World
& New Age Music Reviews
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Reviews
by Kathryn Sargent
If you love your music on a grand scale, you cannot ask for
more than State of Grace
II: Turning to Peace (Arista). Composer Paul
Schwartz brings us the majestic, soaring Crouch End Festival
Chorus, his longtime collaborator and soloist Lisbeth Scott,
harpist Helen Tunstall and even a powerful guest appearance
from Carlos Santana in this moving and masterful composition.
From the very first notes, I was just stunned by the beauty
and spirit of this music. It is based on two Latin texts relating
to Mary's joy when she learns she will give birth to a
son, her sorrow as his life is taken and her returning joy
at his resurrection. The music is a blend of synth, vocal,
choral, and orchestral elements with an ambient groove, sounding
both ancient and modern. It is one of the most powerful albums
of the year in this genre.
With
a voice like dark honey, Suvarna's multi-layered
sound is built on a foundation of Indian raga notes, with
the addition of electronic percussion, Indian tabla and frame
drum. Keyboard parts based on the ragas blend all together
in a rich mix that is kind to Western ears. Her third and
latest release is This
Dewdrop World (White Swan Records), and one of
the sweetest tracks is “What You Are to Me.” Her
first album, Fire of the Oracle, was nominated for World Album
of the Year at the New Age Music Awards, and the opening track
of This Dewdrop World, “Heart of Tara,”
in included on Gabrielle Roth's latest compilation,
Shakti. This is an excellent disc with luscious harmonies.
One
of the most prolific of Native American artists, Carlos
Nakai, has just released his first solo flute album since
1998. Sanctuary
(Canyon Records) is a collection of twelve original compositions,
featuring the bass cedar flute and the standard flute. This
is the way I like Nakai best: pure, personal, and magical.
In these songs, you can hear the mourning doves, the winter's
snowy winds, the quaking of aspen leaves in the breeze. It
is a deeply personal song of praise to nature. With two gold
records and four Grammy award nominations to his credit, this
time Nakai may win the Grammy for Best New Age Album.
Vivian
Khor's aptly named Paradise
(Delvian Records) is a lovely, relaxing, and mysterious album
of piano and MIDI sequencing. This gentle music will wrap
around you in the peace of early morning, soothing and
comforting your cares away. Like an intimate conversation
with a friend, the music supports and renews your energy.
It would be particularly nice as an accompaniment to energy
work, massage or crystal healing.
As
Above, So Below (Sonic Angel Music) is subtitled
“A Healing Journey Through the Elements.” It starts
with this wonderfully sinuous flute solo like something from
the Arabian Nights, and the magic never ends. Atlanta's
Candace Keach and Marietta's Gordon Porth
collaborate on this sonic interpretation of the four ancient
elements that make up our world: earth, air, fire and water,
plus ether. Each track has a sound healing purpose such as
raising self awareness, centering, healing and protection.
Using flute, synthesizer, crystal bowls, piccolo, and a pipe
organ, the duo give us a sound experience of the elements
that invite you to sit back and imagine waterfalls, roaring
fires, wildflowers, and the mystery of the forest. This music
is incredibly lovely!
The
lively, lilting melodies in Karma
Circles (New Earth Records), by Chinmaya Dunster
and The Celtic Ragas Band, are an exotic blend of Indian
and Celtic flavors. Dunster is a master of the sarod, a 19-stringed
classical Indian instrument. You will also hear a guest appearance
from Govi, the guitar master, playing the middle-eastern oud
and Shastro on bamboo flute. There are instruments on this
CD that I've never heard of before (I'll have to find
out what a “swarmandel” is!), but the sound is modern,
upbeat, and very positive. What a happy experience it is!
From
the first sublime notes - accompanied by nature sounds of
crickets and tree frogs - A
Time for Peace (New Earth Records) stops the hectic
world around you and cocoons you in solace. Master flautist
Terry Oldfield has been nominated for a British Academy
Award and two prestigious Emmy Awards. He writes: “Only
if each of us can somehow find our way through to that place
of inner peace will we be able to radiate that peace with
others. For what else is the world but a reflection of ourselves?”
A Time for Peace is a great aid to finding that “place
of inner peace.” With flute, didgeridoo, keyboard,
pan pipes, Irish whistle, harp, cello, drum, piano, and nature
sounds in Oldfield's original compositions, this music
is a great gift to us all. Highly recommended!
Kathryn
Sargent is the editor of Aquarius. Contact her at aquarius-editor@mindspring.com.
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