Far East

Far East

ASIN: B000008SPW

Editorial Reviews
- Bob Young, Jazziz Magazine
"Far East offers proof of the guitar riches lurking out there if you dig around a little deeper."

Product Description
New York based guitarist Rick Stone leads an all-star quartet featuring pianist Kenny Barron, bassist Don Gladstone and drummer Curtis Boyd in an outing that inlcudes seldom played standards and gems from the jazz repertoire as well as two Stone originals. Tight arrangements, great group interaction, and a stellar performance by Barron.

Far East

Tracks:

Love Divine All Loves Excelling - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Father Hear the Prayer We Offer - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Now Thank We All Our God - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Stars of the Morning So Gloriously Bright - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
God Save the Queen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Day of Resurrection - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Of the Father's Heart Begotten - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
O Come All Ye Faithful - Choir Of Gloucester Cathedral
Awake My Soul and With the Sun - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
Thine Arm O Lord in Days of Old - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
All People That on Earth Do Dwell - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
Good Christian Men Rejoice and Sing - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
There Is a Green Hill - Choir Of Norwich Cathedral
Lord of Beauty - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
Rejoice Today With One Accord - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
New Every Morning - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
Lead Us Heavenly Father Lead Us - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral
O God Our Help in Ages Past - Choir Of Sheffield Cathedral

Tracks:

Morning Has Broken - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Happy Are They - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
In Christ There Is No East or West - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Silent Night - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Be Thou My Guardian - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Ye Servants of the Lord - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
At the Name of Jesus Every Knee Shall Bow - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
To Thee O Lord Our Hearts We Raise - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Behold the Great Creator Makes - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Rejoice the Lord Is King - Choir Of Marlborough College Chapel
Creator of the Stars of Night - Ely Cathedral Choir
He Comes With Clouds Descending - Ely Cathedral Choir
O Little Town of Bethlehem - Ely Cathedral Choir
Alleluya Alleyluya Alleyluya - Ely Cathedral Choir
This Is the Day the Lord Hath Made - Ely Cathedral Choir
How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds - Ely Cathedral Choir
Lord Thy Word Abideth - Ely Cathedral Choir
Jesus Lord We Look to Thee - Ely Cathedral Choir
O Lord Our God Arise - Ely Cathedral Choir
Lord of All Hopefulness - Ely Cathedral Choir

Tracks:

Soldiers of Christ Arise - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Lift Up Your Hearts - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Holy Father, Cheer Our Way - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Maker of the Sun - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
O King Most High - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
O Praise Our Great and Glorious Lord - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Forgive Our Sins as We Forgive - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
We Love the Place O God - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Let Us With a Gladsome Mind - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Give Rest O Christ - Choir Of Wakefield Cathedral
Come Holy Ghost Our Hearts Inspire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Thou in All Thy Might So Far - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Christ, Who Art the Light and Day - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O God Thy Soldiers' Crown and Guard - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Strife Is O'er the Battle Done - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Christ Our Hope, Our Hearts' Desire - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Jesus Shall Reign - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
God of Love My Shepherd Is - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
O Jesu Saviour of Mankind - Choir Of Truro Cathedral
Immortal Invisible God Only Wise - Choir Of Truro Cathedral

Tracks:

Ride on Ride on in Majesty - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
All Glory Laud and Honour - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Come Rejoicing - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
God Is Love and Where True Love Is - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Magnificat: The Great Advent Antiphons - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Come, Christ's Beloved - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Children of the Hebrews (Palm Procession) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Veneration of the Cross/The Reproaches (Veneratum and Reproaches) - Choir Of All Saints - Margaret Street, London
Once in Royal David's City - Choir Of Keble College
God Be in My Head - Choir Of Keble College
O Thou Who Camest from Above - Choir Of Keble College
Judge Eternal Throned in Splendour - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
Christ the Lord Is Risen Again - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
For All the Saints - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
Thy Hand O God Has Guided - Choir Of St Edmunsbury Cathedral
Christ the Dawn of Our Salvation - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
I Was Glad - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Dear Lord and Father of Mankind - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Locus Iste - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Praise My Soul the King of Heaven - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Tracks:

Stand Up! Stand Up for Jesus! - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
O Worship the King - The Choir of the Abbey School, Tewkesbury
O Heavenly Word of God on High - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
Praise to the Lord, The Almighty - Choir Of The Collegiate Church Of St Mary
Jesus Christ Is Risen Today - The Choir of York Minister
First Nowell - The Choir of York Minister
Abide with Me - The Choir of York Minister
Breathe on Me Breath of God - Choir Of Keble College
Rock of Ages - Choir Of Keble College
On This Day, The First of Days - Choir Of Keble College
Jesu Sweet and Mary - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
O Quam Gloriosum - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Ye Holy Angels Bright - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
O for a Closer Walk With God - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Prayer of St Patrick - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Lord's Prayer - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Blessed Be the God and Father - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Day Thou Gavest Lord Is Ended - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel
Jerusalem (And Did Those Feet in Ancient Times) - Choir Of Eastbourne College Chapel

Album Description

Full Title - 100 Hymns & Songs Of Inspiration. UK box-set featuring 100 tracks performed by Britain's finest Cathedral Choirs including, Gloucester Cathedral, Norwich Cathedral, Sheffield Cathedral, & many more. Five standard jewel cases housed in a slipbox. Castle Pulse. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

The picture.......2006-12-11

I haven't purchased the CD but the picture of the inside of a church on the cover is not of a British church, like one would assume since it says its a recording of British choirs. This picture is of Notre Dame Basilica in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. Just thought i'd let you know. I'll be honest; I'm one to judge things by it's cover and if the company took such care to choose a 'British' church for their British choir CD, I'm willing to bet the music is equally well selected... I'm being sarcastic. But I gave the product 5 stars because I didn't want to hurt its ratings just because i'm cynical. But check out the church if you're ever in Montreal, it's truly beautiful... here I'm not being sarcastic.

Average customer rating:

very enjoyable
for lover of a beautiful sound
bougt for my adopted Russian granddaughter.
From Russia With Love
CD and DVD -- zamechatel'niye!

From Russia With Love

Manufacturer: Dptv Media
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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Helmut Lotti - From Russia With Love
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Helmut Lotti Goes Classic: The Blue Album, Vol. 2
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ASIN: B0009Y260O
Release Date: 2005-08-09

Tracks:

From Russia With Love
Lara's Theme
Vetscherni Zvon
Far East Of The Sun
Ej Ukhnem
Kalinka
Two Guitars
The Legend of the 12 Robbers
Hold Me Once More
Dorogoj Dlinnoju
Dream Away
Lutshje Bulo
Moscow Nights
Poljushko Polje
Otschi Tschornije
Russian National Hymn

Customer Reviews:

very enjoyable.......2007-02-18

If you enjoyed Helmut Lotti's other CDs you will want to add this to your collection. You might prefer one of his 'classic' collections if you are a new fan.
Kay

for lover of a beautiful sound.......2007-01-13

i first hear helmet lotti in a public television special and fell in love with the clear beautiful tone of his voice. he can truly add a special touch with his voice to any piece. each one is a masterpiece. i will be buying more of his music. my family even enjoys listening to it and it is quite rare we all agree on the same music.

bougt for my adopted Russian granddaughter........2006-04-03

Bought for my Russian adopted granddaughter, checked it out and was really impressed with the scope and diversity of Helmut Otto.
The photography was spectacular!!
His voice and talent are excellent, I am giving it to her for Easter, I know she will enjoy it.

Have to give DeeVeeDee kudos for shipping and timeliness.
Mirriam M. Hamelly

From Russia With Love.......2006-03-22

The music, the sites throughout Russia and the explanation of what the culture represented in the past would be enjoyed be anyone.

CD and DVD -- zamechatel'niye!.......2005-10-21

The local PBS channel featured Helmut Lotti's "From Russia With Love" for the recent pledge drive. They got my support! And I got this wonderful CD and equally wonderful DVD. Helmut Lotti has a superb voice and he sings these Russian songs with such passion! Remarkably, he does not speak Russian, but learned the lyrics phonetically. Here are some of my favorite folk songs: Polyushko polye, Cherniye ochi, Kalinka. And some popular Russian songs which made it to the American hit parade: Dorogoy dlinnoyu ("Those Were the Days, My Friend") and the English language rendition of "Dream Away" ("A Stranger in Paradise"). Helmut gives a sweet, personal touch to movie themes "From Russia With Love" and "Lara's Theme" and a poignant "Far East of the Sun." These latter are sung in English. The final stanza of "Far East," a song from the Siberian gulag, could bring tears to your eyes! The finale is the Russian National Anthem. This is one of the most beautiful and singable of all anthems. The pleasing music has recently been given new lyrics by its original composer. Helmut sings the updated version accompanied by the Red Army Ensemble. My only criticism of the CD: lyrics should have been provided for nonRussian speakers. But I'm certain a web-search could easily locate lyrics and translations. The DVD features the same wonderful songs, with videos of Russian villagers and Cossacks in traditional costume. Helmut's trip through Russia on the TransSiberia Railroad provides the backdrop to the musical DVD. Through his eyes you see the splendor of this awesome, huge country. I recommend watching the DVD to get a feel for the artist's own appreciation of Russia. You'll feel the love each time you listen to the CD!

Average customer rating:

Jonny Quest jazz
Ellington & Strayhorn at their very best
Spicy and Fun
Sublime
A Late Duke Ellington Masterpiece

Far East Suite
Duke Ellington
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000C8AOZ
Release Date: 2003-10-07

Tracks:

Tourist Point of View
Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah)
Isfahan
Depk
Mount Harissa
Blue Pepper (Far East of the Blues)
Agra
Amad
Ad Lib on Nippon
Tourist Point of View [Alternate Take][#][*]
Amad [Alternate Take][#][*]
Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah) [Alternate Take][*]
Bluebird of Delhi (Mynah) [Alternate Take][#][*]
Isfahan [Alternate Take][*]
Depk [Alternate Take][#][*]
Mount Harissa [Alternate Take][#][*]

Album Description

By 1966 when Far East Suite was released, Duke Ellington was an international celebrity. As such, He led several U.S. State Department cultural exchange tours, including trips to places like Japan, India and Iran. Ellington's experiences from those trips became the basis for one of most memorable albums. Features 16 remastered tracks including 7 bonus tracks, 'Tourists Point Of View' (unissued alt. take), 'Amad' (unissued alt. take), 'Bluebird Of Delhi (Mynah)' (previously issued alt. take), 'Bluebird Of Delhi (Mynah)' (unissued alt. take), Isfahan' (previously issued alt. take), 'Depk' (unissued alt. take) & 'Mount Harrison' (unissued alt. take). Packaged in digipak format featuring original cover art & session photographs as well as original & newly commissioned liner notes. Bluebird. 2003.

Customer Reviews:

Jonny Quest jazz.......2007-06-23

There's something about this album, especially the opening track that always reminds me of the theme to the old Jonny Quest cartoon. They both try to invoke a sense of adventure and exoticism inspired by far off, and mysterious lands. Granted, comparing Duke Ellington's version to an old cartoon theme is perhaps a bit trite. This is after all one of the finest composers the world has ever seen. And the material here is clear evidence of his right to that stature. There is a subtlety and sexuality that underpins that feeling of adventure and exoticism, especially in a track like Isfahan. But there's also a playful side to this album in a song like Bluebird of Delhi which always conjures the image of a camel conversing with a fliting bird or the hard kick of Blue Pepper. In short this is Duke being Duke in all his greatness, having a whole lot of fun doing it, and expressing it in every note

Ellington & Strayhorn at their very best.......2007-03-19

The Far East Suite I first heard on Dutch radio, back in '67 or '68. The album has been with me for all this time, and every new cd edition seems to improve on the last. This edition caps them all. The sound quality has never been that good. To my ears, it matches the impeccable Japanese LP pressing made 25 or so years ago. This is classical music: it gets better over time, and it was already fantastic when it came out. Just listen to Isfahan, Agra and Ad Lib on Nippon, and you'll understand what made this big band the very best that ever existed. Hats off to RCA for this new and great reissue.

Spicy and Fun.......2007-01-03

Particularly "Ad Lib on Nippon." I could listen to that piece all day. It's delightfully dynamic and hedonistic.
It's a travesty that the Duke didn't win the Pulitzer for music.

Sublime.......2006-10-05

As a classically trained clarinetist, I hate jazz clarinet, as a rule. But I have to make an exception in Jimmy Hamilton's case on Bluebird of Delhi. His sound is brilliant, mature and confident, and his technique is outstanding. He gives the clarinet a good name - in 1966 of all times. That piece is a highlight in a disc full of highlights.

Far East Suite is delightful from start to finish. Forty years later a lot of it sounds like spy music - maybe James Bond theme music, or maybe Las Vegas lounge style - but that's not a bad thing! Tourist Point of View is laid back, showcasing Paul Gonsalves' amazing tenor sax, tasteful as always.

The world class sax work from Gonsalves and Johnny Hodges continues throughout, but in my eyes Harry Carney deserves special notice. From personal experience I can say that it's hard to make a bari sax sound good, much less sweet or sexy. But Carney does all the above, particularly in track 7, Agra. It is a concerto for bari sax that might change your mind about what the instrument can do.

But then Agra leads into Amad, which is so rhythmically compelling it's hard to sit still listening to it. It is a sinuous fluid demonstration of the Duke's ideas of a rhythm section composed of every instrument in his band - with a typically assertive piano line. Lawrence Brown's trombone shines.

Ad Lib on Nippon is tour de force, and contains some absolutely top shelf clarinet work at the end, amongst its other charms.

The seven bonus tracks on this disc are noteworthy. I've listened to the two bonus Bluebirds more than the others. While I can agree with the original choice, the other two are still great. I think Hamilton was a little off his game on track 12, but track 13 is technically excellent. The Duke chose a bit slower tempo though, and Hamilton was perfect, but less adventurous than in the cut which made the final album. Everyone loves to hear the artists perform, but it's also great to listen to them at work, and these bonus tracks are just that.

And for the trumpet fans, there are brains all over the bandstand in this disc, because these guys blow their heads off repeatedly. I'm pretty sure they played some notes that weren't even invented in 1966.

A Late Duke Ellington Masterpiece.......2006-02-03

This review is an excerpt from my "So You'd Like To..." guide called, "Explore the Music of Duke Ellington: Part I." Out of the three remastered versions of The Far East Suite (not counting the sonically identical imports) available, this version is the one to get.

After the U.S. State Department tour of the Middle East in 1963 and a visit to Japan in the following year, Duke Ellington and his lifelong collaborator and co-composer, Billy Strayhorn, were inspired by the journey and wrote Impressions of the Far East, later added to and renamed, The Far East Suite. The tense opening movement, "Tourist Point of View," is a great example of Duke Ellington's genius at using his orchestra to musically illustrate pictorial experiences in the most illumilating and understandable presentation. In this movement, Duke Ellington captures the experience of a bewildered traveler in an exotic land. The rhythm section of Rufus Jones' drums and John Lamb's bass expresses the traveler's overwhelmed senses. Without a moment's rest, all of his senses are bombarded with the exotic and the strange as Rufus Jones rides the cymbal at blazing speed and John Lamb relentlessly plucks away on a mysterious current. The rhythm section alone makes for a fascinating listen. While the orchestra as a whole twists mood, the soloists swirl madly as the unfamiliar scent in the air, the ancient city in sight, the aftertaste of foreign food, and the buzzing dialect of the surrounding natives. "Tourist Point of View" is a masterpiece. Jimmy Hamilton's prowess on the clarinet is remarkable, and he is the featured soloist on the frenzying "Bluebird of Delhi" and the concerto-like "Ad Lib on Nippon." Arguably Duke Ellington's best work of the 60's, The Far East Suite is simply not to be missed in the Duke Ellington canon.

Average customer rating:

An Eastern Odyssey
Sabbah's Mosaic
Not a smooth mix
Atmospheric & Eclectic
Superbly mixed and produced.

As Far As: A DJ Mix
DJ Cheb I Sabbah
Manufacturer: Six Degrees
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Shri Durga
Krishna Lila
La Kahena
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ASIN: B00009PJR7
Release Date: 2003-06-17

Tracks:

Solace: Saptak, The Samaya Mix ReMixed by dj Cheb i Sabbah
Najma: Miskatonic
Asian Dub Foundation: Colour Line
Paul Horn: Agra, The Emerald Mix ReMixed by dj Cheb i Sabbah
dj Cheb i Sabbah: Pour Matoub
Toires: Layoun Lokdhor
Natacha Atlas: Soleil d'Egypte
Makale: Salla
Gnawa Impulse: Lahillah Express ReMixed by Jan Rase
Trilok Gurtu: Have We Lost Our Dream?
Sekouba Bambino: Sinikan
Sangoma, Suzan Hendricks and the Traditional Healers: Ngihawukele Thonga Lami
Don Cherry: Neti-Neti, The Hear and Now Mix ReMixed by dj Cheb i Sabbah
dj Cheb i Sabbah: Hari Om Narayan

Album Description

dj Cheb i Sabbah's first DJ-mixed CD is an audio journey to Asia, Arabia and Africa. AS FAR AS features rare tracks and remixes from Sabbah himself as well as tracks from Natacha Atlas, Asian Dub Foundation, Trilok Gurtu, Najma, Paul Horn and Don Cherry.

"...Cheb i compares his DJing to theatre and is more interested in opening windows into other worlds for a few hours rather than spinning what happens to be hot for a couple of months."-Straight No Chaser (UK)

"dj Cheb i Sabbah understands the potential sacredness of the dance floor...." -LA Weekly

Customer Reviews:

An Eastern Odyssey.......2006-08-28

Let me start off by saying I'm a huge fan of DJ Cheb-i-Sabbah. I love his work, and I own his Indian triology (Sri Durga, Maha Maya & Krishna Lila) and La Kahena. Needless to say, I rushed out to buy this CD when I found out about it, and I wasn't disappointed. It is different from his other CDs in that it's more like a compilation, a collection of different tracks he picked out for this CD. For the most part, he lets the artists stand on their own merits, though he does remix a couple of tracks.

This CD is right up my alley, and if your a fan of DJ Cheb-i-Sabbah, Natacha Atlas, Asian Dub Foundation, Toires, Najma Akhtar and such, you'll probably enjoy it too. It's mostly Asian and Middle Eastern dance music, with a bit of Afro-pop thrown in for good measure. The beautiful vocals of Natacha Atlas and Najma Akhtar stand beside the Turkish hiphop of Makale, techno-sufi music from Gnawa Impulse and the mellow New Age sounds of Trilok Gurtu and Paul Horn. Asian Underground beats from Asian Dub Foundation sit comfortably next to the Maghrebi techno of Toires and Afro-pop from Sekouba Bamino and Sangoma, Suzan Hendricks and the Traditional Healers. And of course a couple tracks from the master himself, DJ Cheb-i-Sabbah. As others have said, its like taking an odyssey across India, the Middle East and Africa.

If your a fan of this sort of music, then this CD is well worth the buy. Over an hour of music, covering a variety of moods and tastes. Your bound to like at least some of the songs, and exploring new music is always a good thing. I often find myself including this CD in my iPod for long car trips because it just puts me in a good mood. If you appreciate this CD, then I suggest you check out Cheb-i-Sabbah's other works. His great triology (Sri Durga, Maha Maya and Krishna Lila) comprises subtle, organic remixes of classical Indian music, both Hinudstani and Carnatic. La Kahena (and the recently released remix album) focuses on his own Maghrebi roots in Algeria and Morroco, and stands out as one of the best CDs I've ever heard. Very impressive stuff, at least in my opinion. So do yourself a favor and check out this CD.

Sabbah's Mosaic.......2005-02-20

A wondrously mind-expanding journey, this DJ mix. As the title suggests, As Far As isn't a proper Sabbah album - it's a compilation containing two of his own tracks, three of other people's songs that he remixed, and nine others added to the jambalaya. Covering nine languages and three continents, this is one fascinatingly eclectic experience. There's almost a geographical progression to the disc, as we go from India to central Asia to Egypt to Turkey, then down to South Africa and back to India at the close.

The variety is really the main strength and the main weakness of this disc. The overall range is much wider than on DJ Cheb's own albums, but in the process it inevitably loses some of the cohesion that he pulls off so well. Part of what makes his own work so special is his way of blending so many elements into a unified whole that goes beyond the individual traditions it touches on. Here, each piece is its own entity and they're all different.

Much of the disc is still world-beat-techno, if you need some kind of label (inadequate though it is), livened up with some fascinating detours. "Colour Line" is club-dance applied to a political statement. "Have We Lost Our Dream?" crosses beautiful atmospherics with some of the most passionate singing to be heard in the course of this hour-long trip. "Pour Matoub" is transcendental ambience as Sabbah's done it so well elsewhere. "Salla" is African hip-hop (the only one I really don't like); "Neti-Neti" has an almost free-jazz touch courtesy of Don Cherry's flavorful trumpet; "Sinikan" is based around a tribal chant with a sunny tropical bent. And so on, and so on, a new surprise around every corner.

Even though I don't think As Far As is quite as strong as Cheb's other offerings, it complements them extremely well. It's a different way of looking at the same larger picture.. and of course expanding vision & boundaries is what this music's about in the first place. Recommended, but preferably after you've discovered Shri Durga and Krishna Lila first.

Not a smooth mix.......2005-02-06

If your looking for an Asian flavoured Downtempo mix to keep everying groovin while in the background, this isn't it. There are a couple of tracks in the middle that veer into ambient. Don't get me wrong, these are quite nice but they break the groove up.

I'd still recomend this album as a great journey unto ito itself, but as one of 5 downtempo CD's in the changer, you'll find it sticks out.

I have all this guy's releases and I think he is doing some great work, I can't wait to see what he does next

Atmospheric & Eclectic.......2004-08-10

I really, really like this album.
DJ Cheb i Sabbah mixes these songs together with artistry, and his musical selection is inspired. It's not any kind of "typical" mix- the songs defy any really strict classification. You have Maghreb rap in French, a traditional Berber recording, and then techno beats and some crazy drum & bass tossed in for good measure... There's a sampling of music from every part of the western Muslim world. Some may feel this album is too eclectic or lacks focus. I say it reflects both the diversity and the complexity of the modern Muslim experience, and underlines the reality that this music comes from a region of cultures caught in a delicate balancing act between tradition and modernity. Very enjoyable. I highly recommend it.

Superbly mixed and produced........2003-07-12

This album is excellent i listen to it every night before I fall asleep. The music is interesting and uplifting, and you can tell that extremem attention was payed to every detail in the music. There are no shocking changes that might be disturbing when you are meditating or sleeping with it on. The dynamics of the sound are very spiritual as well. Deep and inspiring. A musical journey.

Average customer rating:

Parallel World
Far East Family Band
Manufacturer: Columbia
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000E0LL90
Release Date: 2005-12-21

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Memempsychosis
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Parallel World: Amanezcan/Origin/Zen/Reality/New Lights/In the ...
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Average customer rating:

Modernist Ellington
A Late Duke Ellington Masterpiece
Typical Ellington, just classy and fun
.
Great music even if you don't like jazz

The Far East Suite Special Mix
Duke Ellington
Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Piano Reflections

ASIN: B000002WSK
Release Date: 1995-03-28

Tracks:

Tourist Point Of View
Bluebird Of Delhi (Mynah)
Isfahan
Depk
Mount Harissa
Blue Pepper (Far East Of The Blues)
Agra
Amad
Ad Lib On Nippon
Tourist Point Of View (Alternate Take)
Bluebird Of DelhiI (Alternate Take)
Isfahan (Alternate Take)
Amad (Alternate Take)

Amazon.com essential recording

Much of Duke Ellington's work is tough to get your head around, but perhaps none more so than this ambitious and appropriately exotic 1966 recording. Inspired by a 1963 State Department tour of the Middle East and a subsequent visit to Japan, this Ellington-Billy Strayhorn collaboration deftly blends not only the music of the East but the mindset of the East with established jazz concepts. "Tourist Point of View" is an unsettled number handled cautiously by tenor Paul Gonsalves. Alto Johnny Hodges dances gingerly and exquisitely on eggshells during the beautiful "Isfahan" (first take!) before crushing those eggshells on "Blue Pepper," one of the Duke's funkiest cuts ever. Jimmy Hamilton's whirling clarinet leads the sprite dance number "Depk," while Harry Carney's stately baritone distinguishes "Agra." The urgent "Amad" is fueled by Ellington's forceful keyboard statements before "Ad Lib on Nippon" offers Duke the rare opportunity to stretch out. The four alternate takes and absolutely sterling remix make the CD reissue an inspired musical and sonic package. --Marc Greilsamer

Customer Reviews:

Modernist Ellington.......2006-12-25

This "programe" is a wonderful introduction to Ellington's modernist music, as opposed to his 30s and 40s swing. In the case of "Far East Suite", both Ellington and Strayhorn take a decidedly Eastern and exotic path to achieve musical perfection. The execution of this "Orientalist's dream" is a tour de force. As always, Ellington stretches the abilities of his band to sublime artistic heights. The members of the orchestra are in top form. The CD is "beyond category"- a crowning achievement in both Ellington's and Strayhorn's long and fruitful careers. It is a crime against nature that this release is no longer available!

A Late Duke Ellington Masterpiece.......2006-02-03

This review is an excerpt from my "So You'd Like To..." guide called, "Explore the Music of Duke Ellington: Part I." The only thing I'd like to add is that you should purchase the superiorly remastered Bluebird Edition of The Far East Suite.

After the U.S. State Department tour of the Middle East in 1963 and a visit to Japan in the following year, Duke Ellington and his lifelong collaborator and co-composer, Billy Strayhorn, were inspired by the journey and wrote Impressions of the Far East, later added to and renamed, The Far East Suite. The tense opening movement, "Tourist Point of View," is a great example of Duke Ellington's genius at using his orchestra to musically illustrate pictorial experiences in the most illuminating and understandable presentation. In this movement, Duke Ellington captures the experience of a bewildered traveler in an exotic land. The rhythm section of Rufus Jones' drums and John Lamb's bass expresses the traveler's overwhelmed senses. Without a moment's rest, all of his senses are bombarded with the exotic and the strange as Rufus Jones rides the cymbal at blazing speed and John Lamb relentlessly plucks away on a mysterious current. The rhythm section alone makes for a fascinating listen. While the orchestra as a whole twists mood, the soloists swirl madly as the unfamiliar scent in the air, the ancient city in sight, the aftertaste of foreign food, and the buzzing dialect of the surrounding natives. "Tourist Point of View" is a masterpiece. Jimmy Hamilton's prowess on the clarinet is remarkable, and he is the featured soloist on the frenzying "Bluebird of Delhi" and the concerto-like "Ad Lib on Nippon." Arguably Duke Ellington's best work of the 60's, The Far East Suite is simply not to be missed in the Duke Ellington canon.

Typical Ellington, just classy and fun.......2005-02-23

Excellent album, in quintessential Ellington style, he applies the jazz idiom to express affection for Asia. This music is well crafted, intelligent, meaningful, uplifting, fun jazz and proves that true jazz will always be creative and modern and never die as long as there exist passionate fans and players who wish to express themselves in this most democratic of American (music) art forms. By the way this is still as modern as it gets!!

Excellent, buy this and enjoy and don't forget to take a listen to The NutCracker Suite, Black Brown and Beige, The AfroEurasian Eclipse, The New Orleans Suite and marvel at the creativity of the Duke!

........2004-12-21

Regardless of the transitions in jazz going on around him, Duke always held his own groud. He was consitanly updating songs for the times and had jumped into the new "avant" styles of the 60's from time to time. Alot of the avant garde was based on african/middle eastern concepts of music (Pharoah Sanders, John Coltrane, Ed Blackwell) so naturally this piece would sound like that. The world tours Duke took were the final strech of Duke's career and his final gasp of genius. There is no way to get around this piece. "Ad Lib" is a masterpiece by Ellington, and he never swung harder than "Blue Pepper". Harry Carney, Johnny Hodges, Ellington, Cat Anderson, John Lamb and Rufus Jones (who practically steals the show at times because of the versitality of his drumming) make major statements here.

Great music even if you don't like jazz.......2004-02-03

I don't like jazz; however, I love this album. It inspired me to look more closely at jazz, and yet this is still the only jazz album I really like. If the random sax noodling and muted trumpet cliches of jazz have turned you off, take a look at this work. It has a classical music sensibility about it, yet unlike Ellington's other classically based suites, it doesn't suffer from a comparison with the original (if such existed); it is interesting, varied, every movement something new.

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The Far East Suite
Duke Ellington
Manufacturer: RCA Fs Imports
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Jazz | Styles | Music

Swing General | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Orchestral Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music

Jazz | Imports | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00004TY58
Release Date: 2004-11-16

Tracks:

Tourist Point Of View
Bluebird Of Dehli (Mynha)
Isfahan
Depk
Mount Harissa
Blue Pepper (Far East Of The Blues)
Agra
Amad
Ad Lib On Nippon
Tourist Point Of View (Alternate Take)
Bluebird Of Dehli (Alternate Take)
Isfahan (Alternate Take)
Amad (Alternate Take)

Album Details

Luxury Digipack, French/English Booklet with Original Pictures and Artwork. Includes Four Alternate Takes.

Film Music of Dmitri Shostakovich, Vol. 2

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Film Music of Dmitri Shostakovich, Vol. 2

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Movie Soundtracks | Soundtracks | Styles | Music

General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music
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Film Music of Dmitri Shostakovich
The Film Music of Dmitri Shostakovich, Vol. 3
The Film Music of William Alwyn, Vol. 2
Film Music of Vaughan Williams 1
The Film Music of William Alwyn, Vol. 3

ASIN: B0001IXRRO
Release Date: 2004-04-27

Tracks:

Suite From 'The Golden Mountains', Op.30: I. Introduction. Moderato
Suite From 'The Golden Mountains', Op.30: II. Waltz. Andante - Piu Mosso/III. Fugue. Largo - Allegro
Suite From 'The Golden Mountains', Op.30: IV. Intermezzo. Andante
Suite From 'The Golden Mountains', Op.30: V. Funeral March. Largo
Suite From 'The Golden Mountains', Op.30: VI. Finale. Largo
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: I. Overture. Moderato Con Moto
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: II. contradance. Moderato
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: III. Folk Festival
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: IV. Interlude. Adagio
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: V. Barrel-Organ Waltz. Allegretto
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: VI. Galop. Allegro
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: VII. Introduction. Andantino
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: VIII. Romance. Allegro Moderato - Andante Con Moto
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: IX. Intermezzo. Andante - Moderato - Tempo I
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: X. Nocturne. Moderato
Suite From 'The Gadfly', Op.97: XI. Scene. Moderato
XII. Finale. Allegro Non Troppo - Allegro Vivace - Moderato Con Moto
'Volochayev Days', Op.48: I. Overture. Allegretto
'Volochayev Days', Op.48: II. The Japanese Attack. Allegretto
'Volochayev Days', Op.48: III. (Fragment.) Allegro - Maestoso - Meno Mosso

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William Grant Still: The American Scene

Manufacturer: Newport Classic
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

English | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

William Grant Still: Afro-American Symphony; In Memoriam; Africa (Symphonic Poem)
Music of William Grant Still
Works By William Grant Still
Still: Symphony No. 1; Ellington: Suite from "The River"
Henry Cowell: Persian Set

ASIN: B000003W32
Release Date: 1995-03-28

Tracks: