Moai

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Moai, so named for the enormous stone sculptures on Easter Island, a Pacific isle of harpist Monica Ramos's native Chile, is a heady mix of electro-acoustic genre-busting compositions written, arranged, and produced by Per Andreason. The classically trained Ramos and her deft fingering are unexpectedly married with thick synthesized dance grooves, chunky beats, her brother Alvaro Covarrubias's elegant classical guitar, and melodic violin harmonies. The result is highly unusual, graceful, and soothingly funky. On some tracks, such as the five-minute "Deep Silence," tinkling synthesizer and heavy beats break into Ramos's sultry whispered Spanish, with the pacing sped up and slowed as the harp dictates. "Sonic Beat," a stunning example of the harp's versatility, is perhaps the emotional core of Moai as it bursts forth and fractures like a wave on an unfamiliar shore. --Paige La Grone

Moai,Monica Ramos,Climate Records,Ethnic Fusion,New Age,New Age / Meditation,Pop,Techno-Tribal

Moai

Tracks:

Deep Silence
The Morning Breeze
Ocean
The Eternity
Moai
Sonic Beat
Pondering
Lost Love
Merlene
Waiting (For You)

Amazon.com

Moai, so named for the enormous stone sculptures on Easter Island, a Pacific isle of harpist Monica Ramos's native Chile, is a heady mix of electro-acoustic genre-busting compositions written, arranged, and produced by Per Andreason. The classically trained Ramos and her deft fingering are unexpectedly married with thick synthesized dance grooves, chunky beats, her brother Alvaro Covarrubias's elegant classical guitar, and melodic violin harmonies. The result is highly unusual, graceful, and soothingly funky. On some tracks, such as the five-minute "Deep Silence," tinkling synthesizer and heavy beats break into Ramos's sultry whispered Spanish, with the pacing sped up and slowed as the harp dictates. "Sonic Beat," a stunning example of the harp's versatility, is perhaps the emotional core of Moai as it bursts forth and fractures like a wave on an unfamiliar shore. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Music for the soul..........2005-05-13

Track#1: Sheer reflective music. Let your mind ride on the gentle rolling acoustic musical waves.

Track#2: Cadence of warm emotions in slow motion. Sublime ecstasy, this track will fill you with warm feelings and blissful tears.

Track#5: Arrogance and Surrender. This track is a wonderful combination of these two strong emotions. It swings back and forth amidst some beautiful floatation.

Track#8: Probably the best track on the CD. It can be dscribed as sublime spiritual sunny ambient floatation with harmonic percussion, guitar and chant interludes.

Track#9: Au Revoir track. This track may seem happy at first, but closer examination reveals emotions of separation and farewell.

Track#10: A new beginning. This track has an earthy freshness of a summer morning. The early rays of the sun shining on a grassy meadow. A very uplifting track.

Beauty, a harp, and compassion.......2003-12-08

Chile's Monica Ramos has taken the sound of the harp to new heights. On "Moai", she plays the harp to a background of new age sounds, down tempo, and occassional upbeat techno beats and creates an atmosphere of reflection, beauty, and compassion that is unrivaled. I love to play this album while walking along a beach, or at home with my eyes closed, or snuggling to a loved one. Let me tell you my five favorites off of Monica Ramos' beautiful "Moai" album. 1) "Moai". The title track just plain ass rocks. The harp is expertly played on this song, and it is played to a killer down tempo beat, that will make you feel like you are in the middle of a marvelous dream, but it is real. 2)"Sonic Beat". This is pure techno, with the harp as the centerpiece. 3)"Merlene" The beginning kind of reminds me of "Dream Weaver" by Gary Wright, but then makes a radical change that is pure Monica. 4)"Silencio Profundo(Deep Silence)"
Monica couldn't have picked a better piece to open this glorious album with if she tried. The song sets the tone for the entire journey you will experience. 5)"Ocean" This is the song I listen to while walking on the beach. If you see "Moai" out in the stores grab it and buy it, you will not be disappointed, and it is hard to find. Monica Ramos has made an album from her heart, and her heart needs to be heard.

www.monicaramos.com.......2003-09-18

I know for a fact that there is a new CD coming out soon. Keep a look out for it on Monica's web page www.monicaramos.com
No name for it yet though but I think it's due end of 2003... Can't wait...
Her biggest fan...

Beautiful and compelling!.......2002-11-30

Harpist Monica Ramos plays and whispers (yes, whispers)(in Spanish) delectable, brooding, ambient arrangements by Per Andreasson against a background of ambient electronics, bowed strings and light percussion. These are rich, complex compositions that really move, and are full of playful, jazzy nuance. The combination of harp and electronica results in a sumptuous soundscape that is rather like a cross between Mythos and early Andreas Vollenweider (also recommended!). Don't miss this captivating and luscious music!

Ethereal, smooth, beautiful, moving..........2001-06-09

On a routine visit to a local Borders bookstore, I decided I wanted to find something new to listen to. In doing so, I came across Moai. I also noticed that they were demoing Monica Ramos's newest CD, "Behind This Light", and so I gave that a listen. I really liked what I heard (and will be picking it up as soon as I can). Unfortunately, they were out of BTL, and only had one copy of Moai left (promising signs both). On the impulse that this would be a great choice for my "new music craving", I bought it. As I sit here listening to it for the sixth time since I picked it up earlier this evening, I must say I am hooked. Completely. At times, the sound is what I would describe as Enigma meets Yanni. At other times, it doesn't compare to anything else I've ever heard. At all times Moai is a beautiful, soothing and immersive collection of music and more than deserves 5+ stars.