Pia - Benediction Moon
(c)&(p) 1998 New World Music
6tks/51mins
From the very first seconds of this music one can be just charmed.
What is this?
Where, from what worlds this divine music, this heavenly voice
and this splendor brought by "Benediction Moon" by Pia
(Guarangi Devi Dasi) come from?
And only peace, calmness and shining moon giving rest and little
warmth to a tired heart. And - a harmony, overflowed around. All
this is music by Pia. It is very beautiful. It has a rare quality
of being really religious and the deepest sincerity (I would even
say, nakedness). Maybe that is because all the heart of the performer
is put into the music. And you are just charmed by this spirit,
by this purity. And you are just floating on the waves, being
lead by this amazing woman.
"Benediction Moon" really became a stunning debut by
Pia. The album's music contains both embracing depth of electronic
keyboards, and illusory multiple voices, reviving in our memory
Enya and "Clannad". Yes, the music by Pia is related
to them. And with this it is very individual. There is a special
transparency and delicate Oriental aroma in Pia's music, which
is revealed in her singing and in meditative spirit of the album.
To the point, Pia has many tours, performing Bhajans - traditional
Indian spiritual songs. She has performed with such famous musicians
as Boy George, John Richardson and Dream Academy. From Pia's singing
originates something ethereal, something subtle, like a fragrance
of aroma oils.
What can I add? This album is a musical prayer. It is as beautiful
as beautiful is a woman in love.
Asha - Celestine
The Instrumental Music Of Asha
(c)&(p) 1996 New World Music
11tks/65mins
Have you ever heard Sufi music? Do you want to know what it is?
You should certainly listen to this album, because Asha's music
is a music of the real Sufi. And here, maybe you'll be surprised,
and you'll think: "How could be this music, having quite
European sound a Sufi one, moreover that synthesizers are used
here? Sufism is something very Oriental one, and so on..."
You'll be right and not right at the same time!
I consider Asha's music a real Sufis one, not only because he
is fond of Sufism, but for the first part by the spirit. Sufis
are the searchers, these are the people who take the path of Love,
where Love is the Path. And here is the main essence of the music
by Asha. His music is music of Love. It is so hearty, so deep,
that while hearing to the music, it just takes the breath away.
And you don't need to say anything, the words are useless, you
just have no words. Only silence is left and in it presents this
Divine, noble music, music of the Heart. Beauty and lightness
of Asha's melodies make it possible to express namely the spiritual
qualities of music. Asha weaves a light and delicate veil from
pure and airy melodies, which wrap the listener up, reaching the
very intimate depths of his heart, and heal the spirit. I say
this not occasionally: there is a healing force in Asha's music.
This force is able to clean the spirit and the heart from all
the needless things, to throw away all the husk and exposing the
very essence, the innermost nature. It is a real bliss to feel
this essence, but it is so hard to survive in this world!
When listening to the album, one can feel the Asha's melodies
coming, like a slow waves. The melodies full of joy and fire are
replaced by thoughtfully sad ones. And even Asha's sadness is
special one - it is sad and does not bring a despair. It is like
light tears - tears of sadness and bliss at the same time.
"Celestine" is a good opportunity to enjoy Asha's music
completely, because this is a collection of compositions from
albums released during ten years (from1986 till 1996). This is
a bright kaleidoscope, which makes it possible to observe Asha's
creative work entirely and to see various sides of his talent.
And hearing the music, one is not surprised that the name "Asha"
has come to him in a dream and it means "Hope" in Sanskrit...
And there are no words. Only Asha's music is at present. The real
and innermost essence of the Heart is displayed in it:
"So the Heart - the pure mirror
Is given to people to reflect the infinity"
RUMI
Llewellyn - Celtic Legend
(p)&(c) 1999 New World Music
8tks/52mins
In the mist, among the
hills where yellow grass grows, suddenly appears vague silhouettes.
What is it? Maybe an army of ancient warriors comes to conquer
new lands? Or a detachment, which has lost its way in time can
not find the way home? Horses are neighing, armors are clanking,
soldiers are in order again and they are ready for the battle.
And only raven flocks, these everlasting companions of war, are
circling in the sky, anticipating the prey.
The banners are fluttering
in the wind. Imposing towers are seen far away. And the power,
coming from the threatening army fills you. It uplifts your spirit.
And again are you feeling yourself the fearless warrior of the
glorious army, as maybe, you have felt at that time, many ages
ago.
The music of Llewellyn
is full of strength. The power of the Celts is felt in it. And
also it contains the strength of the Earth, so it is very Earthly
music. Simple melodies and drawling, flowing sounds are immersing
you into a world passed away long ago. And suddenly this world
becomes so real!
Like a magical balsam
is Llewellyn's music "infused" with Celtic folklore.
It is penetrated by this folklore. This music is very light and
romantic. Soft keyboards are finely "inscribed" into
a melodical line, various nature sounds paint the cloth of musical
linen, make it rich and many-sided. Sounding of the album is very
soft.
There is one more important
feature of the Llewellyn's music. Inspiration is felt in it. By
its spirit it is close to the music of Medwyn Goodall. And this
is not occasional. Medwyn Goodall has taken part in the record
of one of the album's compositions. One can hear his acoustic
guitar in "Avalon."
And there, far away, between
forgotten plains
Only grim wind is wandering
alone
And ravens cries in the
distant skies
Are like echoes of the
long-forgotten years.
The power of Earth is hidden deeply before the time comes. But its envoy - the Queen of Fire - is coming to you. And it burns your soul with shining bright and soft, furious and tender fire of Love.
"Celtic Legend"
"Music of the everlasting Love"
Asha - Music For Love
(p)&(c) 1999 New World Music
6tks/51mins
When this music sounds,
you are thinking, from which world does it come to us? There is
so much real romance and heartiness in it. How could it survive
here? Why is it alive?
But here it is - this
not complicated music. And here it is - this large Heart which
is displayed in it. It is really beautiful. It possesses rare
qualities of Harmony and Perception.
It is full of love. One
just wants to be in this love, as one wants to be simply at home.
You do not want to leave this place, because this is your Home.
The music by Asha continues
to surprise us. Being so simple on the face of it, it has wonderful
power and attraction. You want to hear these simple melodies more
and more. And the female vocal (Suzanna) makes them especially
beautiful and natural. Music of Asha is light and very bright.
Maybe that is why it seems to come not from this world. But, as
a matter of fact, it comes from this world. It comes from the
world which should be here, it will be here for sure.
I would even name the
Asha's music as the music of Light. It is beyond any limits. This
is the best sample of the new age music, the music of the future
of this planet.
This music is really created
for Love. It has joy and bliss of the beloved. And it has a lot
of beauty and harmony. I need to say that in the record of this
album took part famous musicians James Asher -- programming, keyboards,
percussion and Phil Thornton -- lead guitar, E-bow guitar.
"Music For Love"
by Asha can be compared with sparkling drops of a soft rain, which
falls on the beloved, in this magical land of Love, where time
does not exist anymore.
And you see yourself in
the eyes of your beloved. And you surrender to your beloved, and
disappear in him!
An Introduction to New World Music Volume 1 - New World Sampler
(c) (p) 1998 New World Music
16tks/73mins
Making reviews for musical collections is usually an ungrateful
thing. Often these samplers have a "washed away" quality.
But it is important for new age albums. To my big joy I must say
that the New World Music sampler did not justify these terrible
expectations.
This is a conceptually whole and very competently selected collection
of compositions from various albums released by the New World
Music. The "cream" from the albums of musicians such
as Medwyn Godall, Terry Oldfield, John Richardson, Mike Rowland,
Asha and many others. It is interesting that the compositions
in this collection are divided into four categories: Uplifting,
Inspiring, Relaxing and Healing. Four compositions are presented
in each of these categories. As a result, we have a hour and a
quarter of perfect new age music! I'd like to say that all the
music presented in the CD is a new age of the highest standard
of fineness.
Medwyn Goodall - Clan - A Celtic Journey
(c) (p) 1998 New World Music
7tks/44mins
Do you want to make a wonderful journey? Well, make yourself comfortable
and switch on "Clan - A Celtic Journey." We will take
a far-away trip together with the brave knight Galatain to win
a victory over the evil Raven who possesses the magical Talisman.
In this Talisman the invocation is hidden, with the help of which
light will overcome darkness.
The music of Medwyn Goodall will help us in this journey, because
Clan is not just an album, it is an album-poem. This time the
Master turned to the legacy of the Celts - a mysterious ancient
civilization, which up to the present time inspires poets and
writers, musicians and researchers.
Let us pause a little and focus on the album music. I'd like to
mark its epic and large-scale nature. The music flows slowly,
like a boat, hurried by powerful, but not swift waves. It has
grandeur and power. Along with this, the compositions of Medwyn
Goodall are beautiful and harmonious. He has used a lot of living
instruments, which help to add a special color to the album. One
can hear the Celtic harp, flute, Irish whistle and dulcimer, mandolin
and guitar. All this is "cut" by melodious keyboards.
By the way, Medwyn Goodall masterfully plays more than a dozen
musical instruments. I should say also, that his music is not
only melodious, it is also very inspired.
"Clan" is like a gulp of a fresh wind. His music raises
and strengthens the spirit reminding us of the Powers of Good
and Light which are stronger than the Dark Forces notwithstanding
all difficulties and dangers, and so the Dark Forces will never
rule our Earth. Listen to the "Clan - A Celtic Journey"
and feel in your heart the Spirit of the courageous knight Galatain!
Serge Kozlovsky
P.S. I would like to express my gratitude to Alexander Petrov
for translation of these reviews.
