Music by PJ Birosik

Marzo is a Kundalini yoga instructor and holistic psychotherapist who focuses on women's healing issues and journeys, and has explored many organic healing processes such as compassionate communication, body-centered emotional energy work, Reiki and Goddess spirituality. Techniques from these teachings enhance her unique style of self-integration (getting in touch with "your inner wise woman"), resulting in an exceptionally lucid and warm narrative style on this profound spoken word program. The first track is a 30-minute guided relaxation, which encompasses the entire body. Marzo guides the listener through letting go of the "tight spots" so that tension is released for total physical and mental relaxation. The 18-minute second track is a grounding meditation where listeners are directed to focus on deepening their connection to their own bodies and Mother Earth. A complete circle of healing is established so that the listener can feel renewed and regenerated. Closing with a 15-minute meditation of inner sanctuary, she helps the listener create a sacred space for resting, rejuvenation, seeking and finding answers. Marzo has a genuine gift for manifesting beautiful rituals simultaneously suited for both beginning and advanced meditators. What a great way to ease in the millennium! Available on CD and cassette. INSTRUMENTATION: spoken word, keyboards.

Using brainwave frequencies, mellow instrumental music and sounds of stream, wind and sea, this program can be used to stimulate that part of the imagination responsible for creative dreams. The first section helps the mind move from its normal state of active attention to that of a lightly meditative state. You'll only hear sounds of a stream, flute, tinkling chimes, deep sounding wordless vocals and lots of synthesized layers, but underneath are alpha wave signatures that reinforce the brain's relaxed state. Part Two takes one deeper, using theta waves as a sonic bed to engender a deeper dream state. It is not uncommon for listeners to fall asleep during this section. Part Three re-establishes the alpha state so that one is refreshed and renewed once the music stops. While the concept is not new - Steven Halpern and Jonathan Goldman, among others, pioneered it over 20 years ago - the project is well done and also works well for a one-hour massage session. INSTRUMENTATION: nature sounds, electronic choir, flute, synthesizer.

Still vivid in my memory is a childhood visit to the New York World's Fair in the mid-60's; in particular to the Monsanto exhibit where visitors were "shrunk" to the size of an atom and "traveled" throughout the human body in little motorized buggies. This electrifying new release by the leading ambient explorer of our time stimulates a similarly intense and uplifting reaction; but instead of surfing through one's circulation, the listener rides a vibrating beam of light through a prism, culminating in a rainbow explosion of fantastic proportions. There's simply none better than Roach at accessing the magical microcosm that surrounds us. His spacious yet intricately layered music taps into the essential elements of sound, using them to transport one's consciousness to an elevated plane of reason. Artfully balancing the drone of the Indian tamboura with cutting edge electronic technology, he manifests miracles from a mundane rule of nature while positively altering one's perceptions. INSTRUMENTATION: electronic samples, synthesizers, tamboura.

Ever have one of those days where you didn't know what to do with yourself? Then put on this lazy, dream-like recording and indulge your secret passion, whether it's sinking into a hot bath up to your nose or eating a pint of Chunky Monkey. This eclectic music possesses the special power that liberate one's inhibitions. Its drawling miasma of half-heard voices ("Is this heaven?"), supine guitar strings and strolling rhythms weaves an enticing spell that's completely captivating. Fuzzy reverberations and the sinuous call of the Middle Eastern flute combine with tantalizing percussion on songs like "Wait for You" and "Elevator to My Soul," both of which conspire to lead listeners into a joyful state of complete abandon. INSTRUMENTATION: 12-string, pedal steel & other guitars, dobro, acoustic & electric bass, drums, percussion, voice, keyboards, ney, clavinet, bagpipes, harmonica.

As this phenomenal guitarist writes in his liner notes, "I am in touch for an inspirational, mystical, opened heart…I am realizing the importance of life in the breath." If you haven't experienced the pure joy of simply living (or living simply!), play this upbeat collection of exhuberant instrumentals and feel an affinity with all, again. Ride along waves of carefree splendor with the "Sea Gypsy," then metamorphose in tune with the harmonic rhythms of "Days of Departure" as life gives you the opportunity to really accomplish something today. Huckaby manifests music of inspiration, creation, invention, conception; his jubilant instrumentals alchemically activate those centers of the soul that invite self-expression. It's impossible to feel listless when "Universal Channels" are so open and flowing! INSTRUMENTATION: guitars, flutes, violin, tablas, drums, bass, didgeridoo, cello, keyboards.

Already a Celtic legend in his own lifetime, Cape Breton fiddler Holland is a "musician's musician," someone who can make one aspire to develop one's own unique gifts. On this new recording, there is an amazing array of reels, jigs, strathspeys, waltzes and marches to savor. Tracks 5 and 11 feature the sound of Uilleann pipes, the first time ever that a Cape Breton composition has been arranged for that instrument. You may have heard that Cape Breton has more musicians per capita than any place on the planet, and most of those musicians are fiddlers. For Holland's talent to shine above that of many of his contemporaries is a significant accomplishment, derived from a lifetime of patience, practice and - no doubt - prayer. The roots of Cape Breton music can be traced back more than two centuries to the highlands of Scotland, and Holland excels at bringing this rich heritage to the fore, making music so stirring that one must join in the dance! INSTRUMENTATION: fiddle, piano, guitar, Uilleann pipes.

When you're in the mood for something exotically intellectual that still moves the soul, try Saga. He sings like a Gallic Leonard Cohen with heavy doses of Cajun-like slide blues, fanciful harmonica, smoky lyrics and backing vocals from a snap ensemble of noted French players. Above all, Saga is driven by the magic of language, noting "When a song is born, the sun rises...everything else is only dust." From the politics of love (track 4, "Devil Blues") to the birth of the blues (track 10, "Baton Rouge"), Saga finds magnificence and mystery in the intrigues and poetry of the human soul. His lyrics are raw, passionate and enchantingly delivered in charismatic style, his native tongue and regional accent the perfect foil for the words themselves. One need not comprehend French to understand the emotions underlying each track, for they are universal. INSTRUMENTATION: vocals, sax, drums, bass, harmonica, guitars.

Prepare to dive deep down into humanity's primordial pool as world-class didj player Dargan guides one on a sonic spirit quest to Self. Four extended instrumentals punctuated with tribal chant and searing prayer feature lavishly layered traditional worldbeat rhythms and a dreamy synthesizer bed that melds the organic and ambient to perfection. "Spirit Dreams" is a song line initiation, where ancestors arrive to dance creation stories. The welcoming mood of "The Gathering" gradually increases until it is a euphoric tone poem of reunion and celebration. "Ancient Legends" explores the myth and magic of the fireside tales that arise at such gatherings. But it is "The Milky Way" that seizes the imagination from the first eerie call of the bull roarer to the final lingering fade that reunites the singular self with all sentient beings, from our own humble home to the farthest reaches of the galaxy. The stars, Dargan reminds us, may twinkle above us in perpetuity, but we, too, can truly shine. INSTRUMENTATION: didgeridoo, wood flutes, percussion, vocals, keyboards.

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.


This month's column is dedicated to music for Self; not as in selfishness or ego, but sounds that help nurture one's well being, comfort the troubled soul and enhance expression. As always, if you have trouble finding these or any music recording reviewed in The Monthly Aspectarian at your local retailer, please call 847-966-1110 and ask for the record company's phone number for the title(s) you desire.