Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces [Box set]

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
After dark descents into the abyss on The Magnificent Void and Midnight Moon, Steve Roach lightens up the textures a bit on the double CD Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces. The mood harkens back to his influential 1984 release, Structures From Silence, but the atmospheres are more textured and layered while melody is virtually non-existent. And while Structures had a slow motion pulse, Mystic Chords hangs rhythm free. It floats in a space of richly detailed, but minutely shifting sound constructs that owe more to Gyorgy Ligeti and Mark Rothko than early Roach touchstones like Klaus Schulze and Salvador Dali. Roach is creating a free fall through space, less rooted in the pulsing techno-tribal sound of his 1990s music, and more ecstatic in its evocations of something beyond. He carries you to groaning turgid depths, then lifts you as electric guitar glides and synthesizers gurgle, shudder, and swell in an Aurora Borealis of sound. --John Diliberto

Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces,Steve Roach,Projekt Records,Ambient,Electronic,Ethnic Fusion,Europe,Minimalism,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Progressive Electronic,Space,Spiritual,Techno-Tribal

Tracks:

Palace Of Nectar
Oracle
Within The Mystic
Presence
Vortex Ring

Tracks:

Wren And Raven
The Otherworld
Wonderworld
Threshold
Dream Body
Slowly Dissolve
Womb Of Night
Soulwave
Wordless
Nameless

Amazon.com

After dark descents into the abyss on The Magnificent Void and Midnight Moon, Steve Roach lightens up the textures a bit on the double CD Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces. The mood harkens back to his influential 1984 release, Structures From Silence, but the atmospheres are more textured and layered while melody is virtually non-existent. And while Structures had a slow motion pulse, Mystic Chords hangs rhythm free. It floats in a space of richly detailed, but minutely shifting sound constructs that owe more to Gyorgy Ligeti and Mark Rothko than early Roach touchstones like Klaus Schulze and Salvador Dali. Roach is creating a free fall through space, less rooted in the pulsing techno-tribal sound of his 1990s music, and more ecstatic in its evocations of something beyond. He carries you to groaning turgid depths, then lifts you as electric guitar glides and synthesizers gurgle, shudder, and swell in an Aurora Borealis of sound. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2007-08-04

While I recognize the artistry that created Steve Roach's, "Magnificent Void," I was completely underhwelmed by this set of several hours of his drone music. If you don't know by now, the drone sound is created by holding down several adjacent keys on a synthesizer and twiddling with the controls. This can add an interesting effect but unless this varies enough to maintain interest, it can also be tedious - like listening to white noise for hours on end. The drone sound is to Roach what the repetitive arpeggio is to Philip Glass. Both composers are capable of fascinating music. But both composers can also be slackers and substitute their signature sound/trick for intelligent and new music. If you like drones, this will be up your alley. rather than finding a fascinating soundscape to escape to and meditate in, I found this very boring.

Amazing sounds!.......2007-05-26

I bought this CD to use for a shamanic journey that I was hoping to go on. The two CDs are very soothing and very suitable for meditations or for just relaxing. The sounds are amazing.

A harkening back to Quiet Music.......2006-03-19

Steve Roach has so many roots that to say he is harkening back to any one of them requires additional explanation. In this case he is reaching deeply into his more meditative sounds, akin to but by no means a repeat of "Structures from Silence" and "Quiet Music."
The first time I played this double album I had some guests over discussing a novel one of them had written. Just hearing it once lead to another sale to someone who was completely unfamiliar with Steve's music. Very melodious beautiful sounds.

Diamond of Eternity.......2005-10-12

So, that's much more than music. This album is a treasure!!!
I could rate it even with infinity of stars if I could!!!
It is STAR itself.

Synths and pads, which come under your skin and you feel part of this sensation. When I listen to it - I close my eyes and find myself drifting through the Universe. It is exactly what I always wish to hear when I think of Time and Space, about eternity. Real MASTERPIECE!!! So, this album is destinied to have it in collection for those, who wants to go loose in order to forget anything uncomfortable and boring.
Happy flight to the STARS!!!

Oleg

A masterpiece........2005-06-12

This is easily one of Steve Roach's finest hours - well, 5 hours to be more precise, if you get the complete set (it is available in either a 2-CD or 4-CD version). Disc 1 of 4, Mystic Chords, is what I would call the "classic" organic ambient style of Steve Roach; Labyrinth is his dark ambient style; Recent Future is a tasty variety sampler platter; and Piece of Infinity is one of Steve's trademark minimal long-form works, perhaps the subtlest and softest he has ever done. My favorite is the first disc, 5 tracks running from nearly 12 to just over 20 minutes each. There are great highs and lows, wonderful deep drones and high shimmering tones, all richly layered in an organic primordial soup that touches a vibrant nerve for a thoroughly soothing listening experience. Reaching deeper still is Labyrinth, 10 tracks that plunge deep into "The Otherworld," a track which is representative of the intense darkness found at several moments on disc two. Though undeniably Roach, I'm also reminded here of old haunting Schulze numbers from the early 1970s. Disc 3, Recent Future, is still a little dark, but not as much as Labyrinth. Not a beat is heard, but the variety on these 13 tracks while retaining a cohesive quality is remarkable. Light, dark, simple, complex, visceral, elegant - all are apt adjectives to describe the music. Sample to your heart's delight, or better yet, play it through from beginning to end and hear the flow as Steve intended. Consider it time very well spent.

Average customer rating:

headphone density
two great bands make one great album
This really hits home for me
www.undressmerobot.com review:

Tree Colored See
Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory
Manufacturer: Mush
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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And Everything Else...
Mystic Chords of Memory
Yellow House
II
Ys

ASIN: B000EO0XT0
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Tracks:

The Seed
Decisions, Decisions
Coyote's Song (When You Hear It Too)
Memory
Klaw Prints
Walk In The After Light
When The End Meets The Beginning
Feet Upon The Sand
Softer Sail
Floating
Unlisted

Album Description

Tree Colored See is a collaborative effort between renowned L.A. hip hop and electronic producer Nobody (Elvin Estella) and Mystic Chords of Memory (featuring Chris Gunst of The Beachwood Sparks and The Aisler SetÕs Jen Cohen). After swapping successful guest appearances on a few releases, the trio began working on a collaborative project in the spring of 2004. After a year filled with road trips and mailorder-only production efforts, the group hits upon a perfectly crafted blend of psychedelic hip-hop and sunshine folk-rock. A producer/ arranger in the classical sense, Nobody uses his samplebased tool set to create the foundations of the album. Gunst continues to mature as a songwriter and along with partner Cohen, adds wistful vocals and accomplished musicianship. Fans who may have followed these artists throughout their respective careers will be thrilled at how Tree Colored See brings out the best in each.

Customer Reviews:

headphone density.......2006-10-04

Thank God for the Beachwood Sparks. I was a big fan of those guys and from their ranks I've gotten two of my favorite albums of the past couple of years. First is the highly underrated All Night Radio, a disc I have simply never grown tired of, like the aural version of a sunny Saturday in my youth. And now this album, a collection of music that is both light and thick, a true headphone creation that unfolds in your head like the flowing petals of a digital flower... Me digs it...

two great bands make one great album.......2006-09-05

this is perhaps the best record of its genre to come out other than possibly the latest melpo mene record (a great band out of sweden). somehow these two bands integrate their sounds so seamlessly that they have created an entirely new sound you wouldn't have guessed either one of them had something to do with, other than the familiar vocals. this is one of those albums that makes their more popular predecessors probably wish they had made it, and also makes them realize they probably never could.

This really hits home for me.......2006-07-09

I have to slightly disagree with the above review. This is an excellent album and it's perfection is not the question. It creates a luscious soundscape that is very unique. It inhabits certain moods that are like land and water yes but really very moving and extraordinary. I'm probably not as familiar as you with their back catalogue but I think this is a fine album. It really moves quick and gets to things at a very good pace. Maybe if it had been more along the lines of perfection you expect, it would be too long. In my opinion they gave it good measure and it's great from start to finish. Sure tracks stick out but all great albums have the same issue.

www.undressmerobot.com review:.......2006-06-22

Electronic Hip Hop marries Psychadelic Folk?

What is ultimately a more intruiging concept on paper than in reality, Tree Colored See disappointed me only in the fact that it's not perfect. Nobody has been my favorite electronic hip hop artist for the last couple years and Mystic Chords of Memory released some great psych-folk two years ago, one of my favorite genre's lately. Hence, I expected this album to be perfect.

Maybe it's because these two genres were never meant to be mixed; maybe it's because Mystic Chords of Memory just weren't the perfect psych-folk pick for Nobody; maybe it's simply because this album doesn't sound radically different from a lot of Nobody's solo songs (see "What Fall Brings" and "You Can Know Her" for examples) - I'm simply not sure, but this album just isn't perfect! Yet it's still a really dreamy sound done extremely well by some of the most talented people out there.

Mystic Chords add vocals and real instruments to the songs while Nobody polishes the music with his loops, beats, and other random electronic tamperings. The first half aims to "reflect the land" while the second half is supposed to "reflect the water." If you're in the right state of mind, you can easily notice the differences in the loops and guitar riffs between these two halfs - and it's pretty cool. Every song on the album is calming and somewhat magical, but not enough songs are like "When the End Meets the Beginning," a song that is both electronically engaging and psychadelically captivating at the same time, so much so that makes you hang on to every note. Other songs come close, just not close enough.

Needless to say, you have to at least check this release out if you're a fan of Nobody or Mystic Chords of Memory. Remember - it's not that it's bad, it's just not perfect.

Average customer rating:

Reality Check
By JimiC
C'mon, Take A Trip - It's Good For You
Shhhhhhh.... it's beautiful.

Mystic Chords of Memory
Mystic Chords of Memory
Manufacturer: Sanctuary Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Tree Colored See
Three's Co.
By Your Side
Yellow House
Once

ASIN: B000294SG6
Release Date: 2004-06-22

Tracks:

BERRY CREEK FALLS
SOUL THROUGH THE BULLET HOLE
GOLDEN DOME
SURE, BERT
LIKE A LOBSTER
EYES ON SIDES OF HEADS
OPEN END
LAST ONE
MONGO AND ARKY
PI AND A BEE

Customer Reviews:

Reality Check.......2007-03-02

Ok, Chris and Jen's close pals or stalker-types have written long-winded sword-swallowing reviews of this album but it's time for the truth. The album is not very good. I gave it 3 stars on artistic merit alone and the fact that Chris Gunst is a terrific person (I know nothing of Jen but I'm sure she's wonderful). Not a single song will slay you in the way B-Sparks songs like "Canyon Ride" or "Let it Run" may. In fact, you don't even get a song as good as Strictly Ballroom's "A Picture". I am sure some will say I am nude and don't "get it" but except for a few tunes here (Sure, Bert being the best) this is a serious disappointment for me. Then again, I doubt they had me in mind during these sessions.

By JimiC.......2005-04-04

I've tried to escape it. I've hidden my poetry books. I've tried not to talk to people who look intelligent and sensitive. I've sublimated my emotions under oceans of beer. I've turned my amp up to 11. But nothing has worked. The twee will not be denied.

I like to rock. I live to rock. I wanna rock. (Insert obvious and annoying Twisted Sister joke here.) It's getting harder to do it, though. At least bands like Mystic Chords of Memory make it easier to live with accept that fact.

It's Psychedelic. It's Twee. It's Twee-chedelic. There, I just invented a new genre for the Mystic Chords of Memory. All the requisite gentle waves of sound are here: the lovely vocal harmonies, the esoteric additional instrumentation (melodica, autoharp, harp, etc).

All the twee bases are covered, but the Chords (I call them "the Chords" because typing the Mystic Chords of Memory over and over gets really annoying...) place their own stamp on the genre by sprinkling in some classic psychedelia - going on strange instrumental flights of fancy (nice violin solo on "Golden Dome"), writing songs about lobsters ("Like a Lobster"), and mixing "broken psychedelic" vocals (think Flaming Lips/Mercury Rev) with beautiful boy/girl harmonies (I'm always a sucker for those).

They sound like a Rough Trade band (well, they are a Rough Trade band), but they also sound like they'd be very comfortable hanging with the Elephant 6 guys. Not that those worlds are a million miles removed from one another to begin with... but you get the picture. Highlights: the ascending vocal line ("...we are tuning forks...") in "Open End", the waltz-time weird sounds of "Mongo and Arky," the almost-funky drum "Soul Through the Bullet Hole."

I feel like I should say more (and lordy knows I love to hear the sound of my own, er, typing...), but I'm just going to sit here and enjoy listening to this one. You should, too.

C'mon, Take A Trip - It's Good For You.......2004-09-18

While California's psychedelia-meets-country maestros, the Beachwood Sparks have sadly ceased to be, Chris Gunst has opened up another outlet for his music with Mystic Chords Of Memory.

Although the band name comes from a line in Abraham Lincoln's 1861 inauguration address, the trippy connotation is also appropriate, albeit in a more relaxed, organic way than the Gram Parsons/Byrds musings of the Beachwood Sparks. Based in Santa Cruz, California, Gunst and his girlfriend, Jen Cohen, (who also plays in Aisler's Set), have made the sort of album that's just begging for a mind-altering afternoon under the willow trees on a riverbank - plenty of reverb on the guitars, dreamy, drifting vocal tracks and, refecting an affection for the music of Ravi Shankar and Alice Coltrane, a scattering of delicious instrumentals. And great song titles, too: `Sure, Bert'; `Like A Lobster'; `Eyes On Sides Of Heads'; `Pi And A Bee'.

Gunst and Cohen both provide vocals and guitar work, alongside a myriad of other instrumentation, with extra input from Ben Knight, (Beachwood Sparks and the Tyde), helping out on guitar and vocals, and Scott Coffey, (the Tyde), on violin. Much of what makes this such a good album is Gunst knowing when to leave spaces within the arrangements - `Soul Through The Bullet Hole' owes as much to the listener filling, (or falling), in through the musical holes as what is coming through the speakers.

Mystic Chords Of Memory is a glorious little patch of mid-winter summery sunshine.

Kim Porter, Forté Magazine, Australia

Shhhhhhh.... it's beautiful........2004-06-23

Ultra-blissed out sundrop smiles from Chris Gunst and Jen Cohen. Often times beatless and formless, the songs weave a wispy truly original vision of psychedelic California cosmic stoner folk. You'll get a few verses and usually things will naturally and organically break down to reverbed out electric guitar, washes of synth and electric piano and harp, droning violin and splashes of cymbals. I'd compare this to the prettiest parts of the Beachwood Sparks "Make The Cowboy Robots Cry" EP, especially the end of Hibernation. What Sonic Youth is NYC, and Spacemen 3 were to London, Mystic Chords of Memory are to the foggy canyons around Santa Cruz. A fairytale of giant trees, cozy cabins, and girls and boys who love to love.

Average customer rating:

Broaden a New Sound
Nobody and the Mystic Chords of Memory
Manufacturer: Rough Trade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000EXH4EI
Release Date: 2006-04-24

Tracks:

Broaden A New Sound (Single Edit)
Devendra Banhart La Semilla (The Seed)
Feet Upon The Sand (Intel Remix)
Long Lost Coyote's Song (When You Hear It Too)

Album Description

Broaden a New Sound," the single from electronic psych-pop super rio Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory is from their fort"hcoming full-length, Tree Colored See. The radio friendly single edit of "Broaden a New Sound" is complimented with three interpretations of additional songs from the full length. Devendra Banhart's "La Semilla" is a spooky, Spanish-spoken echoed acoustic cover of the Tree Colored See opener, "The Seed." DNTEL contributes a slow building pulse-driven remix of "Feet Upon Sand," which focuses attention on the female vocals of Jen Cohen during the chorus. The Long Lost round out the project with an achingly sweet and simple folk cover of "Coyote's Song (When You Hear It Too)." This teaser single stands on its own, presenting a multitude of sounds from some of the finest in the electronic/folk spectrum. Full radio and press campaign to be carried out by Darling Dept, focusing on reviews, features and plays via all key media. Pinnuk.2006

Mystic Chords of Genocide: Music of Holocaust

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Mystic Chords of Genocide: Music of Holocaust
Susan Eischeid
Manufacturer: Aca Digital
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00005NF2P
Release Date: 2001-07-31

Tracks:

Es Brent
Es Vet Zikh
Treblinka
Babi Yar
My Mother Longed to Be There on My Wedding Day
Under Your Starry Heaven
Ani Mamin
Brezulinka: Berjoskele
Brezulinka: Margaritheleak
Suite for Oboe and Piano, Opus 17: Furioso
Suite for Oboe and Piano, Opus 17: Con Fuoco
Suite for Oboe and Piano, Opus 17: Moderato
Three Warsaw Polonaises: Allegro Moderato
Three Warsaw Polonaises: Andantino con Expressione
Three Warsaw Polonaises: Allegro Energico

Average customer rating:

Broaden a New Sound
Nobody , and Mystic Chords of Memory
Manufacturer: Mush
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Pop Rap | Rap & Hip-Hop | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000F5GO6Y
Release Date: 2006-06-23

Average customer rating:

Tree Colored See
Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory
Manufacturer: Mush
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000FBFUUY
Release Date: 2006-04-25

Tracks:

Seed
Decisions, Decisions
Broaden a New Sound
Coyote's Song (When You Hear It Too)
Memory
Klaw Prints
Walk in the After Light
When the End Meets the Beginning
Feet Upon the Sand
Softer Sail
Floating

Average customer rating:

Finally, a REALLY great album!
Wow!!!
A must have album

Mystic chords of memory
Erich Glaubitz Band
Manufacturer: Dug
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00005NQ26
Release Date: 2001-07-30

Tracks:

Family photographs
Addiction
Peaceful
Away
Desert rain
My religion
Sensation
War of love
All I ever wanted
Evelyn's peace

Album Description

The CD, Mystic chords of memory, captures the essence of the EG band is about--energy, depth and infectious grooves & melodies that will stay with you long after the songs are over. Erich's lyrics are from personal life experiences (there's no fluff or filler here). Who thought truth could be so hooky?

Customer Reviews:

Finally, a REALLY great album!.......2001-11-27

This is a beautiful, honest album with songs from the heart. It's devoid of the usual glitzy pop or music tricks that often try to cover up for lack depth. The band has an acoustic, down-to-earth Collective Soul sort of sound and the lead singer's voice is perfectly suited to the songs and their message.

Wow!!!.......2001-09-20

The songs on this CD really touched me. Family Photograghs is unbelievable. I don't know if this is good in a review, but it made me cry. The lyrics are soooo honest! There are some cool fun songs too. Peaceful really rocked and My religion is just one of those feel good songs. Oh, and Evelyn's Peace is a work of art. They could hang that song in a museum! This coming from someone who hard to impress.

A must have album.......2001-08-21

I saw the show and I must say thier live performance rocked. I go to many rock shows and I must say they are better then the bands out there today . After the show I had to pick the album. Once i got home I put it in and I was blown away. The lead singers voice and words come straight from the heart, it felt like he was singing only to me . The album is rock album with lots of acoustic stuff that is not heard in todays music scene. The album is very rounded there is stuff that just rocks ,songs you can dance to and songs that make you think , it goes from fast to slow . The lead singer sings about issues that matter , about relationships but he does it in a different way that what is out there today he sings , and he sings realy good. If you like Dave Matthews Band and U2 then you will love this album . If you like music with skill , harmony ,melody , well if you like just plain old good music then get this ablum. These guys are going somewhere.

Average customer rating:

Tree Colored See
Nobody & Mystic Chords of Memory
Manufacturer: Rough Trade
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000BGUV20
Release Date: 2006-05-01

Tracks:

Seed
Decisions, Decisions
Broaden a New Sound
Coyote's Song (When You Hear It Too)
Memory
Klaw Prints
Walk in the After Light
When the End Meets the Beginning
Feet Upon the Sand
Softer Sail
Floating

Album Description

Tree Colored See is a collaborative effort between Nobody (Elvin Estella) and Mystic Chords of Memory (Chris Gunst and Jen Cohen). Building off of successful guest appearances on each other's past releases, the trio began collaborating on the project in the spring of 2004. After a year-plus of road trips and mail-order production efforts, the result is a perfectly crafted blend of psychedelic hip-hop and sunshine folk-rock. Nobody proves himself a producer/arranger in the classical sense, using his sample-based tool set to create the foundations for the album. Chris Gunst continues to mature as a songwriter and along with partner Jen Cohen, adds wistful vocals and accomplished musicianship to each song. For those who have followed any of these artists throughout the courses of their respective careers, this album proves to bring out the best in each of the participants.Full radio and press campaign to be carried out by Darling Dept, focusing on reviews, features and plays via all key media. Pinnuk.2006

Album Details

An Exciting Project from DJ Nobody and Mystic Chords of Memory (Ex Beachwood Sparks). An Album of True Hypnotic Beauty.

Average customer rating:

Mystic Chords of Memory

Manufacturer: Dug
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000CAJJNW
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Pop Music: