Aquaria: A Liquid Blue Trancescape

Diane Arkenstone | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 2, 2001)
• Original Release Date: 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Neo Pacifica Recordings
• ASIN: B00005OKSZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #110,338 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Long frustrated by the release schedule restraints of conventional labels, electronic new age Renaissance man David Arkenstone joined with his wife, Diane, to create Neo Pacifica, a label releasing a wide variety of creatively diverse expressions. One of the label's highlights is introducing vocalist/keyboardist Diane as a composer and artist in her own right. With David's composing and production assistance, Diane creates what comes across as a continuous, unbroken musical piece, but is actually comprised of eight thoughtful compositions. The promise of trance in the album title might imply that this will be something of a formless musical experience, but all the ethereal effects (which include her whispery, seductive voice chanting like our subconscious) are given a solid musical foundation, complete with drum machine groove and reasonably memorable synth or piano melodies. "World of Light" is an expansive, nine-minute doorway, beginning very atmospherically before developing an R&B/pop edge. "Through the Veil" features David's Celtic-flavored flute and a swirling electronica melody, while "The Water Gardens" mixes inventive electronic percussion patterns with gentle doses of Andy Taylor's fiddle. Diane uses the theme of Aquaria, an undersea fantasy realm, as a framework for what she calls a "journey of groove exploration." All of it comes across as sensual and much more structured than many recordings in this genre offer. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars How good is this? Depends on what you're looking for, January 12, 2003

By 

Christian Wheeler "Husband/Father/Gamer/Proud... (St. Louis) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Aquaria: A Liquid Blue Trancescape (Audio CD)

If you are expecting something similar to Paul Oakenfold or DJ Irene, look elsewhere. This a mostly sedentary work, consisting largely of vocal washes imposed over moderate beats; in other words, it lacks the drive and rhythm of most trance-oriented works, but it does retain the genre's style and sensibilities, albeit at a much reduced pace. If anything, it resembles the efforts of Enya more than it does trance. This isn't music to dance to; rather, it is best suited as background or as accompaniment for activities such as reading or crafts. As a trance album, this may disappoint fans of that musical type. But for those seeking a good tonic for relaxation or sedentary activities, this will work just fine.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars New Age Meets Trance, March 6, 2006

By 

David B. Thompson (Carson City, Nevada USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Aquaria: A Liquid Blue Trancescape (Audio CD)

I bought this recording after hearing a few tracks while browsing in a Nature's Gifts store. The proprietor kept a small collection of recordings way in the back of the store. They were mostly off-mainstream works that would appeal to eclectics. So, naturally, he caught me.

As this recording ages in my library, I find myself revisiting it regularly. The regular rhythm track over-washed with vocals and synths is soothing. I often listen to Aquaria before I drift off to sleep. The rhythms and synths help calm my thoughts. I also like Aquaria as background when I'm doing something that does not require quiet.

I'm not a hard-core trance listener and I suspect that Aquaria is much toned down from the intensity sought by trance-dancers. I would place this recording in the New Age genre. So, be forewarned--this is not trance music.

The cynic in me wants to demean the "This is the voice of Aquaria, this is the voice of the sea" mantra. Had these words been spoken in another language they would blend into the music and add to the overall effect. The vocals might bother some listeners (as the one reviewer mentioned that the vocals sound "silly"); they don't bother me. But again be forewarned that the vocals might not work for you.

The production quality is first rate. I listen carefully and I can't hear any mistakes in the recording or engineering.

Aquaria works for me. The work is substantially different from most of what I listen to and is a wonderful respite from more mainstream works. I like Arkenstone's musical ideas, the expression thereof, and the vocals don't bother me. Aquaria is gentle trance music.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Voice of a Great Spirit lives within Diane Arkenstone..., February 15, 2003

By 

Antonius B. Dirriwachter (Hillsboro, Oregon United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Aquaria: A Liquid Blue Trancescape (Audio CD)

If you stumbled onto this page by mistake, take a closer look. This album is FANTASTIC. With an Angelic voice and masterful audio crafting, Diane is breaking new ground. Following in the footsteps of her husband, Diane may well surpass David. At the very least, she walks by his side. Do not pass up this Master Works. Also look at David's Works... Shaman, Goddess, Faeries and Dream Palace under the name Troika. All Digital Heaven mixed with classic instrumentals!