Search - Various Artists :: Bliss

Bliss
Various Artists
Bliss
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Country, International Music, Jazz, Special Interest, New Age, Pop
 
  •  Track Listings (13) - Disc #1

From the first heavily produced notes of "Fault Lines" from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's collaboration with Michael Brook, Bliss dances lightly into a relaxing exercise in musical solitude. Several interesting and notable artis...  more »

     
   
?

Larger Image

CD Details

All Artists: Various Artists
Title: Bliss
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 1
Label: Real World
Original Release Date: 4/21/1998
Re-Release Date: 5/5/1998
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Country, International Music, Jazz, Special Interest, New Age, Pop
Styles: Ambient, Electronica, Trance, Bluegrass, Africa, Experimental Music, By Decade, 1990s
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 017046237222

Synopsis

Amazon.com
From the first heavily produced notes of "Fault Lines" from Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan's collaboration with Michael Brook, Bliss dances lightly into a relaxing exercise in musical solitude. Several interesting and notable artists are included in this quilt of choice songs plucked from already-released albums. Among the more interesting of the synthed tunes are Sarmila Roy's "Svetasvatara Upanisad," emitting an eerie, lovely color rooted in Indian classical music; the nocturnal and darkly soothing "Mekong" from Jam Nation; and Sheila Chandra's "Excerpt from ABoneCroneDrone," featuring long, thick synth under her delicate, exotic voice. Holding up the slightly livelier tone of the album's second half is Afro Celt Sound System's "Inion," a melancholy yet punchy little number. With music from Southeast Asia, the Far East, Africa, and Europe, Bliss handsomely meshes the spiritual beyond with the here and now. --Karen Karleski

Similar CDs

 

CD Reviews

Stunning
David R Tsal | 10/01/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"There are some pieces of music that seem to transcend being itself. One such piece is "Svetasvatara Upanishad" by Sarmila Roy. One of the best pieces of music I have ever heard, maybe even the best. The word "Bliss" does not even begin to describe it. After listening to this piece I hardly feel like living any more, so tempting it is to just forget everything and let go.
A piece like this alone justifies the whole album. But there are two more excellent pieces here: "Orovela" by The Tsinandali Choir and "Abha" by Iarla O Lionaird. Ayub Ogada and U Srinivads& Michael Brook are also very nice. The rest is the usual uneven "World Music" mishmash.
Buying it just for the "Svetasvatara Upanishad" is worth it."
A solid compilation...
sienamarie | New York City, New York | 05/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

""Bliss" is an appropriate introduction into the world music category. For the novice fan of world (such as myself), it serves as a sampler platter of some of the best that is available in this genre. For the seasoned listener, it is a collection of the best musicians in world music. This album is solid. Then again, do you ever expect any less from Peter Gabriel? "Bliss" is a mix of world music that works together to form a euphonious sound experience, despite its' eclectic constitution. I made the mistake of listening to it in its entirety in the middle of the day as I was finishing up some work and ended up falling asleep before I finished what needed finishing. Unless you are one of those people who solely listen to tribal "sounds of the rainforest"... this c.d. has a sedating effect. However, with the right timing, "Bliss" proved to be an effective salve for the wounds inflicted by everyday life... (i can't believe I just wrote that). It's a great c.d. to wind down to. Because I am not fully acquainted with this genre of music, I cannot begin to describe in adequate terms how wonderful the music is. Just know that it is, indeed, wonderful. Chinese Canon is my personal favorite for its optimistic and almost vocal melody lines. That and it works well with the acoustics in my bathroom, soaring almost and making the 5x10 space seem cavernous.The melodies transport you and you get a sense of both richly complex mystery and blinding realization. The compilation is an excellent one and thoroughly satisfying. "Bliss" boasts the innovative spirit of ambient and discards the cheesiness of "New Age," making for an excellent world album. If you're just getting into world music, this album is a great one to start off with. If you are, in fact, a longtime listener, "Bliss" may prove to be a bit too jumpy for your taste."
Excellent But Not Quite Transcendent
Rob Lightner | 09/05/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)

"We are the world, etc. Nothing new as far as that goes, of course, but it's great to see such fantastic artists as U Srinivas and Sheila Chandra pushed out a little farther into mainstream awareness. The album's mix is unparallelled and the track selection superb, but unfortunately the collection never rises above the sum of its parts.It's certainly useful for relaxation and meditation, though I generally prefer the consistent tone provided by a single artist or group. It's also an outstanding introduction to the Real World label and the quiet side (don't say New Age, please) of world music in general. You can't go wrong with Bliss, but make sure to graduate to the full-length albums of the singers and players herein."