Mystic Journey

Suzanne Teng | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 14, 1999)
• Original Release Date: October 2, 1999
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Autumn Light Productions
• ASIN: B000040JKR
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #145,635 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #47 in Music > Indie Music > New Age > International
  • #47 in Music > Classical > Ballets & Dances > Tangos

Editorial Reviews

Billboard Magazine

"Suzanne Teng is a student of the flute, playing variations on this instrument from around the world on her impressive solo debut. Sensual and serene, Teng orchestrates a global percussion landscape with Gilbert Levy, sending improvisations across a slow dance on "Topanga Dreams," creating a Middle Eastern tango on "Katyia's Dance," and bringing out a ritual dance on "China Lily." On "Aduman," Teng is joined by African kora player Prince Diabate in a vibrant narrative of cross-picked melodies. Because she is often inspired by dance, one can hear her rhythms and melodies flowing with the form of bodies in motion. And when exhaustion sets in, Teng envelopes the listener in a meditative space of "Clouds Across the Darkness," with a multi-tracked bass flute blowing across wind chimes and a Tibetan singing bowl. "Mystic Journey" is an impressive debut from a former member of the Angels of Venice."

Product Description

About this CD (notes from the artist )

Topanga Dreams
Since 1988, I've lived in Topanga, California. This small mountain town has taught me the true meaning of community. By being there for each other, we can make dreams come true. May all your dreams come true...

Katyia's Dance
This song has evolved from being a solo dance performance piece in our Mystic Journey shows into a passionate tango...for two. So grab someone you love and enjoy the dance!

China Lily
This flute was a gift from my Dize (rhymes with pizza) teacher and is one of my favorites. Whenever I play it, I am transported to a place of inner peace and stillness.

Lhasa Love
I found this melody in a book of traditional Chinese folk songs, It was called Tibetan Dance before we transformed it into a lively multicultural boogie!

Aduman
Although there are many dialects spoken in the West African region of Guinea and Mali, the universal word for "sweet" amongst all the tribes is aduman.

Darjeeling Sunrise
Inspired by an Indian sunrise raga, this song reflects the experience that I had when I was on top of Tiger Hill in Darjeeling, India, witnessing a magical sunrise illuminating the awesome Himalayan mountains.

See all Editorial Reviews

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Poetic Journey..., May 4, 2004

By 

"berwynne" (Freeport, Maine) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mystic Journey (Audio CD)

I fell in love with the music of The Angels of Venice years ago, and thus when I learned that Suzanne Teng (a former "Angel") had produced a solo work, I was very excited. But the music on this CD easily surpasses anything Teng had done with the Angels of Venice. Lyrical melodies, accompanied by enthnic rhythms on traditional percussion instruments, overlaid with Teng's own haunting performances on Asian flute, transport the listener to another time and another place -- both in this world, and in the "otherworld" created by Teng's mystical music edge. Tibetan singing bowls, Middle-Eastern bells, Celtic strings and a vast assortment of drums and wind instruments create a musical whirlwind that will leave the listener breathlessly awaiting Teng's next musical offering.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars As close to a live performance as it gets for an artist, April 14, 2000

By 

Peter T. Duffy (LA, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Mystic Journey (Audio CD)

Last year, during the World Festival of Music during the Dalhi Lama's visit to the LA area, I had the fabulous fortune to hear Suzanne Teng perform live. This CD recreates that experience so well! The rich percussion and other instruments backup her virtuoso flute performances on this recording with sublime grace. During the live performance one of the pieces faded off into an absolutely crystalline solo flute note. It died with her last fragment of breath into a church so quite you could hear your own heart beating. The audience was stunned beyond applause for several seconds. This recording captures that feeling. I work a cut from this into my DJing each time and I always get comments from dancers. I am so pleased to be able to tell them it is widely available now. (I bought my copy at the performance and now will be getting more for gifts.) It is perfect for slow, self-expressive dance, some people love it for massage music, it always is in order when wanting to disconnect from time and space for a while. Mystic Journey is an absolute must for world music listeners and dancers. Highly recommended for all.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Nice!, December 31, 2003

By 

Brianna Neal (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Mystic Journey (Audio CD)

Suzanne Teng, the original flutist with the group "Angels of Venice", breaks out on her own in this playful and exotic 1999 release. Teng shows herself a master of flutistry, not only the playing the standard western "C" flute, but also piccolo, alto and bass flutes, dize (Chinese bamboo flute), ney (Turkish flute) and panpipes. Her tone is rich and liquid, and her improvisations range from jazzy to sinuous to ephemeral depending on the style of the piece. Many of the selections have a strong Near- or Far Eastern flavor, but the mood remains gentle and cheerful throughout the album, without any of the dark intensity that characterizes some of the "Angels'" work. Teng is not alone in "Mystic Journey" either; many guest artists lend their well-established talents to the mix to create ever-varied layers of texture. Gilbert Levy provides intricate world percussion accompaniments, while cellist Martin Tillman, Prince Diabate, Hans Christiansen of Rasa and Greg Ellis of Vas (among others) also pop in to lend a hand, making for a richly orchestrated album that is full of apt and interesting surprises. Occasionally the flute melodies seem a little trite and meandering, qualities that are at odds with the earthy, percussive background, but overall this album is appealing. Teng's simultaneously light and down-to-earth compositions find ways to be relaxing without being boring--a common pitfall for many New Age artists. The music of "Mystic Journey" would be great for warm-ups and slow-dancing for belly dancers, as well as just pleasant listening after a mundane and stressful day at work. Other recordings featuring Suzanne Teng's flute-playing include "Awake Inside a Dream" and "Music for Flute, Harp and Cello" by the Angels of Venice. For more bamboo and metal flute improvisations, in this case without accompaniment, check out also Richard Warner's "Quiet Heart / Spirit Wind".