Empetus (Collector's Edition) (CD)

• Category:  Music  »  R&B  »  Dance
• Format: CD   Learn more about the CD format using Tower WIKI.
• Release Date: August 12, 2008
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Projekt Records
• UPC: 617026021829
• WAPI (Tower ID): 112251089
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• Tower.com Sales Rank: #78939 in Music (See Top 100 Music Bestsellers)
• #3926 in R&B (See Top 100 R&B Bestsellers)
• #845 in Dance (See Top 100 Dance Bestsellers)

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Personnel: Steve Roach (synthesizer, sequencer).

Recording information: The Timeroom, Culver City, CA.

Unknown Contributor Role: Michael Stearns.

Released in 1986, this recording of intricately-woven sequencer lines and buzzing synthesizers established Steve Roach as the U.S.'s answer to the pioneering European electronic masters of the '70s (Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream). Alternately thrilling and serene (sometimes within the space of the same track), EMPETUS' waves of energy rest upon labyrinthine patterns of interlocking notes and wildly cascading tonal clusters. Roach varies the moods from piece to piece as well: the bright, piercing electronics of "Seeking" contrast vividly with the starker, sweeping veils of sequenced notes and arcing waves of "Empowerment," or the turbo-charged synths that rev through "Conquest." It's all riveting, exciting stuff, and although Roach largely abandoned the style as he moved forward, EMPETUS remains an important--if largely unsung--statement documenting the course of modern American electronic music.

This 1986 Steve Roach release finds him visiting the very familiar territory of his early years. Empetus is a profoundly rhythmic recording, with dashes of ambient atmospheric textures here and there adding a luminous aura of color to each of the tracks. Empetus, like many of his early recorded works, has a bit of a Berlin School feel, a l  Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream, and Ashra, but there's something about even Steve Roach's earliest work that is distinctly American in flavor and composition. As noted, this is a rhythmic recording, consisting of beautiful and cool analog and synthesizer sounds, which truly date the music as being from the mid-'80s, but Empetus is a refreshing, almost vintage recording rather than a schlocky, almost insubstantial synth/new age excursion that, unfortunately, the '80s yielded many of. There's also a bit of a minimalist feel, similar to some of Steve Reich's work, but more organic and less cold. One track that really sticks out is "Conquest," with Weslie Brown's fervent vocals passionately resonating throughout the track, set against the backdrop of Steve Roach's organic, and isolated, synthesized minimalism. This is a great recording and one that is truly a wonderful place to start exploring the massive catalog of Steve Roach. [Projekt's 2008 Collector's Edition included two bonus tracks.] ~ Matt Borghi

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