| Artist: Steve Roach Album: Arc of Passion Released: 29 January 2008 |  |
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On Arc of Passion, Steve Roach re-imagines two earlier CDs, Stormwarning and The Magnificent Void, for the 21st century. Roach's music has the ability to both calm and animate the listener. Arc of Passion visits these two states on its lengthy journey across two discs and 100 minutes. This 2CD set contains four indexed tracks, but three musical movements. Embracing the immenseness of the cosmos, Roach begins with "Moment of Grace". An ethereal slow dance of tones, this piece simply and eloquently rises and recedes in long lines of diverging synthesizer pads. Pauses are intuitively gauged to amplify the drama of this section, and as tension builds the work moves into the title track. Layers of synchronized tone patterns emerge out of the dense atmosphere. Cycling in lock step against a trail of echoes, machine-like sequencer runs gain momentum. Variations in timing change the pulse throughout this extended movement and cause the ever-evolving kaliedescopic effect Roach achieves in his sequencer music. Concluding with "Views Beyond", Roach draws down the level of heat. We are left in a cool dark zone to ponder the mysteries of space within and without. In a career-long exploration of pulse and breath, Roach grows more engaging and mesmerizing with each new realization.
- Chuck van Zyl/STAR'S END 28 February 2008 | |
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