Music Reviews
by Mark Maxwell Abushady • New York City

Prettier Than Blue
by Seth Davis
www.sethdavis.com
The voice is rough – beyond Bob Dylan rough on a number of the cuts – but the lyrics are terrific. They are inventive and may stop you in your tracks in the way they express some universal thoughts and feelings in unique yet accessible turns of phrase. The music for the most part is pretty straight forward, well played folk, but with lyrics like, "She’s really my best friend, just needs some time to mend," and, "I’m pretty good at brotherhood, so if Karma does accrue, if I come back as a girl, I hope it’s you," Seth Davis establishes himself as a poet of notable talent.

Silver Ship
by Suzanne Ciani
www.suzanneciani.com
Five-time Grammy nominee Suzanne Ciani cites a trip to Italy and a visit from her muse, "dormant for five years," as the inspiration for this recording. I hope her muse pays her more frequent visits in the future! This is a wonderful musical journey, at times lushly romantic in the classic sense; at others, exotic, sensual, and "jazzy." This CD had, for me, a tangible, positive "aura" about it before I listened to a note, and I was not disappointed. Certain cuts reminded me of the sweeping romanticism of John Barry’s score for the Jane Seymour/Christopher Reeve film Somewhere in Time. Suzanne Ciani’s music makes use of classical piano and woodwinds, along with subtle and disciplined use of synthesizer masterfully integrated into the mix. Not surprisingly, she has composed and produced film soundtracks, including two feature documentaries on the life and teachings of Mother Teresa. Joining Ciani for this album is talented reed player Paul McCandless, along with flautist Matt Eakle, guitarist Teja Bell, fretless bassist Michael Manring and cellist Joe Hébert.

City Calls Revolution
by Green Milk from the Planet Orange
www.green-milk.com
"Progressive Rock Is Not Dead," so heralds GMFTPO’s latest offering. With roots in the "Nippon grindcore scene," this Japan-born group is intense! Described in a press release as "proving the possibility of a subtle hand grenade," this is powerful (and sometimes frantic), grunge/ psychedelic rock: political and angry, yet it is pulled off with some really incredible instrumental proficiency. Some of the instrumentals, especially the guitar riffs, are pretty spectacular. In the final cut of four, entitled A Day in the Planet Orange, the group also employs quartertone dissonances in the vocal track and telephone bells (and a conversation.) For those who appreciate the heavy metal, grunge, acid, thrash and slam, head banging, experimental/progressive rock scene, rock out with Green Milk!

Warm Embrace
by James E. Wall
www.kingofkingsrecords.com
The cover of Warm Embrace includes the subtitle, Soothing Instrumental Music for Body, Mind, Spirit, and indeed, with cuts titled Loving Care, Warm Embrace, Healing Touch, and so forth, this collection of soft, easy listening jazz and R&B combined with a new age/ambient flavor is soothing and peaceful to mind and spirit. This is the debut album of fourth-generation gospel minister James E. Wall. Wall was previously a rapper and drummer in the hip/hop scene, but turned to this more gentle style of music after experiencing "a musical revelation in early 2004," encouraging the creation of more healing, softer, therapeutic music. A great CD to work or relax to.

East of the Full Moon
by Deuter
www.newearthrecords.com
With the plethora of new age "healing" and "relaxing" CD’s available, it is a pleasure to have the chance to review one as distinctive as East of the Full Moon. Yes, it IS relaxing, and soothing, but it is also elegant and richly evocative of, as the artist puts it, the night sky, the moon appearing behind clouds, the world losing its stark colors, and trees becoming just shadows against the moon . . . when the human mind has gone to sleep to dream. An excellent album through and through. I would love to hear him score for the big screen, although he certainly uplifts this, his chosen genre of musical expression. Deuter performs on the alto flute, piano, other keyboards, drums, tambura, pan flute, and harp, with co-musicians Adi Pieper and Klaus Wiese on the tabla and kinara, respectively.

Spirit of Love
by Maya & Sage
www.MayaSage.com
A collection of "Devotional Chanting & Spiritual Love Songs," Spirit of Love contains some surprisingly enchanting pieces. Commencing with a classic Sanskrit invocation to "the sacred companions, Sita & Ram who represent the perfect self," the album continues with cuts in both Sanskrit and English, including one based on a poem by the Persian mystic poet Hafiz. The music varies in flavor but not in quality, with subtle blendings of soft blues, folk, native invocations, nature sounds, even rock. But none of it is at odds with or disturbs the overall mood the album attempts and successfully creates. Often, we are treated to the superbly blended harmonies of Maya and Sage. They are joined on specific tracks by guest artists Silvia Nakkach (vocals) and Geoffrey Gordon (tabla, kartals, harmonium, shakers.) Additional instruments include Celtic harp, didgeridoo, Native American flute, shaman drum, dumbek, rain stick, and more. A truly commendable offering.

Mark Maxwell Abushady is an actor, singer, designer and photographer based in New York City.