The Story
On what is consistently classified as one of the greatest ambient records of all time (an increasingly impressive designation; as the amount of ambient albums in the world doubles roughly each week), Steve Roach sought to fill the void left by the synthesizer’s total independence from human touch - that is, the reverberation of the breath and the body’s interaction with an acoustic instrument that a synthesizer is indifferent to. Using the seemingly limitless capabilities of the then-new Oberheim OB-8 polyphonic synthesizer, Roach freed himself from the constraints of meter and tempo and instead allowed his breathing to direct the sustain lengths of the notes. Roach explains: “My life at that time was purely focused on drawing out an inner voice that had been building over many years: a feeling born from my immersion in the quiet spaces of the desert environment. My connection to the profound atmosphere of the desert areas of Southern California - Joshua Tree, Anza-Borrego, Death Valley, The Mojave Desert - was essential. I finally had my hands on the tools with which I could channel this feeling, this expansive atmosphere and blooming inner awareness. I was uncovering and discovering a palpable sense of stillness emanating from a soundcurrent of ‘silence’.” 40th anniversary edition on sea blue and ultra clear color-in-color vinyl with extensive notes from Roach on the album's creation, limited to 500 copies. Recommended.
- 40th anniversary edition
- sea blue-in-ultra clear colored vinyl
- 1st time on vinyl since 1984
- includes 4 page insert w/ photos + extensive liner notes
- limited edition of 500
- original release year: 1984
- music label: Projekt Records 2024
reviewed by hannibal chew 11/2017
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Details & Craftsmanship
Every detail has been carefully considered to bring you the perfect product.
Description
On what is consistently classified as one of the greatest ambient records of all time (an increasingly impressive designation; as the amount of ambient albums in the world doubles roughly each week), Steve Roach sought to fill the void left by the synthesizer’s total independence from human touch - that is, the reverberation of the breath and the body’s interaction with an acoustic instrument that a synthesizer is indifferent to. Using the seemingly limitless capabilities of the then-new Oberheim OB-8 polyphonic synthesizer, Roach freed himself from the constraints of meter and tempo and instead allowed his breathing to direct the sustain lengths of the notes. Roach explains: “My life at that time was purely focused on drawing out an inner voice that had been building over many years: a feeling born from my immersion in the quiet spaces of the desert environment. My connection to the profound atmosphere of the desert areas of Southern California - Joshua Tree, Anza-Borrego, Death Valley, The Mojave Desert - was essential. I finally had my hands on the tools with which I could channel this feeling, this expansive atmosphere and blooming inner awareness. I was uncovering and discovering a palpable sense of stillness emanating from a soundcurrent of ‘silence’.” 40th anniversary edition on sea blue and ultra clear color-in-color vinyl with extensive notes from Roach on the album's creation, limited to 500 copies. Recommended.
- 40th anniversary edition
- sea blue-in-ultra clear colored vinyl
- 1st time on vinyl since 1984
- includes 4 page insert w/ photos + extensive liner notes
- limited edition of 500
- original release year: 1984
- music label: Projekt Records 2024
