Steve Roach /Michael Stearns
Beyond Earth & Sky

In 1995, Kiva, an album that was a collaboration between Steve Roach, Michael Stearns, and Ron Sunsinger, was released. Roach and Stearns are two of the giants of American electronic music. For many at the time, Kiva represented a milestone in ambient music. I am not among the admirers of this work. It seemed to me that the work was somewhat predictable and too close to the lifeless new age that I detest.

Now the two have joined forces again in a new album titled Beyond, Earth & Sky, released by the legendary Projekt by Sam Rosenthal. I'll say right away that the chemistry here works perfectly. These artists share, in addition to a common "musical vision," a similar philosophy of life. Probably, some critic will raise an eyebrow, highlighting how, for quite some time now, Steve Roach hasn't invented anything new but has recycled himself into a kind of respectable yet somewhat redundant craftsmanship. I agree with this school of thought only to a certain extent. It's true that the ambient genre is now oversaturated and it's difficult to find something original in much of Steve Roach's recent production. However, the artist has remained intact, and I believe the help of his friend Michael Stearns has been, in this case, very positive.

Beyond, Earth & Sky is indeed an inspired album that manages, in its best moments, to revive the magic of masterpieces like Roach's Dreamtime Return and Stearns' Encounter. The instrumentation includes the use of the Beam (a gigantic 22-string instrument), digital and analog synths, various sequencers, and the didgeridoo. Tracks like the opening and ethereal "Horizon Is Home," the futuristic "The Long Road," the evanescent "Cloud Of New Promise," the cosmic and ceremonial "Primal Return," and the concluding and sideral "Parable Of Understanding" testify how this album represents a significant moment in the career of these two musicians. Highly recommended for ambient followers. Available on Bandcamp: https://steveroach.bandcamp.com/album/beyond-earth-sky.