Saul Stokes is no where near new to the electronic music scene. He has been around for a long time making the music and programs and synths. His music shows his talents.
Vast was released in 2006. It is Stokes most recent album and it is a monument of ambient/chill. Stokes is an ambient artist normally, but this album offered more to the listeners than just ambient. It was flooded with Stokes’ distinctive style and beautiful work but also complimented by some more energetic and prominant chill effects as well. Even the start of the CD might catch you by surprise because of a fairly active start up. It is not bad by any means. In fact, I would call this CD beautiful. Spread over a few tracks, I heard what sounded like BT (especially from the soundtract to Monster) and even something like Ulrich Strauss. As you all well know, I very much enjoy both of those artists.
The energy and complexity that you find in all of the tracks can help to take you away to a calm and happy place. This is not a dark cd by any means. It is a very good one though. Some of the sounds you are likely to have never have heard before, but they are brilliant. Even the more ambient sections seem to hold anticipation for the future. The only downfall of the album seems to be the feeling of wanting more at the end. It’s not a bad ending song, but the quality as a whole leaves you a bit sad when it repeats. Not too sad of course since you get to live it again.
Excellent CD. A great addition to any chillout or ambient collection.