The meditative, ambient minimalism of Steve Roach’s classic 1983-86 Quiet Music series is rereleased in its entirety with a meticulously remastered 35th anniversary 3CD edition. The luscious quality and subtle tonal beauty reveal the essence-of-tone of the multitrack master. Originally published on cassette and later in a truncated 2CD edition, Projekt now presents this landmark album as Roach envisioned it.
Created in respect for silence, Quiet Music originates from the same era as Roach’s classic 1984 release Structures From Silence. This album finds the gentle synthesizer electronics mixing with flute, electric piano and natural sounds flowing like breath, enveloping the listener in a sustained, delicate, translucent atmosphere.
Harold Budd, Los Angeles, 1986: “I think Steve Roach’s Quiet Music is his best album. It’s not that it’s simply pretty (which it is), but there’s an odd edge lurking in the background that moves it miles away from ‘New Age’ torpor. This is a lovely album from a composer working at the top of his skills.”
Allmusic.com: “Quiet Music is the essence of pure, meditative ambience. Steve Roach has always been a visionary performer; his work defines ‘elegant futurism.’ He released these on cassette in 1986, and it remains in the forefront of introspective minimalism. This series set the stage for all minimalists to follow. This is groundbreaking space music from an epic and legendary performer. He is peerless in his corner of the perpendicular universe.”
Much of this music began as a series of early-’80s recordings commissioned by healing-arts programs and later used for everything from personal meditation to birthing music. Today these pieces stand as a cornerstone in body-work, yoga, and healing therapies.
A timeless masterpiece.
3CD in 6-panel digipak.