admireArt - Prog Reviewer : http://www.progarchives.com/review.asp?id=1131990#.UwHPSnz2D6c.facebookA psychedelic electronic trip, from the "Golden Decade" of Progressive/electronic music.Low profile Bernard Xolotl, could be claimed among the co-founders of "Prog/Cosmic Synth Music" in accordance that electronic music has been with us since the late 1920, early 30's (more or less). And that this kind of "celestial" music, has always been in the mind of 1000s of electronic music composers, then and now, in any field of music, electronic and not.This psychedelic "Journey to an Oracle", 1977, is so unique, rich in instrumental arrangements and an austounding direction in composition and performance, I have a hard time thinking, why we 3 people who have rated it, differ so much?Been that it has no other reviews, you will have to trust me, on this one. Here are my findings:It does not sound, not even a bit, like Schulze nor Tangerine Dream's same decade projects, that for starters, rips it away, from the zillion clones, happening at the time, then and now (as always).The tone in general is non-stop dynamic, yet introspective. How? By the compositional structure of each melodic line, in a sonic universe of several melodic lines in each composition. I mean several, baroque like music several. Therefore it is also close to early fast paced,"classic" minimalism, well in tune with this era's, "new" musical discoveries. Because of the same, it offers an unexpected amount of sonic proposals, not contemplated by his fellow 70's prog-electronic/composers.By psychedelic I do not mean far fetched "fake-drug induced music experimentations". I mean, multi-colored musical structures, constructing themselves progressively and simultaneously with clear thought songwriting, extraordinary arrangements and a flawless production, which no progressive electronic counterpart at the time, came close to releasing. Really its production alone, is ground-breaking (competing tightlly with YMO's in this regard). But its compositions and directions are close to genial (as opposed to YMO's).So for me it has been a pleasure, to aquire such a great Progressive/Electronic album, from a rather obscure and unknown artist. I will share the news.****4 plus something, PA stars. Enjoy!

Journey to an Oracle : Sliding Gliding WorldsBy Hawklordon March 20, 2016Originally released in 1981 on cassette by the Fortuna label, Journey to an Oracle (along with its sister album Return of the Golden Mean) is vastly underrated. With limited technology at his disposal (a Teac 4-track, guitar, guitar-synth, and a few synthesizers and effects), Xolotl explores the same deep space corridors as his primary antecedents before him, including Terry Riley, Klaus Schulze, and Peter Michael Hamel, This CD-R re-release is very welcome, though sadly it does omit a track (the ghostly "Cometary Wailing") from the original cassette version. The title track has also been significantly shortened from its original 18 minute version and paired down to just over 3 minutes. Still, the graceful beauty of "Morning Glory" and the awe-inspiring cosmic trip of "Gliding thru the Cosmophonic Dome" more than make up for the omissions. The haunting, spectral "Venusian Aurora" and new additions such as "Future Seas" and "Hexaphonic Tides" are like sonic space-time machines offering the listener voyages to other realms and different realities. Highly recommended for those interested in exploring the outer reaches of the cosmos.