Legend of Pele: Sounds of

Arthur Lyman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 9, 1998)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Rykodisc
• ASIN: B000007O7C
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #280,130 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #81 in Music > Indie Music > Pop > Instrumental Pop & Lounge

Track Listings

1. Pele

2. Fire Down Below

3. Hana Pele

4. Cumana

5. Ye Lai Sian

6. Hana Maui

7. Scheherezade

8. Magic Island

9. Fascination

10. Cubana Chant

11. Tropical

12. 76 Trombones

Editorial Reviews

From the Label

"In her sleep, Pele heard the masterful beating of a distant drum. She heard male voices strong and tender, chanting. Pele's spirit left her sleeping body in search of the phantom musicians…"

Could it be that Pele, the lusty and passionate Hawaiian volcano Goddess, was searching for the King of Polynesian pop and percussion, Arthur Lyman? Thanks to Rykodisc's hifi re-release of THE LEGEND OF PELE, SOUNDS OF ARTHUR LYMAN (RCD 50432), she doesn't have to look any farther.

Acclaimed for his vibe drenched lounge music, Lyman brings the mystery, power and exotica of the South Seas to the mainland. The sounds of bird calls and vibraphone, (an instrument similar to a marimba or xylophone with metal bars and rotating discs that produce a vibrato) are the basis of Arthur Lyman's unique, tropical music and are complemented by four-mallet vibes, guitar, ukulele, flute, and glockenspiel. Joining Lyman are band members John Kramer, Alan Soares, and Harold Chang.

THE LEGEND OF PELE pays tribute to Pele,the volcano goddess, and to the myths behind Hawaii's powerful legends and colorful landscapes. Pele is the personification of majesty and power, capable of being both fierce and destructive and calm and scenic. She is mysterious and elusive, and according to legend, she could appear as a beautiful young woman, an old woman, or a dog. Like its namesake, the album is a blend of sublime power, gentle sensuality, and fiery emotions.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars awesome late 50's ambient lounge, December 27, 2004

By 

Shrinkboy "stone cold omni-media freak" (Where else? North Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Legend of Pele: Sounds of (Audio CD)

recorded on an Ampex three track live in the Kaiser Aluminum Dome at Waikiki, this album is part of Lyman's series riffing on the legend and mythology of the Hawaiian pantheon. I actually believe he sort of meant it. I also believe that he had no idea he had recorded the sonic ancestor to Lifeforms by Future Sound of London, and many other ambient/techno/exotica slabs.

Unlike the previous reviewer, I find the sound on my original copy of the vinyl to be OUTSTANDING! it is well worth the effort to seek out the original ...have fun.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Low audio quality, May 19, 2008

By 

Ing Robert Kaiplinger (Wien) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legend of Pele: Sounds of (Audio CD)

All that the first reviewer has said about this CD I can confirm exept the missing track. When I have bought this CD at Rykodisc London in 1998 I was hardly disappointed about the quality of this issue. It was not only mastered from a mono source but obviously noise reduction was applied to it removing all low frequencies. Therefore it sounds flat and cold.
Since the mentioned review was the only negtive one I thought that Rykodisc has corrected their problems with this CD. But my recent purchase confirms the contrary.
All those people who own the original stereo vinyl LP can be lucky. This CD is no real replacement for the LP.
The correct listing of the tracks:
1. Pele
2. Fire Down Below
3. Ye Lei Sian
4. Hana Pele
5. Hana Maui
6. Cumana
7. Scheherezade
8. Cubana Chant
9. Magic Island
10. Tropical
11. Fascination
12. 76 Trombones

5 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Technically compromised, June 10, 2002

By 

Paul F. Penna (Santa Rosa, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Legend of Pele: Sounds of (Audio CD)

This CD seems to have been mastered from a mono source, with what sounds like a mild electronic amibiance added. I have some tracks from this album on a "Best of... " Lyman CD in real stereo, so I don't know what happened here. Also, the track listings on both the back cover and inside the booklet...are inaccurate, with tracks out of order and at least one item listed, but not actually on the CD.