Rhythm - A Real Music Sampler
(c) (p) 1997 Real Music 14trks/72mins
It is pleasant for me to be persuaded again and again that the
Real Music company does not stand at one place. It remains in
constant creative search, improving its already perfect sound
and tends to gladden the listeners by new, sometimes unexpected
projects.
"Rhythm" is the fourth volume of a Real Music series,
which was began by soft "Eternity" and "Eternity
II" and continued by the recent calm and meditative "Tranquility".
The difference in "Rhythm" from the preceding albums
is that this album is a collection of dynamic and very energetic
compositions, whose goal is to increase the spirit and help one
to feel full of life energy. Listening to this CD, one can plunge
into a powerful element of pristine sounds and pulsing melodies
coming from the very roots of one's being.
The collection is decorated by two light and transparent by sound
compositions "Beach Fire Dancers" and "Tears of
Joy" by guitarist Govi, being the master of unconditioned
joy. Quite unusual is "Walkabout" from the album "Escape"
by instrumentalist Mars Lasar. While listening to the cries of
owls, distant dog's barking, heroic melody full of inner dramatism,
one can feel standing alone near a large wood not far from a little
village in a far away land. Close to "Walkabout" is
the composition "Somewhere in a Dream" by composer and
performer Hisham, who combines melodical pieces reminding me of
the music of Mars Lasar, and Middle East rhythms, belonging rather
to the dervish fire dancers. "Rhythm" contains one more
theme by Lasar "Universe in Time" from his earlier album
"The Eleventh Hour." On the face of it this electronic
melody seems quite simple and not complex. But if you listen more
carefully, you can find in it new hidden colors and even some
hypnotism. "Universe in Time" is a rather mysterious
and original composition.
More traditional (still, not less interesting) theme "Ever
Returning" from the album "Flowing" by Bernward
Koch, having soft, jazz sound and bossa nova rhythm. The artist
Potsch Potschka, who earlier participated in group Nina Hagen
Band, has surprised me. His roaring "The Journey" É
"Alegria" having complicated percussion rather remind
sound of shaman dances. Airy keyboards by Ayman in "Zorba
the Buddha" by its sound remind Andreas Vollenveider. Composition
"Fire" from the album "I-Ching Symphony",
presented by Frank Steiner Jr. Is a mixture of Chinese music with
western electronic.
Compositions "Summer Rain" and "Bandole!"
by a sparkling guitarist Shastro remind me of traditional flamenco,
decorated by Indian flutes, Latin-American percussion and Persian
cymbals. And, of course "Rhythm" contains two compositions
("The Gates of Annwn" and "Rhianno") by the
group Ceredwen, performed in the style of Enya and Clannad. These
compositions are full of Celtic mysticism and the spirit of ancient
times.
It's a pity that no compositions of Nicholas Gunn were included
in "Rhythm". The themes of Nicholas Gunn contain powerful
drums and soft flute which would make the collection brighter
and more memorable.
With the release of "Rhythm", Real Music has one more
time proven that it is one of the most interesting and lively
companies recording New Age music today.
Michael Hoppe - The Unforgetting Heart
(p) (c) 1998 Real Music
11trks/44mins
I would like to reveal to you one secret. Of all the CDs released
by Real Music, which I have heard (here I have to admit that in
fact I did not hear all CDs by this company, I have heard most
part of these for sure) there were not any uninteresting or weak
album. Every CD has a perfect sound, its own special idea. The
debut album of Michael Hoppe is not an exception.
By "debut" I mean, that "The Unforgetting Heart"
is the first album by Michael Hoppe, which was released by Real
Music. This very respectable musician already has released four
solo albums ("The Poet - Romances for Cello," "The
Yearning," "The Dreamer - Romances for Alto Flute"
and "Quiet Storms - Romances for Flute and Harp").
The main feature of "The Unforgetting Heart" is deep
tenderness and sincerity. One can say that this is a conversation
coming from the heart of the musician. And one more thing: the
music of Michael Hoppe is very beautiful. It is really elegant.
Celtic melodies and fine delicacy of baroque are interwoven with
the music.
Besides Michael Hoppe (music, piano, keyboards), two other musicians
took part in this recording. These are Tim Wheater (flutes and
penny whistle) and Harold Moses (viola). Their accompaniment introduces
the feeling of freshness and amazing lightness into the music.
In general, the sound of the album is quite in the style of Real
Music. It is perfect, not without aesthetics, delicate, very soft
and beautiful. It is not surprising then that the executive producer
of "The Unforgetting Heart" is the president of Real
Music - Terence Yallop.
I can say about the album compositions that they are the one whole.
The beginning and the end unite: holding the theme of "The
Unforgetting Heart" performed as a trio, to end the CD as
a piano solo by Michael Hoppe. The sources for album compositions
were various events. For example, the lullaby "Southern Dreamer"
was inspired by the news of the birth of a child to Michael's
friends. "Jude's Theme" was inspired by a story written
by Thomas Hardy.
New Age fans, don't miss this CD! "The Unforgetting Heart"
is a jewel in the collection of the most strict music lover.
Tranquility - A Real Music Sampler
(c) (p) 1997 Real Music
15trks/74mins
When taking any CD released by Real Music, one can feel aesthetic
pleasure: this company releases very stylish design of CDs and
one can expect the sound design to be of the highest level. The
sampler by Real Music "Tranquility" , where calm and
peaceful music is collected did not disappoint the expectations.
The album contains two compositions by guitarist, Govi: light,
transparent "Hanalai Bay" and the meditative "Go
Easy". It is interesting to note that a friend of Govi, another
original New Age musician took part in the record. His name is
Deuter (complete name is Chaitanya Hari Deuter). He is German
by birth and was inspired by Indian Master Bhagavan Shri Rajneesh,
who proposed to people a really revolutionary way to freedom,
self-expression and approaching to the inner self. Many New Age
artists joined Ragneesh. I'd like to mention here such interesting
musicians as Karunesh, Anugama, Prem Joshua, Sambodhi Prem, Al
Gromer Khan and, of course, Hariprasad Chaurasia. I do not know
the origin of the name Govi, who is also German by birth. But
if we remember that Govi, Karunesh, Anugama and Deuter is one
company, supporting the records of each other, then it may be
that Govi is sunnyasin name (sunnyasin is disciple according to
oriental tradition). In "Go Easy", containing warmth
and magical charm, Deuter played flute and synthesizer.
"Tranquility" also includes two compositions of the
group 2002, who by their chorales remind me of Enya. With this,
the dreaming "Land of Forever" with airy flutes, rich
synthesizers and glimmering ringing of the bells is the music
which will be released in solo album only in spring of the next
year. Another composition of the group "A Voice In The Night"
is dedicated to the goddess Savitri, who according to oriental
legend was daughter of the Sun, embodied as a beautiful woman.
Lovers of Enya, "ólannad" and the like Celtic
music would be interesting to hear to listen to the composition
"In The Realm of the Summer Stars" Ceredwen, evoked
by the misty mountains of Wales with hypnotic synthesizer and
perfect female vocal, which poetizes Celtic mysticism.
"Tranquility" could not but include music of Mars Lasar.
In the album he is represented by his "Royal Lake" with
flute, acoustic guitar, soft keyboards and sounds of nature. This
is a composition from his album "The Music of Olympic National
Park", which was used as an official music for the Albertville
Olympic Games.
Mars Lasar actively use sounds of nature, which are not only background,
but the pivot of his music. By its sounding, heroic themes of
Lasar very much remind of music by famous Vangelis, though they
are not so monumental. Similar to "Royal Lake" is "Appalachian
Sunrise" by Gary Remal Malkin from his album "The Music
of the Great Smoky Mountains", where Indian drums combine
with piano pieces and nature sounds.
In general, every composition of "Tranquility" has its
own beauty. I will simply name other artists, who took part in
this album. These are: Kevin Kern, Bernard Koch, Ayman, Hilary
Stagg, Anastasi É, and Brian BecVar.
"Tranquility" has a synthetic sound, but it is not lifeless.
This music is very good for relaxation, for meeting with close
friends and for meditation. This CD is recommended for all the
New Age lovers. "Tranquility" is another Real Music
release of the highest quality.
Serge Kozlovsky
P.S. I would like to express my gratitude to Alexander Petrov
for translation of these reviews.
