Music

Welcome to our monthly column where we share impressions and uniquely evocative (meaning it will hopefully "touch you" in a special way) recordings, worth seeking out and sampling. Our new release shelf space is sagging from the glut of fall releases. It's overwhelming. Yet, ironically, two of our recommendations are previously overlooked titles and our third review is something hot off the shelf. Enjoy.

It's always interesting how we find music for our program. Recently we traveled to Russia to do radio interviews and pitch our label's music and during a visit to a small record store in Moscow we were turned on to some albums that never crossed our desks here in the USA. Glyph was one of them. What an incredible recording! Released in Europe late in 1995 and apparently only as an import here, a growing number of copies have found their way into our country. We noticed that they are available at some of the on-line record stores, too. As for the music, it's a mix of French electronic composer, musician and arranger Hector Zazou along with California minimal pianist Harold Budd (who has also done work with Brian Eno, among others). As for the music . . . it's over an hour of undulating, atmospheric avante garde journeys. Eleven completely refreshing tracks that maintain a catchy, invigorating mood throughout. Some of our favorite selections include the opening, "Pandas in Tandem" as well as "As Fast As I Could Look Away, She Was Still There." Glyph creates a wonderful listening environment. Highly recommended.

Here's another album we were turned onto in Moscow and never serviced with in this country. Regular listeners of our program know that we air very little saxophone music, usually because it is so dissonant. However, with Peacemaker, the sax is tastefully smooth. Clarence Clemons is someone you've probably heard before. He's performed for years with Bruce Springsteen's E Street Band. Peacemaker, this solo effort, came out in late 1995. It has the flavor of an early ECM release and features some noteworthy accompaniment from the likes of Dave Koz and Jordan De La Sierra. The overall mood is again refreshing and relaxing. In fact, the title of the album aptly describes the mood it will most likely induce. Take "Into the Blue Forest" for example. If you remember the Bagdad Cafe soundtrack release back in 1988 and particularly the strong vocal piece, "Calling You," from Jvetta Steele, in some ways what we have here is an instrumental interpretation of that song. The ten minute "Miracle" track, with soothing bass flute from De La Sierra is also a standout. If cool, mellow saxophone is your thing, you'll want to partake of this overlooked gem from sax master Clarence Clemons.

Asanas are usually considered to be the physical postures involved with the practice of yoga. They become spiritual exercises when they are done in a divine mood of devotion. The concept of this album is to take relaxing Indian Asanas and interpret them in an electronica musical style. For the most part, it works. The opening fifteen-and-a-half minute track from Makyo, an electronic music collective from Tokyo with additional contribution and production from Bill Laswell, is particularly effective. It's titled "Devabandha." The other three tracks deliver mixed results. "Om Namah Shiva" from Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart, has interesting vocals from Najma Akhtar, but the tempo is a bit too up for our taste, losing the power to relax and inspire. "Mantra" from Bill Laswell's Material with additional production from the Orb is both exotic and dancey but again, more stimulating than relaxing. "Hear No Evil" from Bill Laswell slows down and completes the album with ambient translations of the masterful playing of L. Shankar and Zakir Hussain, but tends to meander at times. Overall, Asana makes for an interesting concept compilation, especially the track "Devabandha."

Please always remember that ultimately what constitutes "good" music involves the personal taste of each of us. If we direct you to an album that you didn't know existed and you end up enjoying it, then we both feel a sense of accomplishment. As always, your input is welcome. Feel free to write.

FOREST is the producer and host of the nationally syndicated weekly radio program, MUSICAL STARSTREAMS, heard in Chicago every Sunday night from 10 pm to midnight on WNUA, 95.5fm and worldwide on the internet. He can be reached at P.O. Box 1409, Mill Valley, CA 94942. E-mail: forest@starstreams.com, listen on the web at: http://www.starstreams.com Musicians or labels wishing to send material for review or airplay are advised that because of the huge volume already received, only compact disc releases will be considered.

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