by PJ Birosik
This record is nothing less than a bridge between two cultures, a truly socially significant album that makes the most sacred of Native American spiritual mysteries available in an accessible form. It is unique in that it pairs Native American church prayer with music for the very first time. Healing songs are normally performed a cappella, but by utilizing the talents of guitarist and electronic composer Joe Jakob, the famed peyote singers have created a timeless, flawlessly beautiful aural document that will touch the hearts of a broad audience without sacrificing the spiritual intent of these words. Respectfully arranging the choral rounds with shimmering sonic textures, these nine tracks provide a soothing ambiance that helps quiet the stress-filled soul and return one to the beauty way. Verdell Primeaux and Johnny Mike record in both the Sioux and Navajo languages, their magnificent voices blending sonorously like creamed honey in sunshine, yet retain immense power so that the ritual aspect of each song is preserved.
Drawing deeply on his own Celtic heritage, best-selling New Age multi-instrumentalist Goodall turns in his most ambitious, heartfelt, and successful work since Medicine Woman. The Cornish composer's richly layered, luxurious rhythms and haunting melodies have long spun wordless tales of ancient times that sound completely contemporary and have the power to instantly whisk one's imagination away. Here, he rediscovers his own creative power, as beautifully breathy panpipes are joined with a symphony of shimmering harp strings, Irish bodhran (hand drum), and ethnic flutes in a marvelous celebration of epic tribal tradition. Tracks like "The Warrior" majestically stir the blood, while the sweetness of "A Maiden's Prayer" lifts the soul with its hopeful innocence. Artfully blended into the captivating music are a multitude of water and natural sounds to suggest the famed waterfalls, burns, streams, bogs and lakes of the British Isles. The result is an amazingly deep and moving listening experience perfectly suited to reverie, relaxation, and massage.
This extremely tasty East-meets-West fusion features noted bansuri flutist Wubbenhorst, tabla virtuoso Sandip Burman, and others on sarod, guitar, acoustic bass, violins, cymbals and percussion. A long-time student and touring partner of India's leading flautist, Hariprasad Chaurasia, Wubbenhorst's fresh approach to cleverly combining timeless raga rhythms with uptempo jazz inflections and hypnotizing trance beats is unparalleled. From sweetly soulful, folk-like songs to irresistible dance pieces boasting lightning fast hand drum riffs, Wubbenhorst's original compositions are all strongly melodic, imparting sparkling-hued reveries suitable for moving meditation, sacred dance, and pure listening pleasure.
An underground aural revolution is happening in the City of Angels right now, with dozens of home studio musicians cranking out fresh, exploratory new sounds in an attempt to win the hearts, minds, and feet of dance lovers everywhere. Styles such as space-hop, drum&bass and ambient groove are starting to find a new age audience, particularly among younger listeners who like meditation music, but also want something to which they can really m-o-o-o-v-e; this is for them. Spearheaded by tracks from Cavestar, T.H.C., and Oversoul 7, this compilation introduces a wide range of completely contemporary musical stylings. The ethereal gothic vocals and deep moodiness of T.H.C.'s "Unsaid Warning," and the scintillating ambient instrumental soundscape "Quay-Czar," represent either end of the broad spectrum of adventurous music for the new millennium.
Science, spirituality and absorbingly pretty pastoral melodies combine on this album based upon the eight natural divisions of the year, such as "Yule," "Spring Equinox," and "Beltane." Compositions for sparkling acoustic guitar leads with dulcimer, flute, keyboards, and world percussion support are tuned to the frequency of the Earth's rotation around the sun (1/31,556,926 cycles per second), raised by 32 octaves so that the resulting note -- somewhere between C and C# -- is audible. Catchy rhythms, deep drones, environmental sounds, and sparkling accents created by ringing six-strings make this happy music appreciably upbeat and easily flowing, rather than coldly precise or calculated. Note: a bonus track taken from the NeuroHarmonic Synergy meditation tape series is sequenced to induce theta brainwave production and a deeply relaxed state of mind.
On the best trance-dance record of the year, Richardson creates two extended, 23-minute tracks that powerfully unite intense ceremonial drumming with luxurious layers of shamanic chant, monochord drone, shakers, bells, falling rain and mustangs galloping across the plains into a completely transcendent musical event. Breathtaking in its complexity, yet featuring consistent rhythms suitable for ecstatic movement, this album bursts out of the gate like a thoroughbred and hurtles headlong until the final note fades. Several dramatic interludes throughout each piece alter the pace so that new, elevated heights of sacred dance can be attained. One of the most creative drumming records available, it is flawlessly produced so that when played at even maximum volume, there is no distortion to ruin the rhythm.
Using Thoreau's devotion to the wildwoods area known as Walden as a means of melding natural and philosophical themes, solo pianist Pedersen has lovingly crafted an utterly gorgeous selection of pastoral melodies that engender deep feelings of tranquillity and repose. It's amazing he can actually play keyboards at all, since part of one of his fingers was amputated in a skill saw accident! "It was a miracle that only one finger was hurt," he notes, and attributes his admirably inventive performance style to having to "get creative" in order to share the melodies he often hears in dreams. Beginning with a motif or improvisation, Pedersen then composes the formal elements using classical principles of development. The result is easy on the ears, but with substance for those who love to listen deeply.
This unusual and instantly ear-catching blend of sacred Sufi rhythms and cutting edge electronica layered with natural ambient elements should carry a warning label; it's that addictive! Following in the footsteps of whirling dervishes, the music melds ethnic instruments such as ney, bendir and frame drums with chanting from authentic rituals into a sinuously rhythmic audio elixir that magically transports one into an incense-laden realm of ecstatic spirituality. Hauntingly repetitive vocal riffs and mesmerizing breath expulsions from Brena MacCrimmon and Muhammed Shams punctuate the deep, sonorous soundscapes created by the classically trained Dede and partners to brilliant effect. This mystical, musical meditation is recommended to anyone wanting to be reunited and lovingly consumed by the flame of their inner Source.
Jump immediately into the warm sonic slipstream created by this duo, and you'll be gently swept off into a spatial excursion of true loveliness. The album is a contemporary instrumental fantasy created by ethereal textures, soothing ambient soundwaves and bright, shimmering percussive accents through nine distinct tracks. "Somewhere" is a delicately nuanced galactic tone poem of heroic majesty and romance, while the yearning for "A Lost Star" is expressed through truly affecting somber tones that reverberate in harmony with the listener's own heartstrings. Headphones are highly recommended for this deep space journey, as it is guaranteed to give rise to richly hued daydreams of epic proportions.
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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