Music Reviews
by Mark Maxwell Abushady • New York City

From The Sky
Ryan Farish
www.neurodisc.com
Positive and upbeat, with song titles such as Joy, Cry No More and Rejoice, this CD is both introspective and ebullient. At times reminiscent of early Vangelis, the piano is the dominant instrument here and carries the album well with a gentle elegance. It is joined at times by indigenous voices, violins, various percussives, soothing synthesizer sounds and ethereal voices. The music is not at all passive even in its most introspective moments and, in addition to enjoying it for its own merits, would provide an excellent backdrop for any form of exercise where body/mind awareness is encouraged. Actually, for any situation or time a thoughtful ‘lift’ would be of benefit to body/mind/spirit. The title song is especially notable. It is hard to classify this album, as it touches on a number of styles and genres, such as World Music, New Age, Celtic, Chant and more. The composer’s work has included scoring for various corporate clients such as The Weather Channel, IBM, and Amazon.com. It’s nice to hear an album of his thoughtful work devoted to the rest of us!

The Makoché Masters
Various Artists
www.makoche.com
I was eager to listen to this compilation from Makoché Music, dubbed "a celebration of our first 10 years of the finest in Native American Music." It features such well-known Native artists as Kevin Locke, Joseph Fire Crow, Keith Bear and Lakota Thunder. I was happily introduced to other fine artists who are represented in this collection, which spans more moods and musical qualities than any other Native Music compilation I have heard. The glorious Lakota flag song, Wapaha Olowan, by Kevin Locke, sets the journey off on strong, traditional footing. It’s helped along by Way of Life by Lakota Thunder, and Woman’s Song by Sissy Goodhouse. Cheyenne Nation from Joseph Fire Crow offers a beautiful flute rendering of his feelings about the Cheyenne people, nicely rounded out by some contemporary background instrumentation. Togo from Andrew Vasquez is a wonderfully upbeat jazz/latin/native fusion offering. People of the Willows by Gary Stroutsos would not be out of place performed in a classical concert hall, with its detailed instrumentation and execution. In contrast, Keith Bear’s Walking on Water follows, with a warm, very sweet, folksy feeling. Much Sense by Anne Humphrey deserves a place in the top 10, if not a featured place in some Hollywood movie soundtrack; its images are so strong and universal. Other cuts include spoken word, in both Native and English tongue, as well as an occasional chant and bird calls. A limited edition CD Rom was included, and it was great fun to watch and listen to interviews with the artists and samples of their other songs. This is hands down the best Native American compilation I’ve heard.

Pillow Music
David and Steve Gordon
www.sequoiarecords.com
How many of us have trouble sleeping these days? With song titles such as Letting Go of the Day, Relaxed and Content and Drifting Clouds, this extended length CD (almost 70 minutes of music) should be of help to many. Atmospheric and relaxing, the composers make use of Ambient Guitar, Synthesizer Guitar and various keyboards lushly yet simply scored, and with no definite melody for the mind to grasp onto. An occasional seagull makes an appearance in Gentle Waves. The last cut, Sleep Easy, is a deeply relaxing depiction of its title. Helpful suggestions for achieving a restful sleep are included in the liner notes. This would be useful as meditation music as well, for those of us who have trouble quieting the mind in situations outside of the bedroom.

Starfire
Jasmine’s Dream
www.hiddenloft.darkhorizons.org
Melancholy, plaintive and hopeful, the female vocals of Donna Rosenthal are like a Disney heroine in quality– think ‘Belle’ in Beauty and the Beast. The words and messages of Judith Hunt and David Washington offer quite a contrast to the lyrics of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and other young women of our time. This album is an acknowledgement of the Great Mother God. The songs are worshipful and joyous, yet all imbued with a longing. The orchestrations are impressive, yet often wonderfully simple. The album was in part inspired by a nebula in the constellation Serpens, dubbed "The Star Queen Nebula," a vast cloud of interstellar gas and dust where numerous stars have been born over the last 2 million years. The cover is graced with a lovely photo of this "star nursery." Celtic influences and gentle counterpoints abound in this peaceful musical journey. Indeed, the album progresses and grows in its effect on the listener. Here is an album for the Aquarian Age!

Duende
Romero
www.bolero-records.com
It would be something to see this artist live. I would love to see his fingers work the fret board and strings. Listening to the guitar work, one imagines him moving at lightning speed! The runs and riffs on the opening song Tangos Pa’Ti are amazing. Other cuts, such as Adore, will have you looking for a Latin dance partner! The guitar, or more correctly, ‘Flamenco Guitar,’ truly sings, wails, scats and speaks on this album. Romero is backed up by a fine ensemble, including fretless bass and percussion, with the addition on various cuts of trumpet, soprano sax, flute, palmas, cajon and occasional throaty, evocative vocals. Romero is joined by his mother, Estela Raval, on Adore. The title song is a masterful piece in classic Spanish guitar style, complete with flamenco heel percussion and clapping. If you are not fully acquainted with Spanish/Flamenco guitar music, this would be a fine introduction. Like any well-constructed CD, Duende grows song by song, and the triumphant Concierto de Guitarra a un Viajero brings the album to a dazzling close. "Spectacular, passionate guitar power" is what Duende promises– and it definitely delivers!

Give Me a Perfect World
Sun Palace
www.SunPalaceMusic.com
Wow! This CD has great harmonies and thoughtful lyrics– it definitely hits the ground running. In a genre broadly categorized as Pop/Rock, but more specifically described in a press release as "mystical, breezy, chill pop," this band must be carving out a niche for themselves. The uniqueness of Andriette Redmann (lead vocalist and writer) calls to mind the best work of Dido. With band members described as having "East Village Roots," Andriette excels on vocals and keyboards, ably backed up by guitarist John Rokosny, guitarist Tony Geballe, drummer Mark Brotter and a host of other instrumentalists and vocalists. In sound quality, I was reminded of Phil Spector’s "wall of sound" (for those of you that remember.) These are very full-sounding, richly produced songs. The music and style, while pop and fun, is never fluffy, as self-proclaimed Rumi fan Andriette imbues her work with a spiritual essence. Here’s a terrific alternative to the standard pop/rock genre.

Mark Maxwell Abushady is an actor, singer, designer and photographer based in New York City.