This 1988 masterpiece, inspired by Roach's visits to the Australian outback and his work with didgeridoo master David Hudson, set the template for much of Roach's future work. In some sense he has simply refined the album'... more »s organic blend of brush-stroke synthesizer colors and ethnic-inspired rhythms ever since, with many glorious results. But this journey into Australian aboriginal mythology--the Dreamtime was an Eden-like period of natural harmony presaged by the arrival of extraterrestrial ancestors--remains a trademark and a wholly original work. Like Bruce Chatwin's seminal book on aboriginal mythos, The Songlines, Return is an outsider's document that feels like the very lay of the land itself; the piece "Songline," with its driving dumbek rhythms, reflects the rocky terrain as ably as "A Circular Ceremony" evokes the vastness and mystery of the desert expanse. A true classic. --James Rotondi« less
This 1988 masterpiece, inspired by Roach's visits to the Australian outback and his work with didgeridoo master David Hudson, set the template for much of Roach's future work. In some sense he has simply refined the album's organic blend of brush-stroke synthesizer colors and ethnic-inspired rhythms ever since, with many glorious results. But this journey into Australian aboriginal mythology--the Dreamtime was an Eden-like period of natural harmony presaged by the arrival of extraterrestrial ancestors--remains a trademark and a wholly original work. Like Bruce Chatwin's seminal book on aboriginal mythos, The Songlines, Return is an outsider's document that feels like the very lay of the land itself; the piece "Songline," with its driving dumbek rhythms, reflects the rocky terrain as ably as "A Circular Ceremony" evokes the vastness and mystery of the desert expanse. A true classic. --James Rotondi
"Simply one of the best space/newage/ambient works ever pressed, Steve Roach's expanded score lends itself to the ultimate relaxation or chill-party CD. It's an arresting work - the man works miracles with electronics and sheets of sounds. Along with the same decade's "Chronos" by Michael Stearns, and Don Slepian's psycoactive, hypnotic, let's-get-back-to-Nirvana masterpiece, "Sea of Bliss," Roach's two CD epic will take you places few musics can. THIS IS GREAT!"
Still stands the test of time
Elliot Finn | 05/09/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Roach's style has changed a lot. A lot of new ambient artists have come along since this release, such as Stars of the Lid, Deepspace [...]
and Vidna Obmana, and yet this stands near the top of the field. His style is more complex and layered now, but elements of this recording are still evident in some of his newer stuff, like mantram, and new life dreaming.
Roach became a bit obsessed with the Australian Outback at one stage in his career, and you can hear that he nailed the feeling of the place quite well. Having lived in Australia most of my life, I can hear what he was trying to do-the sense of starkness, and impenetrability in the deserts here is very tangible. Very impressive Mr. Roach."
Mildly inconsistent
IRate | 11/11/2008
(3 out of 5 stars)
"3 1/2
High notch astro-ambiance blends lush synths with soothing tribal rhythms in a way many New Ager's (including Roach himself) have tried in vain to emulate since, though usually instead amounting to little more then the cliche this type of music has become to the market. It is not entirely solid compositionally; sometimes the mechanical shallowness rears its head after one too many loops, but when tracks come together like a centerpiece track "The Other Side", the album is worth hearing."
Inimitable, Indispensible and Timeless Ambient Perfection
M. D. MCGINLEY | United States | 01/29/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Steve Roach's "Dreamtime Return" is the first ambient soundscape album I purchased back in 1988. Unfortunately, I was too young to appreciate its brilliance until my mind could fully realize the true diamond of pure ambience I had "stumbled" upon. Initially, I was attracted to the cover, but failed to realize the timeless harmonies I had acquired, as evidence by its sustained price. Roach was never able to duplicate the timeless, totally agreeable and mystic collection of tracks, all recorded in Australia with naturally made instruments, including the ubiquitous didgeridoo, pleasantly cast against a backdrop of cave echoes, water drops and indescribable, reverbial twangs that only Steve Roach could create.
Included in this massive, 140-minute ageless collection are sounds of the Aborigines whom Roach befriended during his time in Australia recording "Dreamtime Return," and their haunting, yet pleasant vocals burst forth on "Red Twilight with the Old Ones," a track that could never be duplicated with such originality, such respect for the oldest civilization on earth. I've found that the year doesn't matter. I drop the attitude, close the door, put on the headphones with REPEAT ON, and drift off to a time and place from which I sometimes never want to leave. Roach has struck gold with "Dreamtime Return," and its perfectly balanced waveforms are nothing short of theraputic. Stress, impatience, frustration, rage--all negative emotions--completely dissolve with even one uninterrupted session of "Dreamtime Return," either Disc 1 or Disc 2 on its own or in tandem. "Dreamtime Return," in my book, can even cure insomnia with its matchless blend of pure musical frequencies, like dessert for the brain. No other ambient album comes close, except perhaps "Quiet Music," which caught the coattails of "Dreamtime Return", having very similar qualities, yet distinctly different patterns.
But we must be clear on one thing: "Dreamtime Return," or any other album that Steve has produced has nothing to do with "New Age," and would probably be offended at such a label. No. Soundscape is the proper term, if the genre must be pegged, because it is exactly that. Mr. Roach takes his sounds and shapes them in unison with the landscape. No other artist of our time understands his own work better. I'm sure that if I would have somehow missed Roach's recordings, either through neglect or indifference, the quality of my life and well-being would have suffered. "Dreamtime Return" is the pure essence of what ambient soundscapes were meant to be, and it will never leave my collection. It's as good today as it is tomorrow. I feel sad for those listeners who fail to realize that."