“Spacetime Canvas II” by Carolyn Fok & Steve Bryson
Album Review by New Age CD and New Age Notes Radio Staff
Space. . .they say it’s the “final frontier. . . “ Do you think there’s music out there? Probably, yes, in some form. The universe is alive and has its own infinite, intricate sounds, its own special sonic canvas, I’m sure. If there is music out there, I would say this is probably IT.
Carolyn Fok and Steve Bryson share a passion for both outer space and sound. Emanating from decades of exploration of new sounds encompassing electronic, traditional, and ambient composition, their combined musical experience explores the deep anatomy of ambient inner and outer space. Here, in their new album, “Spacetime Canvas II,” they have eloquently captured what seems to be quintessential space music.
Carolyn Fok, also known as “CYRNAI” in the genre of experimental music, first gained prominence in the 1980s underground music scene. Carolyn’s music is noted for its innovative use of synthesizers, samplers, and electronic effects, as well as for her unique sonic explorations and pioneering work in her musical genre. Carolyn has also made inroads in music production, engineering with spatial audio, immersive, and 360.
Steve Bryson is a multi-instrumentalist and composer who explores ambient soundscapes. He has performed on a wide array of instruments including modular synthesizers, theremin, renaissance lute, and crumhorn. He has written soundtracks for the Adler Planetarium in Chicago and has completed immersive video installations in Leipzig. He is also an astronomer who searches for and studies planets orbiting other stars.
Wonderfully transportive, the music on the approximately 36-minute album, “Spacetime Canvas II,” spans across 5 sonically spellbinding tracks designed to take you to a whole other place. The album opens with a lengthy 18-minute track, “Explorers.” It’s a fitting beginning, as we are all explorers in this life and now, into this interesting album. Here, we have plenty of time and space to relax and immerse ourselves into the mesmerizing journey.
Following is “Adrift In Plain Sight,“ which continues the relaxation experience and wonderfully atmospheric voyage. In this piece, we are floating nicely but not completely directionless. We can, however, get happily lost in the interesting variety of sounds.
Time, of course, is not linear. It only seems that way. In “Ribbons Of Time” we get to experience the undulating fabric of universal time as we effortlessly flow along.
The hypnotic ambiance continues with “The Planar Desert.” This is a favorite on the album, if one could have such a thing. Some very cool effects along with the “space,” makes this very enjoyable and one to completely lose yourself in.
Every exploration and excursion eventually comes to an end, and we have to land somewhere. The album closes out aptly with “Landing On Truth.” Suitably calming and serene, again with wonderful, “out of this world” sounds and effects, it’s a very good place to be.
Get it here: Available in a limited-edition picture disc vinyl release featuring the original, ethereal artwork inspired by the album’s cosmic themes, pressed directly onto the vinyl. This collectible piece is designed to be as visually compelling as the music it carries.
Bandcamp digital release: https://carolynfok-stevebryson.bandcamp.com/album/spacetime-canvas-ii-2
Digital platform release on all major streaming services is set for January 1, 2025.
