Customer Reviews

Aral

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The form and sound of this latest release from Catherine Lara is heavily influenced by the fact that Eric Mouquet of the group Deep Forest co-wrote most of the tracks and the musicians involved in it's making are largely those responsible for the Deep Forest Live CD "Made in Japan". By any standards Aral is a beautiful album. Largely instrumental, it is a layered mix of acoustic instruments woven into some familiar Deep Forest keyboard sounds all fronted by the crystal clear violin playing of Catherine Lara. Where there are vocals, they compliment the melody wonderfully. The CD's name "Aral", apart from being "Lara" backwards is also the name of a sea in Kazakhstan that is probably the world's worst ecological disaster area. As you would expect then, there is an eastern/arabic feel to some of the tracks, although there are also classical influences and even an Irish touch where one of the pieces is opened with some very fine uileann piping. With all these fantastic sounds it's very hard to pin down just where "Aral" belongs other than at the top of your "must buy" list.

The form and sound of this latest release from Catherine Lara is heavily influenced by the fact that Eric Mouquet of the group Deep Forest co-wrote most of the tracks and the musicians involved in it's making are largely those responsible for the Deep Forest Live CD "Made in Japan". By any standards Aral is a beautiful album. Largely instrumental, it is a layered mix of acoustic instruments woven into some familiar Deep Forest keyboard sounds all fronted by the crystal clear violin playing of Catherine Lara. Where there are vocals, they compliment the melody wonderfully. The CD's name "Aral", apart from being "Lara" backwards is also the name of a sea in Kazakhstan that is probably the world's worst ecological disaster area. As you would expect then, there is an eastern/arabic feel to some of the tracks, although there are also classical influences and even an Irish touch where one of the pieces is opened with some very fine uileann piping. With all these fantastic sounds it's very hard to pin down just where "Aral" belongs other than at the top of your "must buy" list.

Kind of worldy, a tad pretentious in spots, but overall an excellent listen. Great melodic tunes with some beat and some electronica thrown in and quite moving at times. Higher Octave music made an impact on me in the early two-thousands and I have enjoyed many of their recordings to this day. This particular disc may have had its day, but I still recommend it. Good even for exercise or dancing.

This is the most exciting and innovative music that I ever heard. It is juicy and luscious and inspiring, earthy, grounded and soaring, full of incredible contrast and depth. I would like to find more music like this. The violin is so masterfully played, to perfection. And the rhythms support it in an incredible sound experience. Please please put out more music like this. Let me know if there are other albums similar out there. I got the Aral album from Higher Octave as a sampler years ago and have ever since been wondering where these incredible musicians are hiding. keep up the good work, our planet needs it .... from fellow musician Angelika

Aral is excellent. I only wish it was a download, not a cd. Then I could take it with me.

I haven't stopped playing it ! I can't wait for her next album, absolute beautiful range of different sounds Well done

Went searching for some new music. I'm drawn to the new-age, middle eastern, techno, celtic style. This cd has a little bit of each style of music. A great diversity and a wonderful blend. Wish there were more cd's like this! I love it, keep up the good work!

Great sounds. If you like "world" music, you'll love this. I gave it to my very conservative father in law, who I would have thought wouldn't have like this, he loved it.

Its a great album. Great exotic sounds. Very relaxing.