Effortless background PATRIC STANDFORD listens to 'Classical Spirit' Higher Octave    HOMCD 13138

'We believe there is a place within us all; it is a place of vision and clarity where the rhythm of life moves in harmony with a higher consciousness. The purpose of our music is to take you there'.

This and the ten events on this CD of brief 'ambient' soundscapes is written, produced, arranged, performed and mixed by The Brave, described as 'the enigmatic Grammy nominated producer'. The idea is to create the atmosphere of a tranquil restful effortless background, interweave a subtle rhythm track, some vocal or instrumental strands of Bach or Hildegard of Bingen or Beethoven or (presumably with permission) Samuel Barber and produce an unwinding track designed to release tension and somehow put the listener in touch with divine inspiration, an earth bound version of the music of the spheres [listen -- track 2, 1:29-2:27].

It is not unpleasant, which is saying a lot these days, and it is not without a slight touch of subtlety [listen -- track 5, 1:02-1:59], but for the most part it is the sort of CD you might buy along with fragrant candles and huge posters of sea foam on rocks, or to induce another sort of resurrection in the chapel of remembrance at the crematorium. It is, however, very beautifully recorded.

For help listening to the sound extracts here, please refer to our questions & answers page.

Record Box is Music & Vision's regular Saturday series of shorter CD reviews