Dead Can Dance - Aion (1990)

Dead Can Dance - Aion SACD, Mobile Fidelity

Aion was the 5th album released from the creative prowess of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard. This album is another deep spiritual exploration into a wonderful fusion of music, tones and emotions. With a nice mix of instrumental and vocalized songs this album takes you on quite a journey. This is the type of album that really defies categorization....some much suggest folk, ambient, world, jazz, psych AOR etc......i put this one under art pop somewhere but really Dead Can Dance are their own classification.
    This SACD sounds amazing and offers a huge and deep soundscape to get lost within. Lisa Gerrard's vocals are haunting yet never overpower the instrumentation which enriches the sound throughout. The percussion is wide too and at times my music room is just a huge wall of sound. The folks at Mobile Fidelity Sound Labs did a fantastic job in translating this to SACD format and offer us a truly enriched album to enjoy. Lots of detail here to absorb with a high degree of speaker separation.
Highly recommended album and even better if you can snag it on SACD !

Genesis - Wind & Wuthering (1977)

 Genesis - Wind & Wuthering (1977)   SACD

In 1977 something happened to Genesis........The album was `Wind and Wuthering`` and the music carried the deep musical progressions of early Genesis with some lighter poppy tendencies which started to creep into their music.  I am a Genesis fan....always have been and always will be and slowly I have been picking up all the Nick Davis SACD Remasters as I find them reasonably priced....as you know there are some lunatics asking way too much for these discs.
If you are not familiar with the post Gabriel era Genesis then I can assure you that Phil Collins does a reasonable job on the vocals in replacement of Peter Gabriel. Musically "Wind and Wuthering" from 1977 was another great album from this band who began on this album to show signs of pop and progressive rock combined. No question that Afterglow is one of the truly great Genesis tracks! ...still give me the shivers when I hear it....

Now how is the SACD transfer you ask ? well....I can assure you that this is an excellent transfer that sounds great. Excellent clarity and nice instrumental depth. Nick Davis is responsible for the 5.1 mix and unlike many of the critics out there I think he did a very good job on these albums. The music is bright and clear and in many ways I feel like I have never heard the album until now !
I also have been able to hear things that I never heard before from my vinyl and 1st edition CD sources.
If you are a fan of Genesis or this album then I recommend you pick it up.......


  

Von Kessels - Requiem (2003)

Von Kessels - Requiem

  Von Kessels Requiem is a neo-classical symphony created for wind gong by composer/cymbalist Von Kessels.   This may be in fact the closest I will personally ever get to space...unless I get Oprah cash somehow........
  Von Kessels' Requiem is a dark foreboding album that is the deepest exploration into the cold caverns of space.....well into the outer regions of time and space.    

Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke (1998)

Lisa Gerrard & Pieter Bourke - Duality , 1998

 Mysterious, moody, theatrical and 100% captivating....this is the non-soundtrack soundtrack !   "Duality" is the second solo album released by ex Dead Can Dance lead singer Lisa Gerrard who again teamed up with Pieter Bourke to release a wonderful album full of deep vocals and percussion.    Fans of Loreena and Enya will likely love this album and if you have ever heard the Gladiator soundtrack then you know what Lisa Gerrard sounds like.
  As with all Lisa Gerrard albums you are taken into a whole new world where sounds and moods collide into the most captivating soundscape that you have ever heard.   You live her music more than you actually listen to it ...........
   I am a big fan of her work and think that "Duality" is a work of pure beauty.

  You have never heard music like this before......  

Dead Can Dance - Into The Labrynth (1993)

Dead Can Dance - Into The Labrynth , 1993 SACD

    Over the past 10 years I have been slowly re-building my Dead Can Dance discography but after reading all the stunning reviews about "Into the Labryth SACD" I had to swing a copy....and all I can say is wow........this version eclipses the redbook CD by a long shot.    This may in fact be the best sounding recording I have in my entire collection......it is just that good.  Typical of DCD's music the songs are hypnotic and hugely addictive with some awesome worlds instrumentation.

   Dead Can Dance is the genius of the musical partnership between Lisa Gerrard and Brendan Perry.  They have written tons of music together and all their albums are excellent with each one bringing in different elements.  They are a band that you will never grow tired of or stop listening to...really !

  This album is a real eclectic mix of Eastern ,  Middle East and Celtic horror Soundscapes told thru the haunting voice of Brendan Perry and the versatile voice of Lisa Gerrard.  This album plays more like a movie soundtrack than it does an album of music !   

  I also recently picked up Lisa Gerrard's solo album "The Silver Tree" which I cant stop playing.

  
  Simply Brilliant !

Lisa Gerrard - The Silver Tree (2006)

Lisa Gerrard - The Silver Tree (2006)

  So one day I am in the movie theatre watching Ridley Scott's Gladiator and I fall in love with the main theme song and i have to go out and buy it...just for that song.   Well I did and |I discovered that it was Lisa Gerrard from Dead Can Dance who sang the number.

The Silver Tree continues Gerrard's deep quest into the vast regions of musical landscapes that few have ever encountered.  This album is dripping with a macabre-like minimalism and full of deep gorges, valleys and hills that you must carefully ascend.   (any idea what I am talking about ?   )....

Anyway.........The Silver Tree is a highly expressive album that breaks all boundaries and is an amazing album.........the soundtrack to our lives !

Alice Coltrane - Universal Consciousness (1971)

Alice Coltrane - Universal Consciousness (1971)

  This album aint what u thinkin' there dude !   Alice Coltrane's music IS an experience as much as it is music.  Imagine an extraterrestrial voyage into the organic polyphony organ chased down with tons of jazz and soft fusion bits and you might be gettin close.

Ok so lets start with the last name...yes she is John Coltrane's wife.......ok lets move on please.......

This album is a very hard album to grasp at first......in fact it took me about 3 listens before I could honestly say I got it .....and now I can't stop playing it.

Alice was a highly spiritual personal and brought deep tones and emotions into her music which really emerge as you get more and more into this gem !

Musically it is a cross between fusion and symphonic jazz with a heavy emphasis on tonality.

Dont come into this album looking for sir John Coltrane......you better bring your bong and your religious doctrines along

Pharoah Sanders - Thembi (1971)

Pharoah Sanders - Thembi (1971)

Pharoah Sanders became known to the jazz world in the late 60's as a member of John Coltrane's band and later a sometimes member of the Sun Ra ARchestra !
On Tembi Sanders utilizes a wide variety of instruments, including tenor, soprano, alto flute, fifes, the African bailophone, assorted small percussion, and even a cow horn. What makes this album for me so special is the use of the vibes and timbral-like sounds creates.  The song "Love" at times sounds like King Crimson meets Charles Mingus. Without question this is some far out Fusiony-Jazz but one of those albums after listening to makes you ask "what the heck just happened".  A rewarding album for those who have a certain degree of patience.....

Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman and the Theremin (1947 - 1950)

Dr. Samuel J. Hoffman and the Theremin (1947 - 1950)

 In the late 20's Russian scientist Leon Theremin invented this very early electronic instrument based on principles of wavelengths and electronmagnetic fields....an instrument named after himself called the Theremin.  The Theremin was basically a frequency oscillator capable of emanting tones by the simple interruption and manipulation of airwaves (resistance) over 2 antennae.   It really wasn't until the late 40's that it was used in the practice of making music which is what Hoffman and Harry Nevel exactly did for Capital Records in 1947.  "Music out of the moon (1947), Perfume Set To Music (1948) and Music For Peace Of Mind (1950)  are the 3 first albums (actually 78's) that used the Theremin along side orchestration played by  Leslie Baxter and Billy May.  The end result is a very trippy and strange yet addictive musical journey into the dark abyss of Leon Theremin. 

Osibisa - Heads (1972)

Osibisa - Heads (1972) 

  Osibisa was the brainchild of Ghana's Teddy Osei who decided to follow his dream and came to England to form and release a number of great African-psych-world music albums.  In his pursuit he turned the world into fans of this music and this and this band actually became fairly popular.  Osibisa mix African and Caribbean forms and wrap these around a rock-light fusion sound that makes their music original and hihgly captivating.  Wango Wango is some of the grooviest Arfrican-rock I have ever heard !  Their first 2 albums were simply amazing too, but it is HEADS that I has become their favourite of mine.

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - En Concert A Paris (1985)

Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan - En Concert A Paris (1985), Radio France Records Vol 2.

Dorothy Ashby - Afro-Harping (1968)

Dorothy Ashby - Afro-Harping, Cadet Records , 1968

  Dorothy Ashby was as strange as it might sound a jazz harpist who recorded in the 60s and 70s for lables like Prestige, Verve and Cadet.  This little gem has been a mecca for hip hop artists over the years and has been sampled extensively !  ...and why not...great trippy grooves, tons of great bits and pieces showcasing a nice range of instrumentation..flutes, bongos, xylophone, harp......what else could you ask for........dont think that after listening to this album you will say "man...that was great, but it could have used a bit more harp!" (aka Cow Bell)

Miles From India - Various Artists (2007)

Miles From India, Times Square Records (2007)
   
     Recorded in Chennai, India between November 2006 and July 2007 this work we owe thanks to Bob Belden for making this project happen.   Imagine an Eastern musical interpretation of the genius of Miles Davis which may sound on the surface like something you'd find in the Wal-Mart CD racks but turst me this is pure magic!   With contributions from many of Miles' friends.....Ron Carter, Jimmy Cobb, Chick Corea, John McLaughlin, Lenny White and Pete Cosey to name a number of them.  This exquisitely recorded 2 CD set harness the crazy power of Davis while drawing liberally from the instrumentation and raga workings of the East.    Equally present are some of India's finest musicians who play in ode to Miles' with the greatest of precision.  This not the first time that Miles' music has seen the juxtapositon of Trumpets and tablas...this was achieved on albums like Big Fun and Get Up.  Sonically this CD set is amazing sound quality and each instrument is clearly heard with great care in recording.  This CD set is a gift from the East !  

Loreena McKennitt - The Book Of Secrets (1997)

Loreena McKennitt - The Book Of Secrets , Quinlan Road Records (1997)

   With so much written on Loreena and her music there really is not anything I could possibly add really to help highlight the magic of her music and in particular this album.  "The Book of Secrets" like all her albums is truely a musical journey  into a celtic land where mystics and the ancients are still practiced.  Her music is delicate and beautiful  yet exotic and progressive where her soundscapes are only limited to the imagination of the listener.  The sonic quality of this remastered CD is quite stunning and offers a  nice wide audio panoramic for the listener to fully soak up.    

Jorge Ben (1969)

Jorge Ben - Dusty Groove America Records (1969)

  Do you like to Samba ?  Well if you really want to hear a great samba album then you need to check out Jorge Ben's debut album.  what makes this album so attractive for me is his careful fusion of Soul and Samba which I had really never heard this duo before this album.    Although originally released on Philips Records the folks at Dusty Groove America did a masterful job in sonically re-producing this Brazilian inspired gem.  Oh yeah and Jorge does a Samba-Soul interpretation of Jane Fonda's space erotic movie Barbarella .........Tropical psychedelia at it's best  !

Bert Jansch - Moonshine (1972)

Bert Jansch - Moonshine, Reprise Records, 1972   (2009 Remaster)

   Here is the perfect album for those quiet times when you just need to sit quietly and contemplate life, death and the universe (sounds kind of like the Hitchhikers Guide to The Galaxy moment eh ?).  Bert Jansch was a folk legend really and recorded a number of stunning albums in his career with MOONSHINE being one of these gems.    Musically this is a predominantly an acoustic guitar and vocal driven album with a heavy emphasis on lyrics carrying a heavy allusion to the genius of early Donovan.  Jansch's use of Instruments to compliment his acoustic prowess is quite interesting with flute, bass and double bass, harmonica, harp, calrinet, cello, magic bean shaker and TUBULAR BELLS (no kidding!) .  MOONSHINE presents both traditional and original songs with "The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face" (Ewan McColl)  also appearing as an instrumental version on his Jack Orion album.  Overall an enchanted little album full of beauty and magic.