Opafire

1. Kalimbahari

2. Taos in Mind

3. Wajumbe

4. Somewhere in Between

5. Walk Like Rain

6. Tell Me Slowly

7. Rattle in the Bush (...and the Leopard's Pursuit)

8. As Children

Opafire,Opafire,Novus,Ethnic Fusion,Jazz,New Age / Meditation

Average customer rating:

Ricochet Sun
Opafire
Manufacturer: Higher Octave
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Without a Trace
Opafire

ASIN: B000003Z0Y
Release Date: 1995-02-27

Tracks:

Inward Sun (..Color Of Shadow)
Zebole (...Unity)
Intro/Train To Kingston
Train To Kingston
Hills Of Ocho Rios
Ricochet Sun
Beyond The Village
Tears (...The Ripple Effect)
Kinwani
Full Moon Door
Intro/The Truth
The Truth (...The Last Language)

Average customer rating:

Unforgettable New Age!
Walk like rain as children in Kalimbahari

Opafire
Opafire
Manufacturer: Novus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | New Age | Styles | Music

Meditation | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Ricochet Sun

ASIN: B000008BX9
Release Date: 1990-02-14

Tracks:

Kalimbahari
Taos in Mind
Wajumbe
Somewhere in Between
Walk Like Rain
Tell Me Slowly
Rattle in the Bush (...and the Leopard's Pursuit)
As Children

Customer Reviews:

Unforgettable New Age!.......2005-08-16

I finally purchased this CD thru Ebay as it is no longer available in print. I remember the first time I heard "Wajumbe" on KKSF in 1990. It was different music than I've ever heard before. It was fresh and original. The mix of African, Brazilian, New Age and Jazz is just amazing. Norman Engelleitner's production was outstanding. Probably one of the best work I've heard. I don't think anyone else has come close. If you can find this CD, buy it! It's an unforgettable piece of New Age music!

Walk like rain as children in Kalimbahari.......2003-07-18

This stunning 1990 release is still one of my faves in the "World/Ethnic meets Jazz/New Age" genre. Norman Engelleitner, who wrote most of the tunes, assembles an all-star cast for the "hard to categorize" music on this sadly out of print CD.

Joining Mr. Engelleitner are Robert Powell on various stringed instruments, Michael Pluznick on percussion and "other events", Dallas Smith on Bamboo flutes, Sax and Clarinet, Tom Corwin on Bass and Brian Mantia on Drums. Michael Manring adds Fretless Bass and a cast of others round out the mix.

The music is well constructed and played to perfection. What separates this music from so many others in this genre is the strong interplay between the various parts. The music runs the full gamut from percussion charged African rhythms(Kalimbahari, Wajumbe, Rattle In The Bush, As Children) to American Southwest
coupled with Jazz Fusion(Taos In Mind, Somewhere In Between, Walk Like Rain, Tell Me Slowly).

Apparently, the band sent a tape of their music to San Fancisco radio station KKSF, and the program director Steve Feinstein had this to say: "Opafire has qualities which separate it from the all too numerous unoriginal artists we are presented with. Never before have we aired music from a local artist who sent us a tape. Why did we make this exception? Listen, and the reasons become clear; First, the arranangements are exceptionally artful-layered and dense, but never cluttered, and with a fine balance of electronic and acoustic instruments. Each listen to Opafire's music reveals additional textures and nuances."
"Second, their music has warmth and humanity, with Third World strains integrated beautifully." "Third, and most important, the songs are well written, with catchy melodies and seductive rhythms. Strong material is what separates the wheat from the chaff in contemporary instrumental music, where the ability to compose memorable tunes is all too rare....listen for yourself."

Ok, so these are liner notes, and you would expect a glowing review, but the guy speaks the truth. This is a great release that maybe was just a little ahead of its' time. BMG/Novus should re-release this gem and give it promotion and airplay today and see it take off.

Oh well, if not, I see that used copies are available "for a song". Get a copy and see what can be accomplished by exceptional musicians and great material.

BTW, the follow up to this release, "Without A Trace" is all too forgettable. Gone are the catchy rhythms and strong interplay, with so-so vocals. Their 3rd release, "Ricochet" is much better, although not as strong as this debut.

Average customer rating:
Without a Trace
Opafire
Manufacturer: Novus
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music
General | Jazz | Styles | Music
Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music
General | New Age | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Ricochet Sun

ASIN: B000008BXA
Release Date: 1991-07-23