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= REVIEWS ment in the album with the rhythmic organic AUDTG | percussion and vocals coming through, bringing ancient sounds into new bodies— Ever thought of using the human heart to hence the name “Tulku" which is Tibetan for compose music? Pianist Zach Davids has the discovery of an old soul in a new body, done just this in a unique and amazing way. Stirring, moving, traditional sounds in high- His new album, Heartsongs, grew from a tech alchemy. project by four people, including Zach's father, to record actual heartbeats. Using a LIVING WATERS, LIVING LIGHT computer to measure intervals between the by Ariya Navaroo beats, they created graphs from the measure- Produced by Crystal Productions (1995), ments and converted the intervals into inte- Australia gers which they then translated into musical Price: AUD$17.00 (cass.) (46mins), notes, Those notes made a melody for which —AUD$27.00 (CD) (69mins) + o/s p&h Zach chose the rhythm and accompaniment. —_Ayailable: Aust—Arisonic Productions, PO One thing they found was that the heart-rate = Box 964, Mullumbimby, NSW 2482, ph produced variable but pleasing sequences. +61 (0)66 84 2995. The other was that, when mapped mathemat- —_ This album is billed as a biological sound- ically, they could observe fractal pattems— —_ scape of harmonic sacred sound. Composer which Zach has used to illustrate the CD Ariyah explains that for thousands of years cover, . - India’s sacred texts have taught that sound Fascinating musical renditions of the heart, olds the key to the mysteries of the uni- sure to enthral. verse. Sound holds the physical world in place. All the music on this album is manifested from natural sound, despite the seemingly digitised tones on the Living Light album. It can be used with sonic meditation, tuning to the sacred planetary grid network, and for understanding, conveying information and networking on the global and galactic levels. A listening experience with Living Light is quite something—it weaves and curls through multidimensional levels of sonar- like sound, connecting the brain with the music of the spheres. SACRED EARTH DRUMS by David & Steve Gordon Produced by Steve & David Gordon for Sequoia ey (1 _ be ‘ Price: USD$10.00 (cass.); AUD$29.95, TRANCENDENCE USD$16.00 (CD) (71mins) byTulku , Available: Aust—New Age Media, ph +61 Produced by Jim Wilson & Mitchell Markus (Q)9 430 7777; USA—Sequoia Records, for Triloka Records (1995), USA Box 280, Topanga, CA 90290, ph 1 800 Price: USD$9.98 (cass.); AUD$29.95, 524 5513. USD$15.98 (CD) (56mins) A shaman's journey on a CD? Is it right Available: Aust—Festival Records, ph +61 that such a personal, spiritual journey could (0)2 660 4022; USA—Triloka Records, 306 _ be captured on digital tracks? David and Catron, Santa Fe, NM 87501, ph (505) 820 Steve Gordon have done a remarkable job in 2833. : translating the spirit of native American The recent TV series, The Native sacred music into a listenable and inspira- Americans, shown in Australia, the US and tional, involving form. Their goal, they elsewhere, had magnificent theme music. state, was "to provide a musical catalyst The series music was produced and written which can serve as a ritual and ceremonial by Jim Wilson (Little Wolf Band) and tool for contemporary people searching for a Robbie Robertson (ex-The Band), Jim way to reconnect with ancient wisdom". Wilson had musicians Jai Uttal and Geoffrey David and Steve have achieved a complete Gordon from The Pagan Love Orchestra (see synthesis of the music and instruments nec- Beggars & Saints, NEXUS vol. 3#1) and essary to bring about the journey. There is a others in Tulku. They combine sampled depth and immediacy in Sacred Earth Drums Indian, Native American and some African that, with close listening, will assist an music brought together with live perfor- altered consciousness state. Very powerful mances. There is a strong trance-dance ele- and authentic. Highly recommended. Ever thought of using the human heart to compose music? Pianist Zach Davids has done just this in a unique and amazing way. His new album, Heartsongs, grew from a project by four people, including Zach's father, to record actual heartbeats. Using a computer to measure intervals between the beats, they created graphs from the measure- ments and converted the intervals into inte- gers which they then translated into musical notes, Those notes made a melody for which Zach chose the rhythm and accompaniment. One thing they found was that the heart-rate produced variable but pleasing sequences. The other was that, when mapped mathemat- ically, they could observe fractal patterns— which Zach has used to illustrate the CD cover. Fascinating musical renditions of the heart, sure to enthral. TRANCENDENCE by Tulku Produced by Jim Wilson & Mitchell Markus for Triloka Records (1995), USA Price: USD$9.98 (cass.); AUD$29.95, USD$15.98 (CD) (56mins) Available: Aust—Festival Records, ph +61 (0)2 660 4022; USA—Triloka Records, 306 Catron, Santa Fe, NM 87501, ph (505) 820 2833. The recent TV series, The Native Americans, shown in Australia, the US and elsewhere, had magnificent theme music. The series music was produced and written by Jim Wilson (Little Wolf Band) and Robbie Robertson (ex-The Band). Jim Wilson had musicians Jai Uttal and Geoffrey Gordon from The Pagan Love Orchestra (see Beggars & Saints, NEXUS vol. 3#1) and others in Tulku. They combine sampled Indian, Native American and some African music brought together with live perfor- mances. There is a strong trance-dance ele- NEXUS ¢ 81 APRIL-MAY 1996