STAR'S END Update - 20 August 2017
Celestial Mechanics Chuck van Zyl The outward appearance of Celestial Mechanics is that of a CD album, but its true origin extends back to the era of tape. The 1980s found Chuck van Zyl (and his many compatriots) recording Spacemusic and releasing it on audio cassette. During this span, Synkronos Music put out a trove of cassette releases, including The Moment of Totality (1990) and Callisto (1989) by Chuck van Zyl. Each held two side-long pieces of music, and established a series of releases by van Zyl representing his enthusiasm for Astronomy and the Cosmos.

So Celestial Mechanics may be viewed as compiling these early works onto a CD, and getting them out before the public - and that is exactly what Centaur Discs Ltd of Scotland did in 1993 - thus presenting Chuck van Zyl to the world beyond his small mail order following.

Celestial Mechanics That original CD edition has been out of print for some time now. But thanks to the Philadelphia based label industry8, Celestial Mechanics is back, re-mastered and treated to modern audio enhancements, and a vastly improved fidelity. Housed in a limited edition, four panel digipak, and adorned with vivid NASA probe images, it offers those interested listeners and collectors the opportunity to encounter the significant backstory to one of our community's most unique affiliates.

Inspired by space, the physical universe, and all of its intricacies, as well as by classic Kosmische Musik works from out of the 1970s Berlin-School, van Zyl realized the four pieces found on Celestial Mechanics as personal electronic odes - to the four Galilean moons of Jupiter, and the astral motions of the solar system.

Clearly influenced by Crystal Lake and Rubycon, as well as by the direct mentoring of The Nightcrawlers (the NJ Space trio with which he was so closely associated), van Zyl found himself finally making music that, not only properly portrayed his cosmic yearning, but was representative of the restless, creative spirit which had inhabited him for so long.

As we listen to Celestial Mechanics, we can feel this world of discovery still living on. The repeating music box sequencer intro of the title track immediately turns our thoughts to the virtues of The Universe as a place of possibility and wonder. Sounds build out, and additional lines of rhythm are introduced. A magic machine pulse provides a distinctive energy, one more of the mind than of the air. Confirming synth lines surface - reassuring the lost, and arousing the adventurous - and dramatic chord changes help us ascend further still. As we pass through eerie amorphous interludes of drones, metallic tones, and wondrously modulated aural accents, the mounting tension resolves.

The emergence of an ever repeating pattern of echoing bass notes supports the lilting melody of a soft synthesizer lead. Minimalist sequencer runs motor on, then gradually brighten. Individual notes are transposed and repeated, minutely altering the pattern and quickening the music's pulse. After a few variations in momentum, the music slows, and expends its previously built mass in thoughtful repose. Transitioning out of this energetic phase the magical beauty of its closing section solemnly brings Celestial Mechanics to its conclusion.

While Celestial Mechanics includes all of the texture and atmosphere the Spacemusic genre is known for, its biggest success is in its entertainment of a most unusual idea - of traveling while being still. New musical territory can only be discovered once. Chuck van Zyl has built profoundly upon all of his. They are but reference points - in a field that is inexhaustible.

Please tune in to STAR'S END this weekend for music from Celestial Mechanics the recent re-issue of music by Chuck van Zyl

For more about Celestial Mechanics, please access: www.industryeight.com

For more about Chuck van Zyl, please access the STAR'S END Profile

Additional Content:

MemorySpace (2010) by Chuck van Zyl
Cenotaph (2012) by Chuck van Zyl
Rituals (2014) by Chuck van Zyl
Recitals (2016) by Chuck van Zyl
The Xyl File (2016 re-issue) by Chuck van Zyl
Star's End (2016 re-issue) by Chuck van Zyl

More STAR'S END Reviews

Datadrift: Live on STAR'S END 09.10.17
Datadrift Datadrift is the Electronic Music project from Philadelphia-based innovative musician Guinevere Molly Campbell. Creating soundscapes since 1996, she uses an East-Coast, hardware-focused approach. Based on her love of the synthesizer keyboard interface, as well as the corralling of machines with unique interfaces and timbres, Datadrift tends to her machines - as she has them communicating with one another in dialog and harmony. Her principal approach is texture-driven. Creating synthesizer patches that resonate with a mood or idea, Datadrift generates a sonic palette - and works to create a soundscape that combines improvisation with aspects of sequenced pre-sets.

Please tune in to the 09.10.17 broadcast of STAR'S END for a live-to-air radio concert of innovative spacemusic with Datadrift

For more about Datadrift, please access the STAR'S END Profile

For more about Datadrift at The Gatherings Concert Series in Philadelphia on Saturday 16 September 2017, please access: www.thegatherings.org

Sound Out: Stephen Parsick August 2017
Stephen Parsicksynchronize or die Over the years Stephen Parsick has released numerous substantial and significant Spacemusic releases under the name ['ramp]. Obvioulsy influenced by the classics, his productions are always a true musical representation of nothing but himself and his world view. Having collaborated with the likes of acclaimed looper and touch guitarist Markus Reuter and the legendary Electronic Musician Mark Shreeve, Parsick has produced an ample body of work - both in the studio and at the concert hall.

In August 2017 Stephen Parsick has released synchronize or die, an album in which he claims (and I concur) contains, "the pinnacle of my sequencing skills". I hope you will read this interesting interview, and gain insight into this intelligent, intriguing personality, and his views on what he might call the "Doombient" music scene. Thanks! -chuckv

Sound Out: Stephen Parsick August 2017 (click here)

The Signal: Podcast

This edition of The Signal includes notes on five 2017 releases from the Projekt Records label.
Please listen in as host Chuck van Zyl reviews:

Phase IX by Lorenzo Montana
MantraSequent by Jeffrey Koepper
Following the Ether Sun by Forrest Fang
Different Spaces by Erik Wollo
Spiral Revelation by Steve Roach
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PhaseIX MantraSequent Following the Ether Sun Different Spaces Spiral Revelation

STAR'S END on The Internet
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The Listening List - Recent Album Reviews From STAR'S END
Cinderland Mysterium After... Cosmic Ground Live Disintegration

(Please Click on an Album Cover)

July 2017 Top 20 STAR'S END Releases - Alphabetical
Artist - Album (Label)
Selected Ezines - Online
Sonic Immersion Amazing Sounds Ambient Visions Ambience for the Masses Electro Ambient Space Hypnagogue
Selected Magazines - In Print
Sequences #31 e/i Expose E-dition Audion
STAR'S END - Site Search
Google Have you ever been looking for something on this website only to become bogged down by the massive size and enormous content? Now you can find what you are seeking somewhat easier. Searching the STAR'S END Website has become much easier. Look for info on artists, albums, track names, labels, etc. via a Google "site search" - now part of the STAR'S END Website.

For more on STAR'S END Website search, access: http://www.starsend.org/search.html

STAR'S END Updates - via Email to you
Yahoo Groups logo Have this update emailed to you as a newsletter once a week by joining the STAR'S END Radio Group at Yahoo Groups. Whether it's a review of a new spacemusic release, an artist interview or news about an upcoming in-studio concert, receiving the newsletter is a convenient way to keep informed of the music featured on STAR'S END Ambient Radio each week.

Click on the provided link and follow the easy instructions for signing up. Once your registration has been confirmed, you will receive the STAR'S END Update every Thursday evening. This is not a discussion group, email addresses will not be made public. There is no fee for this service and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Images From Selected Live On-Air Concerts - Click on an Image for Details
Ombient Saul Stokes RMI Guitar Pilots Chuck van Zyl Robert Rich Ian Boddy

Access the Concerts page for more about live on-air in-studio STAR'S END radio concerts

~ Coming Up ~ Live on STAR'S END ~

Ron Boots : 19 March 2017 (see photos)
Guitar Pilots : 23 April 2017
Ombient : 7 May 2017
Geoffrey Waterman : 14 May 2017
Robert Rich Sleep Concert : 4 June 2017 (see photos)
Jeffrey Koepper : 18 June 2017 (see photos)
Jason Sloan : 23 July 2017
King Britt : 30 July 2017
Tim Motzer : 13 August 2017 (see photos and video)
Datadrift : 10 September 2017
Jeff Pearce : 8 October 2017
Eyes Cast Down : 8 October 2017
The Ministry of Inside Things : Fall 2017

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Please Check Back for Updates!

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Griffin + Sabine Website Pages Updated/Added


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