Inside...Musical Starstreams
with ForestWelcome 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. This month (drum roll, please) we explore the first ten of our Top Twenty Albums of 1997 -- the very best of the last twelve months! Next month...the rest of the best! Caveat: Although in our opinion, most of these albums are excellent from start to finish, not all of them are. Remember -- for radio, we only need one or two good tracks. If at all possible, listen before you buy, just to be sure. Happy new year!
1. Various Artists - Slumberland (Waveform) Dreamy, atmospheric electronics for sensual pleasures. A relaxing, inspirational journey. 2. Various Artists - Mashing Up Creation (Dubmission) Drop dead electro dub from a small independent UK label. Hopefully most of the good tracks are to be available in 1998 from the domestic based Waveform label.
Another obscure import from Belgium which actually came out in 1996, this teams California minimal keyboardist Harold Budd with French synth master Hector Zazou. It's a marriage made in heaven and an incredibly cool album.
Canadian songstress McKennitt is back with more magical, mystical journeys through exotic musical lands. The opening and closing tracks are especially good. Her strongest effort since "The Visit."
Santa Fe's Rusty Crutcher continues his musical explorations of sacred sights, this time with the Native American inspired Serpent Mound in Ohio. Without a doubt his strongest album ever. A masterpiece.
Ancient, tribal atmospheres. Belgium's Vidna Obmana releases some incredible performances from a few years past that just happened to be sitting around the studio. Wow!
This must be the year for albums from Belgium. Here's another sleeper release that charmed our socks off from the day it arrived in the mail. Take dreamy flute, synth and percussion and you have a relaxing, improvisational classic. Very smooth.
This German group contributes the most infectious song of the year, "Paris," which beckons us to that city of intrigue and romance. Most everything else is pretty acidy and intense but visiting "Paris" alone is worth the price of admission.
The genius of Starstreams favorite, Om and his past work, in a new setting. Recorded on the magical isle of Maui, this is a global, cross cultural set of danceable rhythms. The opening track, "Radhe" is a particular standout.
A new record label based in San Francisco with a refreshing debut work from the French brother sister team, Uman. Very accessible and pop with catchy vocals and spicey instrumentals. A pleasant debut.
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 locally every Sunday night from 10pm to midnight on WNUA, 95.5fm and worldwide on the internet. He can be reached at PO Box 1409, Mill Valley, CA 94942. E-mail:forest@starstreams.com, or 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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