World Music Continued
by Cheryl Stiles and Kathryn Sargent

      For a complete change of pace, try listening to George Mamua Telek's Serious Tam. From the village of Raluana, near Rabaul on the Papua New Guinean island of New Britain, Telek still lives in the shadow of a volcano which destroyed his community in 1994. Though his home is isolated, he grew up listening to The Beatles and he played rock with the Kagan Devils and the Painam Wok Band, who were signed to the Pacific Gold label. He went on to make five solo albums for Pacific Gold. Local legend tells us that, in his childhood, Telek “chewed a sacred betel nut which opened his dreams to his ancestors-and inspired his amazing songs.” From these shamanic beginnings, and drawing on his heritage with the Tolai people, Telek has become one of the most important performers in the Pacific region. His world/pop music hybrid sound weaves Kundu and Garamut traditional drums with tropical (acoustic) guitar and vocal harmonies that are sometimes reminiscent of the Beach Boys. Telek sings of magical charms for love and calming the sea and making the fishing catch plentiful. His voice is warm and sultry; the music is danceable and captivating. No wonder he was awarded the Australian ARIA Award for Best World Music Album!
-KS

     From the opening chant of “When I Awake,” J. Donald Walters' Surrender: Mystical Music for Yoga is clearly exceptional. Designed to accompany a Hatha Yoga session, and unquestionably ideal for this practice, the music follows the pattern of warm up (“Surya, the Sun God”); energetic postures (“Brahma, the Awakening”); relaxing postures (“Vishnu, the Sustainer ”); revitalizing postures (“Shiva, the Destroyer of Delusion”); cool down (“Ishwara, I am Light”); relaxation (“Smritti, Cosmic Memory”) and meditation (“Namaskar, Blessing”). Walters, also known as Kriyananda and founder of Ananda Village in Nevada City, California, has composed over 300 musical works which are intended for healing. Walters is also the author of more than 50 books. Also featured on Mystical Music for Yoga is Derek Bell, the Grammy-award winning harpist of the Chieftans, and Agni, who performs and lectures on using music for personal transformation and who has recorded two contemporary sitar albums. Most of the music on Mystical Music for Yoga is instrumental, graced by Agni's sensuous sitar, Lewis Howard's tabla, Derek Bell's harp, David Eby's cello, David Miller's keyboard, Anna Alessandri's guitar, and Donelle Page's harp. Walters chants on the first and last tracks, with heartfelt sincerity. If you love sitar, you will love this CD. It is profoundly beautiful.
-KS

    'Rasa' is a Sanskrit word for “the taste or essence of any impression;” “the emotional fulfillment of the soul; the essence of Divine Love.” Kim Waters and Hans Christian's album, Rasa: Devotion, brings new life to a collection of devotional songs from the cultural heritage of India. An artist and illustrator, Kim had been illustrating Indian devotional images for many years, resulting in publications such as Illuminations from the Bhagavad Gita and Enchanted Tales, An ABC Fantasy, published by Mandala Publishing Group. Kim has been singing the devotional songs of the Vaisnava saints for many years, as well. Hans Christian is a classically trained cellist from Germany, and one of the few Westerners who has mastered the sarangi, a difficult Indian instrument. Now living and working in San Francisco, he has achieved recognition as a musician, composer, engineer, and producer. He has worked with Robert Rich and the ethnic-fusion group, Vas, and he has played on recordings by Krishna Das and Jai Uttal. Kim Watersą lush, resonant voice renders these musical prayers with great reverence, and Han' accompaniment adds western orchestration with traditional instruments and the exquisite tabla-work of Girish Gambira. This music is beautiful, moving, and deeply personal. Highly recommended!
-KS

     If you've ever traveled to Ireland or dreamed about traveling there, or if Irish ancestry runs through your bones or down to your dancing feet, Celtic Fantasy is perfect for you. Composer and performer David Davidson has created a mesmerizing and exquisitely beautiful recording. A classically trained violinist and one of Nashville's most versatile, sought-after musicians, Davidson has played with country, pop, folk, and rock artists in his lengthy career. He has also performed with numerous symphonies and classical ensembles. He says that this latest work represents a kind of personal fantasy, an imaginative musical journey through his Irish and Scottish heritage. Although the CD's fourteen gorgeous tracks are original, they also echo the classical influence of Bach and Mozart. Celtic Fantasy is a sheer delight and will be enjoyed immensely by any fan of Celtic music.
-CS

     Three-time Grammy winner and prominent member of The Paul Winter Consort, Paul Halley creates a stunning solo keyboard album with the release of Triptych. This CD was recorded locally at Spivey Hall, a venue known worldwide for its acoustic perfection. Spivey Hall is one of the Atlanta area's true musical treasures and attracts acclaimed artists from throughout the world. The consummately talented Halley is no exception as he performs solo on three separate instruments. He demonstrates his virtuosity on instruments that are not often combined- concert grand piano, pipe organ, and harpsichord. Triptych's twelve original compositions defy easy categorization and combine classical crossover sounds with contemporary jazz New Age overtones with Celtic-influenced folk music. Always imaginative and immensely enjoyable, impeccably recorded and produced, Paul Halley's latest recording deserves a wide and diverse audience.
-CS