Saul Stokes Outfolding

Saul Stokes is one of the most creative forces in electronic music today. Building his own instruments, Stokes then builds his own sound world, painting an imaginative, lush landscape with rich textures and incredible spatial separation, noticeable even on my PC speakers. His musical signature is unmistakable and incomparable. This isn't ambient, it isn't drum 'n bass, it isn't techno, but it has elements of each, blended in unique ways. Like his previous release, 'Zo Pilots,' 'Outfolding' tells a series of musical stories. While each is distinctive, there is a singular character running through the entire work. Though many ambient elements are present, as usual Stokes produces a very rhythmic work. However, it's not the sort of rhythm that falls into an easily definable category, other than to say it sounds like Saul Stokes. For example, 'Greys' has deep, plodding drums and earth-shaking bass, combined with the oddest crunching and slamming sounds. This is mixed with a very relaxed, almost jazzy synth lead, with jaw-dropping results. Stokes creativity and ingenuity transcends the genre, and often defies adequate description.

But not all is rhythm and booming bass. Witness 'The Far Edge of Suburban Station,' a sublime stretch of rich ambience. Complex layers of sound wash over one another, building in intensity. 'Below' begins with a simple pulse, surrounded by layers of spacey sounds. However, just when it seems it is going to lapse into pleasant, meditative space music, the music completely changes at the three-minute mark. The pulse remains, but the surrounding sounds take it in a different direction. Halfway through, the space music theme reemerges for the remainder. As with prior Stokes releases, the music is challenging. But even somewhat abrasive-sounding pieces like 'Quiet Antenna,' with its warbling surges of noisy electronics, carry with them an almost irresistible lure and fascination. Nobody else is making music quite like this, and that is part of the fun. (PD)

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