The Masterpiece of the Roach/Obmana collaborations-The Sound
dronecaster | Baton Rouge, LA USA | 10/22/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Back in 1998, Steve Roach and Vidna Obmana teamed up to create a limited edition, three-disc set called "Ascension of Shadows", with each disc containing one composition well over an hour in length. Clearly the most successful of the three was the first in the series, a 72-minute composition called "Somewhere Else". For the past several years, "Ascension" has been out of print due to its initial limited edition status. But now, Projekt Records has wisely decided to reissue each of these discs, removing them from obscurity.
Sonically, "Somewhere Else" could be best described as a update on the central idea behind Brian Eno's "Thursday Afternoon", not in terms of its length, but more so in its general feel. However, unlike that pioneering work of "wall-of-sound" ambience, Roach and Obmana crafted a much eerier soundscape, evoking ancient, subconscious memories no different from the ones drawn up from "Looking for Safety" from Roach's "Dreamtime Return". Even more so than the duo's brilliant "Well of Souls", or even their most recent plunge into the realm of dark sonic bliss, "Spirit Dome", "Somewhere Else" achieves the full promise of the Roach/Obmana mindmeld, and should be considered quite simply one of the greatest ambient compositions ever...pure melliflousness with substance, the soundtrack to paradise."
Simple, Yet Effective
Mike Smith | 10/21/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I did not know much about this release before purchasing it. It was a pleasant surprise. It is not complex by any stretch of the imagination, but there is enough variety to latch onto which keeps it from being too simple. Something about it is hypnotic. This is a good representation of what ambient music is, and it is well made. If your goal is to relax or meditate and you don't mind simplicity, look no further, "Somewhere Else" will work for you."
Hauntingly Beautiful...
Joe Mugsy | 09/15/2008
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of THE best ambient works I've heard. Just behind Steve's "Slow Heat" (Which is available through his website,[[...]). It just creates a *mood* that seems to last forever. Put this on while your driving your car thru the countryside on an autumn day......& you'll know what I mean. Peaceful....relaxing...but also thought provoking!"