Music

One of the year's best recordings! This magnificent 2-CD (or 2-CS), audio documentary captures the ecstatic fervor of the world's most extraordinary sacred music with all its contemplative reverence and exultant devotional passion gloriously intact. The annual gathering is a rare and unique celebration of the divine mystery, drawing those yearning for spiritual transformation -- as well as some of the planet's most impressive world music performers -- from all over the globe. Pakistani qawwali chants, Egyptian madhi odes, flamenco-style Christian saetas from Spain, and whirling Sufi drone-dance melodies radiate an invitation to transcend cultural differences and embrace the sacred spark that resides inside each of us. B'ismillah (in the name of God) is a live, digital recording of a quality that surpasses most in-the-field world music offerings, while preserving the artistic integrity of the peace messengers featured herein. Note: this package features a 16-page booklet abundant with photos and fascinating tidbits about the performers and their music.

Riveting percussion, spirited flutes, mesmerizing chants and pulsating keyboard arrangements make this a bold leap into North American tribal culture for the European ensemble whose first two recordings in the series have sold over one million copies worldwide. With guest guitarist Craig Chaquico on board, "Kokopelli's Dream" boasts an intricate, lovely flute and six-string duet melody that soars smoothly over a richly embellished background score. "The Hunt" delivers a pure adrenaline rush thanks to a truly majestic match-up of truly bold bass and drums. On a more ethereal note, the luscious ballad, "Dream Catcher" features delicate strings and haunting flute strains in a pretty arrangement that grows sweeter with every play. Cusco, renowned for its ability to fully explore a musical theme in dramatic style, successfully captures the pride and spirit of Nature in this hotly anticipated outing.

Best new soloist of 1997! As a child prodigy who retired from life to become a hermit, only to re-emerge as a bow maker, cellist Green has seen deeper into the human condition than most of us could ever hope to. His highly romantic, classically-inspired instrumentals have such depth and passion that it's difficult to believe they were created by a mere mortal. "Secrets and Sighs" combines Latin guitar with cello and keyboards in yearning anticipation, like lovers long kept apart, reunited. "Eyes to Enchant Me" and "Your Luminous Presence" are equally sensual, possessing uniquely compelling melody lines that speak of love resplendent and triumphant. As the cello is usually characterized as a melancholic instrument, it is vital to note that Green's bowing technique is flawless, his composing rich and abundant with tasty accents and signature riffs. There is a joyous, life-affirming quality to his music that only true maestros achieve after years of practice. How wonderful to find such true talent in a newcomer!

On this sixth outing, Joshua further pushes back the boundaries of world fusion music by incorporating ambient-chant and environmental sounds with the sonic sensibilities of 22 musicians from 12 different countries. Indian styling meshes with contemporary jazz and classical arrangements for an appealing magic carpet ride buoyed on effervescent ethnic rhythms. A scorching Hindi scat break by tabla-player Makarand Tulankar counterpoints the cool swing of "Eastwind" created by Joshua's soprano sax, Chintan Relenberg's groove-heavy bass, and the exemplary fiddle lead by Avinash. The urban sophistication continues on "Bol," with the addition of Joshua's considerable sitar chops and soaring bamboo flute solo to Manish Vyas' Indian rap work. Slick yet warm, this heady amalgam will please both modern jazz and contemporary world music fans.

Maria Cuccia and Mike Desroches created this album shortly after Cuccia discovered the healing powers of meditation. Elijah is the name of the child she was shown during an out of body experience. Using minimalist synthesizer arrangements and repetitive instrumental keyboard phrasing, these extended textural pieces are deliberately paced to change the listener's breathing so that deep relaxation, meditation, and altered consciousness can occur. The extremely slow, softly evolving, rhythmic variations of the two 25-minute instrumentals are attuned to the way we should ideally breathe over a 24-hour cycle. "A Sea Rhapsody" presents gently lapping ocean waves, occasional bird song and a deeply sonorous foghorn penetrating the duo's dense sonic mist. The result is surprisingly restful and reverie inspiring. In fact, many listeners report falling asleep as the music plays! This is a good thing, especially for those suffering from overtiredness or insomnia.

"This music is dedicated to the Exalted in all of us and, in particular, to the physical vehicles we have been given to enjoy our sojourn on this beautiful planet," exclaims Azrael in the dedication of her debut recording. Formal music study and performance on clarinet, flute, keyboard and voice was continuous as she worked as a psychologist, yoga teacher, massage therapist and esoteric healer. Now, Azrael asks "the listener to attend with full consciousness and an open mind to the higher frequencies of transformation." Not intended for background ambiance, these fifteen instrumentals are each distinctive in style, arrangement and mood. "The Body Divine" is a deeply somber spacemusic piece that subtly stimulates on a cellular level, essentially waking one up in the gentlest of manners. "Joyful Expression," characterized by Asian overtones created by windchimes, lute and koto (stringed box) sounds, is an invitation to stretch and sway in the morning light like a sunflower.

Specifically designed to open and balance each of the chakras, these pleasing instrumental piano, acoustic guitar and synthesizer melodies "may cause but do not guarantee enlightenment," according to the liner notes. So with a hint of a smile the gentle music begins, each of the eight songs attuned to the key associated with that track's intended chakric focal point (C-D-E-F-G-A-B-C). "Sensual" is a particularly appealing piece, as it evokes the acceptance of the male and female aspects in every one of us as well as the energy flow between the two genders. Its contemplative and stately piano lead line with supporting ephemeral sound washes enhances a mood that elegantly balances intelligence with emotion. Used in concert with aromatherapy products and soft lighting, this music creates a suitably romantic ambiance for couples, yet is equally soothing for solo listening enjoyment.

Spirits longing to break free will embrace this baker's dozen of positively pleasant pieces composed for grand piano. Pinkus evidences a very delicate touch, especially on "Journey to Trust" and "Un Papillon sur ton Epaule" where his fast fingers flit like enchanted moths over the ivories. On "Overture to Peace" and "Nocturne II," there is a more suitably sonorous, contemplative mood established by his use of space and dynamic tension. Throughout each of these instrumentals, he uses rising phrasing and the occasional arabesque to accent otherwise tranquil tones, thus giving rise to colorful imagery and deeper emotional shading. Reaching a pinnacle on "The Horse," Pinkus' craftsmanship is simply superb, succinctly capturing the true equine essence of the subject. Highly melodic and deeply thought-provoking, this music is for those who dare to dream.

With the help of musical advisor Radhika Miller, yoga teacher Hannah makes coolly sophisticated jazz flute and vocal music that's backed by an impressive array of friends on guitar, bass, keyboards and percussion. Her fascinating phrasing and unusual pitch choices on the title track make it extremely perky and ear-catching; this is one song that will definitely attract attention if given in-store play. The power ballad "Bernadette," "Angels," and "Dancing Mind" feature spiritually attuned lyrics that are warmly humanistic with broad, non-denominational appeal. The remaining six tracks are a well balanced bunch of bouncy instrumentals and soulful ballads, amply showcasing Hannah's dexterous flute techniques.

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.

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