Jan Steele / Ziz!ensemble - Desert Island Dusks (1986) May 2026

: The music touches on diverse elements including gamelan (specifically on the track "Mary Ashford Music"), electronic cocktail lounge, and "dark jazz". Desert Island Dusks The Victoria Incident/Has Ras City Night Music Nobody But You Mary Ashford Music Motorway Music Ludo Funkatoniko

The 1986 album by Jan Steele and the Ziz! Ensemble is a cult classic of eclectic ambient jazz, notable for its dreamy, nocturnal atmosphere and "exotic evocations of far away lands". Released on the French label Les Disques Du Soleil Et De L'Acier as part of the Labyrinthes series, the album was inspired by the literature of Jorge Luis Borges. Musical Style and Composition jan steele / ziz!ensemble - desert island dusks (1986)

: Jan Steele leads the project, handling piano, synthesizer, and composition. His approach is described as setting a specific "mood" for each track rather than acting as a traditional bandleader. : The music touches on diverse elements including

Critics and listeners often highlight the album's "nocturnal quirkiness" and "comfy" yet odd aesthetic. It currently holds a high average rating of on Discogs . While some find the pacing to be slow or repetitive, most praise its ability to create a beautiful, immersive collection of "late night piano improvisations" and "dreamy" soundscapes. Jan Steele/ZIZ! Ensemble – Desert Island Dusks Released on the French label Les Disques Du

: Janet Sherbourne provides sweet, "lush" jazz vocals that serve as a soft extension of the album's saxophone lines.

The record is widely regarded by listeners on Rate Your Music as a blend of "eclectic ambient jazz," vocal jazz, and avant-garde influences.