Customer Reviews

Strata

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Master synthesists Roach and Rich excavate evolutionary layers of sound from their machines on STRATA, their first collaboration. The musicians are kindred spirits in both substance and style, and their probing, questing sonic architecture seeks not only to unearth the tangible from the unknown, but also to alight the unknown with a spectral quality. Instead of seismometers and pickaxes, Roach and Rich use their battery of analog and digital synthesizers to seize the geologic moment, embedding it in the amber of the studio.
Like the translucent layers of the mineral bearing its name, "Mica" reveals a quartz-like refraction of images and movements, constructed with Rich's interlocking vibe grooves, percussive gemstones, and Roach's dense synthesizer shadings. "The Grotto of Time Lost" pushes one back even further into the pre-dawn era. Roach and Rich's electronics and sundry noisemakers peel back the undergrowth to reveal tectonic plates convulsing with the breath of newly hatched organisms and moist jungle growth. STRATA is undoubtedly one of the best stylistic collaborations of the '90s.

This album marks the first of two brilliant collaborations between space-music masters, Robert Rich and Steve Roach, and it is truly a landmark journey -- a new fusion of world & tribal styles with space-music ambience. The album also has many very lucid dream qualities in its ability to paint images in the listener's mind.

"Strata" covers a lot of ground, and some may feel that the album is too diverse, reaching too far, but for me it makes it all the more incredible. Besides, it all flows very nicely: from tribal-beats ("Fearless", "Mica") to soothing tracks evocative of a journey ("Forever", "Grotto..."), and then into dark, haunting terrain ("Iguana", "Magma", "Persistence..."). The final three tracks round out the album beautifully as dreamy meditative pieces. "La Luna" is just as it sounds; for me, it conjures up wisps of clouds gliding across a full moon on a still winter night. That's the magic of this album -- it's ability to create vivid atmospheres and landscapes out of mere sound and music.

I don't normally feel compelled to express my views for cds, games, or whatever, but for Strata, I finally felt I had to say something. It is just a lovely juicy slice of ambient deliciousness! I recently bought the older and much more acclaimed "Dreamtime Return" - while it is cool (why I was encouraged to get "Strata"), it really can't touch this gem. In fact, I would say that Strata makes Dreamtime seem longwinded and monotonous in comparison. Strata seems to use a much wider and richer array of wafty, floaty sounds and tinkling echoes than the mostly-woodblock-and-bongo-beating Dreamtime. The last time I was treated to ambient style music this good was perhaps 4 or 5 years ago when I was first knocked over by Future Sound of London's literally peerless "Lifeforms", an audio experience akin to falling on your face in an alien rainforest (one of my all time fave records, get it pronto). I don't think this topples Lifeforms (it has the edge - just - for sheer uniqueness and obscurity), but Strata is the only other record I've encountered that ever really came close enough to be worthy of a head-to-header. That's pretty high praise coming from such a picky listener as I!

Since its release in 1990, not many ambient artists have topped "Strata". In fact, I can't think of any that have created such a consistent package of gold since. Gorgeous compositions accompanying tribal rhythms, glurps and swirls takes you on a subterranean journey as well as a journey into a very deep and forgotten part of your mind. The opening track "Fearless" is perhaps one of, if not the most, beautiful and ingenious pieces of ambient music I have ever heard. The entire cd is packed with sophistocated, premium soundscapes that is a must for ambient music lovers.

I'm a part-time massage therapist, and I have used this CD many times during massage sessions on clients with a wide variety of music tastes. It is no exaggeration when I say that every one of these people loved this CD, and I personally would put it on my Top 10 all-time best list. The music is incredibly serene and relaxing, while never becoming tedious. The multi-layered interaction between electronic instruments and exotic percussion is ever spontaneous and varied. Ambient/Techno-Tribal music at its very best.

What a shame that track # 4 isn't on the sampling list. That one track takes my mind on a journey(to WHEREVER! ) every time I hear it. This CD explores musical realms that transport.....PERIOD! Primordial, layered, tranquil, morphing, and on and on and on..I find the CD always taking me to different destinations. But believe me, track 4(The Grotto of Time Lost) with it's cavewater glurping and timeless spacedrift drone is ideal night music, right up there with Jonn Serrie and Raphael(more beautiful "night music"). Track 4 alone makes me give the CD 5 stars!

Besides for rock I am a big fan of ambient/new age/space music. I have always loved Robert Rich and Steve Roach, I have 30 or so CDs from them together. I think of the 30, Strata is one of the finest ambient recordings I own, Soma coming in a close second. The collaboration of these two could only be described as the union of the most talented artists in ambient music. Of the ambient artists I have heard, Robert and Steve are the most similar in the way they write and together they take the musical journey to a place that is very unique. Both have collaborated with other artists, but without the same effect. If you like Robert Rich or Steve Roach, Strata is a must have. The same goes for Soma.

Received the CD in perfect condition. Love the music - the music of the Earth. Thank you very much!

crank it up on the way up the I-5 from San Diego to Orange County.

sonically amazing, wonderful textures, and sublime percussion.

buy it.

Truly Walking on spiritual and mistery ground. All at it's best. To enyoy this you have to close your eyes and immerce yourself in to the Void.