Early Man
by Matt Howarth, Sonic Curiosity
2001
This time Roach applies his ambient soundscapes to the topic of prehistoric anthropology for a grand total of 144 minutes
Gurgling sounds rise from the depths of time, transporting the listener to an ancient era. The atmospheric tones swirl to reveal a landscape untouched by civilization. As the sonic dawn edges into hearing, a group of hominids creep from their cave dwelling to stare at the new day. Today one of these ancestors "Begins Looking Skyward". Soon they will commence "Walking Upright". Tomorrow they will start "Hunting and Gathering". Evolution is about to take gigantic steps forward... and Roach's music will convey you through these stages.
Delicately muted tribal percussives flavor these dreamy tonalities, evoking not only the virgin environment but also man's hesitant development. The melodies are expanded, drawn into long compositions that hang over the listener like a humid fog. These mists sparkle with soft riffs that establish a sashaying rhythm.
Moody yet invigorating, this music is a timeless testament to strength born of the necessity to continue to move forward.
Assisting Roach on fractal groove for one track is Vir Unis.
The second disc features a decomposed take of the basic themes, enhanced by new elements.
A limited edition of the first disc in this set was available from Timeroom Editions. This 74 minute CD comes in a package constructed of slate. For real: the CD comes nestled between a pair of quarried slabs of slate!
by Matt Howarth, Sonic Curiosity
2001
This time Roach applies his ambient soundscapes to the topic of prehistoric anthropology for a grand total of 144 minutes
Gurgling sounds rise from the depths of time, transporting the listener to an ancient era. The atmospheric tones swirl to reveal a landscape untouched by civilization. As the sonic dawn edges into hearing, a group of hominids creep from their cave dwelling to stare at the new day. Today one of these ancestors "Begins Looking Skyward". Soon they will commence "Walking Upright". Tomorrow they will start "Hunting and Gathering". Evolution is about to take gigantic steps forward... and Roach's music will convey you through these stages.
Delicately muted tribal percussives flavor these dreamy tonalities, evoking not only the virgin environment but also man's hesitant development. The melodies are expanded, drawn into long compositions that hang over the listener like a humid fog. These mists sparkle with soft riffs that establish a sashaying rhythm.
Moody yet invigorating, this music is a timeless testament to strength born of the necessity to continue to move forward.
Assisting Roach on fractal groove for one track is Vir Unis.
The second disc features a decomposed take of the basic themes, enhanced by new elements.
A limited edition of the first disc in this set was available from Timeroom Editions. This 74 minute CD comes in a package constructed of slate. For real: the CD comes nestled between a pair of quarried slabs of slate!
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Steve Roach 2001 Projekt PRO111 (CD) Reviewed by Jim Brenholts, All Music Guide, Alternative Press, AmbiEntrance, CD Services (UK), Incursion, Ink 19, Ink 19, Muze, Outburn, Sonic Curiosity, Star's End, StarVox, The Raging Consciousness Desk, Tower Pulse! Best described as primeval innerspace deep ambient. EARLY MAN brings into form an ancient landscape of bubbling pools and steamy marshlands, verdant arroyos and monolithic rock formations. Cave paintings and ancient memories come to life in a slow soul-dance of evolutionary magic. The accolades from press and listeners alike tell that EARLY MAN belongs to Roach's classic body of work which includes DREAMTIME RETURN, ORIGINS, THE MAGNIFICENT VOID and last year's quietly successful MIDNIGHT MOON.
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Steve Roach 2000 Manifold (CD)
limited edition, packaged between two slabs of real slate |