Moon Shines Last

Ayman | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (August 31, 2009)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Cyberset Music
• ASIN: B000001J3C
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,914 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars Is that the moon or a glitter ball?, January 23, 2011

By 

Akashic Recordings "Akasha" (Ontario, Canada) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moon Shines Last (Audio CD)

Ayman's music is difficult to define. Record shops would likely file his stuff under New Age (which anyone familiar with the term knows is a very non-specific blanket encompassing a broad spectrum of aural flavors).

Keyboardist Ayman Sawaf's sound definitely crosses musical boundaries and in some respects is a tad genre defying.

This release of his is more pop-flavored than anything; despite incorporating a Middle Eastern foreground tinge, these glossy grooves, at their very core, are more-so Western-sounding, the lot of them rather radio-friendly in my opinion, or at least evocative of an incense-scented, strobe-lit go-go club into the serving of green tea over booze.

The River, however, sticks out like a thumb. Not a sore thumb, by any means. It's the album's highlight for me. Whereas the contextual cuts are pretty much ear-candy and escapist, The River is perhaps the lone track that has any real substance to it. Sparkling and spellbinding (the latter, due in large part to its "heartbeat"), The River is Ayman at his serene best, and I wish there would have been more instrumentals like it. The River has depth, and is as relaxing as floating on a raft down a lazy mystical waterway.

Moon Shines Last (1992) was recorded in England and features James Asher as a guest musician, here listed in the CD credits as playing the "Coat hanger and Socks." The cool cover art is by Halla Ayla.

The album, for me, has a matutinal aura; I like playing it at daybreak. It gets you going; perks you up. It's generally upbeat and energizing.

That said, Moon Shines Last (11 tracks; 48:49) isn't grabbing. It may take a bit of time before you become acclimated to it (if at all). I find it a bit standoffish (in a positive sense) and uncharacteristically New Agey; it has a somewhat soulless sheen and commercial-like texture, likely more attractive to a dance-music enthusiast than to a typical CI listener.

In what mood would you listen to this CD? If it was made up of mesmerizing songs similar to The River, I'd say it would make for excellent music to chill out to. Yet most of the tracks are motivationally beat-driven, almost discotheque in nature (hear: Moroccan Rain Dance, for example).

If you're looking for something to meditate or relax to, this isn't it. Ayman's unique sound here, defies categorization to a degree, but if you were to place it in the realm of ethnic electronica or electro-acoustic the music is by and large more danceable than it is passive.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Ayman's gem, one of many, January 16, 2006

By 

rachel - See all my reviews

This review is from: Moon Shines Last (Audio CD)

I first heard Ayman Sawaf's music as a sampler from the Tranquility cd by Real Music. I thought he stood out far and away from the other samplers. He has at least six cds out, each one stunning in it's own way. If you are looking for soaring, spiritual, and even relaxing music, this is the cd to listen to. This artist, (not to be confused with Ayman, an R & B German born singer) combines western and eastern (Arabic) elements together. You will never hear this music on the radio, so this is music not be missed.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars if you are from a culturaly diverse background , get it, May 20, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Moon Shines Last (Audio CD)

if you are from a culturaly versatile background , get this CD it is great