Customer Reviews

Moai

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Chile's Monica Ramos has taken the sound of the harp to new heights. On "Moai", she plays the harp to a background of new age sounds, down tempo, and occassional upbeat techno beats and creates an atmosphere of reflection, beauty, and compassion that is unrivaled. I love to play this album while walking along a beach, or at home with my eyes closed, or snuggling to a loved one. Let me tell you my five favorites off of Monica Ramos' beautiful "Moai" album. 1) "Moai". The title track just plain ass rocks. The harp is expertly played on this song, and it is played to a killer down tempo beat, that will make you feel like you are in the middle of a marvelous dream, but it is real. 2)"Sonic Beat". This is pure techno, with the harp as the centerpiece. 3)"Merlene" The beginning kind of reminds me of "Dream Weaver" by Gary Wright, but then makes a radical change that is pure Monica. 4)"Silencio Profundo(Deep Silence)"
Monica couldn't have picked a better piece to open this glorious album with if she tried. The song sets the tone for the entire journey you will experience. 5)"Ocean" This is the song I listen to while walking on the beach. If you see "Moai" out in the stores grab it and buy it, you will not be disappointed, and it is hard to find. Monica Ramos has made an album from her heart, and her heart needs to be heard.

This album contains some of the most passionate and uplifting harp music I've ever heard. Its a shame track #10 (Te espero) is not available for preview, since that in itself is worth the price of the album. On this tribute to her grandmother, Ramos creates a gorgeous tapestry in which harp and acoustic guitar chase each other through a lush tropical beat, sometimes solo, sometimes leapfrogging off each other, sometimes in harmony. The result is simply stunning. If you're a fan of the Pure Moods series, you will probably love this album, since many of the tracks would be right at home on such a collection.

On a routine visit to a local Borders bookstore, I decided I wanted to find something new to listen to. In doing so, I came across Moai. I also noticed that they were demoing Monica Ramos's newest CD, "Behind This Light", and so I gave that a listen. I really liked what I heard (and will be picking it up as soon as I can). Unfortunately, they were out of BTL, and only had one copy of Moai left (promising signs both). On the impulse that this would be a great choice for my "new music craving", I bought it. As I sit here listening to it for the sixth time since I picked it up earlier this evening, I must say I am hooked. Completely. At times, the sound is what I would describe as Enigma meets Yanni. At other times, it doesn't compare to anything else I've ever heard. At all times Moai is a beautiful, soothing and immersive collection of music and more than deserves 5+ stars.

The music of Monica Ramos is soothing and oceanic. This is the type of music perfect for relaxing or studying. The latin influence of the classical guitar accents the harp bathed in synthetic aura. The beat in most tracks ensures you won't be bored, but lulled into positive affect.

Several people made alot of hype about this and although I had a general idea of what the style might be I felt just a little mislead. I guess I expected this album to be more ambient and deeply mystical. The paper cover on the cd compares it to Andreas Vollenweider crossed with Enigma, and while I do see some similarities to Andreas, I don't see how it bears any resemblences to Enigma - maybe that was just placed on there to draw people to it - but the reason I actually bought this cd was because I was under the impression that it was more of a Celtic harp style mixed with trip-hop beats. It's basically just new-age harp music with some ambient rhythms, not bad, but nothing outstanding either.

If anything, I actually prefer the sound of Emer Kenny, and I reccomend anyone who likes "Moai" to check her out, similar rhythms and harp playing, but Emer Kenny is more Celtic with ambient pop rhythms and an overall deeper and more sensual sound than Monica Ramos.

I know for a fact that there is a new CD coming out soon. Keep a look out for it on Monica's web page www.monicaramos.com
No name for it yet though but I think it's due end of 2003... Can't wait...
Her biggest fan...

Harpist Monica Ramos plays and whispers (yes, whispers)(in Spanish) delectable, brooding, ambient arrangements by Per Andreasson against a background of ambient electronics, bowed strings and light percussion. These are rich, complex compositions that really move, and are full of playful, jazzy nuance. The combination of harp and electronica results in a sumptuous soundscape that is rather like a cross between Mythos and early Andreas Vollenweider (also recommended!). Don't miss this captivating and luscious music!

On a routine visit to a local Borders bookstore, I decided I wanted to find something new to listen to. In doing so, I came across Moai. I also noticed that they were demoing Monica Ramos's newest CD, "Behind This Light", and so I gave that a listen. I really liked what I heard (and will be picking it up as soon as I can). Unfortunately, they were out of BTL, and only had one copy of Moai left (promising signs both). On the impulse that this would be a great choice for my "new music craving", I bought it. As I sit here listening to it for the sixth time since I picked it up earlier this evening, I must say I am hooked. Completely. At times, the sound is what I would describe as Enigma meets Yanni. At other times, it doesn't compare to anything else I've ever heard. At all times Moai is a beautiful, soothing and immersive collection of music and more than deserves 5+ stars.

While there isn't an uninteresting piece on "Moai", in my opinion it doesn't get any better than the first two songs; "Deep Silence" and "Morning Breeze". Talk about pure beauty! These are a tough act to follow.

I know there are those who cannonize this a masterpiece while Ramos' follow-up "Behind that Light" a disapointment. Which isn't really just. Not only because "Light" is at least "Moai's" equal in quality ( even though the former is a bit "poppier"), but if one looks at the credits to both albums, Ramos didn't actually compose any of the tracks on "Moai" while she DID write 80% of the songs on "Light". So in all honesty, "Behind That Light" really is Monica's album more than this one.

All that aside, "Moai" is undeniably lovely.(Not to mention her luminous photograph on the cover.) It's great for quiet, private introspection, romance, or outdoor summer gatherings. (You're guests will be asking about it I guarantee!)

Deep Silence was creative but a little too slow for the opening cut. I preferred "Ocean" as the best instrumental using Harp as the center instrument. At times the harp sounded like the guitar that it was difficult to tell. I would have liked to hear more classical celtic rhythmic tempos throughout. The Harp being what it is - a celestrial instrument - would have liked a little more of that type of notes used instead of it sounding like the traditional guitar. "Maoi" was interesting and this could be played as music for a gathering.