Customer Reviews

Narada Decade Two: Evolution, 1992-2001 (2-CD Set)

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

 

 

This second Narada "Decade" collection begins with the opening music track from Hans Zimmer's "Millenium", while the first one (almost) closes with the closing track from the same record. This is not by chance. Narada released the new "Decade" by the turn of the millenium and named it "Evolution", trying to show the changes that took place these eight years since the first "Decade" collection was released.

Those of you who have the first "Decade" and hope to find it's sequel in this, will not be that pleased. The first CD may be close to what you expect, with names you will already know. Smooth music that really has a "New Age" - uplifting feeling. Soft sound, either it is guitar, piano or synthesizers, or even vocals. Although some of the songs can be found on other Narada collections too, the compilation is very good.

The second disc is a compilation of what we now know as "nouveau flamengo" music and some smooth jazz. Narada has become maybe the biggest music label of this kind of music since the first "Decade" was released. Although you will find some beautifull pieces of music there, it's not really the kind of music I like. If it wasn't for that, I would have given it five stars.

As usual, the sound is perfect with clarity and quality that is far above the average recordings you may have heard, making it a reference CD for setting up stereo equipment.

In general, this is a good collection of music to have. Although it definately didn't thrill me as much as the first one did eight years ago, I shouldn't deny that there is beautifull music in those two silver discs...

The first "Decade" seems to have showed the way to a great music exploration. This one seems to be the destination of this beautifull trip.

Sadly for me, I enjoyed the journey more...

In the 80's after Windham Hill's success with New Age, Narada came and originally had some fine acoustical acts. Things certainly have changed in the new age genre. It's a shame that most "new age" music is not as it once was - contemporary instrumental music consisting mostly of acoustical music. Now every Tom, Dick and Harry buys a synthesizer and calls it new age. Old 80's Windham Hill and Narada were once prime examples of how lovely the "new age" genre could be. Narada is not the same any longer (neither is Windham Hill under the direction now of someone other than its founder/guitarist William Ackerman). Disc one is good in the sense that you get that old Narada sound but disc two is all flamenco and if you're not into that, you won't like this set. I would save my money and buy one of the other Narada Collections if that is the case.