Spiral Revelation

Steve Roach's first work to be nominated for a Grammy award (in the New Age category), Spiral Revelation continues in the direction of the composer's other 2010s-era releases, wherein he revisits his Berlin-school roots. Living up to its title, Spiral Revelation is a sequencer-driven work filled with swirling textures and flickering arpeggios, constantly venturing down a path toward personal enlightenment. Crafted with Roach's expansive analog hardware synth set-up, there's a very tactile feel to these pieces, as he shapes and guides them in real time. It sounds spontaneous, yet there's a very clear sense of direction. Best of all is the 20-minute title track which concludes the release, which offsets rapid pulsations with a slower bass thump. While such a combination could be dizzying, Roach manages to do it in a way that stimulates the brain. Magnificent, well though-out work, as always. ~ Paul Simpson