Search - Various Artists :: Ascension

Another 5-Star Series From Earthtone

d-moonshadow | 05/14/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This compilation begins with Richard Burmer's fabulous "Across The View". Truly a trip to the otherside. Constance Demby's "I Set Myself Free" continues this otherworldly journey, with heavenly synthesizers and brass. Chris Spheeris & Paul Voudouris contribute "First Kiss", a song dramatic enough and sappy enough to be on a movie soundtrack, but it fits in well here. Christopher Franke's "Flower Hill Trail" is similar but has a bit more energy. Anael's voice is the voice of an angel, and "One Brief Dream" shows that off stunningly,in this jazz-influenced, sparsely arranged composition. Ayman's "Seduced By An Angel" is a long but enduring track, with soft vocals and a driving bass line. This is calming music. "Amy's Lullaby IV" by Mars Lasar combines beautiful pizzicato strings and sparkling synthesizers to create a perfect lullaby. Cheryl Gunn's "Elesian Fields" create images of a wide expanse where time stands still. A very Yanni-esque composition. Back To Earth's "The Hidden Smile Of Nalad" is a guitar based track of the highest quality, and the ethnic flutes add to the mysterious quality. Richard Burmer's "Reunion" has an Asian influence to it, and retains the ethereal feeling of his first song off this disc. Collette Baron-Reid's "The Only Answer" combines Baron-Reid's glorious vocals with mystical drums and heavenly synthesizers to create a beautiful sonic landscape. Miriam Stockley's uncomparable vocals bless "There" with the touch it needs, as a mainly piano track, to give it the emotional complexity it has. Michel Rubini contributes "Improvisation 1", which is a beautiful yet repetetive track. "Desires Of The Heart" by Chris Spheeris is a dull track, which focuses on a very uninteresting piano melody line. The disc closes with a simple yet engaging piano solo from Gary Lamb called "In The Cathedral". After hearing this compilation I am eagerly looking forward to hearing "Ascension 2"."