This month?s column is dedicated to music for reverie. When we need a little lift, a short break, a quick time-out from everything else that is happening in our lives, a little daydreaming can renew and nourish mind, body and soul. As always, if you have trouble finding these or any music recording reviewed in The Monthly Aspectarian at your local retailer, please call the phone number listed next to the record company?s name for more information.
	JOURNEY TO THE EAST Philip Chapman (New World Music 800-771-0987) Hearing this marvelous music with eyes closed is the perfect invitation to armchair travel. Even Chapman himself admits, "The concept behind these two 23-minute instrumentals is to create relaxing music that transports the listener into reverie. Here, East meets West, and the result is harmoniously beautiful." So get ready to discover the splendor and mystery of the Orient as exotic bells and gongs, tantalizing harps and musical colors swirl around your imagination. Dubbed "Sunrise" and "Sunset," these two tunes create equally tranquil and essentially restful sonic moods perfect for moments of inner peace and contentment. Drawing much of his inspiration from nature, Chapman?s delicate compositions lead one into a wonderful world of calm delight where a new and enchanting discovery is around every bend. Featuring guest musician Stuart Jones on koto (an Asian stringed instrument similar to a lute), this luxurious aural expedition is not to be missed!
	EXCURSIONS Simko Music Medicine Records 603-899-9822) Created from the resonant frequencies of a waking dream, this orchestral space fantasy is a beautiful example of the crystalline textures and deeply moving melodies of which journey music is capable of attaining in the hands of a talented composer. Simko believes that all instruments are created to mirror the consciousness of those who play upon them. The synthesizer has brought her the freedom to compose from a more ethereal, multi-dimensional sound palette; to capture in heart and in soul, in mind and in spirit "our inter-dimensional connection to the rhythmic motion of time and space, and to our own divine essence." Comparable to some of the 1980?s most intuitive works -- YEARNING AND HARMONY by Triatma, Ray Lynch?s DEEP BREAKFAST and LIGHT OF THE SPIRIT by Kitaro -- Simko?s compositions were crafted as explorations into altered and elevated states of consciousness. Her goal "is to reconnect listeners to the mystical circuitry within from which magic flows."
	ALCHEMY THROUGH DREAMS Mortal Loom (Delvian Records 510-558-9045) A delicious blend of ambient-electronica, tribal rhythms and gothic elements, Mortal Loom?s debut has an overall sound that was developed through ten years of traveling around the world, listening to exotic environments, and recording unusual organic sounds. Creating custom instrumentation is the root of Mortal Loom?s style; it can truly be said that many of the sounds heard on ALCHEMY THROUGH DREAMS have never been heard before! The result is a very dreamy music that can touch listeners spiritually, opening minds to a journey that is mysterious and mesmerizing. With its softly flowing introduction, the ethereal music of "Silence" is both fragile as lace and surprisingly sensual. "Event Horizon" is a gorgeous galactic spacemusic journey that begins with a rocket ride through a supernova, then stretches out into a languid, shimmering melody that drifts through sparkling stars. For a more upbeat aural adventure, try "Trip Hop Thing;" its minimalistic cycle of Middle Eastern chant, reverberating horn accents and snazzy percussion is a dancer?s delight. Note: reverie revelers will savor the sing-along version of the pop tune, "Dream a Little Dream of Me," that closes the album.
	Johannes Linstead KISS THE EARTH (Real Music 415-331-8273) Linstead is deservedly rising from the ranks of new flamenco artists, thanks to his inspired melding of Caribbean and South American rhythms with smile-inducing melodies. Unlike the dozen or so mostly mediocre artists currently featured on compilations too numerous to mention, Linstead is actually penning truly memorable tunes. His original compositions are not merely reworkings of classical Latin repertoire with a bit of Euro-pop thrown in; rather, his beautifully crafted arrangements and deft solos present a blissful alternative for those who adore the passion, verve and audacity of flamenco at its finest. Linstead?s fiery fretwork is not overtly flashy, but instead possesses much soul (rock fans, try comparing David Gilmore?s solo on "Comfortably Numb" to any generic Eddie Van Halen lick to get the idea). It is this well-considered depth of emotion that characterizes wonderful tunes like "Mezza Luna" and the worldbeat-influenced "Road to Marrakesh." This latter has particularly supple percussion support, much enhancing its limber lead line, while the entire album is fleshed out with tasty accents of bouzouki, flute, cello and piano. Acoustic Alchemy THE BEAUTIFUL GAME (Higher Octave 310-589-1515) This recording should carry a sticker: WARNING – the lively grooves and superb guitar melodies contained within are positively infectious! Acoustic Alchemy comes up with a brilliant outing after the untimely 1998 passing of founding member Nick Webb. This reconfigured version of the popular smooth jazz/new age ensemble brings to the fore a number of players and composers who were previously in the background. You can savor their sound impressions during Guy Barker?s wonderful horn solo on "The Angel of the South," throughout producer?s Richard Bull?s deeply soulful vibe on "The Panama Cat," and whenever techno-keyboardist Tony White whips up his special moody magic. Acoustic Alchemy?s heady melding of guitars, keyboards, sax, whistles, harmonica, bass and drums is consistently intricate and mesmerizing. It takes a lot of heat and stress to make a diamond; the multi-faceted THE BEAUTIFUL GAME shines very bright indeed. Jonn Serrie CENTURY SEASONS (Miramar 800-245-6472) A leading space music composer for over two decades, Serrie?s first "best of" collection is a double-disc set of interstellar soundscapes that remixes tracks from AND THE STARS GO WITH YOU, IXLANDIA, MIDSUMMER CENTURY and other albums into a consistently flowing and uninterrupted listening experience. Because the music is so deeply relaxing and the tracks move seamlessly from one to the next without a break, the only danger here is losing oneself in a two-hour reverie! Perfect for massage and contemplation, Serrie?s instrumental music is mostly ambient tones, but with enough subtle bits of melody and rhythm to keep the sound moving forward. Pieces like "Gentle the Night," "Starport Indra" and "Glyder" are floating cosmic epics, science-fiction romance novels of sound that gracefully swirl through timeless eddies in some far-flung corner of the universe. Impeccably produced and highly recommended for headphone listening, CENTURY SEASONS is an excellent escape. Trilok Gurtu AFRICAN FANTASY (Blue Thumb Records 212-331-2000) Bombay-born percussionist Gurtu is a world music melting pot personified; a renowned player who mixes Latin, rock and funk with the timeless raga rhythms of his homeland in exciting and dynamic fashion. On these 11 innovative compositions, he has chosen to explore the common bond between his native Indian culture and that of Africa. Beginning with the dramatic dance beats of "Rajastan," featuring sitar, harmonium and tabla, he moves through various dreamscapes powered by hypnotic drone on "DJ Didgeridoo" and male-female vocal chants on "Old African." But the title track is one of the most gentle and exquisite; co-written and sung by Benin legend Angelique Kidjo. Its smoothly flowing rhythms and lovely harmonies are buoyed by harp-like guitars and the soft patter of shakers. AFRICAN FANTASY is an excellent example of music taken to a higher level, where technique is so deft as to be invisible and pure inspiration flows forth effortlessly. Stephen Butler SAPERA: SNAKE CHARMERS OF NORTH INDIA (Bona-Fi/Canyon Records 602-266-7835) Perhaps the most romantic of exotic images: the sensuous sway of a hooded serpent, the cross-legged piper playing a weirdly enticing, hypnotic music accompanied by a simple hand drum. In reality, Hindu culture regards the snake as a symbol of the endless cycle of death and rebirth; several Indian deities are pictured as wearing cobras like garlands of flowers around their bodies. Sapera, devotees of the religious Nath sect, create trance-inducing music for the mesmerizing of cobras as part of their spiritual practice, as well as a way to make a living from visitors. Some songs, like "Theka Talin," are played for the pure enjoyment of both the snakes and the audience, while others are based on regional folk melodies or on the ghazal, a light-classical form of Indian music introduced from Persia. Listening to the uncanny, high pitched flute as it melds into liquid drum rolls and grounding drone is quite captivating but also very intense; an acquired taste for some, these tunes are perhaps the most pure of all music for reverie.