridge between installation-like sound art and deep-listening electronic music.
Astral Industries’ anniversary edition gives the work a renewed physical presence. Pressed on heavyweight 180g black vinyl and housed in a gatefold sleeve, the reissue pairs Henke’s remaster with Theo Ellsworth’s intricate artwork, adding a visual dimension that mirrors the album’s layered inner world.
Two decades on, Layering Buddha still feels timeless – an exploration of repetition and subtle variation that rewards immersion and attention. This reissue offers both long-term admirers and new listeners the chance to reconnect with one of Robert Henke’s most quietly affecting works in a carefully presented new edition.
‘Layering Budha’ is scheduled for release on 30th January via Astral Industries. Buy vinyl from Inverted Audio Record Store.
TRACKLIST
1. Layer 001
2. Layer 002
3. Layer 003
4. Layer 004
5. Layer 005
6. Layer 006
7. Layer 007
8. Layer 008
9. Layer 009
10. Layer 010