Customer Reviews

At Ease

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This compilation focuses on music and musicians which recording label Dharma Moon has selected for use with massage and relaxation. What they succeeded in doing is creating a very restful CD of music fit for any kind of calming contemplation.

Artists like Emmy Award winning Jamie Lawrence, keyboardist Clifford Carter, Emmy Award winning and Grammy Nominated David Nichtern, composer, percussionist and vocalist Kirby Shelstad, and Master bansuri flute player Steve Gorn, to name a few, make this a Dharma Moon all star collection of some very fine music.

Steve Gorn is the featured artist with the title track `At Ease'. This composition features the haunting sounds of the bamboo bansuri flute. Steve Gorn has played with such well known artists as Paul Simon and Richie Havens. He also appears on the track `Home Again' with the group Drala that also has David Nichtern on guitar. This track combines the best of the bansuri and guitar to give us a warm, inviting day dream with Asian influences.

David Nichtern presents us with two tracks of his own: `Shambhala Moon', an upbeat tune with lovely vocal accompaniment to the guitar by Falguni, and `Simplicity' which focuses on subtle guitar and fiddle by Kenny Kosek.

Clifford Carter's `Earthdream' is a spacey, pensive keyboard offering allowing you to drift. His experience as a keyboardist includes working with such well known names as James Taylor, Natalie Cole and George Benson.

Falguni, who worked on the track with David Nichtern, also has a track of her own - `Subah' which is an excellent platform for her classical Indian vocals. This piece is a chant that will ease you into a very meditative state.

Kirby Shelstad, who is a composer, percussionist and vocalist melds Sanskrit and Tibetan chants with some very western electronica in a piece called "Sangye". This piece is surprising in its feel and blending, and shows the hand of a master in this arrangement.

The final track presents the talents of Michael Hewett in `You Won't Let Anybody Down'. We see the influences of New Age music here, in a classic composition that lifts and pleases in its light guitar rifts.

All in all, a very good choice for music from well known and tested musicians with music that is true to the CD's title. A good choice if you are looking for background music for either body work or meditation, or to ease the stress of everyday work. mafoster

My experience with At Ease has been one of true renewal of mind and spirit. It is most useful for yoga, meditation, and relaxation.

I use At Ease in my massage practice and have received great response from my clients. It is perfectly timed for a sesssion.

"At Ease"(Dharma Moon) is the perfect title for the 9 tracks on this CD that is so restoritive to body,mind and soul,you will feel like you have been on a mini-vacation from all your daily strife.It gives a feeling of peace you can carry with you throughout the day,or find at the end of a stressful one.The CD total time runs about an hour. The 9 tracks,some all instrumental, some with some sweet soulful vocals,each a good length at 5-7 minutes - one is over a very wonderful 9 minutes - are perfect for letting yourself drift and get lost in the beautiful sounds.

The entire album is great for meditation, but for myself, sometimes I use it for gentle yoga or tai-chi. I start with simple breathing followed by a stretch,and work up to some slow poses flowing with my breath.A little more stretch and then for the last couple of tracks I do some relaxation and meditation. These songs work perfect for me for that purpose.

The music,all of which is soothing, ranges from slow and solemn Indian and middle-eastern feel(if you are into belly-dancing at all,some would make for a slow and sensous dance), to some feel-good uplifting sounds. Instruments include Bansuri Flute(gorgeous),Guitars,Synths,Fiddle,Cello,Violin and some Percussion - a beautiful mix.Vocals are by Falguni. The tracks are: "Meditation","Home Again","Earthdream","Shambhala Moon","Subah","Sangye","Simplicity"."At Ease" and "You Won't Let Anybody Down".

The CD quality is very good. Volume stays even and all sounds come though beautifully.
It's music you can just let wash over you and feel the negative energy flowing away. Recommended for some R&R. Insomniacs might also want to give this one a try.
It is also sold in the book section:At Ease

Also recomended:Round Dance in Beauty - Native American music, that is also stirring and are "songs filled with happiness" - see my review for details.

Remember to breathe, eat healthy and...enjoy....Laurie

At Ease is both uplifting and calming to accomodate any mood.