Customer Reviews

Sorcerer

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The most significant recording in ambient/space music since Steve Roach's 1996 masterpiece "The Magnificent Void", the Stearns/Sunsinger collaboration "Sorcerer" also gets my vote as the best recording of its kind of 2000. What we have here is not only a sonic tribute to the late Hispanic anthropologist Carlos Castenada, but also what is perhaps the most ingenious recording of ambient tribal experimentalism yet produced. "Sorcerer" is a follow-up to their 1994 work "Singing Stones" (on Fathom Records) and while in spirit it seems to be a large-scale offshoot of Stearns' contribution to the "Storm of Drones" compilation called "Reky into Dark Territory", it transcends that track with superior thematic development and sheer psychological and emotional depth.

Perhaps part of the reason why both artists waited so long to record this music (they had read Casteneda's books during the early 1970s) may be due to waiting for the right developments in sound recording technology to come about. If this is in fact the case (as I believe) then it was one of the wisest decisions for both artists, but for Stearns in particular, "Sorcerer" contains some of the most significant music of his entire career, the sheer power of which is only matched by "Lyra", "Chronos" and "Encounter".

Utilizing everything from synths, prepared electric guitar, and bowed metal instruments, the disc effortlessly slides from near quiet contemplation ("Flyers: The Landing of Inorganic Life")to an unsettling form of ecstasy ("Portal") to a grating soundscape that resembles some of the early efforts of guitarist Jim O'Rourke ("Journey to the Underworld") to unearthly majesty ("The Realm of Magical Beings").

An uncharacteristic yet inestimable addition to Stearns' list of recordings, "Sorcerer" will inevitably go down as one of his most inspired and important efforts ever.

This is one of the most impressive CD's I've ever heard. At least since "Stalker", by Robert Rich & Lustmord. And I have listened to a lot of ambient and dark, electronic stuff. I completely agree with the previous listener. "Sorcerer" is a deep, dark and compelling jounrney into Castaneda's writtings. But, besides, it's a fascinating collection of dark soundscapes, rich in textures and amazingly powerful in execution. This work is even more abstract and complex than previous efforts, like Kiva (w/ Steve Roach) and Singing Stones. I strongly recommned this CD to anyone interested in dissapear into the music...

First Michael Stearns Cd I've listened to. Found the CD overall dark,aurally adventuresome,powerful. Take time out to listen to it relaxed in a dark room. Very interesting! Will certainly take one on an aural journey.

This CD is music for Carlos Castanada fans. Ive been a long time fan of Mike Stearns and this is by far, in my humble opinion the best CD he has done. The atomospheres are incredible and this CD will blow your mind. What a fitting tribute to Castanada and Don Juan. I counldnt concieve of anyone doing it better.

Looking for a mysterious place to travel to? This is your ticket there. It's so hard to find something besides music and sounds that make you feel like taking a nature walk. They're a little too sweet. Not this one. This one has meat on it. If you're really an explorer you can listen to this with the lights off. This is a great CD. I would and have recommended it to all of my firends.

Having read many of Carlos Castaneda's books I was very intrigued to listen to Sorcerer. Its a wonderful tribute to the late author Carlos Castaneda. Its very powerful and profound and it can shift the human awareness into a state of dreaming. This music will not appeal to everyone but certainly to those of us who want to know about the world of Don Juan. This is a CD full of power, magic and intensity.