Inside...Musical Starstreams
with Forest (Click above to hear Forest's show right on your computer!)
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. Last month we listed and described the first half of our Top Twenty albums of 1997. This month, here's the rest of the Top Twenty (numbers 11-20) along with a recap of the first half.
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!
For those of us seeking the warm, fuzzy nostalgic comfort of some of the best in early electronica, our search has been rewarded with this latest effort from Belgium synth artist Danny Budts, who records under the name Syndromeda. The album has all the flavor of previous European pioneers like Tangerine Dream, Klaus and at times Jon-Michel Jarre. The fourteen-and-a-half minute opening dreamy, floaty T-Dream-inspired "Infinity" track and the more energetic Jarre inspired "The Ring of Power" are standouts. While for the most part the tracks follow the traditional pleasing formula of slow development and mesmerizing repetitiveness, we should also report that, to our ears, some of the offerings here are at times ponderous and seem to meander in a rather uninspiring direction. Even so, the two tracks we mention above, which amount to about a third of the album, are brilliant and make this worth adding to your collection — especially if you've developed a taste over the years for the best of pioneering European electronic music.
We admit to a double take when this album crossed our desk. First off we were more than a little surprised that apparently Peter has moved beyond his long-standing relationship with the folks at Narada. Even more surprising was the fact that his new home, at least for this project, is the Los Angeles pop label, Hollywood. Once we got past the shock, we found an incredible piece of work from Buffett, perhaps his best in years. He's brought his remarkable performing, writing and producing talents to the task of creating a clearly traditional Native American inspired album with obvious contemporary appeal. He's succeeded in making "old" songs sound new again. Not as dance flavored as the Sacred Spirits album, which pioneered the technique a few years back, but flavorful in its own more reserved way. We have all the appealing qualities of Native American themes of chants, songs and spoken words mixed with equally desirable Buffett electronics and the at times forceful vocalese of the New World Ensemble. The samples flow well and the album is expertly produced. Hollywood also serviced us with a more "clubby" remix disc which takes some of the songs to an even more expanded place. A good remix disc to seek out. Though the year has just begun, we look for this release to be a strong contender for Top Twenty Album of the Year toward the end of 1998. It's that good.
Here you go. Another one of those work-for-hire things that you find the aisles of Wal Mart, along with the sounds of the sea, the woods, the stream and all those other nature offerings priced at about five bucks. New Age-to-go. Not that the world could use it — but actually, we found ourselves incredibly impressed with what we thought would be another drab nature impression. We can't even tell you for sure who the artist or artists are on this album and World Disc doesn't make it easy or seem to care, but the bottom line is that this is a very good CD. If Sony Classical or another major label were releasing this, it would probably sell a million or so, but being marketed as another nature series type of generic release in department stores across the country, well, how many can they sell to middle America at Wal Mart for God's sake? Maybe more than we know! If you can find this album somewhere, don't dismiss it like we almost did. Think of it as a mellower first Deep Forest album, or a soft Native African/nature sound/fusion album. Whatever it is, it's worth the time trying to find it. We found ourselves liking it a lot. 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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