Deeply attuned to the natural world, composer Tony O’Connor’s self-described “relaxation music” often draws on the ambient chatter of crickets, frogs and birds. Born in Mapleton, Queensland in 1961, O’Connor developed his soothing, slow-moving approach in the late ’80s, after working closely with therapists and other healthcare practitioners. Establishing his own label and a rainforest-nestled recording studio, he set about creating immersive sound worlds with guitar, piano, synths, and woodwinds. O’Connor took inspiration from his country’s open expanses, with 1989’s sea-themed Mariner sealing his mainstream appeal. He also embraced such natural wonders as Uluru and the Kimberley region, soundtracking them with his majestic work. He debuted an ambitious live production at the Sydney Opera House in 1997, incorporating dance, nature photography and a cast of supporting musicians. Though O'Connor passed away in 2010, his albums continue to provide a direct route to serenity, slowing the pulse and expanding the senses.