With so many recordings to choose from now-a-days, it's often extremely stressful trying to find some good music for de-stressing. Where do you begin? Bin after colorful bin all vying for your attention. Oftentimes I'll find myself browsing the local record store's new age or ethnic music sections while my already jangled nerves are getting pounded and screamed at by the latest heavy metal hits that the kids who work behind the counter are so impressed by. My best shot is to grab something that looks reasonably peaceful and make a mad dash for the cash register.

CELTIC TWILIGHT

Various Hearts Of Space Artists (Hearts of Space)

In the never-ending quest to find recordings that don't assault, insult or use too much salt, this one is certainly worthy of note. Ten Hearts of Space artists present fourteen selections inspired by the Celtic tradition. Simplicity, Nobility and Sensitivity, Not a bad combination for any work of art.

• Style: Nouveau-Celtic
• Instrumentation: Acoustic guitar, solo strings, harp, piano bass, occasional woodwinds and light percussion, synthesizers, and solo female vocal on one selection.
• Feel: This recording pretty well captures the feeling of its Celtic ancestors.
• Performances: Excellent
• Compositions Good
• Arrangements: Varied styles, with each HOS artist presenting their own version of a Celtic feel. Tasteful arrangements.
• Tempos: Mostly slower except for cuts 3-6-9.
• Recording Quality: Excellent
• Remarks: A worthy addition to any collection. Of particular note is Brian Keane's arrangement of the traditional Scottish Melody, SKYE BOAT SONG, performed by John Boswell.

AIR BORN

Michael Jones (Narada Mystique)

Interesting solo recordings are perhaps the most difficult to make. A naked instrument has nothing to divert the listener's attention from any imperfections. You have to be interesting within the limited scope of a single instrument and reasonably flawless in your performance for the entire duration of the recording. If anybody is capable of such an impressive task, Michael Jones certainly is one of the best in his field. Air Born is his 10th recording for Narada and he's still interesting and pretty darn flawless. In keeping with the theme there is an energy throughout Michael's performance on this recording that makes you feel like you're riding on the wind. Like the feather at the beginning of Forrest Gump, the music is always floating, flying or soaring in a non-stop journey to somewhere. The sheer motion of this music seemed to demand that I be up-and-doing, in an active mode.

• Style: Piano impressions
• Instrumentation: Solo piano
• Feel: Energetic, flowing and sensitive
• Performance: Excellent
• Compositions: In the flowing-stream-of-consciousness
• Arrangements: genre of composition, Michael's musical impressions are extremely well done.
• Tempos: Varied but generally active
• Recording: Quality Excellent
• Remarks: Over 76 minutes of music on the C.D.! A good selection for active times of day.

CHANT

The Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo De Silos (Angel)

If you're looking for a great way to quiet the mind and gently direct it inward, this may be your answer. Gregorian Chant is the oldest form of Western music we know of. It is sung in Latin and dates back to the late 6th century. Performed here by the monks of Santo Domingo de Silos, CHANT is a high quality recording of the timeless devotional music of the early Catholic Church.

• Style: Gregorian Chant Instrumentation (Unaccomp-anied male voices).
• Feel: Devotional
• Performances: Very good
• Tempos: Medium slow throughout
• Recording Quality: Excellent
• Remarks: There are several recordings of Gregorian Chant available by various monasteries. Some are much better recordings than others and all have differences in feel. If you can, I recommend listening to a wide assortment to find the ones that you most prefer.

SACRED GROUND

Gordon Grey (Grey Matter Music)

I'm impressed. This is some mighty fine guitar playin and arranging. It doesn't force itself on you, it just takes you on an enjoyable horseback ride through the southwest. Gordon Grey composed, played guitar on and produced this enjoyable recording.

• Style: Acoustic instrumentals with a southwestern theme (not sacred music)
• Instrumentation: Acoustic guitars, Bass, Violin, Piano, Violin, Light Percussion, Vocal backgounds occasionally.
• Feel: Has a positive upbeat feeling overall.
• Performances: The guitar playing on this recording is extremely musical! Gordon Grey and Larry Robinson compliment one another very well. Light, energetic and colorful performances that never grow tiring.
• Compositions: Likable, acoustic guitar compositions that hold their own.
• Arrangements: Very musical arrangements that work extremely well. Tastefully understated. No drum set, only congas and shakers which keeps the tone light. One disappointment to me was the use of a rock electric guitar solo with distortion on one selection (The Northwest Wind). I found that sound and style to be out of context. Also slightly disappointing was the use of a sampled oboe when just about everything else was real.
• Tempos: Fairly lively throughout
• Recording Quality: Excellent
• REMARKS: I definitely recommend Sacred Ground. Gordon Grey is someone to watch. His deceptively simple style has character and musical integrity. Available from: Grey Matter Music. 518-884-8511.

If you cannot find the reviewed selections at your local music store, most of them can be ordered through the Present Moment book store in Minneapolis, MN. The toll-free number is 1-800-378-3245. Ask for John.

Robert J. Resetar is a composer/orchestrator currently living in the Minneapolis area. His musical scores and orchestrations have been heard on network television programs, recordings, and performed by symphony orchestras.

If you would like to have your recording considered for a review in ATLANTIS RISING please send it to ROBERT RESETAR, P.O. BOX 23528, MINNEAPOLIS MN 55423. No selections will be returned and due to the constraints of space only a limited number will be selected for printing. Please include information on where readers can purchase them and what formats they are available in. Preference will be given to alternative styles that are especially calming, colorful or unique.