Music & More
by Mark Maxwell Abushady • New York City

CDs

Journey to the Divine
Sacred Circles
Nandana Records
www.SacredCirclesMusic.com
Journey to the Divine is a special offering. The lead voice of Nandapriya is pure and clear, and the plaintive, dreamy melodies, composed by Phillip Kanakis are represented by accompaniment that has a lush, full sound. Liner notes explain the meanings of the Hindi chants and Mantras, and the disk is beautifully presented. Also on the album is ‘The Gayatri Mantra’ (vocals by Lorena Roberts), which is listed as a top 10 New Age Radio hit.

The Celtic Lounge II
Various Artists
Sequoia Records
www.sequoiarecords.com
I prefer to review single artist albums over compilations, as the scope of an artist’s talent and their vision has more of a chance to be displayed in that format; however, the introduction to several artists provided by a fine album such as The Celtic Lounge II is certainly welcome. Classically Celtic sounding numbers (such as Fairy Ring – Gary Stadler & Singh Kaur; The Lass of Glenshee - Alquimia) are joined by progressive pieces (Lilac Blooms – Tina Malia), giving a balanced offering, though all vocalists are female. Other artists represented include Achillea, Everstar, and Sharon Knight. The pieces are beautifully moody, dreamy and evocative of a gentler place and time. ‘Faraway’ (Gary Stadler & Stephannie) is especially beautiful.

It’s About the Rose
Karen Marie Garrett
Waterstreet Records
www.waterstreetrecords.com
It’s About the Rose is a lovely album of piano solo work, with the occasional addition of a string or other instrument, or wistful vocals. Not surprisingly, the album was produced by Will Ackerman, founder of Windham Hill Records. In an age where music is dominated by the synthesizer and its marvels, it is easy to forget how the simple, basic sound of a piano, under the fingers of a sensitive artist, can sing. Many thanks to Ms. Garrett for this wonderful album!

Koyasan: Reiki Sound Healing
Deuter
New Earth Records
www.newearthrecords.com
Deuter is a master of relaxing, healing music. In a genre where music can be non-descript, generalized, and cliché, he creates music – MUSIC – that almost feels as if it partners with your mind, body and soul. It is contemplative, gentle, healing, expansive, transportive . . . in this realm his work is superlative. Certainly useful for healing and meditation, but complete as an experience in and of itself. Instrumentation includes keyboards, flute, cello, koto, sitar, Tibetan singing bowls, santoor, buzuki and shakuhachi, all played by Deuter.

Film

Science of Soul
The End-Time Solar Cycle of Chaos in 2012 A.D.
Written by John Jay Harper
Produced & Directed
by Philip Gardiner
Co-Produced by Reality Films in association with real2can.com
www.reality-entertainment.com
The “story” of Science of Soul is described by the author as a “rapture coming from a spontaneous opening of (his) third eye and connecting with the collective mind, with immediate answers to any question (he) could conceive.” Such is the attempted scope of this film, which propels information at its viewer almost faster than one can process it.
I had my own journey with this film, at first having difficulty getting beyond images that were often distracting and did not serve the text. Likewise, the film was accompanied by “new age” songs and song fragments which seemed unnecessary. However, as the film continued, I was quite impressed by the words of Mr. Harper, which are presented in such rapid-fire succession (as one would experience with third eye activity) that I was both overwhelmed and won over.
Included are historical/cultural, philosophical and spiritual explorations of the Axis Mundi or World Axis, the symbolism of ‘the mountain’ in religious texts, a similar exploration of the image of the serpent, ancient recordings of the cycles of the sun’s magnetic polarity and the precession of the equinoxes, and a fascinating look at the similarities of the Jesus Christ story and the story of Horus of Ancient Egypt. December 12, 2012 is, according to the Mayan calendar, the “End-Time.” A fascinating explanation of the significance of this date is part of the body of this film, and in spite of the flaws mentioned, I recommend this film to anyone interested in any of the above topics.

The Seven Spiritual Laws of Success
Based upon the book
by Deepak Chopra
Directed by Byron Frank
Featuring Olivia Newton-John
Chopra Films and Frank Productions
www.chopra.com
Partnering with Olivia Newton John (she supplies all of the original music – which is quite pleasant) – Mr. Chopra brings his laudable book of the same title to the screen. Leaving many of the principles to Ms. Newton John to expound upon, Mr. Chopra describes the laws as “the mechanics through which the unmanifest becomes manifest.” These ‘laws of success’ are explored – verbally, visually and through testimonials – in the course of the film.
A large amount of time is spent on the 1st ‘Law of Pure Potential’ and, while a few of the images were a little cloying, the film soon found its stride. With some nice special effects, it continued on to the subsequent laws. While I preferred the book, I believe this film will reach those more visually-oriented. There are, unquestionably, many gems here. A gentle, uplifting film sure to find an audience with most Chopra fans as well as initiates.

Sicko
Written, Produced and Directed by Michael Moore
The Weinstein Company/Dog Eat Dog Films Production
Lionsgate Films
www.sicko-themovie.com
www.michaelmoore.com
This film has been called Mr. Moore’s greatest film to date by many critics, and has often received standing ovations when shown. Forget about whether you’re a fan of Michael Moore or not. Sicko should be on your list of must-see films. No bureaucrat, Republican or Democrat, is “safe” when it comes to this film. In fact, you may be surprised by how much your favorite candidate has benefited from the pharmaceutical and healthcare industries. The victims, as Mr. Moore states several times, aren’t the uninsured, but those with insurance (this is tongue-in-cheek, of course, though the personal stories are about people who thought they were covered by their insurance companies). Did you know that there are incentives in certain health insurance companies for employees who deny the most claims? Did you know that there are four healthcare lobbyists for every member of congress? Why are public utilities (seen as a necessity) regulated by the government, but not the healthcare industry? Why is a kind of socialized policing and firefighting system agreeable, but is out of the question for healthcare or the pharmaceutical industry? Why are the United States and New Zealand the only countries that allow advertising by pharmaceutical companies (with the issue currently up for review in New Zealand)? What about what we have been told concerning ‘the dangers’ of socialized medicine? What about health care in Canada, France, and England? Sicko addresses these and other issues, and will astound you (there were gasps several times from the audience I viewed it with), infuriate you, and yet, will not leave you feeling hopeless. SEE IT.

 

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