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World
and New Age
Music Reviews By
Cheryl Stiles
and Kathryn
Sargent Songs
Without Words
II is
Windham Hill's
natural successor
to its first
CD of the same
title. Produced
by composer
and musician
David Benoit,
this contemporary
collection of
melodic piano
pieces is the
perfect acoustic
antidote to
a stressful
day. Although
every composition
could easily
have a lyrical
accompaniment,
no words are
necessary here,
as Benoit says,
“to conjure
up images, feelings,
emotions.”
The eleven tracks
are
each
composed and
performed by
the artist.
Though diverse
in style and
tone, each track
fits seamlessly
with the others.
Piano music
aficionados
are certain
to enjoy this
recording. -
CS Laurel
Masse, one
of the founding
members of the
Manhattan Transfer,
has used her
pristine, ethereal
voice to create
one of the most
intensely spiritual
CDs that this
reviewer had
heard in years.
Feather
and Bone
is a collection
of
religious
songs - some
folk songs and
some formal
compositions
- from different
cultures. Scottish,
Irish, and Quaker
influences pervade
the recording.
The acoustic
accompaniments
are lovely but
sparse, allowing
Masse's
remarkable vocals
to soar. Masse
has sometimes
been referred
to as “the
voice of the
swan.”
Favorite tracks
include “Hymn
to the Muse”
and “Radiant
Flame of Gold”
- a goddess-like chant for safety and protection. A superb
recording,
Feather and
Bone
marries spiritual intensity with Masse's unparalled musical talent.
- CS After
more than ten
years of silence,
composer/vocalist
Zena Bacar
and her group
Eyuphuro
reunite for
a notable comeback
recording, Yellela.
Eyuphuro was
originally founded
in 1981 and
became the most
successful musical
group from Mozambique.
They received
wide critical
claim and toured
throughout the
world. Shortly
after the debut
of the group's
first recording
in 1989, the
group began
to disband largely
due to various
personal reasons
of band members.
After a decade-long
hiatus, Eyuphuro
(which means
“whirlwind”
in the Macau
language) reunited
for their dynamic
new
effort.
Yellela
represents the
island of Mozambique
as a meeting
point for African,
Arabic, and
Latin cultures,
and as a melting
pot of musical
influences.
A strong sense
of traditional
Mozambican rhythms
runs through
the CD. Despite
the many hardships
that the musicians
have endured,
Yellela marks
their spiritual,
joyful, and
hopeful return.
- CS Music
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