Asian Fusion

1. Prelude

2. Bookenka (The Adventurer)

3. The Trader

4. Mezgoof

5. The Empress

6. Ja Nam

7. Sunda Straits

8. Morning Sung

9. Sumbatico

10. The Dusk Song Of The Fisherman

11. Ladakh

12. Garuda

Tracks:

Year Of Tibet
Nomads Of The Tibetan High Plateau
The Flight Of A Shepherd Boy
Freedom In Exile
A Sad Return To My Birthplace
Giving And Forgiving
The Power Of Morality And Patience
With Mindfulness And Wisdom
Creating An Enlightened Society

Album Description

Born of Tibetan nomads, Nawang Khechog discovered in childhood a deep affinity with the bamboo flute. In 1959, he fled to India and spent 11 years as a Buddhist monk before bringing his music to the West. Despite worldwide praise for his work, Nawang resolved in 1991 to return to mountain seclusion - until the Dalai Lama himself encouraged him to continue to share the power of his music with others. Quiet Mind reflects the far-reaching travels of this remarkable musician. It is his most personal transmission, a continuous prayer that imparts serenity to everyone it touches. With didgeridoo, Incan pan pipes, and ocarina.

Customer Reviews:

Very Relaxing.......2006-03-14

A very peaceful and relaxing CD. Just listen to the samples for yourself.

Love flute music.......2006-02-01

I got this because I love the sound of flute music and the peace within it gives me. I use the cd to calm myself and to daydream or meditate.

Absolutely Beautiful.......2004-09-22

How you could NOT like this CD is beyond me. The feelings it invokes are indescribable. It touches your soul the instant you hear it. I've gotten 3 of his CD's so far, and plan on buying the rest. The word "Amazing" doesn't do this man's talent justice. He's a gift from heaven. Everyone should hear it at least once. That's all you'd need. Absolutely incredible....

Wonderful CD.......2003-02-26

I am a huge fan of Nawang-la, this CD is spectacular.

Exhilirating peacefulness.......2000-02-13

This is my favorite Nawang cd. Tibetan flute and Australian didgeridoo. Nawang was a Tibetan monk who eventually fled to Australia to evade the Chinese annexation. Though renouncing monkhood he is still very much involved in his spirituality and this shows in his music. I have never heard a single instrument played to such effect. Peace is the main theme of all his work but this is not passivity, this is not the sleep of unconsciousness. This is a dynamic peace, one which engages all the varieties of life yet never gets bogged down by them. There is power here, power of the wisdom of Earth and the compassion of Buddha. The music brings the spirit of the listener to the portals of Shambhala, to the heart of Tibet, and to the center of the adamantine throne on which sits the Buddha. Of course we are all really Buddha deep inside, so when we come to the center of the throne we come to the center of ourselves. Listen to this disk and you will hear what I mean. One reviewer mentioned that it is only good for sleep. I do like to listen to peaceful music when I go to sleep, but I can never do that with Nawang. The music floats, to borrow a phrase from Hildegard von Bingen, like a feather on the breath of oneness. What could be more exciting than that? But to each his own. We hear as we are able, and should one hear what another does not is that to mean one is wrong and the other right? No. Each is in his own place, and each hears what is right for him. For me, you cannot get much more right than Nawang Khechog.

Average customer rating:

So Good You Could Drink It
Journey Across the Asian Continent
Putumayo's First Asian adventure
charming and calming
Meditative

Music From the Tea Lands
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Putumayo World Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Music from the Coffee Lands
Putumayo Presents: Music from the Chocolate Lands
Arabic Groove
Putumayo Presents: Music from the Wine Lands
Putumayo Presents: Sahara Lounge

ASIN: B00004W5LV
Release Date: 2000-08-22

Tracks:

Saginou - Zulya
Picking Flowers - Lei Qiang
Hangama Hai Kyon Barpa - Ghulam Ali
For Julia - Sanjay Mishra
Utuwaskarap - Oki
Gerizler Basi - Okan Murat Ozturk
Afshari - Kamil Alipour
Anggopanku - Hila Hambala
The Empress - Ancient Future
Kang Mandor - Ujang Suryana

Product Description

A soothing, inspirational brew of exotic music steeped in the traditions of Asia's tea lands. Zulya Saginou Lei Qiang Picking Flowers Ghulam Ali Hangama Hai Kyon Barpa Sanjay Mishra For Julia Oki Utuwaskarap Okan Murat Öztürk Gerizler Basi Kamil Alipour Afshari Hila Himbala Anggopanku Ancient Future The Empress Ujang Suryana Kang Mandor

Amazon.com

This pan-Asian travelogue features musicians from China, India, Tatarstan, Indonesia, Japan, Turkey, and Iran. Aside from the unifying theme of the 400-hundred-year-old tea trade, the tunes have little in common and range from modern fusions to intriguing glimpses of rarely heard traditions. Assorted strings dominate the instrumental forces, especially harplike sounds, but the vocals are equally strong. Among the most fascinating tracks are Zulya's beguiling recollections of her Tatar childhood, Oki's tribute to his endangered Ainu (Japanese aboriginal) heritage, the Anatolian Turkish saz (lute) stylings of Okan Murat Ozturk, and an arrestingly percussive example of Iran's classical Persian disciplines as performed by Kamil Alipour. The set offers an array of unexpected pleasures from cultures that deserve to be better documented in the West. It is as mellow yet invigorating as the perfect tea break. A recipe for chai, a spicy Indian milk tea, is included. --Christina Roden

Customer Reviews:

So Good You Could Drink It.......2006-09-21

At first i had doubts when i bought this cd, thinking it was going to be a little over the top. I was suprised to find out that I was wrong. All the songs are so light and dainty and beautifully composed. I especially liked Sanjay Mishra's "For Julia" and Ancient Future's "The Empress", but I absolutely loved Lei Quang's "Picking Flowers". This is by far one of my favorite Putumayo albums. I even like it better than Music From The Coffee Lands!

Journey Across the Asian Continent.......2006-09-03

Billed as a journey across the "Tea Lands", this CD gives an incredible survey of the musical styles of Asia. Asia is a vast and diverse continent, from the frozen steppes of the north to the tropical jungles of India and SE Asia. Some of the oldest civilizations arose there, along the Indus River (in Paksitan) and the Yellow River valley (in China). The religions of Hinudism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, and Shinto arose in Asia, and Indonesia is the world's largest Muslim countrie. The world's two largest countries, India and China, are both in Asia. The result? You have an incredible variety of languages, cultures and people, all with their own styles of music. Any CD managing to cover even a little of that diversity is amazing, but this CD manages to do just that.

So just whats on this CD, you might ask. Well, alot of good stuff, actually. From the tiny semi-autonomous republic of Tatarstan, Zulya performs a haunting, melodic song. Pakistani singer Ghulam Ali sings a ghazal of love and devotion, while Iranian setar and tar player Kamil Alipour shows the wonder of classical Persian music in the mode Dastgah Afshari. Indonesian composer Ujang Suryana leads a Gamelan ensemble, Turkey's Okan Murat Ozturk demonstrates Anatolian folk music, and Oki revives the traditions of Japan's indigenous culture with Ainu pop, complete with the hankori, a native Ainu instrument. Yes, thats right, Ainu pop! Chinese erhu-player Lei Qiang does a traditional song from Sichuan, while the group Ancient Future does a mellow techno number drawing upon Chinese, Japanese and Indian instrumentation.

This is good music, quite appropriate for listening to while drinking tea if your so inclined. In fact, the booklet includes a history of tea and it's cultural role, as well as a recipe for Indian chaai. The Putumayo label has put out a number of great world music CDs, and this should definately be included amongst them. Listening to this CD will shatter any stereotypes you may have about Asian music. It is certainly worth adding to your collection, and good music to listen to while drinking tea, meditating or just chilling out. Several of my friends have commented that they liked this CD as well, and were amazed at how diverse Asian music is. So do yourself a favor and check out this CD, along with some of the other compilations from Putumayo.

Putumayo's First Asian adventure.......2006-06-12

Putumayo's first venture into Asia with this CD is wonderful--a breathtaking exploration of Asian countries through music.While tea is the unifying theme,the music is as calm as a hot cup.

This is centered on instrumentals&they are musical nirvana.

Ancient Future has a great track fusing different styles of Asian music,as does Oki,who shows the ancient roots of Japan in the Ainu people.Oki Kano also collaborated with Carlos Nakai on "Island of Bows." Sanjay Mishra's "For Julia" is acoustic guitar meets India.Lei Qiang contributes a traditional Chinese instrumental,making one think of the Forbidden City,or the ancient temples.Okan Murat Ozturk from Turkey&Kamil Alipour from Iran evoke the serenity through their instrumental music.They show that lyrics aren't always necessary for powerfully soothing music.Zulya is an Enya from Tatarstan,at once New Agey&earthy.She collaborates with an African musician,uniting different musical traditions harmoniously.

This CD is ideal for meditative settings.

charming and calming.......2006-02-24

Very good belend of relaxing and fused music with traditional and some western sound intwined.

Meditative.......2006-01-31

My other CDs by Putumayo have been music that you put on while driving down the open road on a sunny day- upbeat, fun, fresh. The music on this CD requires a meditative mood. You wouldn't want to listen to it in the car because all the intricacies would be drowned out by the engine. There is much delicate music on this CD, gorgeous lutes and harps, spine-tingling sundanese metallophones and soft gongs. This CD makes you feel so incredibly good and relaxed if you listen to it quietly in your room. I love it!

Average customer rating:

Choyng Drolma
More like Celtic New Age than Cho
Tibetan Heaven
The Contemporary Sound of Ancient Chanting

Selwa
Choying Drolma , and Steve Tibbetts
Manufacturer: Six Degrees
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Cho
Ama
Tibet Tibet
DASI Prayers by Women
Dewa Che

ASIN: B0002T7YIA
Release Date: 2004-08-31

Tracks:

Padmakara
Palden Rangjung
Vakritunda
Gayatri
Song of Realization
Yumchen Tukar
Mandala Offering
Chenrezi
Chendren
Je Lama

Amazon.com

It's been seven years since Minnesota-born guitarist Steve Tibbetts and Chöying Drolma, a sweet-faced, crop-haired Tibetan nun, released their first collaboration, Chö. On this sophomore effort, the two have created another series of placid sonic journeys, wherein Drolma's nasal yet pristine alto-to-mezzo soars amid a restrained blend of guitar, electronica, drones, and overdubbed voices, augmented by Marc Anderson's hand-drums and occasional hints of whispery chimes touched by nothing human. Chöying Drolma is a proponent of Vajrayana Buddhism, in which obstacles to enlightenment are proactively cut free via intense forms of meditation that can take place in graveyards and other provocative locations. No passive convent recluse, she has founded a school for nuns and continues to reach out to the world via the beauty her voice, while remaining aloof from its frenzy. The album leaves a strangely energetic peacefulness in its wake; a profound relaxation that also encourages action toward betterment. --Christina Roden

Album Description

Over the past few years, the music of Tibetan monks has gained a massive audience, with Western listeners finding refuge from the rat race in the songs and chants of the East. Those same medicinal qualities are at the core of this breathtaking collaboration between veteran guitar wizard and ECM recording artist Steve Tibbetts and Choying Drolma, a Buddhist nun whom Tibbetts met and recorded at a monastery in Nepal.

The highly anticipated follow-up to their acclaimed first release, 1997's Cho, Selwa is a beautiful sound tapestry of haunting songs that evoke a sense of peace that cuts through any language barrier. Tibbetts has one of the most recognizable guitar styles in the world and his subtle arrangements mixed with percussion from his long time collaborator Marc Anderson perfectly frame Drolma's unforgettable voice.

Customer Reviews:

Choyng Drolma.......2007-01-15

I am very impressed by this woman, she has worked so hard to provide a school for nuns, so that they can have the same opportunities as the monks. Also, she energized the town where the new school is, and got a good water supply for the whole community. Plus, she has organized a retirement plan for the nuns. All this and the beautiful music as well.

More like Celtic New Age than Cho.......2005-02-22

I'm a big fan of Steve Tibbetts. I own all of his cd's, which is a rare thing for me, but I find his music has a lasting quality -- I can almost always put on Big Map Idea or Cho and I'm immediately happier and more productive and more peaceful. If I feel like some emotional, wild guitar, I find Exploded View never fails to center me. Selwa is the first cd of his I've ever been really disappointed in. There is no question that something about Selwa, possibly its production values alone, or perhaps ill considered percussion, make it sound decidedly like new age Celtic music. I find it quite different from Cho in this regard. For example, frequently the guitar and singing are not complementary here. Try track 6: a fast chant line (almost chipmunkish) is accompanied by an almost too typical Tibbetts soft meandering, and it might even work, but for some reason the fast chant is accompanied by an overproduced clacking percussion, which is nothing if not grating. The album gets stronger and more Cho like at the end, which is welcome if you can get that far. Tracks 9 and 10 are very beautiful, as good as anything on Cho, and not surprisingly they lack the added percussion. It's a shame that the whole album couldn't be at that level.

If you like New Age music in general (I don't -- I'm more of a Frisell, Eno, and Tibbetts guy, than a New Age and Tibbetts guy), and some of the Celtic singing New Age stuff (which often finds its way into climactic Hollywood movie scenes), then I think you really will enjoy this album. If you're more of a guitar or art-music or jazz appreciator, I think you'll find this album grating until track 9, even if you found Cho transcendent, as I did.

Tibetan Heaven.......2004-09-14

Steve Tibbetts has always found a unique way to create music that transcends itself into different cultural and spiritual environments. Steve has the incredible ability to record the natural sounds of Indonesian beats, Tibetan chants, or traditional West African sounds creating strikingly original albums with vast contributions from his long time band members. Steve's natural instruments of choice on many of his albums have been Kalimba, Mandalin, Guitar, Bouzouki, Voice, Pianolin, etc. While Steve's ECM albums have been focused on a more or less robust musical point of view, fusing a profound classic rock sound or American folk with heavy Eastern and African influences, he has marked his territory well in the "World Music" category with Rykodisc related projects such as "A","Cho", and now "Selwa". Steve has worked well with traditional sounds of the Norwegian fiddler(Knut Hamre) to the traditional chants of Choying Drolma. The common ground is Steve's sensuality and high respect for other peoples musical cultures.

While the successful album, "Cho", is a beautiful collaboration of Steve's westernized sounds and the Tibetan chants of the young Choying Drolma and her sister nuns, "Selwa" is more. Steve and Marc are less shy here and they contribute more of their trademark sound without distorting the natural spiritual quality of Tibetan music. There is something more musically spontaneous on "Selwa". "Selwa" represents some of Buddhists practices that support the notion of "spontaneous expression" and luminosity that also spawns creative music and thought that is unlike any other. This is a beautiful album full of ambient sounds, guitar, and percussion, and Choyings' haunting chants. "Selwa" is very musical, spiritual, peaceful and a pleasure to listen to. I feel that "Selwa" overall is stronger than its predecessor.

I highly recommend "Selwa".

The Contemporary Sound of Ancient Chanting.......2004-09-12

"Selwa" is the second stunning collaboration between Steve Tibbets and Choyin Drolma, and the long wait many of us endured -their first CD came out in 1997- has certainly been justified.
To many of you, Tibbets may be far from a new name. Along with Marc Ribot and Bill Frisell, he belongs to a generation of virtuoso guitar players who have expanded their Jazz roots by incorporating a number of genres, to create distinct and impressive personal styles. Where Ribot explored Cuban music and improvisation, and Frisell -well, Frisell has explored almost everything successfully- Mr. Tibbets concentrated on studying Eastern forms and mining certain possibilities of Electronica into a very singular identity.
His ECM catalog -where he's recorded most of his solo work- shows the depth of his playing and compositional prowess, a musical vision that fits perfectly this Tibetan sacred music
Choyin Drolma, unlike Tibbets, is not primarily a musician in the traditional sense of the word. Since she was very young, she has been a Tibetan-Buddhist nun pursuing chanting as a form of spiritual practice.
This album, very much as their first collaboration, sees Tibbets providing traditional chants sung by Drolma, with a subtle and evocative palette of sounds where guitars, loops and percussion -played here by his longtime collaborator Marc Anderson- add haunting and meaningful sound layers to Drolma's voice.
The results are stunning, whether you have ever been interested in Eastern religions, contemplative music or meditation, you may find playing this album on "repeat" and being infused by its calm wisdom.
Yet, for those people who are not familiar with anything I mentioned as their interests, this album -it has been my personal experience-is likely to move you, to seep into your mood and flood you with images you may have not recalled in years.
Like "Cho" -their first album- the quiet intensity of this album's melodies is remarkable, fierce and peaceful at once, and always honoring of its ancient melodies. Unlike the former, "Selwa" finds Tibbets expanding his musical contribution although never imposing himself on the sacred nature of the chants.
All in all, "Selwa" is as moving and likely to transport you to some essential region of contemplation on yourself and the deep beauty of what's surrounding you right now, whether it's a tomato plant bending under the weight of ripe offerings, a dog playing with a tattered ball or the rhythms of car horns in heavy traffic. This an unusual yet fitting example of the best music that came out this year.

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:

One World, One People: Music for a humble cause
Great CD!!!!
Amazing cd
Quite enjoyable ... but ... unique?

One World One People
Xcultures
Manufacturer: Intent City
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Worldbeat
Tempting the Muse
Trance World
Rhythm of the Earth
Breathe

ASIN: B00004GP2W
Release Date: 2000-01-01

Tracks:

Welcome to Crossing Cultures
Dreams of Happiness
Sufi Mali
Baganda / Dance of Life
Temptations
Sudanese Dance
Waterfalls
One World One People
Larissa
Free Your Mind
China Town
Smile
Help the Children

Amazon.com

Artists often want to share a vision of world peace through their music, yet many independent musicians fail to do this without sounding saccharine and contrived. Xcultures entry into this arena, One World One People, succeeds fairly well, bringing together voice and New Age synth sounds with modern 4/4 beats and ethnic instrumentation. Unlike other artists Xcultures doesn't sound too terribly cheesy, mixing West African drumming with Moroccan chanting, Scottish low whistle with Senegalese vocals. Make no mistake, this is still New Age music with panpipes and thick synth, but Brian Wayy's vision has a dark ethereal aspect that takes itself seriously. Therefore, it resembles the work of Deep Forest while transcending the squeaky clean sound of Adiemus. One-third of the royalties from the CD's sales will be donated to combat world hunger. A decent world-groove CD with fat beats. --Karen K. Hugg

Album Description

This collection takes you from the most advanced societies to the most desolate Third World nations, Lusciously filled with provocative sounds, XCULTURES explores the depth of what is possible when a talented artist surrenders to the passion of making music. Filled with global dance grooves and exotic vocal percussions.

One third of the artist royalties will be sent directly to CARE to help feed the hungry children throughout the world. 800-521-CARE. www.care.org

Customer Reviews:

One World, One People: Music for a humble cause.......2006-11-27

This CD was prepared for a good cause and one I will always support to feed the starving children around our planet. This album had a uplifting message as well within its music and that was 'One World, One People'. It is music that is trying to unite the plethora of humankind. And that is a notable and noble thing. The 13 tracks were composed, produced and arranged by Brian Wavy and his work is a polished and enterprising gem.

Whether it is in your CD-ROM, DVD player, or in your car you can listen to enigmatic, ambience, eclectic and indulgent cultures around the world. From the deserts of Africa, to the waterfalls of the Amazon, from the isles of Greece to the emporiae of Asia, you get the native instrumentals, voices and languages of the world arranged and composited so perfectly on one CD.

I don't want to go into every song. There is much flavour and moods in this album for everyone to enjoy. A peice of the world at your fingertips. And for a noble cause.

Great CD!!!!.......2000-09-01

Love all the tracks, very happy and upbeat music. Also, I like the fact that they donate One-third of the artist royalties from the CD's sales to 'CARE' to help feed the hungry children throughout the world.

Amazing cd.......2000-06-22

It's has a Dance feel to it at the same time it's moody, exotic and very unique it has flavores from varies countries, great sounding cd I have not heard anything like it, I give it a 5 star

Quite enjoyable ... but ... unique?.......2000-06-07

I've had the chance to listen to this cd several times where I work and no doubt, it's garned alot of reaction.

However, when people continually ask me "Is this Enigma?" or "Is this Deep Forest?" or "Is this B-tribe?" depending on what track is playing as it borrows samples from each of the above mentioned artists, I can't imagine anyone calling this "original".

There was at least one sample from every popular world/ambient act around somewhere on this album - therefore each track sounded like someone else. Spoken female voices, pygmies, monks, dance grooves and even some flamenco guitars - yes, they're all on here!

Despite the fact that this album is indeed very cliche', it's quite enjoyable on the whole and I've heard far worse attempts at this style of music. I can certainly guarantee that you won't get bored listening to it so because this is one of the better albums of this genre (I mean after all, I do like it better than say Era) I'll go ahead and give it 4 stars.

Tracks:

Deep Lotus
Babylon
Gypsy Lounge
Shisha
Samba Bionic
Sandstorm
Sar I Sky
Sundinaya
Moon Over Ala Nar
Mirage
Gypsy Majik

Average customer rating:

Matsuri
Kiyoshi Yoshida
Manufacturer: Pacific Moon [Alleg]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000QGDZ5U
Release Date: 2007-06-12

Tracks:

Dragon
Tiger
The Mikoshi In Flames
Legend Of the Whale
Gigantic Whale's Festival
Samurai Rider
Blooming Butterfly
The Ardent Sky
Hokora (Interlude)
Dragon And Tiger
The Festival Of Life

Album Description

The wadaiko (Japanese drum) and shakuhachi (bamboo flute) represent the sweat, rising cheer, and stirring excitement of souls about to burst with tremendous energy. Many of the songs included here were composed for EXPO 2005 to represent the many faces of a matsuri (Japanese festival). On this disc, excitement, beauty, and respect for nature are translated into strong beats from the wadaiko. Soft, feminine elements are expressed though the keynotes of the shamisen. The two sounds are combined to convey the unification of conflicting forces, and the joy of sharing a common future. A graduate of the Berklee College of Music, Kiyoshi Yoshida's work involves various genres of music, including pop, commercial scores, TV soundtracks, and computer game themes. He has also written and arranged songs for various artists.

Average customer rating:

A modern take on Japanese Taiko drumming
Land of the Rising Sun.........................
Pulsating and reverberating with a good sense of mood!
Absolutely Phenomenal!
powerful and mesmerizing; the CD in my player at all times

Asian Drums
Kiyoshi Yoshida
Manufacturer: Pacific Moon [Alleg]
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Similar Items:

Asian Drums II
Samurai Collection
Samurai Collection II
Pacific Moon, Vol. 1-2
Drums of Tokyo

ASIN: B00004RD74
Release Date: 2000-03-14

Tracks:

Rising Sun
Legend Of the Ocean
Forest
Mikado
Spirit
Forest II
Cherry Blossom
Another Day
Wave
Yamato
Forest III
Matsuri
Oiuchidaiko
Fireworks
Ending

Album Description

Feel the presence of both heaven and earth through the pulsating rhythm of the Japanese taiko drums.

To enhance your enjoyment of the music, fragrant incense sticks are included in the spine of the CD jewel case.

(Also try "Asian Drums II" by this artist!)

Customer Reviews:

A modern take on Japanese Taiko drumming.......2003-05-26

In "Asian Drums", the non-stop pounding of ancient Japanese Taiko drums is combined with a lush, brooding soundscape created by modern synthesizers. Composer and keyboardist Kiyoshi Yoshida handles the digital end of things, while Wakon, a group of Taiko drummers, provide the primal, deep-voiced rhythms. Occasional breaks from the drumming feature other traditional Japanese instruments, such as the shamisen (a plucked, banjo-like instrument), fue (Japanese flute) and bell, adding color and distinctive cultural character to the album. The resulting blend, which flows and blends together like a well-engineered movie soundtrack, is striking, driving and full of intrigue. More of the same can be found on the Yoshida's follow-up recording, "Asian Drums II". Another Japanese drumming ensemble which sometimes incorporates modern fusion elements is Kodo.

Land of the Rising Sun................................2001-04-15

The title is a bit deceiving. By the title alone people think this is a CD on taiko music. But what Kiyoshi Yoshida has accomplished is more along the lines of jazz-fusion group Hiroshima. From that standpoint this is an excellent CD. Yoshida takes the taiko, koto, synthesizers and many other instruments and creates a multilayered compilation of music that is Japanese and Western at the same time. The first song "Rising Sun" is a perfect example. I would suggest listening to the sample and getting a feel for what lies ahead. If you like that, you'll enjoy the rest as well.

As a taiko player in Los Angeles, I should say that listening to ANY kind of taiko music on CD isn't and can never be the same as experiencing a performance live. Part of the joy and excitement of taiko music is the PHYSICAL sensation that one feels by watching/listening to it. Taiko music is very much a physical experience because the sounds made by the drums rumble through your body like shockwaves during an explosion. You feel it down to your very soul. Those physical sensations can never be recreated through artificial means like video, audio or CDs. Even with a subwoofer the recreation is a poor substitute for the real thing. Believe me, it hasn't been done yet. Having said that, every OTHER element of this CD is great. You'll just have to "pretend" that the drums are rumbling through your body like an earthquake.

(It should be noted that "Ouichi Daiko" was actually composed and trademarked by Japanese taiko powerhouse Oedo Sukeroku. No credit was given on the CD but it should have been.)

Pulsating and reverberating with a good sense of mood!.......2001-01-19

After hearing this CD in a book store a few months back, I was taken by the combination of old-meets-new. After I left the store, I regretted not buying it, low and behold, I found it on the big A! Using the ancient drum the Taiko as a foundation for the CD, Kiyoshi Yoshida weaves ethnic feel with a modern flavor, weaving synthesizers and keyboards in a mix that is melodic, moody, and very memorable. Some of the tunes have haunting melodies that leave the listener in a spellbound state that never lets up. Clocking in at 44 minutes the CD is the perfect blend of tuneage for any listener. Higlights include: Rising Son, Mikado and Spirit. Listen in good health!

Absolutely Phenomenal!.......2000-07-09

For a debut album, this is an incredible peice of work. I am not a big synthesizer fan but the way Yoshida blends his sounds with the drums is truly inspired. I hope his next album is half as good as this one. It will be a tough act to follow. I have many CD's with a variety of Japanese music, from shakuhachi to Kodo, from Kabuki and Noh Theater to Hiroshima, and Asian Drums is a wonderful addition.

powerful and mesmerizing; the CD in my player at all times.......2000-07-02

The way Kiyoshi took the taiko drums and synthesizer and was able to put them together in the perfect way he did astounds me. Every song stirs spirit within me and takes me to "another world." I am excited to see what other works Kiyoshi Yoshida comes out with in the future!

Average customer rating:

No money to the artist
Stunning, beautiful music from Nepal
I generally agree with the above, but...
Music that brings forth eternal optimism
Harmony, complexity, beauty, sensuality and fluidy of Nepal

Images of Nepal
Sur Sudha
Manufacturer: Domo Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Contemporary Folk | Folk | Styles | Music

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Similar Items:

Festivals of Nepal
Himalaya Roots: Traditional Music of Nepal
Native Music of Nepal: From Mount Everest & The Himalayas
A Morning Raga/An Evening Raga

ASIN: B000006HT2
Release Date: 1998-03-24

Tracks:

Raja Mati
Resham Firri
A Fisherman's Song
Stutee (Prayer)
Nayaki Kanghada

Amazon.com

The Nepalese trio Sur Sudha came together in the late 1980s for what amounts to a national-cultural mission. They set out to document the varieties of music in Nepal, and, given the remarkable contrasts in the landscape, it's no surprise that Sur Sudha's musical evocations span large distances. The musical highs and lows, though, are all kept within close reach of each other, reminding that Sur Sudha is a spare ensemble, employing only flute (Prem Rana Autari), sitar (Bijaya Vaidya), and tabla (Surendra Shrestha). The tunes here are compact, ranging from just over 5 to around 16 minutes, much in contrast to traditional Indian ragas, which can stretch to near eternity in their balance of drones and cyclic tabla rhythms. Like Indian music, these pieces feature each instrument closely entwined with the others, developing melodic units that spiral at a moderate and measured pace and featuring the sitar in a not-quite-drone role that sponges up the flute tones and wrings them back out in resonating solo segments. Listeners who enjoy standout solos as much as collective improvisations off raags (a musical scale similar to Indian ragas) will enjoy the work Sur Sudha has done to keep the band's direction balanced on an axis of expressive play. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

No money to the artist.......2004-03-29

Hey, this is a great group and outstanding music. But before you buy this CD, make sure that the artist is actually seeing some of your money. To the present, as I understand it, Sur Sudha has never received a royalty check from any U.S. CD sales, except for the sales they themselves have made. Someone is burning these CDs and selling them as their own.

Stunning, beautiful music from Nepal.......2002-09-20

An absolutely gorgeous, lushly melodic album. Fans of Indian classical may find this familiar -- yet oddly dissimilar. Although the instruments are similar -- sitar, tabla and flute -- the music is not quite as langourous and deliberative; this has a more pronounced melodic drive which may actually make it more accessible to Western ears. Wonderful stuff. Highly recommended!

I generally agree with the above, but..........2000-05-03

someone needs to tell both the amazon and dirty linen reviewers that the word "raag" is just a regional variant (and a more phonetically correct one at that) of the word "raga" - both reviews botch this fairly central point, and the linen one goes so far as to "sic" sur sudha's spelling... while on the topic, though, one might as well sic linen's spelling of "katmandu" -- sorry to pick nits - the album is indeed nicely performed and well recorded...

Music that brings forth eternal optimism.......1999-09-25

Great music that brought me closed to spirituality. I listen again and again, only to hear varieties of the same piece. Infinite Joy!

Harmony, complexity, beauty, sensuality and fluidy of Nepal.......1999-04-25

Finding a way to remember Nepal. Pictures, encounters, scenery, atmosphere continually evoking harmony and tranquillity every hour of the day as I travelled winding roads through mountains, hills and over southern plains. This the music that evokes and expresses the images of the life and beauty, the people and their spirits that I sought, saw and seek to retain. I will listen to this music forever, swaying within its pulsating geographies and cultures and be uplifted and enthralled by the layers of rhythm. This is Nepal played and presented in sound and images that are direct and welcoming connections to the soul.

Average customer rating:

Very Good Asia Music

Asia Music
Various Artists
Manufacturer: Celestial Harmonies
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000007ZZ
Release Date: 1994-06-06

Tracks:

A Traditional Composition For Gya Ling & Dung Chen - Monks Of The Dip Tse Chok Ling Monestary
Kamimu - Tomoko Sunazaki
Three Variations On Plum Blossom - Du Chong/Lei-ji
Raga Tilang - Paul Horn/Gopal Krishnan/Gaffar Hyder
Spring Morning In Suzhou - Deng Jian-dong/Wang Wen-li
Varuna Ghat - David Parsons
Improvisation #2 - Masayuki Koga
Introspection - G.S. Sachdev/Gay Kagy/Elb Souders
Sanka (A Poem In Praise) - Tomoko Sunazaki
Music Of A Thousand Springs, Part 3 - Shanghai Film Orch/Wang Yong-ji
Breeze Over The Bridge - Trieu Tien Voung & Musicians Of Hanoi/Pham Van Ty
Emanations Of Buddha - Monks Of The Dip Tse Chok Ling Monestary
Song Of The Yue People - Hubei Song & Dance Ens/Chen Junhua/Peng Xiancheng
Moon Dance - Paul Horn
Manj-Khamaj - Vinay Bharat-Ram/Satya Dev Pawar/Gaffar Hyder Khan/Gopal Verma
Sathouka - Pinpeat Orch Of Siem Riep

Tracks:

Like Waves Against Sand - Ma Mei Ye
Sashi No Kyoku - Masayuki Koga
Moonlit Night Of Stone Forest - Liu Bo
Under The Pines - Paul Horn/David Mingyue Liang
Dhun In Raga Mishra - Krishna Chakravarty/Chhotelal Mishra/Hidetoshi Kobinata
Prasat Wai - Northern Thai Str Ens/Chiang Yuen Ens
Laang Preah Poun Leah - Mahori Orch
Divine Silhouettes - Masakazu Yoshizawa/Osamu Kitajima/Geoffrey Hales
Clouds - Yin Weihe/Hubei Song & Dance Ens
Idle Song-Thrush - Du Chong/Shao Ren-xing/Ma Xiao-lan
Doc Con Xa - Pham Van Ty
Time - Stomu Yamashta/Takashi Kokubo/Sen Izumi/Paul Buckmaster
Dorje Ling - David Parsons
Praises For Guyashamaya - Monks Of The Dip Tse Chok Ling Monestary
Homew Ard Prose - Cheng Gong Liang

Album Description

Some of the world's greatest artistic and musical treasures followed the famed Silk Road, the great trade route of Central Asia, from India through China and eventually on to Japan. Over the centuries, this migration has left its mark on the musical traditions of about half of the world's population; yet despite the recent interest in world music, much of the music of the Far East is still unfamiliar to Western listeners.

Asia Music is an unusual primer of Eastern works. The traditions of India, Tibet, China, and Japan are presented side by side with contemporary works that draw on their traditions. Many of the works, both old and new, are surprisingly accessible to Westerners, especially when an ancient piece from an unfamiliar Chinese instrument is heard next to an American piece for the same instrument; or a contemporary Chinese piece for familiar orchestral instruments.

The range of music on Asia Music is extraordinary, both historically and sonically. Some pieces are over a thousand years old; others were written within the last decade. Instruments whose techniques and repertoires have developed over centuries are heard, such as the Indian sitar, the Chinese cheng, and the Japanese koto. But modern instruments and technology have also become important features of contemporary Asian music and these recordings include works that combine traditional Oriental sounds with electronic instruments and processing.

For the casual listener, Asia Music, is the perfect introduction to some of the richest musical traditions in the world. For the aficionado of music, these recordings will provide the opportunity to hear a thought-provoking blend of the new and old, from musicians representing all of the major Eastern traditions.

Customer Reviews:

Very Good Asia Music.......2006-02-27

This compilation is very good asia music compilation. You don't need no more than this and Yas-Kaz darkness in dreams.

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