Reviews (2)

from germany to magrebh
in the middle of the swamp "neue deutsche welle" there were loads of very interessting bands like einstuerzende neubauten, sprung aus den wolken, grauzone and so on. one of these bands is the "Dissidenten". the core of the band is german who had worked with arabic musicians. some years later mano negra (from france) followed the same concept. a nice mixture between alternative, traditional arabic music and dancefloor.

Rock n Roll Moroccan style!
This album is completely sung in moroccan arabic and is truly a work of art. The instruments and musical style of this album is principally moroccan, but also reflecting other parts of the middle east. The songs are extremely long and at times monotonous, but if you have a taste for arabic music as I have you won't be disappointed. My favorite song in this album is Fata Morgana, it makes me want to dance. Inshalla, Sahara Eleckrik and Casablanca/Wacha Wacha are also great songs and can be a blast to dance to, especially if you like to dance to middle eastern music. This album is highly recommended if you like that kind of music as I do. ... Read more

Reviews (6)

transcending
I have virtually all of the cd's by Robert Rich- Trances/Drones, Soma, Stalker, Humidity and countless others that time does not permit me to list. To put it as blunt as can be, the artist known as Double R to me is simply a genius. Every one of these classic pieces are second to none. A true Rich fan will collect the above mentioned titles and the others and he definitely is in the same breath as Steve Roach, Vidna Obmana, Jonn Serrie, and the rest.

Pure Deep Space
Having been a fan of Steve Roach for many years I first heard of Robert Rich on the Roach/Rich collaboration "Soma" which is one of my favorite non-space CDs ("Silk Ridge" off the "Soma" album is the all-time eerie haunting expression of loneliness). Anyway, I would have to say that Trances/Drones is as close to pure "Space Music" as I have ever heard...and both CDs too. No strings, drums, ethnic diversions, etc. Just pure suspension with long (avg. 20 minutes per cut) duration textures. I would rate this album and "Structures From Silence" by Steve Roach as the purest space albums I have ever heard. It is hard to find "pure" Space Music any more. Even the latest CDs by Rich and Roach are more "rhythmic". I am using Trances/Drones to fall asleep at night. I get a deeper sleep when they are playing. I also play them while I work and find the music heightens my creativity. Rich was a psychology major. I think he was onto something. Trances/Drones is exactly what the title implies. Fantastic!

I can't wear this CD out
I bought trances and drones in 1996 and have been playing it off and on ever since, Sometimes I play this for weeks at a time. All I can say is this is an incredible Cd and no serious fan of Robert Rich or Steve Roach should be without it. This Cd is a masterpiece for this type of ambient.

The effect of Trances & Drones
These two cd's are the epitome of trance & drone music. No one, it seems, is able to make stuff like this anymore. If you are looking for music to COMPLETELY relax by, this is it!!!

A long-awaited addition to any ambient music library
It's hard to believe that Rich was only in his teens when he recorded these early, ambitious masterpieces of Eno/Schulze influenced ambient/space music! It's impossible to single any particular track out, but in this reviewer's opinion, "Sunyata" and "Wheel of Earth" are probably the most evocative and haunting. How he found the time to record and perfect this music while he was a student at Stanford U. is beyond me, but it's clear that these early albums are nothing short of groundbreaking and deserve my highest recommendation ... Read more

Album Description

The first single from the album 'Le Roi Est Mort, Vive Le Roi!'. Contains three mixes of 'Beyond The Invisible' (RadioEdit, Album Version & Short Radio Edit), plus 'Almost Full Moon' & 'Light Of Your Smile'. Slimline jewel case. 1996 Virgin release. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Play it in Spring
That's just what it makes me think of. Beyond the Invisible creates a very calming, serene mood. You'll be instantly relaxed and chilled the minute you put in this CD. I can just totally dig listening to this while enjoying a beautiful Spring day down at the river.

There are 4 tracks on this CD. The radio edit, which has a shorter opening than the Album version and 2 tracks called Almost Full Moon and Light of Your Smile. Both these tracks are kind of uninspiring and are direct continuations of the radio and album edits. Tho they have none of the melody. I would have preferred an instrumental version in place of these but hey-ho.

Relaxing New Age Music
This is one of the best Enigma album. Liked it alot as
it is very relaxing and moody.

One of Enigma's best songs
With great lyrics and great music makes Beyond The Invisible one of Enigma most powerful tracks.For me,when I listen to it when I'm either stressed or depressed,I just put this beautiful song on and all my worries go away and the song take me out of real life for awhile.Beyond The Invisible is my second favourite song by Enigma.

Everywhere except from here
"Beyond the invisible" leads us everywhere except from here.We forget the awful world where we live, just for few minutes... but it's already a great deal.I love the latvian chant (you know:sajaja bramani totari ta...)and the English lyrics:"cause no one has to hide beyond the invisible"make us feel there is another place... somewhere else, in our mind.

Excellent and relaxing
I've been addicted to Enigma the day Enimga 1 was released, and when I first heard this particular single from Enigma 3 I knew I had to have it. The previously unreleased track "Light of Your Smile" was the main reason I bought it, and I was not disappointed. If you collect Enigma singles, don't miss this. ... Read more

Album Description

Fourth album from French dance/world act. Guests includeBeverly Jo Scott, Angela McCluskey, Chitose Hajime &Anggun. 13 tracks including, 'India', 'Endangered Species'(two versions including the bonus Galleon Remix RadioEdit), 'Deep Blue Sea' & 'Will You Be Ready'. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Nothing World Shattering
After listening to their previous albums, I found MUSIC.DETECTED_ (as it is written on the album cover) to be somewhat of a disappointment. While it contains some really good songs - I especially liked the remix of "Endangered Species", "Deep Blue Sea", and "Will You Be Ready" - I felt that the World sound I was familiar with with Deep Forest was hard to detect. Artists have their freedom, of course, so I'll give them three stars for a competent album, but this is nothing world shattering.

The biggest plus of the album that on "Will You Be Ready" Chitose Hajime is one of the vocalists, and her voice is absolutely sublime. As they are saying here in Japan, hers is a "voice that comes around only once in a hundred years."

Probably the biggest points against this album, however, were the quality of lyrics. Though "Endangered Species" and "Dignity" weren't so bad, many of the words need to be rewritten or resampled - I especially disliked "Computer Machine", and "Elemental". "Beauty in Your Eyes" and "Yuki Song" were also weak in this regard. (As for understanding the latter, perhaps knowing that "yuki" means snow in Japanese, helped, but still.)

Overall, not a BAD buy. But then, not really a GOOD one, either. ... Read more

Album Description

Recorded live in 1985.A slow, deep ambient excursion into the silent realms of night. ... Read more

Reviews (4)

Excellent atmospheric ambient
It's hard to go wrong with Robert Rich, especially when you're dealing with this stage of his musical development (experimental sleep ambient). I regularly play this before & during sleeping (that's how it was intended to be used) and thoroughly enjoy the effects. The strange atmosphere makes for some interesting half-awake, half-sleeping mental imagery. I highly recommend this, and the Robert Rich/Lustmord collaboration "Stalker" even moreso.

Other great albums for sleep (or just plain ambient bliss) are Vidna Obmana - "Landscape In Obscurity", Steve Roach - "The Magnificent Void", Vir Unis - "The Drift Inside", Vir Unis - "Aeonian Glow", Matthias Grassow/Klause Wiese - "Mercurius", and any Oophoi release.

Excellent...
Truly brilliant work from such a highly prolific artist, INNER LANDSCAPES reaches into a deep chasm for much of its sound design, which is full of great, cresting electronic drones, and synth programming tonally colored pitch-black. This is not dark music, per se, but its vast evocations recall the awesome emptiness of space. As Rich's electronic wind systems gather strength and blow across a patina of chattering radio waves and galactic dust, he manages to draw you in, inviting you to explore, relate, contemplate, and ultimately succumb to the vastness.

Excellent-
One of my favorite all time CDs is Robert's Trances and Drones...If you like this CD, Inner Landscapes actually takes you deeper...A fantastic CD...that very quickly puts the listener into a deep altered state..I almost would be careful driving in the car with this Cd as one most decidedly goes into a trance.. On a long drive this may get you where your going much faster and your head may be in a new and novel place...enjoy

Need More Info
Do you think that Amazon might post some RealAudio clips? I might be interested in this CD, but I can't identify this recording with only a jacked-up Hearts of Space playlist. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

A Place For Ofra Haza - At The Top
These two excellent rock/pop CD's, "Bait Ham" (A Place For Me), and "Chai" (Alive),were originally issued as albums in 1983,
and 1984. Although not quite as rock oriented as her smash hit
album "Temptations" from 1982, "Bait Ham" and "Chai" have a
significant rock influence that is very tastefully done,
and certainly both CD's are far above the average rock/
pop effort of the 1980's. The memorable tunes are well
crafted and highly enjoyable. On "Bait Ham" the first
seven songs are all very good, as are the last two.
On "Chai" the first six songs are excellent, as well as
the last two. The song "After the Holidays" is one of the
most impressive and beautiful male/female vocal duets
I have ever heard. The fact that Ofra does not sing in
English on these two CD's in no way detracts from the
enjoyment of the many excellent songs. As always her
gorgeous crystal clear voice is in top form. The song
titles in translation are as follows:
A Place For Me (Album Title)
1. A Place For Me 2. I Need Your Help 3. Melody of the Heart
4. Love Me, Love Me Not 5. Hand in Hand 6. Boy From the Poor Side of Town
7. With you Tonight 8. Wake Up, Get Up 9. You
Promised 10. Last Dance
Alive (Album Title)
1. Alive 2. Amen to the Words 3. Ballad for the King
4. After the Holidays 5. The Street Poet 6. Looking
for a Way 7. Now 8. Mami 9. Superstar 10. End of
Summer

Two original albums
Those two albums "Chai" and "Bait ham" were released in 1983 and 1984. The first contains top-2 Eurovision song "Chai". BOth those albums recived golden status in Israel and this is the first time that they are released on CD. ... Read more

Album Description

Manu Dibango's seminal work in the field of Afro-Pop Produced by the legendary Bill Laswell ... Read more

Album Details

European Version Includes Bonus Remixes of Sadeness,Mea Culpa, Rivers of Belief and Principles of Lust. ... Read more

Reviews (119)

Float Off Into Space With This Masterpiece
"MCMXC A.D." by the one-man studio group known as Enigma (aka Michael Cretu) is a timeless blend of ambient new age sounds & beats, chanting monks, sultry female vocals (supplied by Cretu's wife, Sandra Cretu), and washes & washes of beautifully lush, atmospheric keyboards. It's the *perfect* disc for playing late at night with the lights out. When "MCMXC A.D." first came out 12 years ago, I couldn't stop playing it. I was so taken by it's sheer beauty, and how listening to it could just transport me to another place & time. 12 years later, the album still holds up marvelously. Everybody knows the hit "Sadness Part 1," with it's chanting monks over an ambient dance beat, but there are many more delights to be found here, including "Callas Went Away, "Mea Culpa," "Knocking On Forbidden Doors," and "The Rivers Of Belief." From start to finish, this album is simply intoxicating.Just looking at the classic album cover (with a monk on a mountaintop staring into a bright ray of light) always makes me smile. I've been a diehard Enigma fan ever since "MCMXC A.D." came out, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the three albums so far that have followed it. But "MCMXC A.D." remains Enigma's signature piece, a truly unique album that no music collection is complete without. Turn off the light, take a deep breath, and let the rhythm be your guiding light. :-)

A brilliant, emotional, sensual piece of art
Enigma is probably best known as the band that introduced Gregorian chants to dance music (though, in actuality, many bands had been doing this for several years in Europe). I must admit, that is one of the key things I remembered about this release. But after listening again to MCMXC a.D., I remember much more. For those people who understand and appreciate the power of music to enhance mood, this release is an experience in sensuality. Layered with religious symbolism, lush female vocals, spoken word (often in French), sounds from nature, and sensual beats, Enigma takes the listener (or listeners, as this release is also enjoyable with a companion) on a journey of self actualization, inner peace, and outward passion.

The release begins with "Voice of Enigma", a soothing intro to the album. Not really a song, this short piece places the listener in a relaxed state of mind which helps one best enjoy the remaining 40+ minutes.

The next song, "Principles of Lust," allows one to slip into deep relaxation and sensual exploration. Clocking in at over 11:30, this is actually a combination of three songs that flow together. a. "Sadeness" is Enigma's classic and first big hit. It is very sensual and relaxing, however at the same time it is stimulating and encourages one to be tactile. b. "Find Love" starts off as a sensual, atmospheric piece that floats all around the listener. Then it moves to a funky beat that is very assertive and more active. Also known as "The Principles of Lust." c. "Sadeness (Reprise)" returns the listener to the feelings in "Sadeness." However, the additional piano is very deep and stimulates one to be reflective.

"Callas Went Away" makes me think of young lovers who have stolen away from the village into the woods at dusk for a lovers' tryst.

"Mea Culpa" grabs one's attention and provides a sense of urgent desperation. The beats, the chant, the marching footsteps, and the rain make one feel like one is trying to escape from someone or something. This is a very powerful song.

"The Voice & the Snake" is discordant and disturbing, shaking one violently from a relaxed state. Fortunately, it is only a little over a minute and a half, ending the discomfort quickly.

"Knocking on Forbidden Doors" gives one a sense of need for control and for asserting oneself, strongly yet with a gentle, loving touch.

"Back to the Rivers of Belief," which concludes the release, has three parts. a. "Way to Eternity" slows one back down, allowing one to become calm and reflective once again. b. "Hallelujah" reintroduces the rhythm, allowing one to slowly again explore one's inner (or outer) senusuality. The tinkling bells are like a soft rain falling to the ground, or perhaps on oneself. c. "The Rivers of Belief" is a sensual, relaxing conclusion to the album. Whether shared with oneself or with another, this song helps reaffirm the love and passion one feels for oneself or one's partner.

This is an excellent release, especially for those who understand and enjoy the power of music to enhance the mood, whether one is alone or with that special someone. A sensual delight, MCMXC a.D. deserves a strong 5 star recommendation.

Enigma is the best
I remember when i bought the first Enigma cd MCMXC AD i couldn't get enough. I have listened to this cd (no Lie) about a thousand times. It is sexy and pleasureable to the mind and ears. This is music you can really feel. I remember when i just couldn't wait for Enigma to release more of their music. Now I own every cd they have made. Every song on every cd I love, Enigma can do no wrong (or make a bad song). All cd's are my favorite I love Enigma I can't choose just one cd. I hope Michael Cretu continues to make music till he dies. Everyone I've introduced to Enigma has turned out to love it. Thanks Michael Cretu keep putting out the CD's and I'll keep buying.
Definately invest your money and your listening pleasure in Enigma. If God made music this is what it would probably sound like.

mentally sexy music
When I was driving down the highway in my big big truck,listening to this music,I was nearly fell asleep.I almost lost my life.Then an angel flew down on me and said something very very sweet to me.She said I am a voice of ENIGMA.The next moment I was in the sky flying over the clouds.I was deeply absorbed in the journey of my pure mind.I was so refreshed and finally found myself in a starnge room full of sexy angels waiting for me for a long long time.This music is a kind of drug that take you higher and higher to the next spiritual level.
So passionate and alluring !!

Was it REALLY that controversial?
Back in 1990, while I was still working in radio, a program director who shall remain nameless demanded that I pull the single "Sadeness" off the air because he thought it was "blasphemous." I was kind of dumbfounded, because I found it to be contemporary and original, and not in the least bit obscene. Just the kind of antidote to the blandness of the New Kids On The Block kiddy pop and dump truck loads of Whitney/Mariah clones being force fed to radio at the time. Of course, like any young buck worth his artistic salt, being told "NO" only made me want to find out more about this "Enigma" cat.

Once I got the full CD, I could understand how the easily shaken were getting their dander's flaked by Enigma. "MCMXC A.D." was the first album that used the fresh idea of mixing new age keyboards with chanting Monks and giving them the kind of rhythm that would work as a slow grind on the dance floor -- or more important -- late night nasties in the bedroom. Then there was the "Sadeness" video, which pictured a rather religious looking fellow as he dreams/hallucinates about a sultry looking woman and beams of light. Yup - just the kind of thing to turn the album into a nocturnal classic, dance floor smash and a magnet for those prone to censor that which might ruffle their too fragile sensibilities.

Surprisingly (or not), the album holds up pretty well all these years later. Tidal waves of imitations flew up in "MCMXC AD's" wake, but none (save maybe Deep Forrest) ever made much of an impact. You can also probably blame/credit Enigma for making top sellers out of the Benedictine Monks of Santo Domingo de Silos (remember 1994's "Chant"?). With all that has been going on in music since, "MCMXC AD" seems almost quaint, but this album remains an artifact from the end of the new age decade. And it still gets played in my playroom. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

desde mexico
excelente producci?n, si alguien tiene informacion acerca de los productores les agradecer? la informaci?n. ... Read more

Reviews (7)

Charming middle eastern sounds
This wonderful album features traditional and modern instruments with songs based on the 16th century poetry of Shalom Shabazi. The opening number Im Nin'alu is a catchy mid tempo ballad and is followed by the buoyant Yachilvi Veyachali, a faster song with a complex arrangement.

Ofra's voice displays its impressive diversity on A'salk, a great interplay of mostly percussion and vocals. The medley of Tzur Menati, Se'i Yona and Sapri Tama has a catchy twirling melody and Galbi is another tuneful song with a compelling rhythmic structure. Ode Le'eli is a slow ballad with repeating patterns while Lefelach Harimon is my favorite with its sweeping melody line and hypnotic percussive textures.

Yemenite Songs is a pioneering album that successfully integrated traditional Middle Eastern songs with modern arrangements and pop appeal back in the middle 1980s. There is a moving spiritual undertone to many of the songs and Haza's voice is warm and engaging. If you like World Beat or the music of bands like Transglobal Underground, you will love this album.

Additional reccomendations for fans of this beautiful aalbum
I aggree with the other positive customer reviews and want to reccomend some discs in addition to this one for fans of Ofra Haza's beautiful music.

Amazon sells seven titles of Ladino music, which stems from pre-1492 castilian-judaeic culture in Spain. It combines Spanish and Hebrew, with beautiful stripped down arrangements.

MUSIC AT THE GATES OF HEAVEN
Yemenite Songs is an inspired and successful effort to bring renewed life to the excellent traditional Yemenite folk music of Ofra Haza's ancestors. This album (CD) is much more than Ofra's humble characterization of it as being simply something different than the usual pop offering. These songs and lyrics date back hundreds of years, yet they are extremely accessible and enjoyable to both middle eastern and western musical ears.
Catchy ethnic rhythms and melodies come vividly to life in this well crafted, richly textured, artistic production.

There are no commercial compromises on this work. Extensive use is made of traditional folk instruments, including various percussion instruments. The arrangements offer as true a taste of this type of traditional Yemenite folk music as you are ever likely to hear. This music is from the Yemenite "Diwan," a book of traditional poety meant to be sung. The poems are written, but the music has been passed down orally from generation to generation. The original album was an unexpected hit and has remained one of Ofra Haza's best sellers.

Every song is satisfying from the first to the last. This CD differs from Ofra's "Shirey Moledet" series of three albums even though Shirey Moledet means folk songs of the homeland.
"Yemenite Songs" is exclusively from the Yemenite "Diwan" song book, and is exclusively and purely Yemenite traditional folk music. The Shirey Moledet series while incorporating traditional Yemenite elements, also has various other influences including non-Yemenite Arabic music, and many of the songs are somewhat more modern in sound. The first Shirey Moledet album (CD) is particularly excellent.

To hear the angelic voice of Ofra Haza singing the traditional Yemenite song book at the gates of Heaven, buy "Yemenite Songs." You will enjoy it over and over again as a timeless work of art.

Rich Collection of Devotional Poetry in Song
This is the *very* best of the Ofra Haza CDs ... many of the songs are in Hebrew, Arabic & Aramaic which makes this one of the most unusual and outstanding Middle Eastern CDs ever produced. Her voice is indeed beautiful, the voice combined with the complex meter and beat of the poetry written by Rabbi Shalom Shabbazi from the late 16th C. provides a rare and unusual glimpse into the past but with a contemporary sound. The melodies created by traditional and modern musical instruments: wooden & metal percussion, Yemenite tin and tambala, stringed instruments, flute, piccolo, oboe, English horn, bassoon, clarinet, French horn, and bass clarinet produce striking rhythms which captivate the listener. This CD is a mirror reflecting the beautiful music of the past within a modern framework ... it is an artistic masterpiece. How sad this musical legend is no longer with us but how very lucky we are she left us a legacy of her musical creations, so we never forget her ... Erika Borsos (erikab93)

The Incredible Ofra
I first bought this as a cassette tape in the 80s and wore it out. I was amazed at this woman's incredible voice and the beautiful songs that she sang. I now have this on cd and it still as impressive as ever. Ofra Haza's voice was like some kind of angelic instrument. I was stunned to hear of her death in 2000 and the realization that we'll have no more gems from this unique artist. At least, however, we have the cds she left behind and this one is one of the best. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

A wonderful and worthy endeavor
Though I've owned this triple CD for years now, I still
listen to it all the time! Mr. Rich has been with us,
producing ambient-accoustic-electronic music for a long
time now. I have about a dozen of his 20+ recordings, and it is
the more organic, nocturnal and spacey musics that I feel
express his true genius and flare for the genre. If you are familiar with an early mentor of his, Steve Roach, I suggest almost any of Robert's work, for we have in him an example of a former 'student' who has not only equaled his 'teacher', but a musician who has formed a unique musical identity and given us fans of electronica an enduring legacy, one which proves itself with every listening. If you like Jeff Greinke, Brian Eno, Robin Story etc., you can put Robert Rich up there with the best of them. Highest recommendation!
Matt ... Read more