by Matt Howarth, Sonic Curiosity
May 2011
This release from 2011 offers 148 minutes of extreme ambience.
An alluring testament to what can be achieved with extreme electronic minimalism.
Disc one features tenuous harmonics that evoke subliminal effects through gradually pulsating electronic tonalities of a vaporous nature.
Sparse texturals establish themselves and endure throughout, expanding to swamp the field with their ethereal definition, then lingering seemingly forever, changing so subtly as to defy discernment yet transforming the flow in a dedicated fashion that doesn't go unnoticed by the listener's subconsciousness.
Delicate electronics waft on airy currents that keep everything afloat and in fluid motion. Density here is negative as the tonal threads unfurl their ephemeral substance, sighing in an eternal elongation that is seasoned by auxiliary harmonics (again so tenuous as to be virtually undetectable).
But as the tuneage progresses, subtle sonic events emerge from the flow. Remote rhythms (which spawn from electronic pulsations rather than any actual percussives), glittering glurps (that churn in the distance like mysterious manifestations), while some of the harmonic vapors gain ascendance, oozing through the mix with glutinous influence. An astral dreamstate is produced, one tempered by fragile progressions and inventive embellishments.
On disc two, Roach flavors the expansive territory with textural guitar, achieving an even more pronounced atmospheric quality with tenuous layers of shimmering sustains that barely possess definition. The listener is immersed in an environment of gentle tones that smoothly caress the mind, isolating the subject from reality as a zone of ambrosial suspension is created. This amiable region endures a long time, affording ample opportunity for undisturbed introspection.
These compositions epitomize what earned Roach his reputation as an ambient maestro. The minimalism is profound yet the music is distinguished by a charismatic evolution motivating the serene fluency.
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Steve Roach 2011 Timeroom Editions 24 (CD) Reviewed by Electroambient Space, Guts of Darkness, Hypnagogue, MusicTAP, Sonic Curiosity, Sonic Immersion The Immersion series takes a compelling turn, moving towards a new perspective on Steve's Immersion experience. Disc one, "Circadian Rhythms" explores a sensual flow of harmonic suspension and sparse melodic mantra-like patterns hovering over rhythmic spaces and mercurial zones. Opening up within an organic analog modular garden of sound, a pulsing undulating groove spiral emerges, creating a suspended sensation of constant flow while hovering in the now. "Circadian Rhythms" moves through a continuous 73-minute flow in three phases.
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