Jazz Articles about Steve Roach

Steve Roach and "Vir Unis": Blood Machine

by AAJ Staff
November 1, 2001

The long-awaited follow-up to Steve Roach and Vir Unis' explosive Body Electric is finally here. Blood Machine is inspired by the futuristic neurobiology and biotechnology which breaks into the news with almost daily reports of new discoveries. Here, two futuristic masters of electronica combine to bring us discoveries in sound and synapse, rhythm and bio-interface.

If you are expecting a slam-bang sequel to the noisy and boisterous Body Electric , you will be surprised, because though Blood Machine has plenty ...

Steve Roach and Vir Unis: Blood Machine

by AAJ Staff
July 1, 2001

The long-awaited follow-up to Steve Roach and Vir Unis' explosive Body Electric is finally here. Blood Machine is inspired by the futuristic neurobiology and biotechnology which breaks into the news with almost daily reports of new discoveries. Here, two futuristic masters of electronica combine to bring us discoveries in sound and synapse, rhythm and bio-interface.

If you are expecting a slam-bang sequel to the noisy and boisterous Body Electric , you will be surprised, because though Blood Machine has plenty ...

Steve Roach: Light Fantastic

by AAJ Staff
December 1, 2000

The “Magnificent Void" jumps to light-speed with this electrifying new release by Steve Roach. He is using the same resources as his recent Body Electric including the technical and musical expertise of “Vir Unis," but as a solo production, Light Fantastic is quite different from the collaboration of Body Electric. At very first hearing, it is possible to hear the similarities between the two recordings, but very soon it becomes evident that Light Fantastic is not Body Electric II. While ...

Steve Roach: Midnight Moon

by AAJ Staff
December 1, 2000

Steve Roach, the brilliantly creative Arizona-based electronic composer, is always ready to try new sounds. In his Dust to Dust (Projekt, 1998), collaborating with Western guitarist and producer Roger King, he re-created the twangy guitar sound of the American West in the characteristic Roach style of vast drifting ambient. Here in Midnight Moon he continues that sound, though without the drama and storytelling of Dust. This is pure ambient, devoid of rhythm, very slow- paced, somnolent and repetitive. Composed mainly ...

Steve Roach: Midnight Moon

by AAJ Staff
December 1, 2000

Steve Roach, the brilliantly creative Arizona-based electronic composer, is always ready to try new sounds. In his Dust to Dust (Projekt, 1998), collaborating with Western guitarist and producer Roger King, he re-created the twangy guitar sound of the American West in the characteristic Roach style of vast drifting ambient. Here in Midnight Moon he continues that sound, though without the drama and storytelling of Dust. This is pure ambient, devoid of rhythm, very slow- paced, somnolent and repetitive. Composed mainly ...

Steve Roach: World's Edge

by John W. Patterson
November 1, 2000

I first came across Steve Roach when joyously discovering his Structures From Silence release. I went on from there to buying Dreamtime Return and now own many Roach releases and collaborations. This is my first chance officially to review a work of his. First off, I can quickly summarize World's Edge in saying this a wonderfully executed blending of all those things that worked so well in Structures from Silence and Dreamtime Return. Disc One incorporates a healthy ...

Steve Roach: Dreaming . . . Now, Then, A Retrospective 1982-1997

by John W. Patterson
November 1, 2000

If you have always been curious as to why Steve Roach is a legend in the electronic music world or the prince of ambience, this 2-CD collection will provide ample evidence. Roach has assembled this journey into two parts. Disc 1: The Ritual Continues, provides a near chronologically linear flow of rhythmic, tribal yet pulsatingly electronic pieces. Twelve pieces sample Roach, circa 1982- 1994, with one previously unreleased track from 1997. Landmark releases like Empetus, Desert Solitaire, Dreamtime Return, and ...