Customer Reviews

Planet Passion

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
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Yeah, these guys really do just keep getting better. And the album is the same! I discover something new every time I listen. There are so many wonderful musical moments on this CD, beautifully blended with the most amazing array of instruments I've every heard. Guitar, sitar, bansuri, Chinese instrumentation, loads of quirky percussion and hauntingly beautiful vocals delivered so pristinely!

For fans of world fusion, I can't recommend an album or a group more strongly. The album combines lilting Celtic moments, Russian folksongs, Arabic dances and flowing Asian melodies. The members of Ancient Future are consummate, professional musicians and composers. It is truly refreshing to hear real musicians playing real instruments. It lifts the spirit and gives me hope that music can survive the age of computerization and Mickey Mouse performers!

This varying crew of great talents give us a clever sequence of songs from different cultures, depicting progressive stages of love -- flirtation through courtship and eventually to a more spiritual "longing for the beloved". Moods and instrumentation are typically light-hearted, lending themselves to more traditional visions of romance. I particularly like: The guitar solos (Matthew Montfort) on I Met Her in the Medowe; The lilting vocal chant (Irina Mikhailova) on Ocean of Love (more complex, a deeper exchange of feelings); the exotic instrumental mix, including flute and gamelan, on the meditative Semara; and a playful but low-key Seduction song, Ne Po Pogrebu Bochonochek, again featuring the lovely voice of Irina.

The packaging is a cute concept too: There's a big heart-shaped space for your personal love note if you give this CD as a gift.
(They ask you to send your own love story if this music helps it along!)

An easy, seductive listen with impeccable performances and engineering.

If music is the food of love, then feast on "Planet Passion."

Ancient Future has definitely hit a high-water mark with this CD. Matthew Montfort has assembled a fantastic group of musicians (sitar, violin, tabla, vocals, percussionists and many more) for this World Fusion CD. I especially like the flute work and Matthew's guitar is compelling.

Each piece ties into the next, telling the universal story of love, courtship and longing. After several listenings, I enjoy it more each time (especially with the lights out and being with someone I love)

The final cut, "Socha Socha." has me longing for more.