LONG THOUGHTS

Defining American prog-electronic/ambient artist Steve Roach returns at the half-way point of 2017 with `Long Thoughts', another of those slowly unwinding, ever-evolving, lightly psychedelic sound-collages that this master of the genres often delivers with impeccable precision and subtle taste. More along the lines of Roach's `Immersion' series of releases, his recent `Fade to Grey' work or his four-volume `Bloodmoon Rising' set, `Long Thoughts' is a lengthy single continuous electronic aural canvas that weaves a hypnotic spell and concocts a distinctly mesmerizing atmosphere where time seems to blur and stretch on forever.

With no obvious themes or percussive elements appearing throughout this seventy-three minute piece, `Long Thoughts' lurches to life as a drowsy and dream-like surreal electronic ambient soundtrack. An unceasing lulling drone at its core, eerie and lightly stormy thrumming reverberations are rippled with ringing crystalline shimmers and churning electronic caresses. Some moments take on an icy coolness, others a gentler lulling embrace, but all culminate in drifting pools of serenity and mystery, where the most minute of transitions happen so seamlessly they're intangible.

Those after a modern Roach release with more melodic and rhythmic qualities a little closer to a firmer prog-electronic sound should perhaps head to `Skeleton Keys', `Spiral Revelations' or his Robert Logan collaboration `Biosonic' first, alternatively those wanting a more approachable or varied example of the purer ambient styles he works in frequently these days might prefer recent discs like `Painting in the Dark' or `Nostalgia for the Future', released directly alongside this one.

But if you're a fan of Mr Roach's subtle and sedate long-form works, `Long Thoughts' is undiluted, pure ambient music that still holds weight and quiet intelligence, and it will prove to be a great reward for the most patient of listeners, a piece that reminds us to step back and slow down in this busy fast-paced blur of a time we live in.

Three stars for casual listeners, four stars for experienced ambient/electronic fans.