Nightbloom

Chronique

Continuing the run of releases and collaborations via Projekt that defines much of his output on the label, on Nightbloom Steve Roach works with Mark Seelig on a five-part, single-track composition that finds the two exploring the more darkly chilled-out side of their respective work. Coming off Roach's just previously released Sigh of Ages, as well as suggestive of releases such as Early Man and Arc of Passion, it's enjoyable more than remarkable, but Roach and Seelig are nothing if not listenable composers for a variety of moods. The first part (and the longest) consists mostly of a slow rising and falling bass tone for the first eight minutes surrounded by textures with the feeling of wind and lost souls, until a subtle percussion pattern begins to emerge slowly from deep in the mix. The second part brings a more muffled and also more ominous drumming loop, further laden with stuttering echo as the main drones continue steadily, while the third subtly alters both the drones and the drums with the latter standing now even more to the fore, a slow martial summoning, as does the fourth. The final section strips away the drumming for the first part because a final, more energetic break comes to the fore, helping to sum up and send out the album on a strong note.
© Ned Raggett /TiVo