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® REVIEWS ar absolutely top quality, and this series is just A uU D ! oO as inspiring. Simon Lewis is a special Reviews by Richard Giles Australian drawn by the music of the coast- — , _ lines of Victoria. In Otway Spirit, he man- DOORWAYS ages to haunt the listener with sound of the by Ayman seas, the storms and the vastness of our Produced by Ayman for Real Music (1996), Souther Ocean. This album is one of the Sausalito, CA, USA best of the new series. Soothingly oceanic, Price: AUD$19.95, USD$9.98 (cass.); creative music. AUD$29.95, USD$15.95 + $2.50 p&h in US (CD) (S52mins) Available: Australia—New World Productions, ph (07) 3367 0788, fax (07) 3367 2441; USA—Real Music, ph (415) 331 8273, fax (415) 331 8278. The magic carpet sails across the cover of Ayman's album, carrying the sound of his music through a doorway into another realm of enlightened delight. This about sums up my feelings after listening to its infectious, vibrant sound. Some sensitive guitar and exciting saxophone, together with Ayman's alive keyboard style, make Doorways plea- surable listening. I would count this among the best new albums I've heard this year. Excellent and exciting. A ‘must’ purchase. CELTIC WOMAN: A Collection HEAVEN & EARTH Mastered by Mary Kettle of Trend Studios, by Jah Wobble Dublin, for Celtic Woman Records (1996) Produced by Jah Wobble for Island Records Price: AUD$19.95, STG£10.00 (cass.); (1995), NY, USA AUD$29.95, STG£14.00 (CD) (67mins) Price: AUD$19.95, STGE 5.80, Available: Aust—MRA Entertainment, ph USD$10.00 (cass.); AUD$29.95, (07) 3849 6020; UK—Grapevine/ STG£8.36, USD$16.00 (CD) (59mins) Polygram, ph 0171 4702800. Available: Aust—island Records, ph (02) An album that came together as a joint ven- 207 0500; UK—Polygram/Island Records, ture of seven record labels, Celtic Woman ph 0181 910 3333; USA—Island Records, manages to capture the soul of female Celtic ph (212) 603 3947. music, lifting from the spirited to the sub- Jah Wobble is a musician who has sampled lime. What can surpass the aching soul of across the scene of European music in the Loreena McKennitt who is featured here, the last 20 years. He drove some crazy direc- traditional chorus of Rita Connolly or the tions in punk, experimented with sensitivity of Aine Furey? Offering almost Stockhausen and dabbled in Eastern-influ- 70 minutes of beautiful, modern, women’s enced music long before it became fashion- Celtic music with other names including able. Described as "knocking on the gates of 1 Marian Bradfield, Melanie O'Reilly, Fiona heaven" with his music, Jah has opened them Joyce and Maighread Ni Dhomhnaill, this is with this album. It ranges from the aching a collector's album. Highly recommended. vocals of Natacha Atlas in "A Love Song", to the quirky percussion of "Divine Mother", HEAVEN ON EARTH Indian tablas and chants of "Om Namah by Ray Oliver Shiva”, and the glorious sax of "Gone to Produced by Ray Oliver for Crystal Croatan". Not an album for the faint-heart- Productions (1995), Qld, Australia ed, it's exceptional, maverick stuff. Price: AUD$18.00 (cass.}, AUD$27.00 (CD) + o/seas p&h (55mins) OTWAY SPIRIT Available: Australia—Crystal Productions, by Simon Lewis Beenleigh, Qld, ph +61 (0)7 3807 2907. Produced by Simon Lewis for Terra A locally produced Australian album of Australia (1995), NSW, Australia beautiful and creatively inspired music. Price: AUD$19.95 (cass.), AUD$29.95 Together, Ray Oliver and Anthony Branagan (CD) + overseas p&h (61 mins) have come up with a wonderful piece of Available: Aust—Movieplay Australia, ph © ambient flute and guitar music. Ray has +61 (0)2 9905 0199, fax 9905 6372. received many awards for his music, and the Terra Australia Music is back with another _ tack, "The Calling", won a 1995 Gold Coast six albums in a new series. Both music and music award. Lifts the hearts of listeners to cover artwork of the last collection was new levels of perception. Recommended. ar absolutely top quality, and this series is just A uU D ! oO as inspiring. Simon Lewis is a special Reviews y. Richard Giles Australian drawn by the music of the coast- — ~ — lines of Victoria. In Otway Spirit, he man- DOORWAYS ages to haunt the listener with sound of the by Ayman seas, the storms and the vastness of our Produced by Ayman for Real Music (1996), Souther Ocean. This album is one of the Sausalito, CA, USA best of the new series. Soothingly oceanic, Price: AUD$19.95, USD$9.98 (cass.); creative music. AlINGg AAC LIEMNe¢1 Cac. eo CN AOK IA DOORWAYS by Ayman Produced by Ayman for Real Music (1996), Sausalito, CA, USA Price: AUD$19.95, USD$9.98 (cass.); AUD$29.95, USD$15.95 + $2.50 p&h in US (CD) (S52mins) Available: Australia—New World Productions, ph (07) 3367 0788, fax (07) 3367 2441; USA—Real Music, ph (415) 331 8273, fax (415) 331 8278. The magic carpet sails across the cover of Ayman's album, carrying the sound of his music through a doorway into another realm of enlightened delight. This about sums up my feelings after listening to its infectious, vibrant sound. Some sensitive guitar and exciting saxophone, together with Ayman's alive keyboard style, make Doorways plea- surable listening. I would count this among the best new albums I've heard this year. Excellent and exciting. A ‘must’ purchase. HEAVEN & EARTH by Jah Wobble Produced by Jah Wobble for Island Records (1995), NY, USA Price: AUD$19.95, STGE 5.80, USD$10.00 (cass.); AUD$29.95, STG£8.36, USD$16.00 (CD) (S9mins) Available: Aust—tsland Records, ph (02) 207 0500; UK—Polygram/island Records, ph 0181 910 3333; USA—Island Records, ph (212) 603 3947. Jah Wobble is a musician who has sampled across the scene of European music in the last 20 years. He drove some crazy direc- tions in punk, experimented with Stockhausen and dabbled in Eastern-influ- enced music long before it became fashion- able. Described as "knocking on the gates of heaven" with his music, Jah has opened them with this album. It ranges from the aching vocals of Natacha Atlas in "A Love Song", to the quirky percussion of "Divine Mother", Indian tablas and chants of "Om Namah Shiva", and the glorious sax of "Gone to Croatan". Not an album for the faint-heart- ed, it's exceptional, maverick stuff. OTWAY SPIRIT by Simon Lewis Produced by Simon Lewis for Terra Australia (1995), NSW, Australia Price: AUD$19.95 (cass.), AUD$29.95 (CD) + overseas p&h (61 mins) Available: Aust—Movieplay Australia, ph +61 (0)2 9905 0199, fax 9905 6372. Terra Australia Music is back with another six albums in a new series. Both music and cover artwork of the last collection was NEXUS ¢ 67 AUGUST-SEPTEMBER 1996