Various Artists 3rd Force Afro Celt Sound System - Instrumental Moods (16 tracks) +Album Reviews

Another very nice "Moods" CD

Mark Lee | 06/13/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

""Instrumental Moods" continues the "Moods" series of New Age music. It is probably the weakest "Moods" CD, but then again, these are instrumental songs, so they don't have any searing vocals in them. The few vocals that *are* in the songs have no real lyric to them. Here's a quick run-through of the ones I liked:1. "In the Full Moon Light"--3rd Force. A jazzy instrumental dance piece combining piano, percussion and some kind of brass instrument that sounds like a trumpet. Very cool, great opener. 2. "Knocking on Forbidden Doors"--Enigma. A very nice piece, and certainly worthy of being in the "Instrumental Moods" compilation. Just remember that since it is instrumental, it is not one of this artist's best works. 3. "Barcelona Nights"--Ottoman Liebert. A peppy flamenco song featuring distinctive percussion and guitar work. It's sure to make you sweat!7. "Tempest"--Jesse Cook. Another flamenco song, but a bit more contemporary than "Barcelona Nights", and just as much fun to listen to!8. "Cliffs of Dover"--Eric Johnson. A great electric guitar instrumental, and the only roof-shaker on the CD. Curiously, however, it reminds me more of Hawaiian surfers than cliffs in Delaware.10. "Weather Storm"--Massive Attack. See #2.13. "Widescreen"--Vanessa Mae. An achingly beautiful song, featuring a seductively played violin. 14. "Gabriel's Oboe"--Ennio Morricone. A slow song, featuring the soothing sounds of an oboe. A wonderful example of the brilliant soundtrack for "The Mission".15. "Cristofori's Dream"--David Lanz. This exquisite piano piece has the honor of being the most beautiful song I've ever heard, and my favorite one on the album. It's also in "Pure Moods III"."Monteczuma" and "Cradelsong (Dawa)" are two good songs that are also in "Pure Moods II", but "Monteczuma" is much shorter in this CD, and this edition of "Cradlesong (Dawa)" doesn't feature Cherokee Rose, so if you're only buying this CD for those two songs, just stick with "Pure Moods II". The rest of the songs ("Heat [from The Fifth Element]", "Midnight Express", "Samba Pa Ti", "Sure-As-Not", "Gathering of the Tribes") are just dull, forgettable techno. However, I would still say that this CD is worth buying, and is certainly one of the best instrumental compilations out there. A "Pure Moods IV" will be released in October--I can hardly wait until then!"

Better off with each artist.

Jon | Norfolk, VA | 12/24/1999

(3 out of 5 stars)

"I just bought the album, and I would suggest buying each artist's complete work rather than this album alone. The tracks aren't arranged in a way that would go about creating a "mood" of any sort. Unlike Pure Moods and Pure Moods II, along with Celtic Moods, that have a nice flow to them, "Instrumental Moods" jumps around too much for this listener to really enjoy it. Jumping on the "ban-wagon" of a "Moods-esque" CD, this one lacks the smooth arrangement of the other albums. Specific artists that I liked on the Album were Eric Serra, and Cusco."

Very soothing and relaxing

Erica Anderson | Minneapolis, MN | 04/03/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm a huge fan of the Moods series. I almost have all but a couple of the cds associated with this series. I just recently acquired "Instrumental Moods". Now while I do enjoy this compilation, I can't help but wonder how this cd is any different from the Pure Moods cds. A lot of these songs would be ideal for any of the Pure Moods cd like Enigma's "Knocking On Forbidden Doors" and Sacred Spirits' "Dawa (Cradlesong)". Another interesting tidbit, David Lanz's "Cristofori's Dream" is also on "Pure Moods III". I guess someone wasn't looking when that cd was compiled. Asides that I thoroughly enjoyed the compilation. The music is very soothing to relax too after a long day at the office. I particularly loved the tracks by Sacred Spirits, Eric Johnson, Enigma, Cusco, Ennio Morricone and David Lanz. There isn't a song on this album I did not like."

Another Solid Entry in this Series

Joel Holland | 04/17/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For those who have had the good fortune of discovering Virgin's "Pure Moods" albums, the arrival of each new entry is greeted with much anticipation. "Instrumental Moods" was actually, I believe the second album released but many have found it only recently. It differs from the "Pure" discs in both aim and style, but is a credible addition to the series. There is considerably more diversity on this disc, with hard-rockin' guitar tracks like Eric Johnson's brilliant "Cliffs of Dover" side-by-side with mellow, contemplative tracks like Morricone's "Gabriel's Oboe." There's trip-hop, contemporary latin guitar, classic new age, in short: something for everybody. Particular highlights that you might not know previously are Vanessa-Mae's astonishingly beautiful "Widescreen," Neal Schon's driving "Midnight Express," and New Age legends Cusco's "Montezuma" (which also apears on "Pure Moods II." This disc is worth of both its heratige and a place in your collection"

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