JERRY GOODMAN - On the Future of Aviation (1985) APE (image+.cue), lossless

After ten years away from recording, Jerry Goodman returned at the height of the new age trend of the mid-'80s. The violinist, a former member of the Flock and the Mahavishnu Orchestra, fit right in on the Private Music label, which was devoted to new instrumental music played on electric as well as acoustic instruments, in contrast to the Windham Hill model of strictly acoustic instrumentation. (In 2000, Goodman's three-album Private Music catalog was licensed and reissued by One Way.) Fans of the original Mahavishnu lineup may have expected a jazz fusion effort with Goodman's amplified violin soaring above all; instead, On the Future of Aviation contains pop-style compositions in which individual virtuosity is only a part of the overall conception, and on which Goodman seems to be playing guitars and synthesizers as much as violin. But if this is not a fusion record, neither is it a typically laid-back new age album. Rather, it fits in with Private Music labelmate Yanni's approach to new age, lively synth-based instrumental pop that draws upon many musical styles to create a hybrid. The most striking piece is "Orangutango," which typically mixes a tango rhythm with jungle sounds, exotic percussion, and a buoyant melody. As long as listeners are willing to encounter a stimulating composer rather than the violin soloist of old, they will enjoy Goodman's return to active duty. by William Ruhlmann  
Tracklist:
1 On The Future Of Aviation 6:36
Vocals – Linda Sears
2 Endless November 8:40
3 Outcast Islands 6:34
Synthesizer – Jeffery Vanston (C.J.) 
4 Orangutango 6:26
Drums – Phil Gratteau
5 Waltz Of The Windmills 5:50
Vocals – Linda Sears
6 Sarah's Lullaby 5:42
Vocals – Linda Sears
Credits:
Drums – Paul Wertico
Producer – Jerry Goodman, Martin Rubenstein
Programmed By [Fairlight Cmi] – Sanford Ponder
Synthesizer [Yamaha Dx-7, Oberheim Obx], Piano – Fred Simon
Violin [Acoustic], Electric Violin, Acoustic Guitar, Electric Guitar, Mandolin, Viola [Violo], Synthesizer – Jerry Goodman
Written-By, Arranged By – Jerry Goodman

JON ANDERSON - Angels Embrace (1995) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

While many Jon Anderson fans knew he had it in him to do something very light and airy and perhaps even without vocals (Olias of Sunhillow essentially led the way), the fact that it's something this light and airy is likely to come as a bit of a shock. Anderson presents the listener with a soundscape made up of long, sustained notes and drifting chords, a construction in which the few melodies present take minutes to work through -- there's far more in common with the Hearts of Space catalog here than with much of Anderson's prior work, though the Vangelis influence is to be felt, too (especially on the quarter-hour "New Eire Land"). Another surprise is the mainly instrumental nature of the album -- Anderson takes very few vocals. Daughters Deborah and Jade pitch in along the way without much incident. On the whole, Angels Embrace sounds something like a lost Jon & Vangelis album, or Brian Eno in a frothy mood, and just like good background music for meditation, spiritual navel-gazing, and general situations where the alpha waves need a decent boost. by Steven McDonald

JON ANDERSON - Toltec (1996) FLAC (image+.cue), lossless

A concept album, Anderson's Toltec is made up of 13 cuts divided into three parts. It tells the tale of the Toltec, a Native American concept of a group of people who have been all over the Earth, existing within different cultures throughout the centuries. They are described in the liner as "Creators of the circles of power, color, perfume, and music healing domes." Musically, this one is arguably Anderson's most ambitious solo effort. It is set in a style that is definitely progressive rock, but focuses less on the rock and more on other elements. Among those elements are new age (no surprise as the CD was released on the Windham Hill label), world music, electronic, and even jazz. Anderson not only provided the expected vocals, but also wrote, arranged, and produced the disc. The result is an album that should appeal not just to fans of the singer, but to those into progressive rock in general as well. It definitely isn't Yes (although it does share some elements with their work), but it is certainly an intriguing and entertaining work. by Gary Hill

CELTIC CROSS - Hicksville (Remastered & Remixed) 1998 / Mp3

V.A. RAJA RAM Presents Evolution Of Expanded Consciousness (2000) Mp3

MYSTERY OF THE YETI - The Mystery of the Yeti (1996) APE (image+.cue), lossless

MYSTERY OF THE YETI - Part 2 (1999) APE (image+.cue), lossless

SHEILA CHANDRA - Quiet (1984) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

This was truly the album where Chandra broke away from the pop structures underlying much of Monsoon's work. As Chandra began to write much of her material (in collaboration with Martin Smith and producer Steve Coe), the dance rhythms of her debut were virtually eliminated, although the emphasis on Indian instrumentation remained intact. The music simultaneously incorporated elements that were both more traditional and more free-form than her previous work -- traditional in the sense that she drew upon Indian vocal styles such as spoken bols; free-form in that there were no lyrics, just wordless vocalizations, often overdubbed numerous times. Divided into ten tracks with a single title ("Quiet 1," "Quiet 2," etc.), the suite-like piece remained cognizant of modern technology and outside musical influences, without being overwhelmed by them. In most crucial respects, the album outlined the approach she has taken to her idiosyncratic brand of world music ever since. by Richie Unterberger
Tracklist
1 Quiet 1 8:57
Steve Coe / Martin Smith
2 Quiet 2 4:13
Steve Coe / Martin Smith
3 Quiet 3 4:53
Steve Coe / Martin Smith
4 Quiet 4 4:02
Sheila Chandra / Steve Coe / Martin Smith
5 Quiet 5 4:09
Steve Coe / Martin Smith
6 Quiet 6 4:21
Sheila Chandra / Steve Coe / Martin Smith
7 Quiet 7 3:01
Sheila Chandra / Steve Coe / Martin Smith
8 Quiet 8 4:47
Sheila Chandra / Steve Coe / Martin Smith
9 Quiet 9 2:33  
Steve Coe / Martin Smith
10 Quiet 10 4:54
Steve Coe / Martin Smith
Credits
Bass, Harp [Surmandel] – Martin Smith
Bells – Martin Smith, Preston Heyman, Sheila Chandra, Steve Coe
Percussion [Gamalan, Whispered Hi-hat], Cabasa, Shaker, Wind Chimes, Cymbal, Gong – Preston Heyman
Percussion [Water Wok] – Preston Heyman, Sheila Chandra
Piano, Performer [Eqtara] – Steve Coe
Santoor – Martin Smith (9), Preston Heyman
Sitar [Dilruba] – Dharambir Singh
Sitar, Tambura – Dharambir Singh, Martin Smith (9)
Synthesizer – Martin Smith, Steve Coe
Vocals, Voice [Spoken Bols, Jathis, Sargam] – Sheila Chandra
Written-By – Martin Smith, Sheila Chandra (tracks: 1, 4, 6 to 8), Steve Coe

SHEILA CHANDRA - Quiet

 (1984) Narada World / FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

O Púbis da Rosa

REBEKKA BAKKEN & WOLFGANG MUTHSPIEL - Daily Mirror Reflected [2001]

If you found Daily Mirror, the avant-garde jazz song project of singer Rebekka Bakken and guitarist Wolfgang Muthspiel, to be just a bit too abstract, then you might want to take a stroll through this album, which consists of sometimes drastically remixed versions of songs from Daily Mirror. Many of these reworkings are no less challenging than the original songs. Ashley Slater and Tom Gandey's treatment of "Wonders," for example, takes bizarre electronic liberties with Bakken's voice and creates a strange digital collage using delay and a cheesy beatbox rhythm; "Emotions on a Lazy Day" is given a trip-hop setting by Gregor Hibe in which Muthspiel's guitar lines are torn to pieces and then thrown into a vortex of jungly breakbeats while Bakken sings sweetly above the fray. "Drawing Lines" gets a jazzy house mix at the hands of DJ Jeremiah, while the "Air of Decay Beatbox Mix" of "Angela" comes out sounding like an outtake from My Life in the Bush of Ghosts. Avant-garde dance music simply doesn't get much better than this. by Rick Anderson
Tracklist
1     Wonders (Ashley Slater & Tom Gandey Remix)    7:15
    Remix – Ashley Slater, Tom Gandey
2     Smack Of Dogskin (Godskin Remix)    5:11
    Remix – aleXdrum, Karl MöstlTrumpet – Matthieu Michel
3     Emotions On A Lazy Day (Emotions-Drumboi-Remix)    5:23
    Remix – Gregor Hilbe
4     Angela (Plush Mix)    6:39
    Remix – Steve Argüelles
5     It's OK (TeddyBut Remix)    6:34
    Remix – Teddy Kumpel
6     Nowhere (Hollywood Voodoo Lounge Remix)    6:41
    Remix – Frank Rothkamm
7     Drawing Lines (House Remix)    4:25
    Remix – DJ Jeremiah
8     Smack Of Dogskin     5:17
    (Remix With Aleatoire Programmation By Frederic Galliano)
9     Angela (An Air Of Decay Beatbox Mix)     4:21
Credits
    Lyrics By – Bernd Hagg (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 9)
    Music By – Wolfgang Muthspiel (tracks: 2 to 4, 6 to 9)
    Producer – Wolfgang Muthspiel
    Written-By – Rebekka Bakken (tracks: 1, 5)

 REBEKKA BAKKEN & WOLFGANG MUTHSPIEL
 Daily Mirror Reflected
 [2001] Material Records / CBR320 / scans

O Púbis da Rosa