Reviews
Kalevala: Dream of the Salmon Maiden
Kalevala:
Dream of the Salmon Maiden
by Ruth MacKenzie
Omnium
“Whatthehellisthat?” is what my neighbors were probably thinking as Ruth MacKenzie let loose with a high-pitched earthy scream on her opening track, accompanied by the heady thump-thump-thump of drumbeats and a wicked set of Great pipes.
A Universe to Come
A Universe to Come
by Tulku
New Earth Records
This is an album of beguiling trance music that draws on a variety of ethnic sources: Middle Eastern, South American Aboriginal, European, and Indian. There’s enough stylistic variation on the CD to keep you interested, while the overall trance quality relaxes your mind. You feel both uplifted and calmed.
Turning Point
Turning Point
by Terry Oldfield
New Earth Records
Unlike other New Age musicians who have become household names around the world, Terry Oldfield remains relatively unknown. Despite his obscurity, he has been successfully composing and recording his own brand of New Age music for a good number of years, with more than twenty albums recorded and musical scores for some eighty films and television shows.
Sacred Drum Visions
Sacred Drum Visions
by David & Steve Gordon
Sequoia Records, 2002
This twentieth anniversary album is a collection of top tracks from their previous releases, plus three new songs. For those of you already familiar with the soulful music of David and Steve Gordon, this is a fine selection of favorites; for everyone else, it’s a great introduction.
Planet Passion
Planet Passion
by Ancient Future
Ancient Future Music, 1979
My first thoughts upon listening to this CD and the concept behind it were rather vague. I liked the music and the artist’s arrangement of traditional ethnic songs, but I wasn’t quite sure if I could follow the story on the insert through the voice of the music. It wasn’t, well, real enough for me to intuit the emotions meant to be displayed in song, but then, I will freely admit that this is not a style I’m accustomed to. So I hit play again on my faithful CD player and went for a long drive.
We All Have A Song
We All Have A Song
by Heather Pierson
Vessel Recordings, 2008
Before I begin this review, I want you, gentle reader, to understand something. Our beloved Managing Editor (whom I like to refer to as Our Dark Lord on High) is fond of giving me material to review that he thinks will be intolerable. Today, I am happy to report, his dark plans have been thwarted.
