Customer Reviews

Zo Pilots

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This is the only Saul Stokes album
I own and I've had it for several years
now. I ususally make it a point to own
several pieces before I review an artist,
but for some reason I haven't yet acquired
any of his other albums. I must make amends.

The opening piece entitled "Fast Creatures" is
great. Its a 13 minute drone which appropriately
places the listener in the 'pilots' seat.
"Altitude and Architecture" reminds me
a bit of old Richard Pinhas at times -
its got a sense of sparseness to it which
is presented fairly well enough, but which doesn't
quite jibe with the mood of the opening track.
Stokes manages to evoke the old school without
sounding dated, however, and that is to his credit.
"First Jump" has a light pulsing loftiness served
with an 'ambient chill-like' demeanor; it also bears
a slight touch of the older euro-synth sounds. But
I'm missing the 'altitude' of the first track a
bit by this point in the disc.
Next is the very melodic "First Jump" - this track
almost sounds like a homage to Autecher's Amber CD
(again, that ambient chill)! I like the track,
its has a very subtle livelyness.
Next is "Downtown Inaka" a track which lazily and
whimsically percolates and morphs into light
percusives.
With the next track, "Open Your Eyes Maitreya,"
I feel Stokes steers the CD back on course in
terms of successfully bringing back the well-crafted
drones presented in 'Fast Creatures.' "Wire
Light Hills" is 12 minutes of lightly pulsing
sounds which pleasantly yet actively build up,
retaining our willingness to listen actively as well as
marvel at its activity. This piece begins as a
drone which encounters, and then emerges through, a
winding cresendo of pulsing lights. Its a very
strong piece on the CD.
Lastly, "The Zo Pilots" brings to mind a certain
aquatic sense, which in turn lends intself to
analogous feelings of deep space at times. The track
has several movements and brings the album back to
its initial dialogue of drone, which represent the
most successful tracks for me personally.

Though I find it a bit uneven, I must say that
Stokes' work definitly bears the hallmarks of
originality. Many have lauded the disk's
versatitly, and it does, indeed, demonstrate Stokes'
prowess. It's a great effort all in all.
-Matt

First Jump is by far the best song on this CD. If you really want to zone way out then by this CD, plug in your headset and just listen.