If the afterworld includes a red-light district, Erotic Rhythms from Earth would qualify as its soundtrack. The third recording from Austin, Texas programmer/multi-instrumentalist Shane O'Madden beckons you into an off-... more »focus world of amorphous boundaries, one that hovers somewhere between eternity and soft-core carnality. Offering an assortment of quirky temptations too intriguing to resist, O'Madden blurs Middle Eastern textures (principally generated via violin) and ambient electronic wayfaring with sultry, unhurried trip-hop textures, subtle female cooing, and understated rhythms. It all combines to exude a beguiling mood of faint danger and fashionable decadence, where the final destination is a bazaar of hidden, delicious pleasures. If the disc's arresting cover image speaks to you, so, too, will this exotic, oddly accessible slice of imaginative trip-hop. Worth repeated plays are the mysterious, X-Files-in-India groove of "City of Pleasures," the propulsive beat of "Falling from Grace," the spray of colored light stirred by the growling rhythm of "Organic Beauty," and the erotic whispers of "Clear with Fantasy." The whole thing is strangely seductive. --Terry Wood« less
If the afterworld includes a red-light district, Erotic Rhythms from Earth would qualify as its soundtrack. The third recording from Austin, Texas programmer/multi-instrumentalist Shane O'Madden beckons you into an off-focus world of amorphous boundaries, one that hovers somewhere between eternity and soft-core carnality. Offering an assortment of quirky temptations too intriguing to resist, O'Madden blurs Middle Eastern textures (principally generated via violin) and ambient electronic wayfaring with sultry, unhurried trip-hop textures, subtle female cooing, and understated rhythms. It all combines to exude a beguiling mood of faint danger and fashionable decadence, where the final destination is a bazaar of hidden, delicious pleasures. If the disc's arresting cover image speaks to you, so, too, will this exotic, oddly accessible slice of imaginative trip-hop. Worth repeated plays are the mysterious, X-Files-in-India groove of "City of Pleasures," the propulsive beat of "Falling from Grace," the spray of colored light stirred by the growling rhythm of "Organic Beauty," and the erotic whispers of "Clear with Fantasy." The whole thing is strangely seductive. --Terry Wood
CD Reviews
I'm Thoroughly Seduced
Clarissa | Ontario, California | 08/30/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Surpringly Govinda ditches most Middle Eastern infections to give more of an exotic flair of sultry trip-hop and electronic/ambient beats. But of course the ingenious Texas programmer/multi-talented instrumentalist Shane O' Madden still embraced Govinda's trademark of contemporary world music with the generation of layer upon layer of violin playing, doing it careful and subtly as to not overdo it but instead to place it exactly in all the right yet minimal spots. So once the production is completely finished the end effect is a lush, cooing atmosphere of angelic female vocalese's entwining bright textures and delicate groovebeats to raise an intoxicating mist in one's mind; leaving the listener deliciously satisfied. Understand, though, that this is no Entwined & Entranced or Oh Earthly Gods, but instead more of a changing experiement that deems, in my opinion, notably worthy of listen upon listen upon listen."
Not the same Govinda
R O C K E T | The Twin Cities, MN | 05/18/2001
(4 out of 5 stars)
"First off, I wasn't crazy about the other Govinda albums. I liked them, but didn't love them by any means. I bought this one mostly because I thought the cover was one of the best covers I've ever seen. Upon first listen I was very disappointed. Each time I listen o it, though, it gets better and better. Now I really like it (but don't absolutely love it yet). I think it's much more inventive and original than the other two albums. It's much more down-tempo than "Entwined and Entranced," incorporating experimental trip-hop beats rather than generic dance beats. The world sampling is at a minimum and fits very well where it's been placed. The noteworthy songs (in my opinion) are "Organic Beauty," "Synthetic Beauty," "Mind Mysterium," "Two Become One," the remix of "Le Zephyr," and "Falling from Grace." Just a warning to anyone listening to it for the first time: The first three songs are the worst on the album! So don't turn it off and toss it out after listening to just the beginning. Recommended for those that like trip-hoppy or dubby beats and a fresh new sound unlike most new age or worldbeat artists."
Exotic/erotic....it works
global music collector | San Francisco | 09/28/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like some other people, I first heard Govinda's work in the Buddha Bar compilations. This prompted me to buy three albums of his, all excellent: this one (Erotic Rhythms from the Earth), Worlds Within, and Entwined and Entranced.
I highly recommend all three, though perhaps this one is my favorite. His lush, middle-eastern influenced melodies, combined with modern, sultry beats make this CD the perfect album to put on anytime you want to enhance your mood -- or upgrade your friends' musical tastes."
Great CD!
Pat | Vienna, Vienna Austria | 06/12/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I own Govinda`s CD "Entwined &Entranced" and now his new CD is even better!! It soothes the soul and enlightens the spirit. His music brings out a vision of a perfect world living in peace and harmony with one another. If you are into this music you should also check out "Ikarus- CD:Touch the sun" also available on Amazon.com. Two masterpieces of World/Electronic!!"
Track Listings (11) - Disc #1