![]() ![]() We were all in full stride and dreaming big. This was an exciting time and place with the confluence of electronic artists, concert events, and instrument builders (like Oberheim). " EMPETUS emerged from the dynamic times of my early years in Los Angeles, circa the beginning of the 80's. a rhythmic / melodic tour-de-force of solid, totally compulsive synth music." - Andy Garibaldi, Lotus, England "On EMPETUS, Roach has created a masterpiece, done purely on synths and sequencers. It's all riveting, exciting stuff, and although Roach largely abandoned the style as he moved forward, EMPETUS remains an important, if largely unsung, statement documenting the course of modern American electronic music." - Darren Bergstein, Muze Roach varies the moods from piece to piece as well: the bright, piercing electronics of "Seeking" contrast vividly with the starker, sweeping veils of sequenced notes and arcing waves of "Empowerment" or the turbo-charged synths that rev through "Conquest". Alternately thrilling and serene (sometimes within the space of the same track), EMPETUS' waves of energy rest upon labyrinthine patterns of interlocking notes and wildly cascading tonal clusters. Released in 1986, this recording of intricately-woven sequencer lines and buzzing synthesizers established Roach as the American answer to the pioneering European electronic masters of the '70s (Klaus Schulze, Tangerine Dream). Nine precise pieces that still sound fresh today. " EMPETUS is full blown sequencer-based music illustrating a further evolution in the visceral side of Roach's music. Roach leaves you breathless in a maze of synchronized spinning patterns only to pick you up and send you whirling again." ![]() Unlike Roach's usual CD long expanses, these are bite-size compositions that do their job, quickly, efficiently and with every moment counting. But he was already taking it somewhere new. "This may be the most concise Steve Roach album, and came at the end of his sequencer phase, his last flame-out on Berlin school electronics. EMPETUS' full blown sequencer-based music illustrates a further evolution in the visceral side of Roach's music. Pharoahe Monch, Talib Kweli and CS Armstrong also bless the special unannounced project with their own genius.Roach's 5th solo album features sophisticated, energetic sequencer music, similar to his earlier NOW and TRAVELER, ending with a haunting, melodic piece, "The Memory," more akin to his floating ambient work of the period. Evidence from Dilated Peoples provided the beats, delivering a dusty, downtempo, lo-fi soundscape for Ali to revisit his basement roots. In addition to leading worship services and classes across the country, he co-founded The Gemali Project, an organization that helps Muslim converts and spiritual seekers access the beauty of the Islamic tradition.īrother Ali’s latest release, Secrets & Escapes, surprised fans when it was released without warning in November 2019. When he’s not rocking the mic at Coachella, or being arrested for civil disobedience in support of marginalized communities, Brother Ali travels the world learning and teaching Islamic Spirituality under some of today’s renown Muslim leaders. He’s also lectured at universities from Princeton to Stanford and delivered the keynote address at the Nobel Peace Prize Forum. His provocative and uplifting brand of Hip Hop has earned him coveted press features like Rolling Stone’s 40th anniversary edition and Source Magazine’s legendary “Hip Hop Quotables”, while his outspoken social justice message has landed him on government watch lists. His two-decade resume includes eight critically acclaimed albums, mentorships with iconic Hip Hop legends Chuck D and Rakim, and performances on late night talk shows with Jimmy Fallon and Conan O’Brien. Brother Ali is a highly respected Hip Hop artist, speaker and community leader from Minneapolis, MN. ![]()
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