Musicby PJ Birosik
FREE STUFF - In the spirit of the upcoming holiday season, INNER WORLDS MUSIC is offering all retail stores who sell music and the first 200 individuals who write in, a complimentary compact disc or cassette copy of INNER WORLDS MUSIC Volume 1 and full-color catalog. Inner Worlds Music produces excellent New Age and World music recordings from all over the globe; many titles have been reviewed in this column previously. To receive your free music, you must live within the U.S. and send your name, mailing address and phone number to:
INNER WORLDS MUSIC
Attractively packaged with Professor Trance & The Energisers compact disc, Shaman's Breath (Island Records), this book/music gift set is designed to help us trust the process, surrender to excitement, and dance into an unknown place beyond time and space. Natale, founder of Amsterdam's Natale Institute for Experiential Education, runs seminars worldwide on trance dancing and drumming, and his CD liner notes concisely explain how movement not only enhances well being but facilitates soul retrieval as well. The psychedelically illustrated book explains that by uniting with our lost "soul parts" via trance dance, we again become an integral part of a natural chain that stretches back over 40,000 years of human evolution. Best of all, anyone can trance dance because there are no steps, no set patterns, no rules to follow or boundaries to confine. The highly rhythmic music, especially when played loud, carries us beyond normal reality where we become Dance, dancing with the Divine. Note: a list of trance dance presenters worldwide is appended, as are sources for more information on the topic.
This exquisitely moody new music composed by David Arkenstone is performed by an anonymous west coast trio whose exotic synthesizer-vocal excursions are lush and provocative, mystical and awe-inspiring. Expressing eight faces of the ultimate feminine power, each song is dedicated to a particular personage including the Greek love goddess, Venus; the Roman mother of all wild animals, Diana; the Nigerian nature divinity, Oya; and the Zorya, representing the Russian trinity of Life who renew the sun for another day's warmth. Though inspired by literary drama and oral mythology, the music itself is actually quite quiet and rather mellow, favoring more ambient waves of textured sound to any repetitive melodic form. This open structure allows one piece to flow effortlessly into the next without an obvious break in mood or ambiance, making this album suitable for massage or contemplative pursuits.
Fraser's duet with pianist Paul Machlis, The Road North (Sona Gaia), anticipated the Celtic craze of the early 90's and introduced New Age audiences to the joys of Scottish melodies. When the fabulous fiddler returned last year with Dawn Dance on his own label (Culburnie) to clinch NAIRD honors as "Best Celtic Album of the Year," it seemed only right and fitting. Now, many of Fraser's older titles are available to savor, such as The Driven Bow, which finds traditional Highland tunes presented alongside Cape Breton arrangements for fiddle, mandolin and guitar. Joyously upbeat and liberating, strathspey and reel dance tunes alternate with jigs, marches and a popular Gaelic melody for a distinctively vigorous listening experience that's impossible to resist. Each musician performs with spirited precision, faithful to the heritage of these lively instrumentals.
The million-selling pianist's latest work harkens back to his superbly melodic Living the Northern Summer, both in its use of all-acoustic supporting instruments like cello, violin, oboe and flute, as well as in its dramatic natural theme. This elegant musical statement captures the quiet solitude of pristine woodland and the vibrant crash of surf along Maine's rocky coastline with finesse and realism, placing one in the center of an almost magical paradise where lofty pines soar skyward accompanied by ethereal choir. Scenic landscapes like Acadia have long inspired, uplifted and renewed visitors; now, everyone can savor the majestic beauty of these special places. Note: 15% of the profits from the sale of this album will be donated to Friends of Acadia, a non-profit organization dedicated to preserving this national park.
As strongly as the jewel-tone primary hues of the unusually attractive abstract cover art draws the attention, so does the introspective atmospheric music within disperse it. Using only guitars and specialized processing techniques, Pearce has made hauntingly beautiful spatial textures which effortlessly sweep away focused thought so that one can become immersed in delicious, ever-changing imagery. The exquisitely lovely strains of "Shadow of Surrender" contrast the shimmering warm resonance of acoustic guitar strings repeatedly strummed with the refreshing coolness of galactic tones -- that seem to cycle and grow more and more transparent as the piece progresses. Highly recommended for headphone listening, this recording is perfect for deep meditation and relaxation. Note: both music and packaging beg devoted mindfulness. Notice how the blue & gold macaw feathers are the organic base for the amorphous images, or how the sounds coalesce then disassociate over the period of an individual piece. This is music to spend time with.
One of the most beautiful and interesting albums released in 1996 is this sound creation themed for play by candlelight. Keyboardist-flautist Feagans, who says, "Flame and music are our most ancient self awareness and healing tools," noticed that candle flames began to dance when placed in close proximity to stereo speakers. So he created a variety of original compositions with distinct tempos and watched how the candles constantly reacted and moved to the music. Like a luminous fire ballet, the atmospheric textures and gentle melodies made graceful pas de deux with the candlelight. While you need not have lit candles in the room in order to savor these luscious instrumentals, it makes for fascinating listening to see how piano, cello, harp, flutes and voice each bring forth a new synergetic response. A truly illuminating adventure!
An exceptional recording for massage, meditation and healing purposes, this continuous play recording features eleven tracks joined by nature soundscape interludes for an uninterrupted listening experience. Featuring many top New Age artists - including Max Highstein, Angels of Venice, and Joyce Handler -- these tranquil compositions feature mellow keyboard, flute, harp and cello-led melodies which enhance relaxation and soothe the stressful heart. Instrumentals like "Behold The Day," "The Reflective Pool" and "Transcendence" seem particularly appropriate for reverie as they revitalize exhausted creative talents through colorful use of melody and aural textures. If you're feeling a bit worn after a hectic day at the office, slipping this disc into one's stereo system is a bit like taking a refreshing dip in the titular deep blue water.
From the striking cover illustration by J.D. Challenger and the dramatically somber thunderclaps which open this deeply affecting musical work, you know you are in for a profoundly powerful aural outing. A compelling blend of drumming, chanting and environmental sounds, these six songs prove potent medicine for both body and soul as each intensely addresses an individual aspect of the healing spirit. Exceptionally well produced, this music must be played at normal to loud volumes to reap all waiting rewards; if played too softly, one misses the human chants and howling, drum brushes and soft rain patters which appear way back in the mix yet add such dimension to this transcendent shamanic experience. One of the best S.O.A.R. recordings to date - and that's saying something, since most are exceptionally fine. Medicine River is a magnificent achievement in contemporary Native American music. Listen and be wowed!
My cheeks hurt, my crow's feet are deepening, and I still cannot stop smiling; this album is that good! Consummate ensemble players, Wind Machine have released many wonderful recordings over their lengthy career yet seem to just keep getting better. From the liquid guitar solo vying with rolling keyboard phrasing on the opening track, "The Isle Of Skye," to the atmospheric yearning of "A Father & Sons," the group always manages to find new emotional ground and express it so eloquently. Their innate ability to intuitively mesh disparate styling balances in perfect harmony with each member's willingness to sacrifice space so that another may successfully solo. This maturity combined with an unending font of creativity makes each of the dozen songs on Timeline so enjoyable. Note: one song, "My Holy Land," features Taylor Mesplé on lead vocals.
In 1990, Ciani's first solo piano project, Pianissimo, represented a major departure for the chart-topping New Age synthesist. Six years later, she has released a delightful follow-up to that best-selling album which again gives voice to her favorite instrument and its unmatched expressiveness. Including an Italian lullaby, a classically-inspired etude, and a reworking of her most popular song, "The Velocity Of Love," Ciani's new release reaches far to reflect only the sweetest and most joyful of keyboard melodies. But in an unexpected nod to her electronic heritage, this recording will also operate in one's computer as a CD-ROM disc, too. A tech support number is given to facilitate accessing the multimedia enhancement, which includes a great deal of information on the making of this new record as well as an overview of Ciani's career to date.
Submissions for review consideration may be sent to: PJ Birosik, MUSIK INTERNATIONAL CORP., 154 Betasso Road, Boulder, CO 80302-9606. Since 1977, Birosik has been a music industry consultant specializing in marketing, promotion, publicity and A&R/foreign licensing; she is a member of NARAS, NARM, NAIRD, CMC, IMA, and a past Board of Director of Los Angeles Women In Music who has been profiled in 11 international editions of Who's Who. Calls may be placed to her at (303) 444-9575 between 9:30am - 5pm MST regarding review criteria, consulting services for signed & unsigned musicians, and data list rentals. |