New Age, Alternative,
Metaphysical Publication
Aquarius-Atlanta.com

World & New Age Music Reviews
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Reviews by Kathryn Sargent

My nominee for the CD with the most irresistable title this month is Bellylicious, a compilation of Arabic, Persian, Turkish and Indian flavors in hot dance tracks with a bellydance theme. Featured on Bellylicious are: The Dhol Foundation, Thievery Corporation, The R.E.G. Project, Spiritual Brothers, and Saed Mrad. Even when I recognized a song, it sounded so amped up with the driving bass and the overall dance-club beat that it was new again. Don't get me wrong, there's plenty of tabla drumwork, too, but the overall sound is a marriage of traditional bellydance music and modern trance dance music. It's like bellydance on steroids! It's really fun and very high energy. Aside from a dance album, it would be great for a high energy aerobics class.

For a dreamworld trip hop experience, try listening to Magna Canta's debut album, Enchanted Spirits. If you've read my column for long, ya'll know I'm a sucker for chant albums. Enchanted Spirits has divine Gregorian chants, modern electronic wizardry, and a beat! What more could I ask? The sound is so rich, so multi-textured, so luscious! I must admit a touch of culture shock (or past-indoctrination shock) at the idea of dancing to 'Sancta Maria,' or 'Spiritus Sanctus,' but hey, 'Make a joyful noise,' huh? What better way to express gratitude for our blessings than dancing joyfully? Enchanted Spirits is addictive; I didn't want to turn it off.

You've met Kotaro Oshio in this column before. Anne Turner reviewed his Starting Point album in the December 02 issue. His newest release, Dramatic, certainly lives up to its name. Osaka, Japan's Kotaro Oshio is a rising star as a guitarist with both artistry and soul. There isn't a dull moment on the new disc, which ranges from gentle to powerful, playful to plaintive. My particular favorite tracks are 'Canon,' – his version of the Pachelbel Canon – and 'Bolero,' though since they're classical, they stand out from his original pieces, which have a different personality. I like his original pieces for their expression of Oshio's own essence – sometimes breezy and carefree, sometimes pensive or passionate. Oshio made such a splash at the Montreux Jazz Festival in 2002 that he was invited to a jam session with B.B. King and opened for Z.Z. Top. Watch this guy's career - he's going to fly!

Joy for Christmas Day features the dulcet tones of Kathy Mattea and some innovative  arrangements of traditional Christmas carols and some new songs. 'Unto Us A Child is Born' is a piece that builds in drama and power throughout. 'Straw Against the Chill' is a sweet, reflective retelling of Mary's story as she nears giving birth. My favorite track is 'Baby King,' a soulful,  sassy piece that even had this Pagan grooving on it. (Please listen to the sound byte on our web site if you doubt me.) If you want a Christmas album that rocks, that is passionate and musically sophisticated, this is the one to buy.

The Spirit of Yoga, by Ben Leinbach and featuring Jai Uttal and Manose, is a gift of precious serenity for any meditator or healer. Leinbach composed all of the music and plays synthesizers, harmonium (reed organ), acoustic guitar, bells and chimes, tamboura (Bulgarian fretted lute), and sound effects on the album. Jai Uttal does vocals and plays dotar (an Iranian, two-stringed, long necked lute), Bond Bergland plays electric guitar, and Monose Singh's incredible bamboo flute weaves magic throughout. The dreamlike drone and the mystical flute will soothe and comfort you, if it doesn’t send you right out of your body! The Spirit of Yoga might just as well have been named Music for Astral Projection. Great album!

Ocean Suite, by Steven Halpern, combines his exquisite piano mastery with the sounds of ocean waves. For over thirty years, Halpern has reigned as the world's leading composer and recording artist for relaxation and wellness.  His music speaks directly to the heart. A sound healing pioneer since 1971, Halpern uses brainwave biofeedback, Kirlian photography and sound in his research. In Ocean Suite, his piano music rises and falls with the crests of the waves, which were recorded in Hawaii, South Florida, and Southern California for the gentle quality of waves there. Ocean Suite brings clarity, healing and deep, deep relaxation. Just the perfect antidote to the stress of holiday shopping!

Incendio, by the group of the same name, is – as promised by its name – fiery! Combining Latin or Spanish guitar with a variety of styles – flamenco, Middle-Eastern, Celtic, trance, jazz, rock, and classical – the album is truly a global experience. I like 'Zocolo' for its powerful bass line, and 'Isis' for its Middle Eastern drums and sensuality. Fans of Latin and flamenco music will find Incendio a sexy, passionate, energetically charged album that will warm winter nights.

Kathryn Sargent is the editor of Aquarius. Contact her at aquarius-editor@mindspring.com