Review / Comments ::

Journey has the potential to be a very good album. Unfortunately, that potential isn't realized.

The overall sound of the album is smooth, almost jazz-like. The opening track had me thinking that this would be what Miles Davis might have done if he had performed electronic music. A mellow jazz sound done in an electronic mode, with just the slightest techno edge. Once the opening has caught your ear, however, the remainder of the album fails to deliver on the promise. The tracks seem mixed in a rather haphazard way, with little or no continuity. Most albums try to catch your interest within the first three tracks, and often put their best tracks at the beginning of the album. But Journey seems cobbled together, with no clear direction or intent. I didn't sense an overall mood, nor did it leave me in any particular emotional state.

Most of the tracks after the opening one were a bit too repetitive and bordered on the monotonous. Despite that, I would have enjoyed the sound of (8) Atomic State, had not the lead-in been the sound of a crying baby and the exit the sounds of a bunch of noisy children. I do not find the crying of a baby pleasant, and as a result did not enjoy the music near as much as I had hoped to.

I think the concept of this album has promise. But Journey, in particular, is not an album I'd recommend. Perhaps if the entire disk was distilled down into one coherent track, it would be a great introduction to another album, better produced. The major weakness with Journey is in the production. And next time, I hope they decide to leave the children at home.

Related Streams-of-Time Review(s) ::

"Journey to the Edge" ( Joshua | 01-2005 )

"Journey to the Edge" ( Nancy | 01-2005 )

Related Web Links ::

Official Site:  http://www.soundsblue.com/

Album Copyright Information ::

Sounds Blue Music © 2003

Review Date ::

Reviewed: January 2005
Last Updated: 01/01/2005

<< Return to Jack's Music Review Index

Review / Comments ::

The general theme of this album is waiting through Winter for Spring. It reflects both the quiet of a heavy snowfall, and the triumph of Springtime.

Uttara-Kuru debuted in 1998 determined to create a new sound in Eastern music, a combination of the melodies of traditional Japanese culture and Western synthesizers and computer-generated harmonies. You'll notice a certain amount of this cross-culture style in a few of the tracks on East Wind, but for the most part the tracks are soft and relaxing. This album features the Shakuhachi, an upright bamboo flute, the traditional Japanese koto and other folk instruments. Traditional folk songs are also included in various tracks. Other instruments include the tabla and Shinobue, a small horizontal bamboo flute (track 3), acoustic guitar (track 6), Samisen, a three-stringed Japanese banjo (track 7) and various digital beats (tracks 5 & 11). There are also traditional vocals on tracks 1, 5, 9, and 12. But the vocals are not distracting at all. All lyrics are in Japanese, and blend beautifully with the instruments.

This is not as traditional an album as others in the Pacific Moon catalog. Perhaps it can be described best as sounding much like the soundtrack to a performance of Cirque Du Soleil. Fans of that performance group will understand the reference once they hear this album.

If you want an album for a relaxing morning, this album will get your day started nicely. The combination of mellow tunes and more upbeat ones create a feeling of joy and anticipation for the day ahead. Certain tracks would enhance a meditation session, but I'd hesitate to recommend the entire album for that purpose. This is a disk to play as you greet the morning, walking through the garden and enjoying the sunshine.

Related Web Links ::

Official Site:  http://www.pacificmoon.com/

Album Copyright Information ::

© 1999 Pacific Moon Records, a division of Chapter One, Co.

Review Date ::

Reviewed: January 2005
Last Updated: 01/01/2005

<< Return to Jack's Music Review Index