DISSOLVI

I'm backtracking: I was blown away by Steve's fresh approach to electronic music with his 2019 album Nonlin. I had to give Dissolvi some space before I could respectfully dive into it for its own effects--without the aura of Nonlin tainting my judgments.

My first reaction is that I'm listening to a modernized version of 1980s Windham Hill artist Mark Isham's solo work (before he started touring with David Sylvian and David Torn)--or what Isham might have attempted had he first appeared in the 21st Century. I'm also hearing the influences of Jean-Michel Jarre, Kitaro, and Tangerine Dream as well as the computer pop and glitch experimentalists of the late 1990s and early 2000s. But, in the end, this is really fresh music--really great, engrossing, satisfying listening music.

Favorite songs: the modern computer jazz overdub to a Vangelis tune in 5. "Arold" (5:32) (9.25/10); the clicky, upbeat, 1. "M Path" (4:49) (9/10); the Isham-eque, 4. "Alienself" (7:00) (13.75/15); the dreamy 3. "Saccade" (4:09) (9/10); the beautiful spacey soundscapes over muted trip hop of 7. "Lyngr" (4:32) (8.75/10), and; the title song, which kind of synthesizes all of the above (6:26) (8.5/10).

B/four stars; a very nice, refreshing synthesis of new and old electronica--one that, I hope, points the way to future possibilities for Prog Electronic artists.

Special Warning to all Prog Lovers: There is dance music here!