Customer Reviews

Moon Shines Last

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

 

 

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.

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.

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

Although all three albums are titillating, the first is the best, with song after song of pleasure. I have sought to find other new age artists that resemble Ayman's style, but have been unsuccessful in doing so.