1.
Towards Unity. 0.59
(synthesizers, vibraphone and vocal samples, electric
9 string guitar, effects)
Voices beckon the listener in, and give a hint
as to where we will end up.
2. Breathing. 7.49
(voices, electric
9 string guitar, synthesizers, temple bells, harmonizer, gong)
Temple bells
herald the breathing section. The opening bass notes are a recurring motif through
the album - I call the Balance Theme. Breathing I symbolised with 6 breathy voices
which grow as this piece grows. Temple bells and gongs add to the air of ceremony.
The ambient sound and electric 9 string guitar give an aquatic feel to this piece
- like breathing freely underwater.
3.
Balance 7.06
(voices, zithers, tin whistle, synthesizers)
This
piece just sits in a timeless balanced suspension. The peaceful sound of two zithers
occupy the foreground, with bass synthesizer balanced with tin whistle, each giving
the other windows to shine. 3 voices singing "Om" bookend this section
- they return now and again throughout the album.
4.
A Journey Within 11.30
(piano, low whistle, voices, synthesizers, percussion,
vibraphone & tabla samples)
This long piece is a multistage journey.
Solo piano first, then joined by vibraphone adding gentle motion. After "Om",
a bass drum joins - like a heartbeat. At the next "Om" - the vibraphone
is replaced by undulating synthesizer - a deeper part of the journey. Another
"Om" and the tabla drums enter - like footsteps. We are moving confidently
now. Then the low whistle enters for a flight - looking down on it all. Slowly
all the other instruments fade away on a final low "Om", and we are
left alone with the low whistle.
5.
Freedom 5.59
(low whistle, theremin, synthesizers)
The low whistle
after it's reverie takes off and is joined by a rich low lead synthesizer which
takes the flight higher where it is joined after a time by a descending theremin
(which sounds similar) - the two circle around each other and intertwine. Flying
free. The theremin is an electronic instrument invented in 1920 played by moving
your hands through the air - a perfect freedom for me as a musician.
6.
Wisdom 7.35
(acoustic 9 string guitars, voices, synthesizers)
After
"Om", an ambient sound begins which immediately to me suggested a feeling
of ancient wisdom. Two rippling acoustic 9 string guitars delicately rise out
of this sound giving a flowing feel to the music. 3 voices join and grow stronger,
ending in "Om"s.
7.
Peace 2.03
(voices, electric 9string guitar, synthesizers, temple bells)
The
aquatic feel and Balance Theme from Breathing returns - this time accompanied
by variously harmonized sung "Om"s. This is a brief corridor of peace
heralding the final section.
8.
Unity/Brahman 7.18
(synthesizers, vibraphone and vocal samples, electric
9 string guitar, effects)
We have arrived at the place we glimpsed in
the opening track. Long suspended shifting chords of voices and electric 9 string
guitar glide like clouds with echoing vibraphone sounds rising out from underneath.
All spiralling down to one note - one voice. Unity.
