I wasn't going to buy it, because I was cynically thinking it was just another way for Bowie to cash in on his past without turning out something new and brilliant (which maybe it is!). But for various reasons (and perhaps because I'm just a die-hard fan whatever else my fluctuating opinion may be), I picked it up. What can I say that hasn't been said already? Not a lot: These compositions make a lot of sense together (Brilliant Adventure makes MORE sense to me here than it did on hours...). The whole album is an effective soundscape that sets a unique tone. And because of the all-instrumental context, I find myself paying more attention to the pieces than I do on the original albums.

"All Saints" is an excellent collection of innovative instrumental work from the legendary David Bowie. Compiled personally by Bowie and initially given away as a Christmas gift to only his closest and personal friends, "All Saints" was later given an official release as a limited edition. At the time of this writing, the CD is still readily available and is worth picking up.
This collection spans from the years 1977 to 1999. Most of the tracks included here are from the two-thirds of Bowie's "Berlin" album trilogy ("Low" and "Heroes", the third being "Lodger"). Additionally, there are three rare pieces ("Abdulmajid", "Crystal Japan" and the CDs title track) which were only previously available as bonus tracks when the Rykodisc label reissued the entire Bowie catalog in the early 1990s (The Rykodisc reissues are now out-of-print).
This CD as a whole demonstrates David Bowie's pioneering use of synthesizers and ambient soundscapes. A majority of these compositions were made in collaboration with ambient music specialist Brian Eno and display a unique combination of lush beauty, harsh experimentation and cinematic intensity. Any of these compositions could've easily been used as film music for it is highly visual and adventurous. The closing piece ("Some Are" from Philip Glass's "Low Symphony") is particularly cinematic with its use of a full symphonic orchestra creating a dynamic sense of drama.
"All Saints" is not only a must have for David Bowie fans but also for fans of instrumental music as well. Like his collaborator Brian Eno as well as the German-based bands Tangerine Dream, Cluster and Kraftwerk, David Bowie has also garnered himself as an innovator of ambient electronic music. This collection shows Bowie at his instrumental best and reveals the full scope of his serious musical and compositional side.

This is Bowie's only instrumental collection and some may argue that there is a reason. However, most of these cuts are from "Low" and "Heroes" with a smattering of new material and some old from Philip Glass. Brian Eno was the main collaborator here, which sums it all up.

It was written that only 1,000 copies were made, but I find that difficult to believe if it's available here at Amazon. It is neither for the completist or occasional fan.

This collection is an oddity that needs careful listening to (best with great headphones). If you're looking for something other than subtlety, you'll not care for this. If you like Eno and layered (if not obtuse) music that's beyond avant-garde, this is a good listen for you.

This collection of David Bowie's instrumental pieces makes a lot more sense than most such compilations. It's good to have them all on one CD, and the tracks go so well together that you could almost imagine it is a 'proper' album in its own right.

While the opening tracks "A New Career in a New Town" and "V-2 Schneider" are relatively up-tempo, some could be called 'ambient', while others are beyond classification. However you describe them, thay are by turns beautiful, exhilarating, meditative, or even, occasionally, slightly disturbing.

"All Saints" is a great chance to own, in one handy package, a body of work by Bowie (not forgetting his collaborations here with Brian Eno) that has been immensly influential and also helped to expand the boundaries of popular music.

I like these pieces in context of the original releases, but end on end they become a bit annoying. Since Bowie sold the future royalties to all his music, you can expect endless repackaging as those bonds have to produce returns. I would stick to the classic masterpieces that these instrumentals are culled from, Low, Heroes and Lodger. Those albums are pure genius. The big question for me is, will David Bowie ever produce anything new that matters?