Doug Hoyer
The only ambient album I can run to. This was my introduction to Steve Moore when I heard this record as a DJ on CJSR. I became a quick fan and have enjoyed his work for years since.
o77O0O77o
The whole album is stellar, but this track really outdoes itself for the poly-rhythmic sequencing - or maybe it's not poly-rhythmic, maybe the whole song is just some sort of happy sequential accident. It's the only pleasance on an otherwise brooding album.
Favorite track: Protomorphosis.
Chymera/Merrin Karras
A stunning modern interpretation of classic synthesizer based music. Steve is the absolute master when it comes to melody and pathos
Synthesist Steve Moore is one half of the noted 70s-inspired, synth/prog duo Zombi. In addition to the five albums released by Zombi, he has a prolific and thriving solo career, releasing music that ranges from electronica/dance to trance music. Light Echoes is Moore's debut on Cuneiform and is a 70' long electronic meditation, a continuation of the German 'space music' made famous in the '70s, but with today's aesthetic and Moore's own affinities firmly in place.
Previously, in trying to translate his analog adventures to the stage, he encountered an obstacle that turned out to be a blessing in disguise. “After a couple years of awkward, laptop-driven live sets, I realized I was doing it wrong,” Moore explains. “I was looking at these shows only from my perspective, too concerned with how I could re-produce my songs live to realize that these songs didn’t work in a live setting anyway. I thought about what I, as a member of the audience, would enjoy, and came to the conclusion that ‘songs’ are basically the last thing I want to hear when I see a guy bring a bunch of synthesizers on stage. I want to hear sounds. I want to hear what those synthesizers can do. Which brings us to this new album.”
Moore made all the sounds on Light Echoes himself, using a bank of vintage synthesizers and associated gear. He recorded the six tracks himself as well, working live in one or two takes, in his home studio on six days spread out over the course of about a year. Light Echoes is about as personal and intimate a sonic statement as you’ll encounter from any kind of artist.
True to Moore’s avowed intentions, the possibilities inherent in his old-school analog equipment are explored comprehensively over the course of Light Echoes. It takes you on an inner cosmic journey.
Steve Moore has fashioned a sonic presentation that can stand proudly alongside the work of the trailblazers who inspired him. Light Echoes doesn’t merely extend his relationship with electronic music’s past -- it lands him definitively in the category that can only be labeled “timeless.”
"Its almost as though you’ve been relocated to a pre-digitized era buoyed by the optimism of the space age.”
– Losing Today
"Not trite, faddish retro fetishism, it’s a full-blown resurrection."
– The Wire
"Simple but impeccably crafted. Moore doesn't seem keen on fancy tricks.”
– Resident Advisor
credits
released October 2, 2012
Tyken's Rift
Recorded and mixed August 29, 2011
Light Echoes I
Recorded and mixed August 28, 2011
Aldebran Exchange
Recorded and mixed August 29, 2011
Light Echoes II
Recorded and mixed February 1, 2012
Protomorphosis
Recorded September 3 and December 17, 2011
Mixed February 11, 2012
Ancient Shorelines II
Recorded November 20, 2010
Mixed February 11, 2012
Instruments: ARP Solus, Dave Smith Tetra, Elka Rhapsody 490, Korg Polysix, Sequential Circuits Pro-One and Prophet 600
Effects: Electro Harmonics Cathedral and Deluxe Memory Man, Moog MF-103 Phaser, MXR Phase 90 and 2000 Series Phaser, Roland RE-201 Space Echo
Recording equipment: Yamaha EM-80 mixer, MOTU 828 interface, iMac 3.06 GHz Intel Core 2 Duo
Written, performed, and produced by Steve Moore
Mastered by James Plotkin
Cover photo by Shawn Brackbill
Steve Moore's music has now reached the point where he is completely eclipsing both the current and classic output of the artists who obviously inspired him. Terrifyingly, he just keeps getting bolder and better. Matt Nida