Stephen Rhodes - BLISS - (New World Music)
This is blissfully relaxing, soothing, rejuvenating music that magically transforms one's bathing experience into a private oasis of tranquility. Go ahead: light some tall golden tapers and turn off the overhead light; pour yourself a refreshing beverage, turn on the music and slip into a steamy refuge from daily stress. The luscious sound of melodic piano, sonorous strings and effervescent textures help you indulge in some well-deserved, pampering personal care. Exquisitely arranged, each of these six sumptuous instrumentals quiets the over-busy mind so that one is immersed in colorful daydreams as the hot water relieves aching muscles. If you're looking to capture the benefits of a day at the spa in less than one hour, melt into BLISS.
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Awakening • Radha Kunda • Sunflower • Mirror Of The Mind • ChangesWai Lana & Siddha - YOGA SOUND (Gold Moon)
Lana's "Wake Up Body" TV/video workout series is seen by millions worldwide; now, you can practice with her daily as she performs postures to smooth, subtly energizing music specially composed for this discipline. Starting with the sweetly chanted sounds of om hari om, the music builds slowly into an intricately arranged, lusciously layered and truly transcendent rhythm with a tempo perfectly suited for the slow, deep-stretching movements of yoga. Soaring steel-string guitar solos support honeyed narrative breaks and English/Indian lyrics while backing vocals, ethereal textures and tasteful percussion keep the pace consistent and enjoyable. Excellent music for all forms of yogic practice!
Manuel Iman - FLOWERS IN THE DESERT (EverSound)
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Gypsy Tears • Rumba Chulita • Journey Itself • CareRomantic new flamenco stylings meld with colorful classical and Eastern music influences on Iman's spectacular debut recording. Born in the heartland of authentic flamenco - Andalusia, Spain - Manuel's fingers seem to have soaked up the inspiration of the ages as they dance along his warm, deeply resonant Spanish guitar strings. Instead of focusing on fast-paced flash, Iman instead concentrates on soul, playing highly emotive melodies that make hearts melt. But there's also fire aplenty on songs like "Rumba Chulita" and "Zingar," while the smoldering "Journey Itself" showcases Iman's stellar back-up ensemble as well as his own keyboard performance. If you fell in love with the early, pre-symphonic recordings of Ottmar Liebert, rediscover that feeling here.
Thea Surasu - SINGING BOWLS OF SHANGRI-LA - (Inner Peace Music)
Produced by Steven Halpern, this truly profound recording of a rare, 11th century golden Tibetan bowl evokes a hypnotic state of contemplation. Four solo instrumental selections demonstrate the wide range of tones and overtones which the bowl can produce when struck or rubbed in a circular manner. To receive the most benefit from these meditative vibrations, listen with eyes closed in a relaxed posture and focus on the farthest-away sound; for the highest attunement, listen simultaneously with headphones and stereo speakers. The full power of Tibetan singing bowls is notoriously difficult to capture in the recording studio because of the instrument's amazing resonance into the sub- and upper-harmonic scales; but here one can hear every minute nuance in crystalline perfection, making this CD an exceptional therapeutic tool. Note: Some tracks have nature sounds.
The Spirit Level - OF EARTH AND SKY - (Neurodisc)
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Clear Light • Movements In One • Moksha • Duang Jai Mae • Peyote RoadWhat a trip! As stirring strains of harmonious synthesizer begin to build, a transmission from project control activates a trance-mission of perky rhythms that will soon have your foot tapping and imagination soaring. Performing on keyboards and MIDI-guitar, Mark Allison crafts eleven sonic journeys (CD version includes an additional bonus track) that rival those of Richard Burmer and Jonn Serrie in their complexity of tone and richness of mood. Six pieces have unusual vocal accents that add depth and worldliness to this galactic escapade; spoken in several languages, they become just another riveting texture in the overall compelling tapestry. Heavenly cutting edge ambient sound highly recommended for headphone listening.
Llewellyn - GHOSTS - (New World Music)
There are more recorded ghost sightings in the British Isles than anywhere else in the world. Is it any wonder that talented, English Llewellyn was inspired to create sophisticated, deeply emotive scores to eight of his favorite true tales of the unknown? These haunting instrumentals harken to the gloomy splendor of ancestral halls, candlelit drawing rooms, and elegantly groomed moonlit lawns rather than creaky attics, as the moods evoked are more romantic and fantastic than spooky. Lushly layered acoustic guitar, piano, bagpipes, flute, panpipes, mandolin, Uillean pipes, strings and more authentic instruments conjure vibrantly hued images of phantasmogoria such as "Lady Hoby," "The Hooded Maiden" and the nunnish visions of "Borley Rectory." Perfect for blustery winter evenings, this warm and reverie-inspiring music will whisk away wild imaginations to where wandering spirits dwell. Note: The booklet includes the tales of each unearthly presence, plus illustrations of actual ghostly locales.
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Celebration Song • Spirit Within • Watchers Of The Canyon • Night Sky DreamtimeBurning Sky - ENTER THE EARTH (Candescence)
This very popular Anglo-Native American ensemble blends traditional influences with contemporary moods for a thrilling instrumental song-cycle that recreates a spiritual vision quest. Special musical ceremonies and dances are included here to celebrate Man's original emergence from the underworld, our planet's attempts to co-exist with modern civilization, and the eventual return of the spirits into Mother Earth. On "Spirit Within," delicate cedar flute melodies mingle with soft ballad backing for a quiet meditation; "Watchers of the Canyon" evokes the mysterious majesty of the Anasazi with its sparkling acoustic guitar strains, perky drum rhythms and groove-laden bass line. But it's the infectious dance beats of "Night Sky Dreamtime" with its captivating flute-didgeridoo duet that really sets the body in motion and soul aflame. Join the family of Man in a "Tribal Stomp" and leave all your worries behind, Ho!
Armen Chakmakian - CEREMONIES - (TruArt Records)
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Gypsy Rain • A Kiss And A Sigh • Ceremonies • A Time To Heal • ImaginingsA dazzling debut from the keyboardist of Shadowfax, CEREMONIES boasts a stirring blend of mesmerizing Middle Eastern rhythms and snazzy jazz textures woven together to form a kaleidoscopic tapestry as rich and beautiful as any Kilim carpet. Chakmakian's "passionate piano" signature sound is showcased exceptionally well alongside stand-out performances by guest artists Alex de Grassi on acoustic guitars, percussionist Greg Ellis, and Dijvan Gasparyan on duduk, zurna and accent vocals. Stretching across cultural boundaries, the deftly nuanced "A Kiss and A Sigh" sounds both classic and completely contemporary as Armen perfectly plays the main theme (which is as catchy as any from a James Bond movie) before spinning it out into an elegantly restrained sidebar that is both moody and involving. You can listen to this outing for hours and it still sounds fresh!
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River Path • Kokopelli's Surprise • New Awakening • Wind's SongAutumn's Child - BORN OUT OF SILENCE - (Cedar 'n' Sage Music)
Deliciously melancholic cello strings introduce us to Mark Holland's compelling cedar flute-based melodies that artfully arrange piano, guitar, harp, chimes and percussion into vibrantly hued audio vignettes. Each of the dozen tunes conjures a unique mood, a distinct sense of time and place, through a variety of themes such as "Winged Messenger," "Desert Vision" and "Mountain Heights." Holland's mastery of his flute is truly impressive; never strident, he innovatively uses breath and music to convey surprising depths of emotion that raise this exceptional ensemble record way above many of the genre. Creative use of accent instruments such as talking drum, hammered dulcimer and Tibetan bells round out each melody so that the listener is surrounded with beauty from beginning to end.
John Rich - PIANO IMAGES - (John Rich Music)
Rich makes solo piano music because he simply, completely and utterly loves the expressiveness of the instrument. Talking with him, one comes away from the conversation convinced that he actually perceives the world translated through the reflective, pastoral tones of 88 keys; that he has a true gift for interpreting the complex myriad of sounds evoked by "Mountain Mist," "Wind in the Wheat," and "Snowfall" and the generosity to share it with us through his magnificent instrument. He knows that there are more than a hundred other solo piano albums in the marketplace, and it doesn't matter; he has to make this music, must spread his joy in the "Birth of a Brook" with others regardless of buying trends or advertising hype. I'm glad; he makes inspiring, creative and honestly beautiful music that makes my world a nicer place. He'll pretty-up your neck of the woods, too, guaranteed.
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.
