One Sky

Marina Belica | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (December 11, 2002)
• Original Release Date: December 11, 2002
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: CDBY
• ASIN: B00009KDL9
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #423,115 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Luc Marianni, Big Bang Magazine, March 2003

"The music is like an impressionistic painting done in Giverny among the many flowers of Monet’s enchanted garden."

Product Description

Singer/composer Marina Belica, lead singer of October Project, further reveals her talents as a composer on the instrumental album "one sky." Described by Marina as "modern, intimate chamber music," the album features ten tracks arranged for acoustic ensembles that feature a unique palette of string, wind and percussion instruments. The music is contemplative and relaxing, with shades of different ethnic and folk music traditions. Marina plays keyboards and adds vocal textures throughout, including solo piano on the closing track, "A Way Home. Romantic, lyrical and relaxing

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thank God for "Echoes", May 27, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: One Sky (Audio CD)

I first heard a track from "one sky" on a streaming audio internet broadcast called "Echoes" which is a syndicated public radio program played on the web and in the airwaves by both WXPN in Philadelphia and WFUV in New York. I believe the show is aired on 150 stations nationwide.

Anyway, the program shifted from a somewhat hypnotic track to this very sophisticated track that was reminiscent of chamber music. It was so fresh and unexpected that despite the late hour I waited to hear who composed it. Much to my surprise the composer turned out to be Marina Belica, the former keyboard player and harmonist of October Project. The DJ surprised me further by saying that she is now the lead singer of that band (which I thought had disbanded).

If you are a fan of Marina' s voice (as I am), then you will understand my surprise to find that this track , and indeed all the tracks, from "one sky" are purely instrumental--no vocals. Suddenly, I felt as though I was stuck in an episode of The Twilight Zone. Marina Belica, who is now singing lead vocals in a cult 90's band, is out there somewhere composing instrumental music. Why?

After visiting various websites and doing a little research, it all began to make sense. Marina, a Yale music major and super pianist, spent some of her idle time between the demise of the original October Project and the resurrection of the new and much improved October Project exploring her music composition skills.

"One sky" boasts ten tracks each with a different ethnic flavor. My favorite, "Bedouin," is an uptempo composition which sounds like bedouins on horse back galloping across the desert in the moonlight. Amy Platt's clarinet playing is rather amazing.

Another great track is "Waterwheel" which features some lovely and soothing string compositions. One of the other treats on the disc, which seems to link the compositions, is the versatility of Jorge Alfano, who plays about 7 instruments on the CD including fretless bass, sitar and a number of instruments I've never heard of before. These instruments add a lot of color to the album.

As much as I like vocals, there are times, like while writing music reviews or balancing my checkbook, when they can be distracting. "One sky" is perfect for those moments. Now I can listen to Marina
all the time.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Marina is a Multi-Talented Performer, June 16, 2003

By 

Marcia Reid Marsted (Canton, CT USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: One Sky (Audio CD)

I'm not a music critic in any kind of official sense (or unofficial for that matter). I just know what I like. Marina Belica's music is both soothingly contemporary and intelligently eclectic.

Marina's instrumental CD, One Sky, is a wonderful counterpoint to her vocal CDs, especially December Girl, which I have and love. A beautiful singer who can also accompany herself on various kinds of instruments is impressive. One who can compose music for herself as well is pretty special indeed.

The musicians who play her music with her are talented, too, and let us hear an amazing variety of instruments and sounds. All of this - composer, musicians, sounds - comes together to produce a CD worth putting in your player and enjoying.

One Sky is mellow, mellifluous music that everyone, no matter what their preferred musical style might be, would be happy to hear. It's great to listen to as you drive. It's great as background music as you read or enjoy a glass of wine. It's great to just sit and soak up the sounds. Try it! You'll like it!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A tonic for the world today..... One Sky, June 8, 2003

By 

A. G. Gladwin "Andrew Gladwin" (Cape Town, South Africa) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: One Sky (Audio CD)

Marina Belica makes a powerful statement about unity and the beauty in the world with this instrumental album. The soundtrack for today's divided world may be all the harsh and unmelodius drivel that the marketing moguls pass off as "cool", but here is an album with peace and beauty as it's main themes.

Featuring instruments from every part of the world, the tunes are driven by simple and effective melodies. All of the tracks are worthwhile, but I found a special beauty in "Early Morning" and Marina's piano solo on "A Way Home."

This album deserves a far-wider release than it is ever likely to get. However, it does show Marina Belica to be extremely giften musically, as she has already shown on the Decembergirl EP. Hopefully, she will do some more solo stuff on the side, or contribute to the new, exciting adventures of the October Project.

Finally, at just over 30 minutes, this CD proves that less is really more. No overlong, drawn-out pieces. However, there is always that repeat button....