Global Fusion

Amazon.com
L. Subramaniam, the brother of violinist L. Shankar, has been making musical worlds collide since the 1970s, recording with jazz artists like John Handy and Larry Coryell. On Global Fusion the pace is set with "Jai Hanuman!", a rousing adaptation of the Balinese "Ramayana Monkey Chant" (a.k.a. "Ketjak") stoked by Indian percussion and Subramaniam's soaring violin. With its ability to go between the notes, the violin is perfectly suited to the microtonalities of Indian and Asian music. Subramaniam duets fluidly with Miya Masaoka playing the Japanese koto on "Lost Love" and creates an Indo-Chinese jazz on "Blue Lotus," with Jai Bing Chen playing the Chinese violin called the erhu. "Gipsy Trail" starts as a long raga alap, or introduction, with Kavita Krishnamurti's serene vocal melody, then launches into a slow-burn, Indian-Flamenco dervish section featuring guitarist Jorge Strunz of Strunz & Farah. Global Fusion should reestablish Subramaniam as a compelling improviser. --John Diliberto

Tracks:

Common Threads - Bobby McFerrin
Japanese Music Box - George Winston
Suliram - Thea Suits-Silverman
Shiny Shell Lullaby - Keola Beamer
Montanhas No Ceu - Flora Purim
Suantrai - Nightnoise
Anjo Da Guarda - Airto Moreira
Little One Mine - Turtle Island String Quartet
Cancion De Cuna - Eliot Fisk
Sofdu Unga Astin Min - Richard Stoltzman And Family
Kumbaya - Paul Hanson/Tracy Silverman
Rock-A-Bye Baby - Jim Brickman
Tumbalalaika - Mike Marshall
Just Close Your Eyes - Billy Taylor
Bayushky Bayu - Debbra, Margot & Noah Schwartz
Brahms Lullaby - Mike Wollenberg
Here I Am - Tracy Silverman

Amazon.com

The party line on most Windham Hill products seems to be that it's either the greatest stuff since wave machines, or that it all sounds alike. On a Starry Night, with its collection of world songs and reputable artists such as Flora Purim, Airto Moreira, the Turtle Island String Quartet, and others, does lean toward a seamlessly understated, homogeneous quality that is broken only occasionally by Bobby McFerrin's piece and a couple of others. That said, there can hardly be a more mellow or sonorous album of kid's music anywhere. Starry Night could calm a nursery with no nurses; why, it could even soothe the pained yelps at the dog pound--and turn a freeway full of bumper-to-bumper sour pusses into pussycats. Effective? You've heard of mind control, haven't you? --Martin Keller

Customer Reviews:

Starry Night A+++.......2007-07-29

I got this for my shower and I absolutely love it!! My son has listened to it every night since he was born, he is now almost 21 months and still it is part of his bedtime routine!!!! It is very different from the traditional lullabyes- we love it and have put it in the can't live without it category.

Soothing, calming and still works after 11 years!.......2007-05-09

I bought this for my newborn daughter and she has fallen asleep to this just about every night of her life. In particular, we enjoy the 2 Brazilian songs as I am Portuguese (born there, raised here) and it's immensely enjoyable hearing songs in my native tongue as well as other languages. I have gifted this to several expectant parents and everyone loves it as much as I do. I highly recommend this CD.

Wonderful product.......2007-03-08

The songs on this CD are soothing and fantastic. My son loved them!

Good for babies, but a little depressing for adults........2007-02-12

The music is all good, but several of the songs are eerily reminiscent of the Schindler's List soundtrack.

highly recommended.......2006-12-30

we used this before our first arrived (to acquaint her with the music and hopefully create a positive association for her) and played it every night as part of her bed time routine. i fell asleep to the music as well as i could hear it on the monitor from her room. i can't describe how much i loved listening to the tracks and how good i feel about the success of our nightly routine. we keep the music on the ipod for "sleepy music" while traveling in the car. my now 4 year old daughter with "request" the CD when she is tired! i often give this as a baby shower gift.

Average customer rating:

Review
Buddha Bar Specilist,
An excellent relaxing cd! Again!
Amazing
Excellent always! with some suggestions ..

Buddha Bar IV (Unibox)
David Visan
Manufacturer: George V
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Buddha-Bar, Vol. V
Buddha-Bar, Vol. VI
Buddha-Bar, Vol. 7
Buddha-Bar
Buddha-Bar, Vol. II

ASIN: B0000645IW
Release Date: 2002-04-09

Tracks:

La Fille De Pekin - Frederick Rousseau
Tibet (A Passage To...) - Tibet Project
Opium - Jade Or
Moonrise - Natin Sawhney
A Window Of My Dreams - Nash Didan
Amatevi - Agricantus
Tiempo - Manuel Franjo
Historia De Un Amor - Guadalupe Pineda Con Los Tres Ases
Distant Lands - Armen Chakmakian
Desert Dancer (Zeb's Slow Camel Ride Remix) - Nickodemus
Monsoon - Flam
Rahda Ramana - Tulku
Tora To Thimithikes - Natassa Theodoridou
Una Musica Brutal - Gotan Project

Tracks:

Karma (Extended Mix) - Outsized
Party People - Time Passing
Mundian To Bach Ke - Panjabi MC
Comme Toi - Ishtar
Dancing With The Muse - Chris Spheeris
Irish Coffee - Carlos Campos
The Novel Sound - Llorca
Loco - Loving Paris
Percussion's Rhythm (Dimitri From Paris Re-Edit) - Roland Louis
Louxor In Vegas - Dan Lacksman's Alliance
Agoraki Mou - Angie Samiou
Aktar Wahed - Amr Diab
Yo Vivire (I Will Survive) - Celia Cruz
Nocturne In Paris - Usual Masters

Album Description

This fourth installment of the now highly acclaimed Buddha Bar series is presented to you by resident #1 DJ David Visan. After studying music at the Los Angeles Music Institute, Parisian born Visan returned home to France where he was educated in the ways of deejaying by Claude Challe himself (Buddha Bar & Buddha Bar II) His mentor went on to train him in the spirit of the Buddha Bar. Buddha Bar 4 is a new sound adventure and the perfect follow up to its previous volumes. The series grows stronger with each release and IV is no exception. Visan injects new life into this double CD set and unlike the many that have tried to emulate the style of the Buddha Bar he carries you away with as much power, if not more, than those who have previously created the perfect sound in a perfect Bar. Housed in a slipcase. 2002.

Customer Reviews:

Review.......2007-05-30

Well i think it's a great CD.
But buyers beware!!! Check you CD's!
Because mine actually came scratched!!
There was just one big like 'slash' going though the CD--And sometimes it'll skip.
But other than that, "it's alllllll good."

Buddha Bar Specilist,.......2007-04-08

Yes always a strong series
good to get all of them
this does not disappoint

An excellent relaxing cd! Again!.......2007-03-27

This double cd collection was very good. I like all of the music. Later on, I do plan on buying more Budda Bar cds. If u are in music that has to do with meditating, relaxing, and just having a good time, BB might just be the one to look up on.

Amazing.......2007-01-08

An avid fan of New Age music, I must say that this compilation of music is an excellent choice whether you're out on a long drive or relaxing at home. There is not one track that I didn't like.

Excellent always! with some suggestions .........2006-06-25

Big fan of the Buddha Bar series .. always the best music for all kinds of late night chillout sessions. Love the asian vibe to them .. And if you like that sound, I've recently discovered some more authentic tunes you'll love: Hong Kong's "Celestial". Check them out, they are titled:

Hong Kong Dub Station
Happy Valley
Spirit House

And these album probably take a deeper step into Asia, possibly because they originate from there.

Average customer rating:

FABULOUS
Really Different.
Pretty Boring
Mickey's Classic!
Some Successful Experiments, But Not a Cohesive Album

Planet Drum
Mickey Hart
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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At the Edge
Supralingua
Drums of Passion
Drums of Passion: The Invocation
Planet Drum: A Celebration of Percussion and Rhythm

ASIN: B0000009O6
Release Date: 1991-09-25

Tracks:

Udu Chant
Island Groove
Light Over Shadow
Dance Of The Hunter's Fire
Jewe 'You Are The One'
The Hunt
Temple Caves
The Dancing Sorcerer
Bones
Lost River
Evening Samba
Iyanu 'Surprises'
Mysterious Island

Customer Reviews:

FABULOUS.......2007-05-07

I used this to do an African dance workout & everyone asked me for the music. It takes you to another place, and every song is different and wonderful in its own way. Mickey Hart definitely deserved a Grammy for this one!

Really Different........2005-09-25

This album is cool, but if you don't try to get in and create a mood for it you won't get it. Dim the lights, read the song titles and imagine you're right there with the natives, you'll dig it.

Pretty Boring.......2003-07-23

This is the first CD of all percussion I have ever bought, and it'll prolly be my last. An album of all percussion is, frankly, pretty boring. Much more interesting to hear percussion-heavy *music* such as, say, Peter Gabriel. "The Hunt" and "The Dancing Sorcerer" are ok, but even at its best, this album is background noise.

Mickey's Classic!.......2002-08-12

All I can say is awesome album! Goes well with the previous effort "At The Edge".

Mickey gathers up percussion players from all over the world to create a mass drum/percussive ensemble with pieces that will go to your soul.

Great headphone album. Sit back and let Mickey & Co. take you on a percussive trip around the world.

Planet Drum is the way to go if you're looking for some good Mickey Hart.

Some Successful Experiments, But Not a Cohesive Album.......2000-10-08

In this concept album, Hart brings great drummers from around the world to participate. The result is wholly new works that are without question novel, but this record has not fared well in my collection since I bought it four years ago. I find myself choosing traditional Brazilian or Latin American or Indian or Middle Eastern performances rather than Planet Drum. I would especially warn potential buyers that Planet Drum is not a survey of percussion styles that will help you decide what you do and do not like. It is instead outside all the mainstream styles and I would consider it the kind of album that would augment a percussion collection rather than start one.

Path: An Ambient Journey from Windham Hill

Average customer rating:

Nice massage music.
The Best of Ambient Music
Lydia
A tapestry of earth and music...
Path for yoga, for relaxation

Path: An Ambient Journey from Windham Hill
Mark Isham , Bob Holroyd , Xavier Descarpentries , Uman , Gabrielle Roth & the Mirrors , Dean Evenson , Tim Story , Garry Hughes , Heavenly Music Corporation , and Global Communication
Manufacturer: Windham Hill Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Windham Hill Chill, Vol. 2
Windham Hill Chill: Ambient Acoustic
Windham Hill Classics: Reflections
Windham Hill Classics: Angels
Windham Hill Classics: Morning

ASIN: B000000NKP
Release Date: 1995-03-14

Tracks:

Tibet Art - Mark Isham
On The Forest Floor - Bob Holroyd
Le Desert Bleu - Xavier Descarpentries
The White Spirit - Uman
Ghost Dancer - Gabrielle Roth And The Mirrors
To Tree Or Not To Tree - Dean Evenson
Lydia - Tim Story
Ancient Evenings - Garry Hughes
Riding Windhorse (Buddhafields) - Heavenly Music Corporation
12:18 - Global Communication

Customer Reviews:

Nice massage music. .......2007-06-09

I own a day spa and my therapists all enjoy this music. It is great for relaxation.

The Best of Ambient Music.......2005-10-22

This is the sort of rare CD that you can turn on, set "repeat CD" and not touch it for the day; or even for days! I have had this CD for many, many years... and it has never lost its appeal. PS: This is NOT "upbeat" jazzy ambient; but, mellow "calm you down" ambient. Each track is unique.

Lydia.......2005-05-21

Most of the tracks on this album are very good, but Lydia by Tim Story is special. It is one of the most hauntingly beautiful pieces of music I have ever come across.

A tapestry of earth and music..........2002-09-06

This is a marvelously moving album to experience. While all the artists are different the album flows together very nicely. It moves along at its own pace, far far different than the pace of much of the everyday world in which we live. It is mellow and is not something you actively listen to although over time the melodies become quite clear and, oddly enough, captivating even exciting, though on a different level.

Play it in the background or play it in the car and suddenly an entirely different ambience is created. It's a beautiful work. I never tire of it and it embraces whatever mood I'm in and allows it to unfold in a rhythm all its own. You won't regret it a bit.

Path for yoga, for relaxation.......2000-10-16

As a Yoga instructor and artist I am constantly seaching for that special flow- that music that you consciously hear as you begin yoga or meditation, but has the ability to disappear into the recesses of your mind as your awareness attunes to a different level. Path invokes relaxation. It is fast enough to use in anything involving movement, yet not so fast you feel hurried in any way. I am not sure that it would be slow enough for pure meditation. Every musical creation on this CD is different, yet it flows seemlessly. I also bought YogaZone, Music for Yoga- it was good-a few shared artists- but nothing compared to Path. If you are looking for a complement to your yoga, or want some music to create a relaxed atomosphere this is it!

Average customer rating:

insert smile here
Run...don't walk...get this CD!!!
Insanely Beautiful
Exploring new worlds
Great background or driving music!

Women of Spirit
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Putumayo World Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Putumayo Presents: Women of Africa
Putumayo Presents: Women of Latin America
Music from the Coffee Lands
A Native American Odyssey: Inuit to Inca
Latinas: Women of Latin America

ASIN: B0000064WT
Release Date: 1998-03-10

Tracks:

Inexile - Capercaillie
Dame Tu Fuerza - Fortuna
Assode - Groupe Oyiwan
Muengue Mwa Ndolo - Coco Mbassi
Negra Presentuosa - Susana Baca
Death Letter - Cassandra Wilson
Avelo - Tarika
Untold Story - Sibongile Khumalo
Aguis Mahasnik Biman - Rasha
La Zarza - Ima Galguen
Done Wrong - Ani DiFranco
El Sueno De La Hija Del Rey - Savina Yannatou
A Song - Toshi Reagon, Bernice Johnson Reagon

Amazon.com

Yet another jewel in the Putumayo crown, Women of Spirit brings us an hour of soulfully respondent music from round the globe, made by women whose sound is full like lips, round like hips, and solid like bare feet on fertile earth. Women of Spirit is musky, sensuous, and womanly, at once wise and gloriously ripe. From the opening "Inexile," performed by Capercaille with Siberia, in which Karen Matheson's throaty alto wail soars round reeling Celtic fiddle, to the closing "A Song," featuring the mother-daughter African-American gospel blues harmony of Toshi Reagon and Bernice Johnson Reagon, Women of Spirit celebrates the stages not only of womanhood, but of the entire life cycle. Ani DiFranco's distinctively styled ringing guitar picking twined with her bust-loose vocals on the chorus of "Done Wrong" is deeply affecting. Cassandra Wilson shines on "Death Letter," and the exotic chant and slide of the French-Sudanese Groupe Oiywan makes staying still near impossible. This collection beckons one to embrace life, move to the rhythm, and find comfort in knowing that we are most powerful as a tribe. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

insert smile here.......2007-03-13

I love this CD except for ONE song. How often does THAT happen? Not very. Beautiful compilation.

Run...don't walk...get this CD!!!.......2007-01-31

One of the very, very best. You'll find yourself reaching for this one again and again. Beautiful, complex, fulfilling... you'll hear new things every time you play this CD. Highly recommended and worth every penny.

Insanely Beautiful.......2005-10-03

Women of Spirit is, without reservation, the best Putumayo album ever to be released. Filled to the brim with radiance, passion, and the irrepressible light all wonderful female vocalists can bring to their work, this is like an international Lilith Fair.

With soulful works originating from anywhere from Greece to South Africa, Women of Spirit compiles some of the best female vocalists to ever grace the planet. Including Ani DiFranco's "Done Wrong," Capercaillie's "Inexile," Ima Galguen's "La Zarza," and Savina Yannatuo's "El Sueno de la Hija del Rey" as some of the shining stars, as well as songs from Susana Baca and Tarika, both previously covered by Putumayo.

Ranging from a crystalline, delicate Celtic/Mediterranean sound to harsh, tender, and sprawling melodies from the USA, this record truly has spirit guaranteed to outshine nearly everything else.

As Maya Angelou, whose quote introduces the album, says, "Being a woman is hard work. Not without joy and even ecstasy, but still relentless, unending work." Here is a record to remove our minds from these burdens, a collection of music that is peaceful, sexy, uplifting, or just insanely beautiful by turns.

Exploring new worlds.......2004-01-04

Deciding my favorite tracks on this CD was harder than for many others. In most compilations one or two tracks stand out. In this, different tracks grew on me at different rates. The collection as a whole settled slowly; how well it went together was only appreciated after several listenings.

Great background or driving music!.......2002-12-16

This CD was given to me as a gift, and I must admit, I was a little skeptical. Much to my surpirse and delight, it's a fabulous CD with a mix of world influences. I'm in the process of tracking down entire albums from some of the artists on Women of Spirit.

Average customer rating:

Passion Sources
A source of passion
Moments of greatness
One of many sources of Oriental music
Music of the Orient

Passion Sources
Kudsi Erguner , Hossam Ramzy , and Banga
Manufacturer: Real World
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Passion
Bliss
Plus from Us
Long Walk Home: Music from the Rabbit-Proof Fence
Voices of the Real World

ASIN: B000000HNZ
Release Date: 1993-02-05

Tracks:

Shamas-Ud-Doha Bader-Ud-Doja - Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan And Party
Call To Prayer - Baaba Maal
Sankarabaranam Pancha Nadai Pallavi - Shankar And The Epidemics
Ulvi - Kudsi Erguner
Fallahi - Hossam Ramzy
Sabahiya - Banga
Tejbeit - Unknown Ethiopian Musicians
Prelude In Tchahargah - Mahmoud Tabrizi Zadeh
Wedding Song - Unknown Moroccan Musicians
Magdelene's House - Abdul Aziz El-Sayed
Yoky - Fatala
Ya Sah - Nass El Ghiwane
Al Nahla Al 'Ali - Les Musiciens Du Nil
Song of Complaint - Antranik Askarian And Khatchadour Khatchaturian

Customer Reviews:

Passion Sources.......2007-01-10

An excellent introduction to the rich music that the Middle East provides the world. Some first class performances by musical masters who really put their heart into their playing. A must have!!!

A source of passion.......2006-10-26

"Passion Sources" contains a sampling of Middle East and African music used for the controversial Scorcese film "The Last Temptation of Christ." Peter Gabriel's "Passion", released around the same time in 1989, contains original music reworked from the film's actual soundtrack. "Passion Sources" contains some original and altered field recordings plus songs recorded specifically for the movie. Music from both CDs appeared in "Last Temptation." Both soundtracks appeared over a year after the film's release because Gabriel wanted to shape the music into a coherent album. "Passion Sources" did not undergo such restructuring.

With Peter Gabriel's name on it, this CD probably introduced more westerners to non-western music than any other CD at the time. Subsequently, Gabriel's "Real World" records aimed to dampen the dominance of western music throughout the globe. The label continues to this day. "Passion Sources" was its very appropriate first official release.

The CD begins with an absolute bang: the spectacular Qawwali singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan from Pakistan. Khan quickly became Real World's best selling artist. Sadly, he passed away in 1997 after gaining a worldwide reputation. He even appeared in Rolling Stone (a definite first for a Qawwali singer). As Khan's song slowly fades, Baaba Maal's amazing performance of the traditional Islamic call to prayer takes its place. Other highlights include Shankar's frenetic double violin bowing, Fatala's equally energetic drumming, Nass El Ghiwane's contemplative "Ya Sah", and the utterly relaxing "Song of Complaint" which sounds more like "Song of Relaxation." Another future Real World act, The Musicians of the Nile, also play up a storm.

Though overall an enjoyable listen, this collection does present somewhat of a mixed bag. As such, it plays more as a compliation than as a coherent thematic unity. That in no way detracts from the amazing music it contains or its ability to open up ears to new musical styles. Regardless, fans of "Passion" should not expect more of the same from this CD. Though most will probably enjoy everything here mainly because it contains the inspiration that led Gabriel to compose his soundtrack masterpiece. But best of all, "Passion Sources" will hopefully inspire an openness to the music of other cultures and of the world at large.

Moments of greatness.......2002-11-03

There are so many good tracks here, but the whole album lacks cohesiveness which i think is important for this type of music. The songs here show little resemblence to what they inspired (Gabriel's wonderful Passion) and they have a much more earthy feel to them, 'Yorky' and 'Tejbeit Ethiopian Bar Song
' being prime examples with such a fresh flavour to them, even after repeated listening. Yet whilst taken at their own merit, it still has the feel of a compilation, and it's perhaps best to look at the album as a taster record for each artist. Whilst it in no way compares to Passion proper, it is still a welcome addition to any music collection, and avoids the uneasy 'fusion' flaw that dogs too many Realworld releases.

One of many sources of Oriental music.......2002-05-23

The Last Temptation of Christ had two soundtracks. One was Peter Gabriels Passion, the other is this one. Where Passion featured a mix if traditional and modern sounds, Passion Sources is mostly the original traditional recordings that were eventually incorporated into the Peter Gabriel Passion album. This album may not be as easy to digest as the other Gabriel work but is worthy of including with it.

I enjoy both of them.

I used to just enjoy this album when I bought it a few years ago but after September 11, this album has had a new meaning to me and in fact has helped me rid myself of the hatred that I had of that part of the world and has actually made me even more fascinated with that area of the world.

I just wish people would stop hating on The Middle East and southern Asia and check out some of the awe inspiring music that musicians make.

Just the song Call To Prayer by Baaba Maal proves that the Middle East isn't a place of terror and hate but a place of wonderous musicians who could really give America a boost in it's music scene and end the corporate commercialism that has ruined Americas musical image.

Believe me this album after last years horrific events has been like a medicine and helped me maintain my respect for the Middle East plus I also happen to love music from the Middle East.

I hope I didn't stray too far off the topic of this CD but I just wanted to voice how this album helped me through this turbulent time. Believe me I alway prefer the Middle Eastern chanting anytime over the staccato of that awful Swedish Pop of Britney Spears.

God Bless both America and The Middle East

Music of the Orient.......2002-03-05

This CD is one of the two soundtracks for the movie "The Last Temptation of Christ". The other one, "Passion", deals more with Peter Gabriel's performances. This one deals with the more traditional Middle Eastern music used and sampled for the film. This CD is perhaps the greatest introduction to Oriental (Middle Eastern, Indian, African, Persian, Turkish, etc) music that is available. It covers an incredibly diverse range of styles and cultures. The songs on here range from wonderful songs performed by excellent traditional artists (NFAK, Hossam Ramzey, Shankar,, etc) to authentic ethno-music recordings. The first song is a wedding song from the legendary Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan himself, giving a magnificent look into the traditions of Pakistan. NFAK's song is one of his best. This is followed by Senegalese superstar Baaba Maal performing the Call to Prayer, which is an integral part of Islam. I strongly recommend you understand and respect that when listening to this track. Returning to South Asia, we are treated to a lively, upbeat Indian number from Shankar and the Epedemics. Following this is a beautiful, ephemeral flute song entitled "Ulvi", performed by Kudsi Erguner, one of Turkey's greatest musicians. Hossam Ramzey, gives a lively Egyptian Raks Shari number entitled "Fellahi" (farmer). I was very impressed with this one. It gives a view of Ramzey at his best. Next is a sample of traditional Egyptian Arab music. Then we are treated to a celebratory bar song from traditional Ethiopian musicians. Those unfamilar with Ethiopian music will be pleasantly surprised by this. Then we get a Perso-Indian performance by Mahmou Tabrizi Zadeh. This song fascinates me to no end. After that is another historic ethnic recording, this time from a Moroccan wedding celebration. As the NFAK song above showed, wedding celebrations are perhaps the greatest opportunities to hear music in Islamic cultures, so this shouldn't be too surprising. Next is a number by Abdul Aziz el-Sayed, which was recorded for the brothel scene, but was used for the Lazarus scene instead. And then we get a lively number from the African band Fatala, with lively percussion and vocals. This song is lively and uniquely West African, but fits in very well with the other selections. Next is the song from Nass el-Ghiwane (an excellent Moroccan group) which wound up being used for the brothel scene in the movie. Following closely is a performance by the Egyptian Gypsy group, Musicians of the Nile. And finally, the CD closes with a traditional Armenian ney flute performance, which I found both haunting and ephemeral. Its easily one of my favorite songs on the CD.
Overall, this is an excellent and diverse CD. The music on here, which saw use in "The Last Temptation of Christ" is wonderful and inspirational, whether from Christian (such as Ethiopian or Armenian) or Muslim (such as Pakistani or Egyptian) sources. It is beautiful and wonderful. I cannot say enough good things about this CD.

Average customer rating:

A peak at prelanguage sound and Electronica
Strong & Vibrant Heart Beat of the Planet ...
Great Effort!
Good, but it's no PLANET DRUM
You've never heard anything like Supralingua.

Supralingua
Mickey Hart & Planet Drum
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Planet Drum
At the Edge
Mickey Hart's Mystery Box
The Best of Mickey Hart: Over the Edge and Back
Spirit into Sound

ASIN: B000009OL0
Release Date: 1998-08-04

Tracks:

Angola
Yabu
Endless River
Umayeyo
Secret Meeting Place
Tall Grass
Umasha
Frog Dance
Damawoo
Indoscrub
Wheel Of Time
Space Dust

Tracks:

Non-Audio Content - Mickey Hart/Planet Drum

Amazon.com

Supralingua, "beyond language," is the second Planet Drum album produced by Mickey Hart. More Latin than African, Hart combines compelling production techniques with power players of the drumming world including: Zakir Hussain, master of the North Indian tabla; Giovanni Hidalgo; conguero great from Puerto Rico, Sikiru Adepoju, a disciple of Babatunde Olatunji (a member of the first incarnation of Planet Drum) on dundun; bassist Bakithl Kumalo; and David Garibaldi, traps player. Promising to surpass words, ironically the first track, "Angola," features chanting by The Gyüto Monks Tantric Choir. Supralingua grooves but it lacks the excitement of the self-titled Planet Drum and the "steppin' out" of each virtuoso. --Cristina Del Sesto

Customer Reviews:

A peak at prelanguage sound and Electronica.......2005-09-26

Mickey Hart Serves up something very different again. This time bridging the gap of ancient and cutting edge "tribal" music. This sounds less spontaneous to me because of sampling. I'd like to hear an album like this all improvised in real time because I believe RAMU could shine in this setting, but you'll probably have to settle for a live show.

Strong & Vibrant Heart Beat of the Planet ..........2003-11-05

Mickey Hart combines indigineous voices, chants, and traditional instruments with contemporary and shaminstic drumbeats to create a special CD very aptly named "Supralingua" ... which to me, means, super voices and super music. At times, add to this, the the sounds of nature ... for instance, drops of water or the ambience of the rainforest. Take the voices of the Gyuto Monks (Buddhist) mix them with the didjeridu, flutes, Chinese erhu, add a def drum beat, mixed in with metal percussion, cluster drums, and bongos ... all played by world-class musicians and you have an idea of track #1. This CD reveals a newly emerging creative path for music, showing us how traditional and contemporary instruments combine, to reveal an existence where the journey is never quite complete ... but is continually evolving. Listening to the CD is a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Erika Borsos (erikab93)

Great Effort!.......2002-08-14

Incorporating his computer operated drum machine "RAMU", Mickey sets the tone for another compelling album. Though not as awe-inspiring as his previous "instrumental" efforts, the album is still a sound to experience.

The album's tone is more upbeat, with a lot of percussion as well as (mentioned before), the RAMU (computer processed instruments such as vocals, roto toms, bells & whistles, etc.).

The songs are greatly constructed, but it is not a CD to chill out to. It is an album to groove and dance to. A little more latin-flavored too. Amazing stuff here.

So, if you're into a CD that has a little more meat in the sound, get it. If you're looking for a CD to take you on a journey, I recommend some of Mickey's previous efforts as well as Spirit Into Sound.

Enjoy!

Good, but it's no PLANET DRUM.......2000-04-30

I haven't heard Mickey Hart's most recent cd, SPIRIT INTO SOUND, but of the three Hart cd's just prior to this one (PLANET DRUM, AT THE EDGE, and MYSTERY BOX) I think this one is the least compelling.

This cd is definitely "good", but the other three are "very good" to "great". I'm not sure if it is the production techniques or RAMU, but there are many things on this cd that just sound completely artificial. Even without knowing that there are samples being used you can tell many of these sounds are computer-driven, the notes and phrases of the triggered samples just do not start in a natural way. It makes some of these songs sound like they were cut-and-pasted together.

This cd was always mentioned as having no real words and as being designed around a sort of "new vocal language" but listen to DAMAWOO and then compare it to ALEKE (track #14) on the cd THE SPIRIT CRIES: MUSIC FROM THE RAINFORESTS OF SOUTH AMERICA & THE CARIBBEAN. There is much more than just a passing similarity between the two.

While I do think this cd is good it does not have the ancient, trance-like, dreaming-mind qualities of of the original PLANET DRUM cd, and just the way this one was recorded makes it sound a bit stale. I think with SUPRALINGUA Mickey was going for something that was part "World Music" and part "club music". If you want a cd that is more "electronic-groove" sounding then this is the one for you, but if you want one that is more "mind-altering" then the original PLANET DRUM is the cd you want to buy.

You've never heard anything like Supralingua........1999-09-23

Implicitly accepting the theory that "world music" is popular because today's audiences like to hear singing in foreign languages, Mickey Hart continues his streak of consistently interesting side projects by releasing (Diga, Dafos, At the Edge, Planet Drum, Mystery Box and now) Supralingua. It's world music for every country in the world! Every song has vocals, but there is not one real word on the album. You have never heard anything like Supralingua. In addition to the vocals, which really do sound like they're in another language rather than just nonsense, nearly every track features a real-time performance by Hart on his sampling device RAMU, a danceable bassline from Bakithi Kumalo, extensive studio trickery and a bed of percussion from the worlds best drummers, including talking drum master Sikuru Adepoju and tabla master Zakir Hussain. There are also cameos by Airto, Graham Wiggins and The Gyuto Tantric Choir. The bonus CD accompanying the original release contains superfluous remixes by assorted techno gurus and a video to play on your computer featuring an interview with Mickey, who, in addition to releasing better solo albums, consistently spouts more jive than any of his bandmates in the Grateful Dead.

Average customer rating:

Good idea,but...
Fantastic compilation
Eclectic, funky and really cool
Great music
Wonderful

Dublin to Dakar: A Celtic Odyssey
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Putumayo World Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | International | Styles | Music

General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

New Age | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

Fusion | Celtic | International | Styles | Music

Celtic New Age | New Age | Styles | Music

Fusion & World Fusion | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music

General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music

International | Putumayo World Music Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music

Jazz | Putumayo World Music Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
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Shelter: The Best Of Contemporary Singer-Songwriters
Women Of The World: International
A Celtic Collection
One World
Calypso: Vintage Songs from the Caribbean

ASIN: B00000I082
Release Date: 1999-02-23

Tracks:

A United Earth I - Alan Stivell & Youssou N'Dour
One Glimpse Of You - Brigid Boden
Canzone Dalla Fine Del Mondo - Modena City Ramblers
Soiridh Leis - Baka Beyond
Azwaw 2 - Cheb Mami
O Boro Braindi Braindi - Aine Minogue
Co Ni Mire Rium - Capercaillie & Sibeba
Os Tempos Son Chegados - Na Lua
Rusty Nails - Kila
Villemann Og Magnhild - Rita Erikson
Street Of Dreams - Oysterband

Amazon.com

Celtic music and culture, often believed to be of Irish and Scottish descent only, has captured America's fancy. Lord of the Dance and its ilk feed into the phenomenon of a recently enamored public. Names like Caitlin, Breana, and McKenna serve themselves up on the circuit's Most Popular Baby Name lists; Irish bar bands flourish; and listeners from both coasts continue to groove to the abrasive defiance of The Pogues' Shane McGowan as rubbed up against melodious Guinness-fueled reels. Now Putumayo offers the compelling collection Dublin to Dakar, a veritable feast of worldwide Celtic music, accompanied by excellent liner notes detailing the migration-derived legacy of the Celts. Featuring multilingual artists from Italy, France, Spain, and Guinea, among other countries, the compilation is an exciting blend of tradition and startling innovation, ranging from slightly precious elfin sounds to reggae-inflected dance music and emotive balladry to a gypsy-inspired reel. --Paige La Grone

Customer Reviews:

Good idea,but..........2006-06-23

When Putumayo made this compilation,"Lord of the Dance"&"Riverdance" were smash hits.ANYTHING Celtic was in.Strangely,Putumayo's Celtic collections aren't its best.

This album has a few highlights.
Youssou N'Dour&Alan Stivell have a powerful track about uniting the world.
The Modena City Ramblers have a melancholy song about the end of the world.(It goes well with REM's "It's the end of the world as we know it")
Baka Beyond provides a strong track combining Celtic&African music.
Na Lua has a good track.
Cheb Mami's "Azwaw 2" is the BEST.It's a rousing combination of bagpipes&Algerian rai.Very danceable.

The Afro-Celts are still going strong,however.

Putumayo's Odyssey albums,fortunately,have evolved.Their Greek,African&Jewish Odysseys are quite good.

Fantastic compilation.......2003-07-07

This has been long a favorite of my whole family, children and adults. Whenever we travel and have to limit the number of CDs we can carry this is the first chosen.

Eclectic, funky and really cool.......2003-05-25

Fanciful combinations of Celtic and other world music styles from African, Continental, Celtic and Scandinavian artists. The back cover of this album sums it up well: "African, Gypsy, Latin, Arabic, Indian, Scandinavian and Reggae elements are combined with Celtic music to create a unique, cross-cultural musical feast." Some of the more familiar musicians featured are Capercaillie, Kila, Aine Minogue, Alan Stivell, Baka Beyond and Cheb Mami. All of the selections are striking, but I particularly enjoy Monogue's slinky, spooky, tabla-punctuated "O Boro Braindi Braindi", and Mami's track "Azwaw2" which combines rai with the pipes, fiddles and flutes of the Breton group Bagad de Kemper. It is fascinating to listen to works like these and hear how seamlessly the music of different cultures, old and new, can flow together. "All are one", and yet individuality is not only maintained but celebrated. (May life do a better job of imitating art ... !)

Great music.......2001-06-20

This album is sure to open up people's minds about the Celtic culture...I know it did mine. I didn't, until hearing this cd realize that "Celtic" does not only mean Scotland and Ireland, but is far wider. The music on this album helps to show the spread of the Celtic people and culture, with music from Africa, Spain, Norway, England, Italy and others. The 23 page booklet contains a 2 page essay about the Celtic culture and influences worldwide, as well as a page on each artist and their song. This album showcases how music as diverse as reggae, Arabic and African can be blended with traditional celtic instuments and melodies. This album is truly an experience not to be missed.

Wonderful.......1999-12-25

Sometimes the Putumayo fusion albums can seem strained or bland. This album really works. I actually enjoyed the Italian Celtic mix. It was fabulous with real passion. I recommend this album for long journeys because you will never grew tired of it.

Average customer rating:

World Circuit Presents
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Africa | International | Styles | Music

Australia & New Zealand | International | Styles | Music

Brazil | South & Central America | International | Styles | Music

General | International | Styles | Music

Afro Brazilian | Latin Music | International | Styles | Music

Afro-Cuban | Caribbean & Cuba | International | Styles | Music

General | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Salsa | Latin Music | Styles | Music

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Mambo | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Son | Latin Music | Styles | Music

Rhumba | Latin Music | Styles | Music

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Jazz Fusion | Jazz | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000OPO7IW
Release Date: 2007-05-01

Tracks:

Chan Chan -- Buena Vista Social Club
Soukora -- Ali Farka Toure with Ry Cooder
Boul Di Tagale -- Cheikh Lo
Rumba Argelina -- Radio Tarifa
Rire Zarga Ouana -- Bellemou Messaoud
Amor Verdadero -- Afro Cuban All Stars
Al Vaiven Mi Carreta -- Nico Saquito
Mogo Te Diya Bee Ye -- Oumou Sangare
Tumbanga -- Orlando Cachaito
Yumala -- Mustapha Baqbou
El Rincon Caliente -- Guajiro Mirabel
Bazali Bhetu -- Black Umfolosi
Flor De Amor -- Omara Portuondo
Mal Wa Ihtagab -- Abdel Gadir Salim

Tracks:

Tapha Niang -- Toumani Diabate's Symmetric Orchestra
El Carretero -- Guillermo Portabales
Song 4 -- Dimi Mint Abba
Juana Pena -- Sierra Maestra
El Son te Llama -- Orchestra Baobab
Central Constancia -- Ruben Gonzalez
Si te Contara -- Ruben Gonzalez
Amandrai -- Ali Farka Toure
A Love Supreme -- Anga
Dr. Binol -- Shirati Jazz
Candela -- Buena Vista Social CLub
Fafaye Yo -- Afel Bocoum
La Luna en tu Mirada -- Los Zafiros
Du Du -- Ali Farka Toure & Toumani Diabate
Silencio -- Ibrahim Ferrer & Omara Portuondo

Album Description

This two-disc, 29-track set presented by World Circuit celebrates the 20th anniversay of the label and illustrates the breadth of its catalog. For the converted, this collection is both a comprehensive survey and an exhilarating mix-tape styled set. For newcomers, it's a richly rewarding primer that will surely draw neophytes deeper into the catalog.

Average customer rating:

Mickey Hart's weakest album
World beat indeed
A Classic, Great Variety.
A Visionary Funk Machine
An awesome album with a great world beat sound

Mickey Hart's Mystery Box
Mickey Hart
Manufacturer: Rykodisc
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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General | Pop | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Planet Drum
At the Edge
Supralingua
The Best of Mickey Hart: Over the Edge and Back
Rolling Thunder

ASIN: B0000009Q2
Release Date: 1996-06-11

Tracks:

Where Love Goes (Sito)
Full Steam Ahead
Down The Road
TheSandman
The Next Step
Look Away
Only The Strange Remain
Sangre De Cristo
John Cage Is Dead
The Last Song

Amazon.com

Moving beyond the worldbeat percussion of Planet Drum and At the Edge, the Grateful Dead percussionist makes a pop crossover move in partnership with Sade producer Robin Millar and the English vocal sextet The Juleps. An automatic buy for Deadheads. --Jeff Bateman

Customer Reviews:

Mickey Hart's weakest album.......2006-07-06

There is indeed a mystery that surrounds this project: what was Mickey thinking?!?!?! I first want to establish that Mickey Hart is one of my heroes; I've seen him live in various incarnations and I have all of his recorded releases. Now that I've set down my credentials, I can write that this is Hart's worst album. Beyond weak songwriting, the Mystery Box sound is sickeningly conventional. I would only expect this recording to appeal to 16 year girls on Long Island circa 1994. This misadventure occurred despite good ingredients and a decent recipe. The project included Robert Hunter, Zakir Hussain and conguero Giovanni Hidalgo. The Mint Juleps sing well. Beyond these qualities, the Mystery Box was a genuinely unique project for Hart. Moreover, the idea of a pop crossover in itself wasn't a bad idea -it just didn't work in this situation. So what went wrong? That's the mystery! Now if I could only find that darn box, the answer to this enigma may be inside.

Before me, all other critiques gave this outcast of the Rykodisc family five stars. It's laughable that listeners put this on the same level with the Grateful Dead's "American Beauty," and the Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's." These reviewers are either teenyboppers (you guessed it, from Long Island, NY) or they're being way too generous, awarding five stars just because it's Mickey. At the time of review, about a dozen copies of this potential beverage coaster could be purchased for less a buck through Amazon's marketplace sellers. Why? The answer to that is no mystery.

World beat indeed.......2006-05-04

Being a long-time Deadhead, knowing Mickey's a bit "vocally-challenged" and being a big fan of great drumming, I wasn't sure what I was getting into when I bought this. After dozens of listens over the past several years, it's clear this is one of my best purchasing decisions ever of GD or GD-related music.

Mickey gets the groove on from start to finish and manages to prove his mastery of the art of world music and the feel of the day.

If you're looking for something that resembles the Grateful Dead's sound, look elsewhere. For me, though, this is a good thing. There's enough of the "GD sound" everywhere you turn. Mystery Box is a thoroughly refreshing move away from that jam-band sound. Every song is well crafted, arranged and performed.

One last comment... For anybody who was ever a Jerry Garcia fan, I dare you to listen to "Down The Road" and not be utterly moved. What an incredible farewell to the master.

A Classic, Great Variety........2005-09-26

This is really awesome! World master drumming, amazing lyrics, singing and plenty of different vibes here. You'll have a hard time not loving this. I wish Mickey would do another album like this.

A Visionary Funk Machine.......2004-03-22

When I bought this I had real buyers remorse, thinking I was gona have to endure a CD of Mickey Hart vocals in lieu of his world percussion CD's.

What shocking surprise. A Shuckadelic Soul Motion! A gem, a Masterpiece and a Gift from a revolutionary artist with heart, passion and intellegence. The Mint Julips' vocals are off the chart divine. The band is a collaboration of perfection. Mickey aint bad either.

Rag Bag Willey and Bam-Alam!!!!!

An awesome album with a great world beat sound.......2004-03-01

When I got this CD, I was expecting something like the classic "Grateful Dead" sound that I like so much. But the music on this disc sounds nothing like the "Dead". What you will find here are wonderfully complex rhythms wrapped in beautiful harmonies with more of a "World Music" sound than the folksy/rock sound that I was expecting - sort of an americanized version of Ladysmith Black Mambazo.

"Where Love Goes" has a new-agey sound. "Full Steam Ahead" has great rolling beat. "Down the Road" is mostly spoken word with beautiful background vocals. "Sandman" is another upbeat song with some spoken word bits. "Next Step" is a haunting tune with more beautiful vocals. "Look Away" has a similar new-agey sound to "Where Love Goes", but with a more positive feel. "Only the Strange Remain" is another spoken word piece, where Mickey sounds an awful lot like Robbie Robertson. "Sangre de Cristo" is another fun foray into beat and harmony. "John Cage is Dead" is surprisingly upbeat and fun. The amusingly titled "Last Song" is a obviously having fun with the last track on the album.

Perhaps the best vote for this album is the fact that my wife likes it - she does not care for the Dead, and our tastes in music are quite divergent.

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