Nexus - 0302 - New Times Magazine-pages

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REVIEWS © _ A Gy & musical caste, the Groits (who visit families to sing), he decided to take up singing for money in the markets. That led him to the legendary Mali group the Rail Band. From there, rising rapidly to prominence with another band, Les Ambassadeurs, he record- ed the great Mandjou album. Finding international attention through Live Aid, Salif Keita is considered one of the great African musicians today. The Mansa of Mali is a retrospective of his work featur- ing some of the best, most exciting and pas- sionate music he has done. Powerful, mod- em, African sound. Highly recommended. IN THE HIDING PLACE OF THUNDER —- TRAVELLING by Greg Miller by Charlie McMahon & Gondwana - Produced for Terra Australia Records Produced for Log Management/Oceanic (1995), Neutral Bay, NSW, Australia Music (1995), Rozelle, NSW, Australia Price: AUD$28.95 (CD only) (58mins) Price: AUD$16.95 (cass.), AUD$24.95 Available: Australia—Movieplay Australia, (CD)(49mins) PO Box 575, Brookvale, NSW 2100, ph Available: Australia—Distributed by +61 (0)2 905 0199, fax +61 (0)2 905 6372. _Larrikin Entertainment, Mascot, NSW, ph Another in the excellent "Terra Australia” +61 (0)2 700 9199, fax +61 (0)2 700 9155. series, this atmospheric piece conjures up You may have heard Charlie McMahon's vast expanses of our landscape and carries music with groups like Midnight Oil, on film the listener along through drifting, ethereal and television soundtracks, and through his whispers of sand to the steely, energetic group, Gondwana. Travelling has good, clashes of thunderous clouds, and then out hard and fast ‘didj’-playing with drums, sax, onto shimmering plains of mystery to stare _‘flute and keyboards, and some great up- over a timeless horizon. tempo-paced tracks including "Pig Wobble", Composer/producer Greg Miller trained at_ "Scramble", "Corrupt Wobble" and "Ride". the Sydney Conservatorium and has worked They are joined by some soft, floating num- in music programming for the ABC. His tal!- _ bers like "Dandelion", "Munkarra" and ent shines through here. Well recommended. “Lope”. A top album with strong, original Australian sounds, managing successfully to PACIFIC RIM combine traditional with modern. by Anton Mizerak Produced by Anton Mizerak for Shastasong BALANCE i (1994), Mt Shasta, CA, USA (49mins) by Peter Westheimer Price: USD$10.00 (cass.), USD$16.00 (CD) Produced for Integrity Music (1994), Available: USA—Distributed by Newcastle, NSW, Australia Shastasong, 519 Vista, Mt Shasta, CA Price: AUD$20.00 (cass.), AUD$28.00 96067, ph +1 (916) 926 3740; Adventures (CD) (49mins) Unlimited, PO Box 74, Kempton, IL 60946, Available: Australia—Natural Symphonies, ph +1 (815) 253 6390, fax (815) 253 6300. PO Box 252, Camden, NSW 2570, ph +61 Anton Mizerak has a history of music, hav- _ (0)46 55 1800, fax +61 (008) 67 1183. ing been born into a musical family. He was Peter Westheimer has had quite a varied playing piano by the age of six and compos- — career—as a classical violinist, working with ing by eight. a new wave band, playing keyboards, paint- In Pacific Rim he has combined years of ing, plus composing musical scores for suc- musical direction in his life to capture a cessful films and documentaries. whole range of compositions from many Balance is his second CD release and he Asian and Pacific cultures. He succeeds in manages to impress with a wide collection of offering a pleasant, sunny album of relaxed music from Asia, Africa and the Middle musical trips into many traditions. In partic- East. He creates sounds of the East and ular, the flute is featured in a number of West using female vocals and classical pieces, each of which captures its lightness Indian instruments like sitar. It's a flavoured and graceful air. This album can liftsome of mixture of styles and sounds with Peter pro- the heaviness that sometimes grabs us all. ducing a balance from around the world. He Uplifting music and happy lilting themes succeeds. A fresh album on the Australian make this a refreshing composition. ambient music scene. Recommended! BALANCE by Peter Westheimer Produced for Integrity Music (1994), Newcastle, NSW, Australia Price: AUD$20.00 (cass.), AUD$28.00 (CD) (49mins) Available: Australia—Natural Symphonies, PO Box 252, Camden, NSW 2570, ph +61 (0)46 55 1800, fax +61 (008) 67 1183. Peter Westheimer has had quite a varied career—as a classical violinist, working with a new wave band, playing keyboards, paint- ing, plus composing musical scores for suc- cessful films and documentaries. Balance is his second CD release and he manages to impress with a wide collection of music from Asia, Africa and the Middle East. He creates sounds of the East and West using female vocals and classical Indian instruments like sitar. It's a flavoured mixture of styles and sounds with Peter pro- ducing a balance from around the world. He succeeds. A fresh album on the Australian ambient music scene. Recommended! 60 * NEXUS FEBRUARY-MARCH 1996