Search - Various Artists :: Elevation 2

Not too shabby!

09/08/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This particular cd is very nice and relaxing. It's genre is made up of world beats that excite the senses, and tickle your ears. If you truly want to relax, by yourself or with another, this cd is perfect for that very matter. However, I find the albums "Sensual Sensual" and "Suave Suave" by B-Tribe to be some of the most inspiring and mood provoking latin beats to ever grace the airwaves. You would be in good shape if you bought all three of the cd's mentioned above. Trust me!"

2nd Time Around

Distant Voyageur | Io | 12/09/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I still remember how excited I was when I first set eyes on this CD after the bedazzling first Elevation CD. While the first one was a more Celtic album this one has a mix of other types of world music thrown in the mix. While some of the songs are Celtic sound this album has a warmer feel to it and a bit more stormy.Secret Tear by Aria begins this aural journey with a kick. It's a beautiful song with amazing vocals with some xylaphone and some funky rhythms and some trumpets as well. Compassion by Spirit Of Eden is a New Age classic. It's a stunning almosr danceable groovy with a very Celtic pop feel and brings up images of traveling through the forests at dusk. There are some guitars as well towards the ending. Suave Suave by B-Tribe is a strange song with a creepy feel and some Spanish Flamenco guitars. At about two minutes into the song a drum loop comes in and it becomes a major note song with some violins. It then reverts back to a minor note and the beat fades out. Jasconius by Jeff Johnson is an ominous track with a Celtic vibe with some Norwegian influences. Near The Black Forest by Vanessa Daou is absolutely a masterpiece. It's an upbeat yet calming song at the same time with beautiful whispering vocals with pianos and beautiful guitars. Shadows In Silence by Enigma is a strange song with a sort of Gregorian Chanting feel but nowhere near as great as most of Enigmas other songs. This song is good anyway. Lullaby by Chorus Of Tribes is an upbeat song with a strong Native American influence. Beauty In All Things by Ascension is an upbeat and very pop-jazzy oriented song that could have made a dent on the jazz or pop charts. Trust by Patrick is a very ambient groovy song with a misty grey feel. While this is a beautiful song it doesn't fit with the rest of the songs on this album. Great though. Blue by Frank Van Bogaert is another upbeat song with a sort of electronic drum loop. One of the highlights on this album. June by Mythos is one of the best songs on here. It has a very upbeat sound but with a meloncholy feel and beautiful voices. Lovers In Motion by Jonn Serrie is a rather jazzy song with a spacey feel to it. One of my favorites. The Crown Of Life by Quinn is a short but cool song with some Gregorian Chants and some church bells to go along with the beat. Djebel At Tarik by Cusco is a very Gothic eight minute long song with Gothic chants and some classical sounds. This song makes me think of running through the highlands of Scotland with warriors with a fiery sunset in the background. If Then by Candice Pacheco takes some time to get used to but it's a great closer. It's an upbeat song with some Middle Eastern beats over some electronic intruments and a fast drum loop. This is a great second addition to the brilliant Elevation series. This is my second favorite of the series. It was my favorite of this series before the fourth outing seized that title. This album still is an essential for all new age lovers. Well that' all I can say for now. Good Bye"

Completely Elevated

Clarissa | Ontario, California | 03/11/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Being the second in the Elevation series this proves to be a commendable follow-up to its predessesor as well as its follower. With big name New Age bands like Mythos and B-Tribe it's hard to even think that this would be anything short of amazing. It's (in my opinion) a far better compilation than the legendary Moods series (though they're also very good). This is more refulgent as well as elevating. That's why the name is so perfect because it really does lift the spirit in higher places, putting you in the best of moods. It opens up with some neo-opera on "Secret Tear" by the wonderful Aria (composed by Paul Scwartz) which is ensued by the jubilated "Compassion" by The Spirit Of Eden. That song is simply and utterly too beautiful for words, always putting a smile on my face. It seems to just erase all worries... The next song is "Suave Suave" by B-Tribe which begins and ends with spanish guitar strings, leading into some soothing, ambient pop beats toward the middle. The only "dark" song on here is the deep mundane chantings on Cusco's "Djebel At Tarik". However, Candice Pacheco comes on afterwards with her euro-popped "If Then..." which appropraitely closes the set with merriment... Other standouts include Jeff Johnson's "Jasconius", Vanessa Daou's "Near The Black Forest", Enigma's "Shadows In Silence", Chorus Of Tribes' "Lullaby", Ascension's "Beauty In All Things" (which is another personal favorite of mine), and "June" by Mythos. After picking this up I also recommend Elevation one and two... Or anything, for that matter, on the Earthtone label. You just can't go wrong with any of their compilations."