IASOS two best longform ambient CDs reviewed

[SourceCodeX]

IASOS: Angelic Music (CD, 60:09);
Inter-Dimensional Music, IDM 7001 1998
Cyberhome: www.iasos.com

"IASOS has been around a very long time, a bastion in the New Age movement of music. He differs from many of the musicians of that formerly glorious era in that he actually helped get it going, being someone who really believed and practiced tenets of the New Age philosophy and as best as I can tell - is still faithful to olde school New Age isms. His music is/ was an expression of his belief system and when IASOS indicated it is meditative or "opens doorways" then that's exactly what he means and intends. This is not one of those mere fast-profits nor shallow New Age-y vacuous releases that deluged the record shelves for many years. This is "hard core" New Age foundational material. However . . . IASOS has performed an ingenious maneuver in that he has realized that strong moments in earlier releases' shorter versions can be "re-cycled", literally, into looped, extended ambient creations. I always felt upon hearing the original versions that IASOS could have made the song much longer. Well, he did!"

   Track one, "The Angels of Comfort", comes from Elixir, released back in 1983. IASOS has taken a 10:59 song and pulled it out into 29:50. It might be bit repetitive if you try to look for loopings. But if you just effortlessly enjoy the deeply relaxing hot tub of synths, drones, and ebbings of bliss - you will then truly enter IASOS-ville - a world of beauty and light.
   
   Track two, "Angel Play", again 29:50 long, hails from a 8:50 long track on Inter-Dimensional Music, released back in 1975. Enjoy environmental sounds such as babbling brook, frog calls, and hear the truly unique and unadulterated essence of classic IASOS synths. He is his own man in the "ambient" genre and deserves checking out. Connect with that New Age era all over again, offered by one of its best composers and performers.

   I quote IASOS' website press, "The Psychology Department at Plymouth State College had this music receive the highest rating, by quite a margin, for being 'most like the heavenly music' heard by people who had had a near-death experience." So check IASOS out for that "tunnel of light" soundtrack!
   ~ John W. Patterson

Personnel:
IASOS - all synths
GOD, the Creator - babbling brook, amphibian friends

Tracks:
The Angels of Comfort, Angel Play




IASOS: Timeless Sound (CD, 60:58);
Inter-Dimensional Music, IDM 7002 1996
Cyberhome: www.iasos.com

IASOS has been around a very long time, a bastion in the New Age movement of music. He differs from many of the musicians of that formerly glorious era in that he actually helped get it going, being someone who really believed and practiced tenets of the New Age philosophy and as best as I can tell - is still faithful to olde school New Age isms. His music is/ was an expression of his belief system and when IASOS indicated it is meditative or "opens doorways" then that's exactly what he means and intends. This is not one of those mere fast-profits nor shallow New Age-y vacuous releases that deluged the record shelves for many years. This is "hard core" New Age foundational material. However . . .

   IASOS has performed an ingenious maneuver in that he has realized that strong moments in earlier releases' shorter versions can be "re-cycled", literally, into looped, extended ambient creations. I always felt upon hearing the original versions that IASOS could have made the song much longer. Well, he did!

   Track one, "Cloud Prayer", was on an old 1975! release,  Inter-Dimensional Music, alongside many other interesting cuts. I originally owned this on LP vinyl and used it to "calm the house" when my children were younger. IASOS has taken a 4-5 minute slice of sound and pulled it out into 29:50! If you like this sort of ambience, mindless background droning as I do - it works. If you want more, song-like variety you may be dismayed. But IASOS does not intend it as song. He intends it as a vehicle and a catalyst for "inducing profound stillness".
   
   Track two, "Throne Realms", again 29:50 long, was a bit trickier for me to backtrack and locate in my IASOS recordings but I found it on Elixir, released back in 1983. This extended track comes from the last 8:00 of "Crystal*White*Fire*Light" and again I always enjoyed that outro from a great old IASOS release. IASOS has reworked it, emphasizing the low-end, basso profundo drone, balancing in the firm mid-range spectrum of synths, and essentially removing the former high-end, tinkling harp-like and bell-chiming effects and sprinklings of crystalline splashings. It's amazing how the effect of a piece changes its mood with a new mix.

   This is good "space out" material if you want consistent drones and looping soundscapes but if you want variety and multi-faceted synth journeys to tantalize you, IASOS may only put you to sleep. Your call. My call? I enjoyed hearing IASOS in a new extended format. It's time for some new ambient works I think. I know IASOS has it in him.   

~ John W. Patterson

Personnel: IASOS - all synths

Track Listing: Cloud Prayer, Throne Realms

[Castleview]

I'm not a huge fan of Iasos, but I like Angelic Music. The Angels Of Comfort is a fantastic piece that holds up to this day.

[SourceCodeX]

FYI: IASOS' "Angels of Comfort" was indeed the music most like that which may be heard during an NDE. However after Steve Roach had his NDE after an accident, he set out to recreate the sounds he heard during his NDE and thus was born his famous "Structures from Silence". And now those who have heard music during their NDE experience say Roach's music is closer  to what they heard. Curious...