Electronic Ambient Instrumental Review: Deborah Martin and Jill Haley-Rendering Time

Release Date: September 26th, 2025

Label: Spotted Peccary Music

Websites: https://jillhaley.com/ / https://deborahmartinmusic.com/

The latest collaboration between electronic ambient visionary Deborah Martin and renowned oboist Jill Haley, featuring instrumental tracks on Rendering Time—a title that signifies the duo’s exploration of the concept of time through their music—is a deep dive into the soundscapes of electronic ambient music.

The title track, “Rendering Time,” begins with wordless vocals for a moment, then the track launches into a multitude of layers of synths and oboes, bells, whooshing wind sounds, and more. The ambient textures, reminiscent of a serene forest or a tranquil meadow, transport you to a magical realm of music, perfect for relaxation and reflection.

“Space Within Spaces” is prolific in both wordplay and music, as the duo explores the space within space to place their sounds. The title itself is a clever play on the idea of creating a musical space within the larger space of the album. Jill’s Oboe is resonant and hypnotic as Deborah consistently accentuates her instrument with a variety of sounds, colors, and layers.

“Cenote (Place of Deep Water)” is a natural pit, or sinkhole, resulting from the collapse of limestone bedrock that exposes groundwater. This keeps the strong connection the ladies feel with nature (I am reminded of Jill’s recordings in outdoor venues and national parks). The echoing, reverberating tones of the Oboe are significant, as the lovely bed of synth sounds allows that instrument to effortlessly float over the top while pulling you in and keeping you.

“From Source” begins with a lovely melody, breathy sounds, and the soft beat of a tribal drum. This feels organic and in tune with something ethereal or spiritual, connected to the earth. The ambient layers give it a feeling of some ancient ritual as the Oboe creates an air of mystery. I like the idea of the track title being so animated and thoughtful as the music not only implies but brings to life. Like whisperings in the wind, it calls to you.

“Fitful Dreams” would imply a stressful condition; however, even if the title suggests that music is the eternal healer. The tempo is a bit higher, and there is a lot of movement as you would expect. Although that is true, the ladies do their best to find a place where your consciousness can arrive to let go and relax with the sounds. The synths are layered beautifully, flitting around like a bird in flight, echoing back and forth. The spacey sounds make those uncomfortable dreams disappear.

“Shadow of the Moon” begins with a dreamy soundscape as acoustic guitar and English Horn resonate tones fill the air. I enjoyed how the acoustic guitar was used, creating that atmosphere of a person riding with the moon behind them.

“This Place We Call Home” is more than just a title; it's a story waiting to be told. The carefully crafted sounds and layers draw the listener into the narrative, creating a sense of engagement and immersion. With the perfect balance of Oboe, English Horn, and ambient synth sounds, this duo has truly mastered the art of storytelling through music.

“Soaring” is like taking a flight on all the tones, colors, sounds, and frequencies of this fantastic musical journey. Although short-lived in comparison to previous tracks, it is one of the most beautiful compositions that utilizes their many talents. Your seat is reserved.

“Secrets of the Talking Trees” is their masterwork, covering 6:58 minutes of spiritual and complete connection with our amazing trees. Their vast roots and underground networks are a wonder of nature. I am certain there is much more to learn about what they do and their importance to humanity, sustaining life on our planet.

This music brings a listener into focus with the swirling, whooshing sounds (like leaves and branches moving with the wind). It’s not hard to imagine walking through a Timberland, hearing these sounds. These marvelous living things process carbon dioxide so we can all breathe, and to think we are constantly cutting them down for wasteful purposes is truly baffling—very engaging and thoughtful music.

“Sunlight and Starlight” is the perfect encapsulation of this auditory journey through sound and nature. Melody, electronics, guitar, and the call of the horn capture one’s imagination and the pure magnificence of the beginning and end of a day. We experience the miracles of the turning globe each day we are here. The synths continue to swirl around the horn sounds as you now feel like everything just came full circle.

Rendering Time through music is a triumphant work by Deborah Martin and Jill Haley. Their synchronous compositions and melodies truly capture what they are saying through instrumentations alone. This observation highlights the value and quality of the audio, which can be considered and appreciated in a tangible way.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder

October 3, 2025

 Tracks:

01. Rendering Time 5:46

02. Space Within Spaces 3:56

03. Cenote (Place of Deep Water) 4:30

04. From Source 5:45

05. Fitful Dreams 4:53

06. Shadow of the Moon 4:08

07. This Place We Call Home 3:12

08. Soaring 3:45

09. Secrets of the Talking Trees 6:58

10. Sunlight and Starlight 4:40 

About The Artists:

For over 30 years, Deborah Martin has been inspiring listeners with her ambient electronic sensibilities. An award-winning artist and Producer, Deborah works on her own projects and collaborates with other artists in pursuit of creating compositions that defy typical boundaries in the musical spheres. Crafting authentic and powerfully deep expressions in sound, Deborah’s music is always rich and simply beautiful, offering crystal clear perceptions and compelling voyages through an inner realm of ethereal visions, ancestral legends, and timeless places.

Rendering Time is the 23rd project in Deborah’s discography. Her other Spotted Peccary label releases with Jill include 2021’s The Silence of Grace, and 2023’s Into The Quiet. Jill Haley is an oboist, English horn player, pianist, and composer who travels throughout the United States visiting National Parks, often as an Artist-in-Residence, and composes music inspired by the Park while living there. She is an accomplished symphonic orchestra player, teacher, and church musician. Jill continues to appear as a guest artist on recordings created at Will Ackerman’s Imaginary Roads Studio; her many recordings on English horn, and Corin Nelsen and Tom Eaton recorded Oboe.

Jill’s releases include Glacier Landscapes, Zion and Bryce Canyon Soundscapes, National Park Soundscapes, Mesa Verde Soundscapes, The Waters of Glacier, The Winds of Badlands, The Forests and Shores of Acadia, Wrapped In Light, The Canyons and Mesas of Bandelier, The Silence Of Grace, and Into The Quiet.