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by Mark Maxwell Abushady, NYC Film Infinity follows the now popular format of cross-cutting interviews with various practitioners, experts, and experienced laymen about its topic, which, in this case, is reincarnation and the continuity of life. Technically, the film would have benefitted from further editing and, while the use of psychedelic images (‘fractal animations’) to illustrate the “unillustratable” is understandable, its use was a bit heavy handed, and lent the film a hypnotic quality – the viewer might find him/herself drifting off. That said, there are gems in this film, which features Neale Donald Walsch, Greg Braden, Dannion Brinkley, Dr. Alberto Villoldo, John Holland, Dr. Stanislav Grof, Dr. Robert Thurman, Dr. Brian Weiss, Dzogchen Ponlop and Renate Dollinger. All share their experiences and outlooks on the journey beyond physical death. Renate Dollinger is especially engaging, as she told of an angel who visited with her for several days after her arrival in London and the death of her family in Nazi Germany. With such quotes as “Evil is unknowing,” “Hitler was an incomplete human,” “They (‘evildoers’) will learn by becoming what they hated,” her story provided many thought-provoking moments. Brian Weiss, author of ‘Many Lives, Many Masters’ outlines belief in reincarnation across major religions. Though statements made will undoubtedly be controversial for some, many will find comfort and purpose in the messages of this film.
Music With Northern Seas, Al Conti demonstrates his musical fluency in yet another area of world, successfully utilizing music idioms to call forth images of Celtic and Scandanavian lands and Norse mythologies. In the opening Veil of Mist, one can feel the sensual rising and falling of the seas, and the pieces go on to span many moods, from lullaby-like, to proud and insistent, to introspective. Song of Rig and Thor’s Journey are especially notable. The album holds well to its central theme of the North, and includes performances on guitar, fiddle, Uilleann pipes, Celtic whistle and the occasional mystical vocal. The Rainbow Bridge brings a beautiful close to this compelling musical adventure and very enjoyable offering!
Beyond opens with a spiritual message and chant from Tina Turner. The text of this is included in a 36-page booklet which accompanies the CD. Messages from the Dalai Lama and Abbot Martin Werlen OSB precede the text of the prayers. What makes Beyond exquisite are the juxtapositions of the Buddhist and Christian prayers and the sweet and inspiring voices of Dechen Shak-Dagsay and Regula Curti. This is especially evident in the ‘Connecting Hearts’ cut, which pairs Ave Maria Blessing of the Swiss Alps with the Avalokitesh Vara – Om Ma Ni Pa Me Hung. The Lotus Sutra, and a beautiful Kyrie Eleison are also notable, though all arrangements are made with great sensitivity, beauty and musicality. Tina Turner, speaking the words ‘Sing. Singing takes you beyond. Beyond. Beyond,’ seems to serve the desire of the creators of this album to underline the mystical and powerful energy of the sung word. Her chanting (Nam Myoho Renge Kyo) is powerful; her voice genderless, ageless and strong, underscores a number of the prayers as well. A very special offering.
World Holiday Harmony is the holiday album any New Yorker can relate to. Actually, the dwellers of any large city or town accepting of diverse cultures will smile upon hearing these songs. While most songs are in an upbeat jazz styling, with female vocal, trumpet, piano, drums and percussion, the centerpiece and star of these songs is the creative and inclusive (without being preachy) lyrics. The singer enunciates such that one never misses a single word. In fact, I cannot review this album without quoting them: “I get a Christmas gift for Hanukkah plus a Hanukkah gift for Christmas ‘cause Mom’s gentile, Dad’s a Jew so my Holidays are best times two, . . . cause I believe that God is pleased when we show each other love.” Nods are also given in this clever album to Buddhists, Muslims, and Hindus, with mention of Kwanzaa as well. In answer to the distaste in some quarters of ‘generic holiday’ cards, WHH offers the real “reason for the season”: “To each other we should say ‘celebrate in your own way, and may God bless you throughout the year,’ because the life we live each day becomes better when we say ‘Season’s Greetings, Happy Holidays to you!’” The collection is filled out with some non-holiday fun songs but, again, the stars of this offering are the mixed holiday songs. In closing this review let me say, in WHH’s words: “Have a Hanukkah gift and a Christmas wish and Mohammed’s blessings too. Though we may all pray in a different way, Happy Holidays to you”
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Infinity – The Ultimate Trip
A film 
Northern Seas
Beyond – Buddhist and Christian Prayers
World Holiday Harmony