Though much of his music can be safely categorized as “ambient,” Harold Budd’s background was really in 1960s avant-gardism — and as you explore his music of the 1970s and 1980s, you can hear that influence if you listen for it. Pavilion of Dreams was released in 1978, and provides a perfect example: the music is played mainly by keyboards and a saxophone, with wordless vocals coming into the picture later, and while the music is always consonant and pleasant, it’s also eerie and plaintive. The chord changes to “Bismillahi ‘Rrahmani ‘Rrahim,” for example, are completely unpredictable, while the saxophone soloist wanders through them like a bemused visitor. This is an exceptionally beautiful album, and a very unique one.