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& REVIEWS use Celtic harp, didgeridoo, native American M U Ss | C flute and keyboards with percussion. This is ; 7 7 joyful music with sounds you can relate to Reviewed by Richard Giles for awakening the hardened heart of the MUSIC FROM THE CHOCOLATE West. A life-affirming album. LANDS by various artists RED & GREEN Putumayo, USA, 2004 (43mins) by Ali Farka Toure Distributors: Aust—MRA Entertainment, World Circuit, UK, 2004 (2CDs/89mins) tel (07) 3849 6020; UK—Pinnacle Distributors: Aust—MRA, tel (07) 3849 Imports, tel 01689 870622; USA— 6020; UK—World Circuit, tel (0)1689 Putumayo, tel 1888 7888 8629, website 870 622, http://www.worldcircuit.co.uk http://www.putumayo.com his is a two-CD package of classics from ‘ollowing their wonderful hit, Music from one of the great Malian musicians, Ali Fir Coffee Lands (see NEXUS 9/03) Farka Toure. The Red and Green albums were originally released in 1979 and 1988 and are classic recordings with that slow and powerful, pure and simple African sound that he made famous. They highlight the exceptional early material, showing you what made Ali Farka Toure the master he is Putumayo moves on to offering musical selections from the world's main chocolate- producing nations. This CD features Dobet Gnahoré (Ivory Coast), Toto Bona Lokua (Congo), Susana Baca (Peru), Marcantonio Brazil), Teresa Bright (Hawaii), Beethova ran oe ‘iait) Sushecla qa Cini today. These albums have been digitally Chocolate ‘Armenteros (Cuba) Ozomatli remastered and come with full sleeve notes (Mexico/USA) and more. Very laid-back. and lyrics. If you love African roots music, relaxing and chocolate-indulging music. this CD set is definitely worth having. CHARTRES: The Path of the Soul By Phil Thontew and Hossam Ramzy by Catherine Braslavsky Ensemble : ; All Seasons Chalice, USA, 2003 New World Music, UK, 2005 (62mins) Distributors: Aust—New World Music, tel (02) 9565 4522; UK—NWI\, tel 01986 781682; Europe—MCC, tel +49 4102 898202; USA—NWM, tel (303) 415 1040, website http:/Awww.newworldmusic.com hese two first-class musicians, Phil Thornton and Hossam Ramzy, have col- laborated twice before to produce albums of Egyptian music. Enchanted Egypt, their third work together, includes performances by the group Gypsies of the Nile and various acclaimed Egyptian session musicians. Many of the songs, such as "Saidi" and "Zaar", are based on traditional rhythms, making them great dance pieces. If you love Egyptian belly-dance music, this will be a favourite of yours into the future. (66mins) Distributor: USA—New Leaf, tel 800 326 2665 (toll free); website http://www. TheStarHouse.org his album was created during five nights amidst the space of Chartres Cathedral in France. Chartres has an 11-ring labyrinth which was built in the 12th century by the Knights Templar. The labyrinth pattern relates to finding the centre of life and thus completeness. Catherine Braslavsky's Paris- based group specialises in music from the sacred texts, and recorded the performance in this powerful, sacred space. The CD con- tains mediaeval chants and pilgrim songs of the period and powerfully evokes the feel of Chartres as well as its Hebrew, Latin and Middle Eastern roots. The voice is finely celebrated on this, a collector's album. SPIRIT OF LOVE by Maya & Sage Spirit Singer, USA, 2004 (64mins) Distributor: USA—Spirit Singer Productions, tel (831) 335 3477, http://www.MayaSage.com EXUS has covered a number of the new performers of traditional chant music from several cultures. Maya and Sage have released their first album of thousand-year- old Sanskrit mantras, creating their own style by adding popular world-beat sounds with a different flow, thus making these chants accessible to today's audiences. They CHARTRES: The Path of the Soul by Catherine Braslavsky Ensemble All Seasons Chalice, USA, 2003 (66mins) Distributor: USA—New Leaf, tel 800 326 2665 (toll free); website http://www. TheStarHouse.org his album was created during five nights amidst the space of Chartres Cathedral in France. Chartres has an 11-ring labyrinth which was built in the 12th century by the Knights Templar. The labyrinth pattern relates to finding the centre of life and thus completeness. Catherine Braslavsky's Paris- based group specialises in music from the sacred texts, and recorded the performance in this powerful, sacred space. The CD con- tains mediaeval chants and pilgrim songs of the period and powerfully evokes the feel of Chartres as well as its Hebrew, Latin and Middle Eastern roots. The voice is finely celebrated on this, a collector's album. SPIRIT OF LOVE by Maya & Sage Spirit Singer, USA, 2004 (64mins) Distributor: USA—Spirit Singer Productions, tel (831) 335 3477, http://www.MayaSage.com EXUS has covered a number of the new performers of traditional chant music from several cultures. Maya and Sage have released their first album of thousand-year- old Sanskrit mantras, creating their own style by adding popular world-beat sounds with a different flow, thus making these chants accessible to today's audiences. They APRIL — MAY 2005 NEXUS + 73 www.nexusmagazine.com