Bernward Koch - Walking Through Clouds

WALKING THROUGH CLOUDS

Bernward Koch
Real Music
2005

In keeping with the title of this album, the music is light and airy, allowing us to drift through the atmosphere of our minds to relax and unwind, to meditate and reflect on our lives and the world around us.

Primarily piano compositions, with touches of flute, guitar, bass, glockenspiel, and percussion, nothing here will overwhelm the listener with heavy rhythms or repetitive melodies.

Sit back, relax, and melt into the soft strains of this—

TRACKLIST:
1. Touched by Love
2. Childhood Hour
3. Walking Through Clouds
4. Deep green Summer
5. Flight Being
6. One Step at a Time
7. Mysterious Way
8. Bekoflow
9. Following Stars
10. Close Your Eyes
11. The Silver Veil
12. Gentle Touch
13. Simply Great
14. Evoking Wonder
15. Sunday Sky
16. Travel Lightly

Ben Leinbach - The Spirit of Yoga

[Music Review by Michael Woodhead in Synchronicity magazine]

Baka Beyond - Journey Between

JOURNEY BETWEEN

Baka Beyond
Hannibal
1998

If you're looking for an eclectic mix of music, instruments and voices, then this CD just might hit the mark. 

Celtic fiddle, African drum, Gaelic vocals and Senegalese song—all combine to give an overall African feel to the whole CD. I love the way instruments and song styles from different countries blend together to form new and unique sounds, and it has been done just beautifully on this album.

It begins with Mhe which, although it sounds like a chant, is more probably a use of the voice as an instrument, and ends with Queen of Ngorongoro, a very Celtic-sounding hoe-down reminiscent of Leahy. In between are selections based on a Hebridean waulking song, Himalayan dance music, and a Scottish air mixed with a Ghanaian rhythm.

A nice touch of World music for western ears.

TRACKLIST:
1 Mhe
2 Migrations
3 Mountain Song
4 Konti
5 Cotu
6 Land's End
7 Soiridh Leis
8 Queen Of Ngorongoro

Back to Earth - Kairos: The Spirit of Time

Kairos: The Spirit of Time

Back to Earth
(a.k.a. Thomas and Bruno Hasler)
Thasproduction
2005

Sensuous and romantic, Kairos is a heavenly selection of relaxing music.

From the undulating rhythms of The Last Crossing to the more melancholy To the Four Winds, this series of eclectic numbers washes over the listener like waves of tranquility.

Comparisons could be made—Down to Earth, Medwyn Goodall, and Secret Garden often sound similar, but fans of the latter two are sure to enjoy Kairos immensely with its delicate melodies and lightly-swelled accompaniments.

TRACKLIST:
1. Angel of Music
2. Rhymes on a Silver Morning
3. The Last Crossing
4. African Princess
5. Dreamland Crescendo
6. Promise to Your Heart
7. Coloured Poem
8. To the Four Winds
9. On Eagle Wings
10. Looking Back Ahead
11. Deep Down Inside
12. Secrets of Nature
13. Expression of Delight
14. Gentle Touch of Beauty
15. The Blue Side of Midnight
16. Kairos, The Spirit of Time

Auburn J Druid - The Shamanic Power Animal Journey

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead in Synchronicity magazine]

Arturo Stalteri - Rings

RINGS

Arturo Stalteri
Materiali Sonori
2003

The Lord of the Rings trilogy—both J R R Tolkien's books and Peter Jackson's motion pictures—has spawned works by other artists and composers over the past three years, and Stalteri's Rings is one such piece.

Highlighting his piano compositions and performances, but supported by some additional orchestrated instruments, Arturo has created an interesting and emotional set of melodies centering on various aspects of the Rings: the hobbits, Gandalf, the elves; but at the same time, he draws comparisons between the fantasy world and the modern world. For, as is indicated in the liner notes, "Times are changing and we are changing".

Pieces such as Fangorn and Cavalieri Neri, though representing a fantasy word of times gone by, are very much Italian contemporary in composition and presentation, while others like Lo Speechio di Galadriel and The Old Forest reflect a more Celtic influence and sound.

Ranging from joyful to melancholy to occasionally dark in tone, from lively to pedantic in pace, and from ambient to repetitive musical motives, Arturo nonetheless breathes new life into a well-read, well-known, and well-trodden subject.

TRACKLIST:
1. Baggins' Theme
2. Bilbo's Party
3. Gandalf The White
4. Rivendell
5. Le Ultime Luce Di Brea
6. Fangorn
7. Cavalieri Neri
8. Lo Specchio Di Galadriel
9. The Old Forest
10. The Ring Bearer
11. Theoden E I Ricordi
12. Verso Lorien
13. The Ride Of The Rohirrim
14. The Grey Havens' Lullaby
1. Memories Of A Hobbit

Arturo Stalteri - Child of the Moon

 CHILD OF THE MOON

Arturo Stalteri
Felmay Records
2007

This release by Arturo Stalteri contains a series of peaceful and relatively quiet nocturnes ideal for just sitting in a dark room and relaxing, or even for those who have trouble sleeping. However, these pieces are by no means monotonous or boring; some are light as a fairy's touch, others quite evocative and stirring. All are very pleasing to the musical palate.

TRACKLIST:
1. Notturno In Sol Maggiore
2. Notturno In Do Minore
3. Notturno In Re Maggiore
4. Notturno In Sol Diesis Minore Venezia
5. Notturno In Si Bemolle Maggiore
6. Notturno In Sol Minore Starry Night
7. Notturno In Do Maggiore
8. Notturno In Si Bemolle Minore
9. Notturno In Si Maggiore
10. Notturno In Fa Diesis Maggiore Magla Costa
11. Sun Rises

AOMusic - Twirl

 TWIRL

AOMusic
(a.k.a. Richard Gannaway, Jay Oliver, Miriam Stockley & Sandeep Chowta)
Universal Music Canada
2009

As it explains, Twirl is indeed a 'multicultural experience'—a creative and delightful musical experience that features English, Polynesian, African, East Indian, and even made-up lyrics which were chosen for their phonetic shape.

Twirl is a moving and refreshing feast for the ears which sounds new, and yet at the same time seems oddly familiar.

Utilizing colour, music, form and movement, AOMusic eventually hopes to create a multimedia experience that encompasses a variety of cultures without holding 'allegiance' to any one in particular.

TRACKLIST:
1. On Jai Ya
2. Tayeh Kayoh
3. Drops & Sparks
4. Obayo
5. Yei Ha
6. Na Ha ye
7. Kaya Kayeh
8. Zhaia
9. Shamaniya
10. Cahaya

Anugama - Tantra

 TANTRA

Anugama
Nightingale Records
1998

Tantra, for want of a better term, can be considered 'sexual mysticism' -- the joining of a man and woman not only physically, but emotionally, mentally, and spiritually to achieve total Oneness and Unity, a completeness that is already there but has not yet been realized or accepted.

Tantra, the album, contains music which has been created to help increase a couple's ability to utilize love and sex for the purposes of meditation in order to achieve this perfect ecstasy. The first selection, Tantric Day, played exclusively on a G chord, is a masculine, sexually stimulating piece. The second, Full Moon Night, is feminine and meditative.

Quite frankly, one does not have to be making love to appreciate this album.

Instrumentation: classical guitar, flamenco guitar, recorder flute, native American flute, shakuhaji flute,native American drums, keyboards and voices

TRACKLIST:
1. Tantric Day
2. Full Moon Night
3. New Moon Rising (a bonus track on the re-release of the CD)

Anne Trenning - Watching for Rain

 WATCHING FOR RAIN

Anne Trenning
Shadetree Productions
2009

"In a broader sense, it seems many of us are hoping for our world to enter a period of healing; we want to be part of a cleansing transformation—which is why I chose the analogy of rain. I wanted the music on this album to reflect new beginnings, and to offer emotional encouragement during this time of anticipation and hope."

Fifteen compositions attest to the inspirational quality of Anne's performances, enhanced by the addition of violin, cello, strings, keyboards, flute, piccolo, guitar, bass, and percussion. A mixture of original and popular music, these melodies are sure to please the listener.

Soft and light, uptempo and occasionally dramatic, Watching for Rain is a potpourri of stirring musical pieces that will instill a feeling of new possibilities in times of despair; rest and relaxation after a frenetic pace; and an atmosphere of peace for moments of solitary meditation, praise and worship.

"Sorrow and grief are as much a part of life as joy and happiness, and all those emotions resonate in my music. My compositions are often melodic portraits of challenges I have faced in my own life."

TRACKLIST:
1 The Ash Grove
2 Silent Night II
3 Eden Hall
4 A Prayer For The World
5 The Welcome Song
6 You and Me
7 Days of Pie
8 Carolina Moon
9 And I'll Fly Away
10 I Want to be Ready
11 H. I. A. T. W.
12 Real Love
13 When You Say Nothing At All
14 Dancing With You (bonus track)
15 Benediction

 

Ann Licater - Following the Call

 FOLLOWING THE CALL

Ann Licater
Cul de Sac Mystic Productions
2007

Flute music, to me, has alway been very haunting in its sound. The wood and clay flutes on these selections are no exception.

Plaintive and sonorous, these Native American and World flutes call out from an ageless time and a seemingly vast expanse of emptiness, expressing a wide range of emotions, and touching a myriad of senses in the listener.

Sometimes Ann plays the instruments individually, and at other times, in harmony or counterpoint or with harmonics; but in whichever manner she's chosen to perform, the sounds and the music of these original tunes and improvisations reach into the soul and resonate with the listener's inner feelings, creativity, and intuition.

Let these expressive compositions transport you to a deeper rendezvous with your soul and spirit.

TRACKLIST:
1. Following the Call
2. Numinous Gateway
3. Spirit Dance
4. Ancient Echoes
5. Sacred Moon
6. Unfolding Mystery
7. Wind and Butterfly
8. Three Graces
9. Mystic Messenger
10. Dream Time
11. Initiation
12. Beloved
13. Winged Prayer
14. Emergence
15. Old Soul
16. Full Circle

ANewDay - Summer Reflections

SUMMER REFLECTIONS

ANewDay
CD Baby
2009

This is another one of those recordings that I cannot help but play repeatedly. There's something about the simple melodies that draw me back to them time and again.

ANewDay is a collaboration between Rob Miller and Ron Huestis, the former composing and playing the music on piano, the latter creating the smooth orchestrations.

TRACKLIST:
1. Summer Rush
2. Reverie
3. Solstice
4. Early Rising
5. Misty Mornings
6. Celtic Farewell
7. Place of Solitude
8. Future Beginnings
9. Astronomical Convolutions
10. Solar Moons
11. The Revival
12. Mystique
13. Whispering Streams

Andreas Vollenweider - Book of Roses

BOOK OF ROSES

Andreas Vollenweider
Sony
1992

Andreas' electroacoustic harp gives an almost pop music feel to many of the compositions on this unique disc.

A creaking door at the very beginning opens to a world of wonderful, upbeat pieces that give a unique quality to harp music with touches of Celtic, Mediterranean, and African coloring.

Each of Andreas' recordings has a theme, or endeavors to tell a beautiful and enthralling musical story.

In this case, Book of Roses is a recording that has both, presenting four 'chapters', each with different musical 'episodes'.

Fun, eclectic, Book of Roses is a veritable dance of music.

TRACKLIST:
1. La Strega (Her Journey To The Grand Ball)
2. The Grand Ball of the Duljas
3. Morning at Boma Park
4. Five Curtains
5. Book of Roses
6. In Doga Gamee
7. Passage to Promise
8. In the Woods of Kroandal
9. Jugglers in Obsidian
10. Chanson de l'Heure Bleue
11. Czippa and the Ursanian Girl
12. The Birds of Tilmun
13. Hirzel
14. Jours d'Amour
15. Manto's Arrow and the Sphinx
16. Letters to a Young Rose

Anael - Spiritual Beings On a Human Journey

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Amethystium - Autumn Interlude

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Alicia Bessette - Reservoir

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead in Synchronicity magazine]

Al Gromer Khan - Monsoon Point

MONSOON POINT

Al Gromer Khan
(with Amelia Cuni)
New Earth Records
2007

This whole CD is one for contemplation and relaxation—fifty-five minutes of very non-intrusive and quiet music and vocals.

Al Gromer Khan and Amelia Cuni have created a very subdued album of ambient soundscapes and Dhrupad singing, but one which is certainly not boring or monotonous. This is music in which to lose yourself.

Originally released in 1995, it has been remastered, and was used in the soundtrack for Sublime, a movie by Tony Krantz.

TRACKLIST:
1 Monsoon Point

Al Conti - Scheherazade

SCHEHERAZADE

Al Conti
Shadowside Music
2008

This is a wonderful and mystical assortment of compositions that draw the listener into the fantasy world of 1001 Arabian Nights.

Blending numerous instruments—guitar, piano, dulcimer, exotic hurdy gurdy, sitar, tribal drums and other percussion—Al Conti creates a beautiful soundscape, telling the story in musical segments that are sure to delight and entertain.

"Creating the album Scheherazade was an arduous experience. There is a lot of thought, planning and experimentation that goes into creating the arrangements. What keeps me going is the feeling that the eventual listeners are already right there beside me while I am recording. So I can only thank each and every listener for walking with me through this artistic adventure and encouraging me to create more."

TRACKLIST:
1 Daughter of the City
2 Desert Nights
3 Shahryar
4 Seven Veils to Midnight
5 Dunyazad
6 A Thousand Tales
7 Palace Gardens
8 Gold and Spices
9 Eternal Majesty
10 Heart Triumphant

Alberto Hauss - La Tienda / Terra del Sol

LA TIENDA  /  TERRA DEL SOL

 Alberto Hauss
Tantajo records
2007

Smooth, laid back, and relaxing are the best ways to describe Hauss's music as he travels with the listener across the Mediterranean waters and coastal plains. Rhythmic, undulating tracks dance lightly on the aural senses, producing toe-tapping melodies that enchant and delight the listener; other more ambient tunes guide us into a comfortable state of repose, relieving tension and the hecticness of stressful living. Chill out, take a breather, and let the magic music of these albums soothe you.

TRACKLISTS
LA TIENDA: Mediterranean Ambiance
1. Agua Dolce
2. L'Apres Mdi
3. Papua-St Tropez
4. Cabano
5. Orbital Yanonami
6. Goodlife
7. Es Vedra
8. Beach Club
9. Travel Bar
10. Deep Blue
11. Monsoon Trance
12. Mumbay

TERRA DEL SOL: Selection Three
1. Art of Terra
2. Sandchips
3. Spacebeach Part I
4. Les Calanques Blanches
5. Cassiopeia
6. Elektrik Rain
7. Spacebeach Part II
8. Outremer
9. Shaped
10. Marimbas of Life
11. Cruisin'
12. La Plage
13. Triton's World
14. Chelsea
15. Get Away from You
16. Suenogrenadine

Ah Nee Mah - The Grand Circle

[Music Review by Michael Woodhead in Synchronicity]

Ahn Trio - Lullaby for My Favorite Insomniac

LULLABY FOR MY FAVORITE INSOMNIAC

Ahn Trio
Sony BMG Masterworks
2008

In keeping with the neoclassical (my classification) revolution going on at the present time, the Ahn Trio fit right in with other groups such as Bond, Yanni, and Il Divo.

Bringing new life to old classics and touching our hearts with contemporary compositions, the Ahn sisters—Angella, Lucia, and Maria—incorporate not only age-old classical arrangements, but bring in elements of modern music to create something different, highly entertaining, and listenable.

On this album you'll hear arrangements of such songwriters as Rodgers & Hart, David Bowie, and Susie Suh, amongst others.

"Primarily our ingredients were our acoustic instruments with some very, very subtle electronica elements and a few non-classical singers"—Maria.

Whatever the elements, they all work exceedinly well. The Ahn Trio are a delight to listen to anytime.

TRACKLIST:
1. Dies Irie
2. Magic Hour
3. My Funny Valentine
4. Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac
5. Big My Secret
6. All I Want
7. The Heart Asks Pleasure First
8. Dream
9. Oblivion
10. Song On The Land
11. This Is Not America
12. Solitary Singer

BONUS TRACKS:
(Alternate Mixes)
1. Lullaby For My Favorite Insomniac
2. Song On The Land
3. This Is Not America
4. My Funny Valentine

(The European version contains different bonus tracks)

Aes Dana - Aftermath / Season 5

 AFTERMATH / SEASON 5

Aes Dana
Ultimae Records
2002, 2003

Rhythmic, fluid, oftentimes ethereal, but mostly stimulating beat-driven electronic sounds, Aes Dana's albums are more than just mere noise.

Waves and rivulets of modulating sound effects create an almost melodic-like music that is easy to listen to, and quite energizing.

AFTERMATH TRACKS:
1. Aftermath 01
2. Aftermath 02
3. Aftermath 03
4. Aftermath 04
5. Aftermath 05
6. Aftermath 06
7. Aftermath 07

SEASON 5 TRACKS:
1. Natti Natt
2. Peripherics
3. Season 5
4. Undertow
5. Gatewick (vinyl airport delay)
6. Dew (herbal version)
7. Chrysalis
8. Onset Data
9. Forest Fish
10. Suspended Grounds 

Aeoliah - Majesty

 

 

[Music Review by Michael Woodhead in Synchronicity Magazine]

Aeoliah - J'Adore

J'ADORE

Aeoliah
Oreade Music
2003

Personally, I think the music on this CD is somewhat of a departure for Aeoliah. 

Although very beautiful, it certainly is not like his other more ambient offerings. J'Adore almost comes across as if Aeoliah has been influenced by the melodic structures of Yanni's music, and the harp techniques of Andreas Vollenweider.

Nonetheless, the whole CD still exudes the essence of Aeoliah.

Subtitled as 'music to adore your spirit', it's a moving voyage of music that transcends time and space, drawing us through the Spanish-like guitar music of Dancing Spirit and Te Amo especially, to soft strains of Immortal Love—all joined together with a recurring 'leitmotiv' that gives us a déja-vu feel to the music.

Overall, a delightful change of pace for a very talented musician.

TRACKLIST:
1. The Caress
2. Rhapsody
3. Dancing Spirit
4. J'Adore
5. Promenade
6. Immortal Beauty
7. Te Amo
8. Morning Glory
9. Rapture
10. Immortal Love
11. The Triumph

Karl Jenkins and Adiemus - ADIEMUS IV: The Eternal Knot

 ADIEMUS IV: The Eternal Knot

Karl Jenkins and Adiemus
Virgin Records
2000

Those who enjoyed Enya's music on The Celts will probably like this presentation of predominantly up-tempo melodies from the same series. Add the exhuberance of a Riverdance performance, and that would pretty much describe this wonderful collection.

Cu Chullain starts us off with a rousing hymn. Later, we are charmed by the Palace of the Crystal Bridge, and the plaintive Hermit of the Sea Rock—great Celtic myths set to dramatic, elegant music by Karl Jenkins and the Adiemus orchestra and vocalists.

TRACKLIST
1. Cu Chullain
2. The Eternal Knot
3. Palace Of The Crystal Bridge
4. The Wooing Of Etain
5. King Of The Sacred Grove
6. Saint Declan's Drone
7. Salm O 'Dewi Sant'
8. Connla's Well
9. The Dagda
10. Children Of Dannu
11. Ceridwen's Curse
12. Hermit Of The Sea Rock
13. Isle Of The Mystic Lake
14. Math Was A Wizard

Achillea - The Nine Worlds

The Nine Worlds

Achillea
(a.k.a. Jens Gad & Helene Horlyck )
Sequoia Records
2005

There isn't a lot of diversity in the numerous tracks on this album. Similar style, rhythms, and ambient melodies, all quite reminiscent of Enigma but, in this case, based on Viking mythology. Jens Gad (who, incidentally, was a co-producer of, and guitarist with, Enigma) and Helene Horlyck have nevertheless created a unique musical work using ethereal vocals in Latin and Swedish, trance-like beats, and often cinematic washes of sound.

TRACKLIST
1 Achillea - Prelude
2 Ragnarok - Twilight of the Gods
3 Odin's Hill
4 The Monks of Lindisfarne
5 Cape Porcupine
6 The Seeress Prophecy
7 Land of the Elves
8 Shears from Scar
9 The Nine Worlds
10 Staraja Ladoga
11 Othila - The Rune Masters
12 Achillea - Exodus

2002 - This Moment Now

THIS MOMENT NOW

2002
Real Music
2003

Shades of Enya! You'd almost think you bought an Enya CD instead of 2002 when you hear the opening track, Suddenly Yours. The tempo, the arrangement, and the voices— all sound similar to an Enya cut.

But this doesn't deter from the flowing beauty of the album's presentation as Pamela and Randy Copus once again delight the listener with some beautifully crafted compositions. Is it any wonder they've been on Billboard's New Age Chart for a long time? Is it any wonder thousands of people find their music relaxing and yet uplifting, full of spiritual depth and emotional sensitivity. As they've said, 'Music is an extension of all that is natural and so has the power to restore the natural balance of joy and healing,'

Concentrating on the essence of Love, This Moment Now exudes a very romantic atmosphere. A variety of lush instruments and multi-layered ethereal voices sweep us through soundscapes of music with a light classical feel to them.

Life Is gives a musical rendition of Life itself, complete with 'birds' flying through virtual clouds, and nesting in unseen trees.

A Gate of Dreams has a very plaintive, and almost melancholy feel to it, but is still a beautiful melody.

Bliss offers a quiet, slow-moving track good for pensive, reflective thinking to the accompaniment of piano and flute with very few extraneous instruments.

Dreaming of You gives us a floating voyage through the land of dreams, with Pamela's voice drawing us ever-onward to a rather abrupt ending

In the middle of the presentation is Moment of Love, the only track with true lyrics. It seemed out of place to me in view of the other melodies, and I wasn't too thrilled with the falsetto-sounding singing. In fact, it actually sounded a lot like Larry Norman on his In Another Land album, for those familiar with the Christian rock'n'roll songwriter. But it certainly shows Randy's love for Pamela, and certainly not to be overlooked.

Nonetheless, 2002 fans won't be disappointed with This Moment Now. It's a beautiful follow-up to their previous releases.

TRACKLIST:
1. Suddenly Yours
2. Sunny Day
3. Morning of Light
4. Even Now
5. Life Is
6. Moment of Love
7. Romancing the Moon
8. A Gate of Dreams
9. Children in Time
10. Bliss
11. Dreaming of You

2002 - The Emerald Way

 THE EMERALD WAY

2002
Real Music
2006

Another beautiful album from Pamela and Randy Copus, this time inspired by the legend of Savitri and Satyvan, as told by Sri Aurobindo—in which a choice must be made either to choose the way that we know, and have gone down for years, or to choose another path to the unknown, the Emerald Way.

Lush walls of music pervade this CD, punctuated with solo instruments and voices, all creating the unique sound of 2002.

Especially beautiful are the male-female vocal reverberated blending on Remember Now, and the almost cinematic luxuriousness of Secret Shores. Piano, flute, guitar, harp, strings, and chimes all combine to create an atmosphere of relaxation and tranquility

TRACKLIST:
1. Inner Light
2. Another Answer Came
3. Remember Now
4. The Emerald Way
5. Overheard In A Dream
6. Soul Doors
7. Unopened Flower
8. Timeless
9. Traveler Winds
10. Secret Shores 

My Approach to New Age Music

[Synchronicity Magazine, October-November 1998]

(Many of these up-coming reviews appeared in Calgary's Synchronicity magazine and/or on the Wind & Wire website; or my own now-defunct Minstrel's Harp and Lux Aeterna websites)

 

Prayer: A Cosmic Musical

 [1969]

Screenwriting Step-by-Step

 [1995]