Cheryl Gunn - The Sun At Midnight
(p) (c) 1999 Earthtone Records
12tks/51mins
In the harmony of lacy melodies an invisible presence is heard.
It contains tenderness and allowance, harmony and rest. This is
the presence of a feminine nature, a woman speaks to you. There
is no male violence, selfishness and arrogance present, only deep
tenderness, openness and naturalness. This music is as natural
as the rippling of a spring, noise of the wind and a glance of
the beloved. And you are relaxing and letting her pass, because
one cannot stand fast before the loving woman.
And this music is created by a woman. Cheryl Gunn invites us to
come to the better, more holy place, and the way there begins
right here.
With this her means of expression is very accurate and perfect.
"The Sun at Midnight" is a professional work worthy
of the highest respect. The arrangements by Cheryl Gunn contain
aesthetics and soft harmonies. Her keyboards are melodious and
sensual. Alt, violin and guitar are "inscribed" into
the music. Cheryl's famous husband and co-author Nicholas Gunn
adds more passion and fire into the music. They are so close by
their expression and yet each are so individual! Both of them
are present in this work. Maybe, that is why it contains softness
and rhythm, frenzy and rest. One can see that the musicians are
in creative search, they are not afraid to experiment.
"The Sun at Midnight" is the voice of a light and harmonious
world, a world in which one wishes to be. One is drawn to listen
to the music by over and over.
You feel yourself like a mighty eagle, soaring in the night above
the lifeless land, and you wish to stay in the place where are
joy and light reside. "The Sun at Midnight" lights up
your way. These sounds are pouring on you. Melodies of Harmony.
Melodies of Feminine Nature. Melodies of All-accepted Love.
Ayman, Hisham, Mars Lasar - A Whisper Across The Sand
(p) (c) 1999 Earthtone Records
13tks/66mins
Light and elegant, melodical and emotional - all these epithets
can be attributed to the music of "A Whisper Across The Sand."
I was waiting for the release of this album and I need to say,
that I was worrying a little. It often happens that, when several
musicians are gathered, every one of which is a famous artist
and is interesting as a person, the result of their mutual creative
work could be not so impressive. Still, luckily my fears were
not realized. In this mutual project by Ayman, Hisham and Mars
Lasar the individuality of every musician is felt and with this,
it is something new - the original synthesis of creative work
of three remarkable artists.
When I was listening to the album, I understood completely what
"visual music" is. I saw a large-scale view of endless
sands from horizon to horizon, and there stood I at one with the
Infinity, rounded by all the winds of this world...
Still, of course, one can feel all these things, because "A
Whisper Across The Sand" was created by real Masters. The
sound of the album is rich and polyphonic and with that it is
very delicate and intelligent. The rich sound palette is, first
of all, a means of expression of musical ideas (and a rather successful
one!). This is very strong music which uplifts the spirit. By
the way, there is are many Oriental tones in "A Whisper Across
The Sand." The music is more European. Middle East tunes
can be clearly felt only in the fourth composition, "Night
Traveler."
The music of "A Whisper Across The Sand" contains one
very interesting quality. When one listens to the album for the
first time, one can remark: "Yes, this is beautiful, but
there is nothing special here." Still, when you listen to
the album for a second and third time, a strange thing happens,
you begin to feel as if the music becomes more and more harmonious
as it fills the space around you. The images created by the music
are fascinating and calling you to far away lands... One can be
in this space, created by the three musician-friends, as long
as possible.
The first mutual project by Ayman, Hisham and Mars Lasar is very
successful. It will be very interesting hear its continuation!
Mars Lasar - 11:02
(p) (c) 1998 Earthtone Records
15tks/65mins
The album of Mars Lasar having a top laconic name "11:02"
is the third part of a very interesting trilogy. By its style
this CD is close to the preceding albums "The Eleventh Hour"
and "Escape," and like these two albums, "11:02"
is a perfect example of "visual" music. Why is it so?
Mars Lasar opens before us a vast panorama. His music is very
figurative. From the very first chords of the composition "Lords
Of True" the music lifts you up and carries you to new heights;
to a place where a city of unspeakable beauty is lying. You see
it before you and it shines with brightest colors. It is already
close. You want so much to escape there; away from chaos and madness
of the world surrounding you. Or, maybe, you can rest your soul
there, you can stay with the people, dear to you. Beautiful city
of the future! Its soft and warm light fills you with Love and
Hope. You feel joy and you see that your life has the meaning!
Mars Lasar is a perfect composer. His melodies are elegant and
harmonious. His arrangements are light and intelligent. His music
contains flight combined with perfect accuracy. Especially strong
is the composition "No Secrets": you just surrender
to this beautiful melody and you want to follow it. You just wait
with a joyful worrying - what will come next?
The album "11:02" is a brilliant work. A broad auditory
of listeners still has not discover the music Mars Lasar, the
perfect composer, whose music is really waiting for success!
Potsch Potschka - The Journey
(p) (c) 1999 Earthtone Records
13tks/62mins
Inspired and sparkling flamenco. Play of the real master of guitar.
Original interpretation of the well-known music. These words come
to mind, when you listen to the album "The Journey"
by Potsch Potschka. His music immediately touches you by its lightness
and ease, combined with perfection of arrangements and inspiration
of the performance. This is a very beautiful album.
"The Journey" is the debut solo project of Potsch Potschka,
on which he worked for five years, beginning in 1994. Maybe that
is why the music of Potschka is practically perfect. It is worth
saying that Potschka is well known artist, who was a member of
the famous German group "The Nina Hagen Band." Previously,
he participated in many projects both in Germany and in Spain.
Flamenco especially attracts Potsch Potschka. His love of this
music is completely reflected in "The Journey."
This is a rich sounding album. Many artists took part in the recording
of "The Journey" who play a variety of "living"
instruments. One can hear Frank O'Neil on guitar, Minas Simon
on percussion, Carsten Schmelzer on bass, Tobias Morgenstern on
accordion, Jansen Folkers on violin, Andy McGuiness on drums,
and Dieter Irber on a completely jazzy soprano saxophone. Potschka
himself perfectly plays guitars, percussion, mandolin and keyboards.
"The Journey" is one of those albums, where all compositions
are bright. You just want to listen to this album more and more.
So, singling out any one of the compositions is rather difficult.
Still, I would distinguish the compositions "Alegria"
and "Grazalema Plains," which are remarkable for their
rhythm. There is something very delicate, mysterious, and at the
same time subtly attractive in these compositions. Not tense and
very light by its mood "The Day Is Done" reminds me
of the music of Govi.
I advise you to find this album without fail. Switch this music
on, and leave for a breathtaking journey through the Spain world,
of great travels and incredible discoveries!
Elevation 2
(p) (c) 1999 Earthtone Records
15tks/74mins
"Elevation 2" is a collection of the various compositions,
released by different studios. They are united by one thing: this
is the music, close to new age, which is very popular at present.
And having collected the compositions this way, the compilers
almost have achieved the opposite effect: "hits," but
smoothed and absolutely not original works are good as a calm
background, but they are not good for the inner "elevation,"
which is claimed in the album title. Those are the compositions,
on which one can not tell about new age music and which have very
distant relationship to the new age music.
Still, I have used the word "almost," and I will explain
why. The collection contains a pair of compositions, while listening
to which one can not notice a weak pseudo-trance of Enigma or
erotic-added, sugary-sickly sweet "garnish" from B-Tribe.
Firstly, this is "Secret Tear" performed by Aria. Magical,
charming music by Aria! A divine female voice, listening to which
you can just enjoy it and feel yourself filling with beauty. And
also the composition "Lovers In Motion" performed by
John Serrie. It was a very big and pleasant surprise for me that
the music of this remarkable composer appeared in the compilation.
When you listen to the music by Serrie, you understand, that he
is here and by means of his music he communicates with you, and
he needs Yourself... And all the rest is just modern means of
realization, which has not became a self-goal, as for example,
the music of Patrick O'Hearn in the composition "Trust."
Serrie is presenting in his music. He and his presence is so light
and pleasant! How wonderful!
My resume will be following. You can use "Elevation 2"
(better as a good background). And the best thing is, that "Elevation
2" will be your first step to the deep and beautiful new
age music.
Spiritual High - A Trance-Ambient Experience
(c) (p) 1999 Earthtone Records
15tks/74mins
Wholesome work. Brilliant collection. Delight for the new age music lover. Here we have not only a collection of perfect compositions by a variety of musicians, both recording on the Earthtone Records and on other companies (New Earth Records and White Cloud) plus two works presented personally by two remarkable new age artists Kamal and Karunesh. "Spiritual High" can be distinguished from other new age music compilations most of all by its wholeness. Each composition catches up the mood of the preceding one and the music flows smoothly form one theme to another one.
"Spiritual High" opens with a beautiful composition
by Kamal called "Shakuhachi Tales" which sounds like
something cosmic. The electronic decoration does not overload
the listener, but creates a light and pleasant background. This
composition is followed by "Alibaba" by Karunesh with
a bright rhythmical basis and Oriental tunes. The album continues
with the composition "Truth About Humans" by an artist
having the pseudonym Govinda, whose music is a rumbling mixture
of trance-ambient electronic music with Indian folk. After this
the Cybertribe joins in with "Voices." This is a successful
project by the New Earth Records, where electronic basis, close
to Enigma are connected with buzzing sounds by the Australian
eucalyptus tubes digeridoo.
Then follows a whole series of Earthtone Records artists' compositions,
beginning with a soft with jazz theme called "Uktena"
(American Indians project Stonecoat), melodically perfect "Escape
To Reality" by Mars Lasar, through dramatically-mystical
"History Of The Sandman" of the group F.R.E.U.D. to
rhythmically-singing "Blossoms From India" performed
by Ginkgo Garden and covering, based on Celtic folklore composition
"Enchantment" by the group Alkaemy. In general, "Spiritual
High" does not contain weak compositions. Good words can
be said about every one of these. But even among these composition
one can be really distinguished. This is "Red Rhythm Dragon"
from the famous album "Feet In The Soil" by James Asher.
What rich drums and a sparky, fiery rhythm! In his music James
Asher has united elements, which could seem unconnected: African
drums and Australian digeridoo.
So, I strongly advise you to find and listen to this album. "Spiritual
High" is one of those projects, which should be in the collection
of every true new age music lover!
Serge Kozlovsky
P.S. I would like to express my gratitude to Alexander Petrov
for translation of these reviews.
