Search - Troika :: Shaman

And now for a down to Earth review:

Russell J. Grasso | Massachusetts, USA | 01/09/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a review for those not inclined to mysticism, meditation, tantrics, spirit healing, etc... Arkenstone's legacy is that he is good at all the styles of music he has published - the mark of a universal artist which draws our respect. This CD is no exception to Arkenstone's discographic profile of entertaining, pleasing, and interesting works. On this outing, however, we have to leave behind expectations of cinemagraphic drama, synthetic symphonics, international beats and melodic forms. These compositions are meant to evoke emotional states, and are not here to intellectually stimulate us. They consist of shamanically colorful rhythm lines with pitch-capable percussive synths and flute motifs arranged in layers. Now, what exactly is meant by shamanic here you may ask? Well- sometimes its Native American style, sometimes its like Steve Roach's "Dreamtime" genre, sometimes its in the jungle, and sometimes its what Arkenstone has defined it to be using very "earthy" instrumentation combined with some subdued electronic sounds. Compositionally, the 7 cuts are relatively simplistic and could stand a little more thematic variation. Being that I found them on the fringe of over-repetitiveness, I've gone to 3 stars instead of 4. Arkenstone's string section has only a minor supporting role rounding out the sound - unusual for Arkenstone - and forfilling the reason for the psuedo-name. The playing of this CD is best as a supplement to your activities. It cannot be listened to as your sole focus like say "Another Star in the Sky". This CD is worth having if you enjoy most of Arkenstone's music as occasional music."

Exotic, haunting beautiful, maybe Troika's best CD yet.

Distant Voyageur | Io | 03/09/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Judging from the mediocre reviews I have been reading on here, I had to come on here to defend this marvelous recording. This CD is quite different from Faeries or Goddess(I have not yet heard Dream Palace) . Where those CDs were like crystal blue in sound, Shaman leans more towards a more exotic sound almost giving a feeling of a fiery sunset. I could actually consider this their most daring, talented album to date. It could also be similar to a Real World release. This CD is much better than I thought. It could rank as one of the best world music albums to date. This CD is less synthesized and more challenging than their previous five star releases. Calling is a very haunting opener to this CD. It's a seven minute aural journey with a more exotic, natural sound. Calling has a more Native American, South American sound. This song is a great one to play when going to the Andes or to the temples of Central America. Vision Quest is quite similar to Calling but with stronger rhythm and thundering Native American drums. Crossing The Light is a more upbeat, sonic, electronic song that also has a more Middle Eastern. Other World is kind of like a return to the more dramatic sound of the debut album Goddess. It's vvery ambient, haunting with haunting airy synths, and echoing cymbols. This song is kind of upbeat as well. I love the spacey ambient fade out. Trance is another ambient groove. This song though has some distant Middle Eastern chants and beautiful low-pitched flutes. This song is one of my favorites off this CD. This song is quite upbeat with many worldly sounds. Chanting Up The Sun is another Native American sounding track with heavy drums and a gorgeous flute. This song is a beautiful song to listen to when driving on the plains at dusk. Return closes out this masterpiece CD. This song is more Gothic and ominous. This song could fit on a Mars Lasar record because it gives a mood similar to some of the songs off the ground-shattering masterpiece Karma. This song has some watery sounding percussion too. This CD is much better than I thought it would be. I knew this album would be different from the previous material Troika recorded before this but this CD is a masterpiece. It could rank alongside Goddess as one of the most essential New Age albums they have ever made. Those who like Faeries ought to enjoy this one too, although this would be a grower to them but for someone open-minded like me, Shaman is a wonderful experience that New Age lovers should try. Shaman is a landmark album for Troika album. It's been almost two years now since it has been released and I hope it isn't their last album but if so, Troika close it out on top. Faboulous work Troika!"

Earthy, Sensual & Exotic

Lorinda Forrest | Huntington Beach, CA | 06/16/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"When I bought Shaman I was looking for music that would facilitate meditations that were more like indigenous journeying experiences. Interestingly, although the music has that ability (if you are into that sort of thing), I also found it to offer an earthy hypnotic invitation to begin swaying your hips and moving your arms to create one's own sort of slow moving sensual-type tantric dance -- especially so if you are alone. If you find yourself with a significant other, the music's exotic sensuality invites...well, one thing to lead to another. On top of all that, I'm a massage therapist and this music is great to play when my clients want something a little different. Personally, I really enjoy this CD. The only drawback, if you want to call it that, is that it's not the kind of music you could listen to every day. I'm pleased I've come across it when I'm in the mood for earthy, sensual & exotic."