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Relax, Re-Orient
by Jessica Skropanic --

Harmony by Sayama

"Harmony" by Sayama
Review by Jessica Skropanic

Buy it at Buy it at Amazon
Asian-fusion ambient music isn't just for Shiatsu treatments anymore. Walk into an American or European spa and chances are you'll find that the hodgepodge of music lumped into the genre has become a regular fixture. It takes the traditional instrumental spa fare and gives it an "exotic" kick. The reason for this trend may be the increasing exposure to eastern massage and bodywork modalities in western massage schools and the increased availability of eastern treatments such as Tui-Na, Thai massage, and Qi Gong.

Here are two CDs to help you bring your Oriental musical experience home.

"Harmony" by Sayama

Musician Sayama – literally "Sitting on a Mountain" in Japanese - is, in every sense of the definition, a world musician: His repertoire includes Tibetan and Japanese singing bowls, koto, dizi, Bansuri flutes, gongs and assorted percussion instruments. He's also studied T'ai Chi, Qi Gong, sound therapy and aromatherapy. Who better to cut a relaxation album with an Asian flavor?

"Harmony" represents Sayama's intention to make music that ebbs and flows with the Qi Gong form of modern day Shaolin master Shi Xinggui. It is designed to gently energize the body while calming the mind.

The first and second tracks on the CD, "A Tradition of Harmony" and "Gently Awakening," weave together flute and background sound that give these pieces a freshness: Strings give them a flawless connection with future tracks. "Seamless Movement" and "The Circle Begins Where the Circle Ends" offer more eloquent string combinations. "Stream of Stillness" uses background vocals that make their presence known behind the flute, but never overpowers it. Asian instruments and piano make for a more modern sound in "As in Three, So in One." The final track "Centre of the Universe" provides a distinctly modern-meets-ancient, East-meets-West conclusion.

List price is $14.95. Play time is about one hour. Visit Amazon.com to purchase.
Feng Shui: Music for Balanced Living

Feng Shui: Music for Balanced Living
Review by Jessica Skropanic

Buy it at Buy it at Amazon
Feng Shui: Music for Balanced Living

Avalon Music, purveyors of themed CDs intended for ambiance, has released a spa spectacular: Feng Shui. It is a hit with massage therapists and clients I interviewed, several of whom wanted to purchase it themselves.

Composed by Daniel May, the CD offers a fabulous collection of traditional Asian instruments – an especially nice selection of strings – accompanied by piano and cello. Musicians include Joseph Chang on the guzhen (a kind of Chinese zither), Joseph Chang on the pipa (Chinese lute), Daniel May on piano, Darius Gottlieb on cello, Lily Hsu on the erhu (Chinese fiddle), Hideo Kobiashi on the samisen and doing percussion, and Masakazu Yoshizawa on the shakuhachi (traditional Japanese bamboo flute).

Purely instrumental, it is sublime without a hint of pretense.

The quiet gentle melodies of the first five tracks successfully depict the elements they represent: "Metal," "Wood," "Water," "Fire," "Earth" and "Wind." The sound is soothing, and never melancholy. Wood is a special favorite of mine. The string instruments sing almost like a human voice. The combination of Chinese and Japanese instruments is a rare treat.

The sixth track, "Chi," features the subtle deep energy of the cello to inspire the listener. Its sound then builds and lifts the spirits, much due to the soft use of percussion and piano. If happy chi had a voice it would sing like this.

The last track, "Yin and Yang," is a favorite of many people for whom I played this CD. Joyful in its delivery, it still manages to relax the listener.

This is probably the best "sit-with-a-cup-of-tea" CD I've ever owned.

Retails for $15.95. Play time is about 54 minutes. Visit Amazon.com to purchase.

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