Music Reviews
by Mark Maxwell Abushady • New York City

Sanctuary
by Magna Canta
www.intentcity.com
Sure to please electronica music devotees, this CD weds contemporary physical and conceptual musical devices with Gregorian chants of old to create some unusual and pleasing pieces. There is a decidedly European feel to the cuts, due in part to the orchestration, which differentiates them from Enigma. Certain tracks, such as Credo, are reminiscent of Ian Van Dahl in rhythm and orchestration– read "danceable!" I would not be surprised to hear house mixes of some of these cuts in the future– they are definitely worthy.

Return to Peace
by Mark Dunn
www.markdunnmusic.com
Subtitled A Celtic Journey Through Central America, this is a CD of elegant and beautifully constructed and executed music. Although it is undeniably Celtic in feel, there are delightful hints of jazz throughout the album, with some unexpected turns for those familiar with popular Celtic chord progressions. Several cuts had the feel of art songs of old– An Irish Wedding, Sitting, Fools Dream. Fans of Celtic/ New Age/ George Winston style piano music will not be disappointed with this offering. There are some really beautiful pieces here.

Shambhala Dance
by Barbara Markay
www.mythingmusic.com
I am partial to fusion music, and Shambhala Dance is an excellent representation of this genre, bringing together Asian, Middle Eastern and Spanish/Latin influences with touches of electronica and funk. Rhythm is the dominant element, and is extremely compelling. This CD is subtitled A Meditation Through Movement, and movement is impossible to avoid while listening to this self-proclaimed "sensual and meditative" CD. The final cut, The Gayatri, includes chanting from the revered Sathya Sai Baba. This is the third CD from Long Island native Barbara Markay, and it represents her remarkable spiritual/musical journey. After listening to it, I am ready to hear more of her work.

Canvas of My Soul
by Sharon West
www.dustydreams.com
New Age meets pop and jazz in this introspective yet often ebullient collection of tone poems. A wide variety of synthesized "colors" are represented here. Each cut exhibits its own distinctive aura and creates its own ambience. I would not describe it as "ambient music" because there are so many interesting elements in it which pull the listener towards it and lift the music from the background. Especially notable is the title cut. Here is a CD that takes "ambient music" to new heights!

Dewa Che
by Dechen Shak-Dagsay
www.newearthrecords.com
This CD is subtitled Universal Healing Power of Tibetan Mantras. Dechen Shak Dagsay, daughter of a high Tibetan Lama, is known as "The Voice of Tibet." Her pure, clear voice is truly entrancing and gives these chants a hypnotic, out-of-time sound. This is a wonderful mind and mood altering resource for those times when you may feel negative, out of balance or out of touch with yourself and the Infinite. It is appropriate for meditation or reflective, quiet time.

Yoga Salon
Various Artists
www.sequoiarecords.com
As the types and genres of music being "fused" increase, so do the terms used to describe the resulting music. Eventually, categorization rationale goes out the window– this CD has been described in a press release as "world/chant meets chill-out" and in another source as "accessible worldbeat pop." It has a strong Indian influence wedded to an upbeat pop sound. It successfully merges the old with the new; the past with the present. For example, sitars, wooden flutes and percussives meld with thoughtfully synthesized elements. It is an enjoyable CD and a good introduction to the individual artists, including TYA, Althea W., Sophia, Artemesia, Karma Cosmic, David & Steve Gordon, Jaya Lakshimi, Win Meyerson, Wynne Paris and TAU.

Out Beyond Ideas
by David Wilcox & Nance Pettit
www.outbeyondideas.com
This is an album of songs featuring the blended gentle, folksy voices of David Wilcox and Nance Pettit. They have thoughtfully set to music sacred poems from various writers. The cool thing is that the bulk of the poems were written before the year 1200! They include mystical writings of such visionaries as Rumi, Muhammad Hafiz, Rabia of Basra, and St. Francis, translated by masters like Coleman Barks and Daniel Ladinsky. Here is a collection of truly thoughtful work. One can’t go wrong with the material, and the music is harmonious with the words– the tracks are interesting and creative and compliment the poems well. Several include original language in addition to translations. There are many notable pieces here. As a longtime fan of the poetry of Rumi as translated by Coleman Barks, I thoroughly enjoyed the handling given by this duo and their excellent backup musicians. I also enjoyed the introduction to other mystic writers. This CD would make a fine gift.

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