Michael Stearns has composed and recorded a lot of music for film soundtracks over the years, including Ron Fricke's IMAX blockbusters "Chronos," "Sacred Site," "Baraka" and most recently, "Samsara". "The Storm" is a collection from some of Stearns' many film works and limited edition releases, gathered into one package and formatted nicely. These pieces feature some of Stearns' darker and more exotic soundscapes and atmospheres. The Storm compels the listener into a world of heightened reality and awareness, where Stearns sculpts soundfields and textures with a palette that seems neither electronic nor acoustic. From minimalism to ethnic electro tribal soundscapes, this ambient classic is a magnificently crafted musical tapestry, and an absolute essential CD for e-music collectors.