Just when I was about to give up, thinking that it was going to be impossible to find any musical recordings that I could whole-heartedly recommend to you in this issue, I received a package from Real Music of Sausalito, California. And what to my wondering ears should appear but two stellar examples of exceptional quality and substance, I Ching Symphony by Fred Steiner Jr. and Summer Daydreams by Kevin Kern, each a timeless musical treasure in its own right. Hats off to the artists and to Terence Yallop, the President of Real Music who writes: "Within each of us is a loving, magical, powerful being...a Real Self. Music, friend that it is, cocoons us from our worries, enabling that hidden self to emerge." Also in this issue you'll find a review of an amazing series of audio lectures by best selling author, Marianne Williamson, that's sure to bust some of your favorite dysfunctional paradigms about relationships, intimacy and love. It's about time-get out the hammer.

SUMMER DAYDREAMS Kevin Kern-Real Music

Now, if you "really" want to mellow out and escape from the turmoil of the world, this gem by Kevin Kern may be just the ticket. Undeniably relaxing, romantic piano themes with light orchestration, heartfelt performances and a consistant ambience that is so comforting you can practically feel the warmth of a crackling fireplace. The word "intimate" comes to mind as Kevin weaves his quiet piano melodies around a small chamber ensemble featuring cello, violin, clarinet and French horn. If you want to create a calm, unstressful or romantic mood and keep it there, Summer Daydreams by Kevin Kern is a sure thing. This is my pick for Best Intimate Recording of the Year.

To order, call: 1-800-398-REAL (7325).

I CHING SYMPHONY Fred Steiner Jr.-Real Music
To set music to a book as ancient and multifaceted as the Chinese I Ching would seem like a daunting project. How does one begin to assign melody and rhythm to an oracle of wisdom and philosophy that was used by Confucius?

      Frank Steiner Jr. has taken the eight primary trigrams of the I Ching and written orchestral tone poems for Heaven, Earth, Thunder, Water, Mountain, Wind, Fire and Lake. Each symbol depicts, among other things, a characteristic type of action that if applied to a problematic circumstance in our lives, may very well provide the most effective outcome. For example, if Wind is chosen, the advice given is: "Consistent, gentle perseverance. Success in small measure. Or to quote the other ïDow': Compound interest outruns a bull market." The music creates a breathing, aural landscape for you to meditate upon. It's a wonderful idea that makes use of both Chinese musical instruments and traditional orchestra and is extremely well produced.

To order, call: 1-800-398-REAL (7325).

ON INTIMACY Marianne Williamson-Harper

Call it synchronicity. Recently, within the same week I was given three tapes from various unrelated sources by best selling author, Marianne Williamson. Is the universe trying to tell me something or what? The subjects of the three tapes were intimacy, relationships and love. OK, I can take a hint. What is it I need to learn here? Marianne Williamson has no problem communicating the most common pitfalls (and pratfalls) we all experience in relationships. She speaks from the heart, gets to the point and cuts through the nonsense before you can say "I wonder what's on TV?" And she does it all with a great sense of humor. There's so much enlightening, valuable information in these lectures that you can listen to them over and over again, learning something new each time. Basing her approach on A Course In Miracles she challenges us to focus not on "finding" the perfect partner but on "becoming" the perfect partner by showing up fully for our own lives first. We need to be able to love and be comfortable with ourselves if we ever hope to be happy with someone else. Since our lives are always experienced "in relationship" to someone or something else, it behooves us all to learn as much as we can about the fine art of successful relation-ships. I can think of no better teacher than Marianne Williamson to point us in the right direction. Of course, if you think you're just fine and you really don't need any help in this area, may I suggest you have it shipped Next Day Air. $11.00 per tape

Available through Harper Audio-A Division of HarperCollins.

Robert Resetar composes for television and motion pictures. He is currently based in Minneapolis. If you would like your recording or video considered for review please send it to: Atlantis Rising P.O. Box 23528, Minneapolis, MN 55423.