A true work of auditory art
926463
'Mezzanine' is one of the best albums recorded. I can just sit and chill and listen to it over and over again and not get tired of it. A definite staple, in my opinion, to any music collection. There's only one song I don't like, and that's "Teardrop," but I can't get enough of the other tracks. :]
2442845
There is something sublime about combining the sound of nature with the music of human-made instruments.  This work gives the listener the rich synergy of audio excellence and the freedom of all outdoors. The resulting harmony is a haunting reminder of our dual responsibilities to take care of the environment and create Art that compliments the Creator. The human spirit soars with the melodies of this work.  It is like reading the Psalms beside the sea.  It is like sipping wine in front of a fire.  It is like kissing your lover in a forest glade.  This is music that elevates and awakens.
2425835
This is a beautiful recording from a musical perspective and in the production values. The superb mastering of such finely executed music enables the listener to fully experience the Wind in High Places, that is, one is transported completely to those high peaks. The wind is the breath of nature and John Luther Adams, the composer, has captured that reality brilliantly. The Jack Quartet breathes their own spirit into the realization of this music as has the Northwestern University Cello Ensemble (45 cellos!  unbelievable vibratory wonder!). Thank you to Cold Blue, the record company, who is clearly visionary in their work.
4307474
When I first encountered "no-input mixing board" as a musical instrument (on a compilation CD of Japanese improv music) I was puzzled; how could a mixing board with no input make any sounds?  Well, after investigating it I discovered that what happens is the outputs are fed into the inputs of the board, creating an endless feedback loop of the miniscule sounds a board makes in normal operation.  The wealth of sounds that can then be drawn out of the mixing board is virtually endless, colorful, and very beautiful.  This is certainly the case with a mixing board in the hands of this superb artist.  Toshimaru Nakamura is a true master of this instrument, bringing forth impassioned and startlingly beautiful soundscapes.  His sensitivity for the nuances of the no-input mixing board is the finest and most carefully controlled of any "mixers" I've heard so far.  This album is a must-have for enthusiasts of electronic music, and for all those willing to explore soundscapes of rare and incomparable beauty.
1052965
Translucence + Drift Music are the two most supremely beautiful ambient c.d.'s I've yet heard. I am extremely difficult to please when it comes to c.d.'s I fall in love with. One selection that misses for me,and I'll get rid of the whole c.d. Each selection in this 2 c.d. set is all of a piece, and the piece is BEAUTY, beginning to end. In a way, this music transcends the Ambient category,it has reverberations of Classicism, as well. Harold Budd & John Foxx have created a healing, soothing, spiritual masterpiece. BRAVO!!
3303460
I first heard this album when it was released in 1988, I was already fan but this album took the Cocteau Twins music to a new level.  To be still listening to this album and deriving the same pleasure 25 years later as the first time I heard it speaks volumes.  From start to finish it is a master piece, sure some songs appeal more than others but there are no disappointments here.

I often listen to music while I am doing something else, this album and most of the Cocteau Twins work is music I simply want to listen to without the distractions of anything else, a self indulgent absolute pleasure.
723646
The best way I can describe this music is pleasant, smooth, incredibly complex and very futuristic. With a blend of real instruments being played beautiful and high-detail, non-electronic sounding synthetics; its quite an different listening experience. Its a cross between what computers would say to eachother if they could hallucinate on psychedelics and dance music for aliens to listen to while they cruised the cosmos. The reason why I call it "pleasant" is because of the huge variety of electronic tones and beeps that pleasantly massage the ears. Theres no hard-hitting "boom-boom-boom" kicks here, just pleasant drum patterns to send you floating thru the air. And get this, on the inspiration list, Bluetech put Shpongle as the thrid music artist that influenced him. Great electronic music grown from great experiential

psy-trance.

Bluetech is smooth in the sense that none of the songs contain harsh,

rough tones found in artists like Aphex Twin.

The bass is so smooth that if you close your eyes, you feel like your floating on top of smooth and gentle clouds of low frequency notes. Great examples of smooth tracks are some of my favorite tracks, the first three on Prima Materia. They sound like what a profound psychedelic experience would sound like in a digital, high-tech, ultra-future format.

By far the best way to describe this amazing type of techno is that its incredibly complex. The amount of

detail to the stereo effects simulates sounds flying in your mind, swaying from left to right between your ears.

There are so many different-sounding instruments, both synthenic and real, that have been cut-up, filtered, warped, slow-downed or somehow modified with very futuristic-sounding, high-quality special effects. However, I do admit the sounds do get a little werid, even for me. For example, listen to "White Magnesia" at time 2:43-3:00 and you'll know.

The beats and tones seem to randomly appear out-of-nowhere and yet it still has proper rhythm and consistent patterns. It is unpredictable music, hard to see whats going to appear next on the audio horizon. For me, the more complex a song is, the psychedelic it becomes. The song named "Burning Waters" is by far the most psychedelic song on Prima Materia. If you like using psychedelics, then listen to this song at your peak and it will launch you into another dimension. This song is also the only song I've heard which uses a wooden frog rasp as part of the song. When you rub the back of the woodenso frog, it has a und like when you click your tounge on the roof of your mouth. It sounds Very cool and its quite appropriate for the song.

This album is very special to me so I only listen

to it while on psychedelics, at night inside a dark room, or other special moments in time.

Its Mystical Techno for Magical Thoughts.
4076204
Not having heard the (apparently) inferior sound of the original recording, I'm struggling to imagine its problems.  You see, the sound on this SACD hybrid is nothing short of ravishing, save, perhaps, for a slight thinness that occasionally crops up in relation to Corea's piano which, oddly, seems to lack the brilliance and sonority of the very best instruments.  The sound image, apart from that small annoyance, is simply stunning for the rest of the instruments, especially Roy Haynes's drums, which snap, snarl, and bubble with consummate authority.  Complaints about Metheny being underrecorded on the original disc, or there being a general lack of clarity, simply do not appertain.
As far as the the performances, this disc finds the players completely engaged and in finest conversational fettle.  Whatever is called for--fleetness, emotion, group interaction--each member delivers, seemingly offhandedly, gracing the proceedings with a aura of musical authority that cannot be gainsaid.  Indeed, the sheer fluidity, the ease of execution, belies jazz enacted at the very highest level of expression.
This transcendent disc has scarcely left my player since I recently acquired it.  I'm convinced it represents a high point in the careers of all the players.  Highest recommendation.
3246820
Whenever I see the term audiophile recording, I am usually skeptical. But this is a very good if not a true audiophile quality recording. I really enjoyed the twist this album put on these classic recording. The generous use of bass, coupled with very good performances of these artist was very satisfying. I am fortunate to own a very good audio system. If you do also, this album will certainly entertain and reward the listener with outstanding crystal clear audio quality.
404847
This remains a stunning document of electronic music when at it's best. Needs to be listened to be appreciated - that's all. There's no need in the question of artistic integrity because it instantly draws you and funnily enough without trying to sound pretensious - gives you all the air you need! Blends as a whole although tracks 2 and 4 stand out since you might have heard them just about everywhere. Track 4 particularly for me since I remember there was this machine that would give you teddy bears and it would play the lead melody from that song.
I give it 5 stars even if the length of the album ( 39 minutes )wouldn't usually be enough to part such an amount of money on. But this is an exception
2526392
It is so rare to hear music like this, played with such passion and depth in this the age of mass production and indifference. On hearing the instrumentalists enter one by one, layering texture upon texture, slowly weaving together the immensely colourful fabric of this piece, I was staggered not only at the sheer beauty of the music but with the illustration of the talents that these musicians have. The depth of understanding that the performers posses allows them to portray the psychological insight that Rachmaninoff himself had into the enigmatic themes of love, pain and human fallibility. I would reccomend this recording to anyone as it allows all, even those who are less familiar with the classical and romantic genres to be enveloped into the music and for the longest time, transported into the inner depths of Rachmaninoff's emotions. It is truly beautiful, a must buy for any who know what the meaning of true beauty is to the ears.
3432783
Alan Kaplan is an artist beyond measure and a very nice person as well. His ability and flexibilities are showcased in this amazing collection. If you have never heard a trombone sound like a violin, get ready, it's here. The fact that Alan played every type of trombone and played all the parts himself is almost beyond belief. The music is beautiful, the trombone sounds that Alan creates are soothing and exciting. This is a true masterpiece from a true master. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys good music and appreciates true talent of an artist that is born from a lifetime of devotion to his art.
3870019
This cd contains some of the most beautifully crafted and "luminous" music that I have ever heard. The quality of the musicianship is exquisite; the vocals and arrangments are superb. Is it possible to give a product ten stars? If so, then this recording deserves, at the very least, that rating.
456229
Kevin Max's album, Stereotype B, is an incredible work of auditory beauty. The lush sounds and rich lyrics are, as has been described her elsewhere, otherworldly. The album shines through the use of exotic instrumentation and Kevin's excellent lyrics and vocals. This is an album of new and fresh sounds rarely heard today through mainstream radio.

For the Christians here who found the content to be lacking, just dig a little deeper. Remember that metaphor carries a truthful meaning beyond plain spoken language. For others who are scared to try "Christian" music, I think that enough comments have been made to support the case that this is not your poorly-made, subpar Christian "pop" album.

At its very best, "Steroetype B" pure musical beauty; at its worst, it is an album that will see repeated play.
2045824
I had eagerly awaited this album's release for nearly a year since I first learned about what Donna was up to.  As much as I appreciate her bright, infectious pop and her alternatively ambient soundscapes, this album honestly takes my breath away.  Donna's originals and interpretations of others are all remarkably done in a way that not only compliments her versatility but also is extremely well-suited to her voice.  The trios amazing array of shifting, morphing, and overlapping textures provide a fascinating kaleidoscope of sound, and the way Donna's voice floats and weaves over, under, and through it all is masterful, engaging, and enchanting.  What she and Mr. Torn have produced is an album that is soft and subtle, yet demands undistracted listening.  This aural "collection of paintings"  is a Must Have!
1704665
To be honest I can't think of a word that can explain the emotional link with this album apart from it being the most beautiful sound I've heard. For me listening to this album makes me feel emotionally confused but absolutely complete at the same time, never before has an album stopped me in my tracks as firmly as this one. My favourite songs on the album are "the only moment we were alone" and "six days at the bottom of the ocean" every time my ears are blessed with these artworks I'm am fixated on nothing else but them. I literally cannot communicate with anyone or anything I just have to listen to them intently. This album is not as experimental as "those who tell the truth shall die those who tell the truth shall live forever" but I feel it is just as good and the songs are put together impeccably well, with no song being neither longer nor shorter than it has to be. I love the pure, clean sound of this album and see it as light as the wind. The trance that this album provides is indescribable; I'm not saying if you buy this album it will have this exact effect on you this description is merely from a personal note. Either way I strongly recommend this band and album to anybody who is looking for a purchase, for you can have no doubt that this album is extremely well produced, written, recorded, thought out and sounding. Buy it, you will not regret your choice one bit.
4872195
One curse of an audiophile is often music purchases are made on a single track or the sonic worth of a particular mastering. As a consequence, I have a stack of CD's that are not that musical.
This SACD is recorded with the warmth, detail, depth and spatiousness one would expect from the Chesky label. The wonderful surprise is Rebecca's crystalline voice floating in the phantom center channel with a blend of celtic folk music that  truly appeals to me.
The open and natural rendition of Spanish Harlem is simply stunning, and I am sure has been used at many hi-end audio shops to sell gear.  The double bass is tight, the piano and guitar are not smeared, and the shaker is 7-10 feet back from center stage. Kaleaka, You Got Me and remember me are three songs that are truly enjoyable to listen to simply for the melody and the lyrics.
Normally I click through a CD quickly to find songs that are immediately interesting. I found that I listened to the entire disk, skipping to the end of only two songs. Following this, I put the player on repeat for several hours.
I realize i am a little late discovering her, and many probably know her more for her films, but she has made an instant fan. I am afraid I cannot compare this to the CD version, as I only bought the SACD.
Definitely a worthy addition to any collection.