[Review] Paul A. Sutin: Serenity (1984)

Sutin’s first foray into new age music is suitable for meditation and healing.

Kronomyth 1.0: Ataraxy music.

This is an early example of new age music performed by Paul Sutin, who would go on to release a number of new age albums, including several with Yes guitarist Steve Howe. Sutin is something of a mysterious figure; he seems to have appeared out of nowhere with this 1984 release on Real to Reel Records. Most of the songs are played on the synthesizer. The Search for a Place for Peacefulness features acoustic piano, The Slow Return electric piano. As a musician, Sutin is no Patrick Moraz. As a composer, it seems that equal parts of improvisation and premeditation are at work here. The two standout tracks, Watergarden Lullaby and The Flight of Acceptance, are very effective for meditation. The rest of the songs are sometimes warm, sometimes cold, while making good use of resonance. Which isn’t to say that new age music resonates with me. If I wanted to hear the sounds of the surf or chirping birds, I’d take a walk on the beach or in the forest. And while I enjoy meditative music, it’s more in the context of electronic meditation (e.g., Klaus Schulze) that I prefer it. That describes me. You, on the other hand, might enjoy simple keyboard patterns and suspended notes with occasional, natural accompaniment. I’ll admit that there’s a relaxing pleasure to be had in hearing this music, but appreciating this in the way I might appreciate classical or ambient music is beyond my simple imagination. Serenity is serene much of the time. It need be no more than that, and may never have aspired to more. That’s all I had to say. Peace be with you.

Original cassette version

A1. The Flight of Acceptance
A2. The Grace of Alpha
A3. A Soft Turning Point
A4. Deep Serenity
B1. The Search for a Place of Peacefulness
B2. Watergarden Lullaby
B3. A Dance for Going Deeper
B4. The Slow Return

All songs composed and arranged by Paul A. Sutin.

The Players

Paul A. Sutin (electric piano, piano, synthesizers). Produced by Paul A. Sutin; engineered by Jacques Massard, Jacky Sanders.

The Pictures

Photography by Francoise Elliot.

The Plastic

Released on cassette in 1984 in Switzerland (Real to Reel, PS 15857).