Steve Roach – Soul Tones

Steve Roach "Soul Tones" CD

Contemplatively titled "Soul Tones" album was released by Steve Roach during December 2012 on Timeroom Editions as the first part of a three CD series. "Soul Tones" are comprised of two long form compositions, the title track "Soul Tones", getting close to 46-minute mark and "Resolved", clocking just over 28 minutes. The first piece unfolds absolutely peaceful, with slowly expanding, flowing and ebbing synth washes. These utterly sublime, captivating and extensive drones smoothly glide with all their grace and harmony through the majestic and grandiose cumulus clouds at sunset. As much ethereally magnificent as the cover photograph by Kati Astraeir, which stunningly portrays these eternally spellbinding and hypnagogic atmozones. Yes, "Soul Tones" will gently and unobtrusively surround you during your deeply relaxing activities or as a low-volume playback during your sleep time. But also more active listening session with your headphones takes you to essentially sedative journey. In any case, monstrous calmness of "Soul Tones" is an ultimate sonic elixir to soothe your body and mind!!! "Resolved" slowly dives into more mysterious and gradually expanding realms. Could be slightly monochromatic or static when listening without deeper dedication, but as soon you unlock the gates, you enter this multi-layered structure of drone walls, circles and traverses, which take you into profoundly absorbing opaque nocturnal panoramas with increasing potency. During the 18th minute these sonic canvas cascade into slightly more relieving and enchanting movements, yet enough dramatic and expressive with balmy wide-screen transitions, before quietly fading away and reaching tranquil silence. "Resolved" is every bit as immersing as the title composition, "Soul Tones". Once again, connect yourself deeply to the genius' soulful oasis and let his audible insignia to reveal all its magic on you. These "Soul Tones" are massively embracing and showcase Steve Roach at the peak of his deepest sonic meditations!!! From time to time I run across comments about the master losing some of his glare. No way for my ears, because the year 2012 has brought to us masterpieces such as "Back To Life", "Tales From The Ultra Tribe" (with Byron Metcalf) or "Low Volume Music" (with Dirk Serries), first two for sure can be celebrated as true groundbreakers and "Soul Tones" undoubtedly deserves its stellar place among the most delightful, tranquil and enigmatic works ever coming out of The Timeroom cave. Hats off to Steve Roach!!! The newest album "Future Flows" will be released in one month, just before the huge Ambicon 2013 festival (May 3-5, San Rafael, California). And I am quite sure "Future Flows" will blow us away again!!!

Richard Gürtler (Mar 24, 2013, Bratislava, Slovakia)

The Land of Crimson Clouds.. Masterpiece.