22 August, 2018

The deep sonic/spacious world of early Michael Stearns

SUSTAINING CYLINDERS
(Continuum Montage CM 1002) MC

This also has one piece per side. The title track features an instrument called the Eikosany Vibes, which produces a hauntingly beautiful pattern of curious and melancholic bell-like sounds resulting in a very minimal, slowly moving and almost ambient soundscape. Sleeping Conches utilises mainly natural sounds. The washing of waves, conch shells and delicate bell notes interweave to form a relaxing, elemental and meditative carpet (or should I say ocean?) of sound.



JEWEL
(Sonic Atmospheres 208) MC

Another album of two tracks! In Morning Michael once again employs natural sounds:- bird song, children's voices, insect chirpings, etc. (recorded live at dawn in the Arizona desert and a Mexican jungle it seems) to evoke the arrival of dawn. These natural sounds then merge into a beautiful and uplifting symphony of acoustic, electronic and wordless vocal music glorifying the beauty and freshness of a new day. New Age music with a difference, instead of just relying on virtuosity and technique which produces a cold and clinical aspect, Michael imbues his music with a feeling of and for humanity. 'Organic' rather than 'inorganic' New Age music is how a chemist might describe it. This music lives! Jewel is a hypnotic ambient piece produced with the Eikosany Vibes and a female chorus. The music shimmers and glistens like some immense precious stone slowly revolving and reflecting a warmly glowing light. Absolutely spellbinding!

(reviews by Peter Harrison in Audion #2, September 1986)



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