While STRATA, the first collaboration between Steve Roach and Robert Rich, sought to peel away the substratum layers of the inner consciousness, SOMA attempts to reconcile those emotions with the outer world through a wondrous, gripping corpus of sound. Here, Roach and Rich perform a stunning series of lively, aural mosaics that are like musical puzzle boxes with hundreds of oddly colored pieces. It is as if they tore up the veneer of the desert itself and constructed these sounds out of the earth's very natural fiber. Like the best free jazz improvisers, Roach and Rich intuitively communicate their separate identities into one collective whole. Another brilliant collaboration from two higly prolific and accomplished artists.

To describe this cd as rich with the Earth or "coming from the ground" is very accurate. I purchased this cd over a year ago, but only recently discovered what an enjoyable release it is. I guess that goes to prove that timing is sometimes a factor in how much you like a particular cd. Soma is moderately tribal with nice Earthy textures.

Steve Roach is one of my favorite ambient artists and for good reason. His sounds make me happy and relaxed and at peace all at the same time. Yet I find my artistic side stronger than ever and have to start producing that which my imagination is pouring forth.

Robert Rich and Steve Roach serve as an excellent choice for a collaboration. Each other's distinctive rythyms and sounds blend together into a cd of much intrigue and excellence. The two use, extensively, drums and other percussion instruments to give it a kind of Indian/jungle feeling to it, as well as rich and sweeping themes that are powerful and distinct. On a positive note, none of the songs are harsh or abrupt, just smooth and flowing. I fully reccomend this title for fans of the composers as well as people looking for that special cd to spice up their ears.