Infamis - Upiór: Qualis Rex, Talis Grex

UPIÓR: Qualis Rex, Talis Grex

Infamis
Beast of Prey
2005

If Richard Wagner could be termed 'heavy' as far as classical music is concerned, then 'heavy' is what this album could be termed in the dark atmospheric ambient realm.

Now, by 'heavy', I don't mean metal music; rather, the atmosphere and the complete sound are rather overwhelming, although not exactly depressing. There is a majesty and grandeur in a dark way, created by full orchestral scores, choirs, and myriad instruments.

Some tracks, like Babilon and Upiór II do tend to become quite tedious at times because they begin to sound like a stuck record after awhile. However, I do realize that's done for effect—perhaps a musical metaphor for the occasional tediousness of life. But, overall, Upiór is quite a dramatic departure from a lot of the music we're used to hearing. Take a chance on it; I'm sure it'll interest you.

TRACKLIST:
1.Upiór
2.Adoratorzy Bezmocy
3.Iluzjonista Krwi
4.Melodia Z Ostatniej Epoki
5.Czarci Róg
6.Babilon
7.Upiór II
8.Batailles Nocturnes

Ian Melrose - A Scottish Legacy

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Herb Ernst - The Dreamflight Trilogy

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Harvey Summers - Reiki: Invisible Healing

 

REIKI : Invisible Healing

Harvey Summers
Disky
2000

Flowing like a healing river, and at times sounding very much like Kitaro's music, Harvey Summers' ambient melodies are quite soothing, but also much more dramatic.

Drawing on Oriental influences, musical notes are often punctuated rather than melded together, so that, as in Just for Today, one minute we are drawn down a slow-moving stream, the next through massaging rapids. And, unlike many other healing albums, this one contains quite over-emphasized rhythmic beats.

Very nice. Very different. Quite mesmerizing.

TRACKLIST:
1 Just for Today
2 Heavenly Ki
3 Pranayama
4 Pure Peace
5 Invisible Healing

Gary Stadler - Fairy Heart Magic

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Ganga Giri - Tribe Vibe

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Gandalf - Sacred River

 SACRED RIVER

Gandalf
Real Music
2006

This is, by far, the nicest Gandalf recording I've heard, a gentle and relaxing musical voyage down the sacred Yamuna River in India, a place that has had quite an impact on Gandalf's life.

Earlier in his life, "Flowing water has inspired me since I was a child, when my favorite playground was at a small creek behind my parents' house. The sound of the rippling water stimulated my fantasy and made my mind go wandering to imaginary places."

Musically, Gandalf has captured the rippling, flowing, and healing effects of the water through the use of guitar, keyboards, bells and percussion, all blending together to create a relaxing atmosphere with the title track being my favourite.

TRACKLIST:
1. Morning At The River Bench
2. Sacred River
3. Blossoms Falling Like Snow
4. Silent Joy
5. The Ferryman's Tale
6. Take Me Gently Across The Water
7. Confidently Flowing Seawards
8. A Visionary Passage
9. Flow, Water, Flow
10. Where the River Joins the Ocean