Customer Reviews

Spirit of the Forest

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The energy in the cuts from this CD is infectious. Percussion, local instrumentation and seamless vocals blend into a package that defies description. The world beat is evident, but Craddock has suceeded in using the Pygmy voices and music conventions in music that does not jar our Western ear. The rhythms are intricate. The vocals are smooth and blend beautifully on each track. It has become one of my favorite CDs to keep me company as I workout on the Nordictrack, driving me with the beat and energy to work just a little harder!

Each time I listen to "Spirit of the Forest," I discover some new nuance that I'd not heard before. In these days of "CD of the week," the desire to hear it again months later speaks volumes to its creativeness.

after seeing baka beyond live in concert recently we were compelled to pick up this recorded work. though it does not reproduce the unique energy of the concert,it pleases on other levels. when martin craddick and wife su hart lived with the baka pygmies in africa in 1992, it was no doubt a life altering experience. much of that comes through in the music presented on
"spirit of the forest". craddick,who's resume includes OUTBACK, a similarly genre busting project,teams with hart(vocals),paddy le mercier(another veteran of OUTBACK on violin and flutes)and members of the baka people who play percussion and several african instruments, to create a mellow listening experience based on a fusion of musical ideas. i paticularly like using this as background music for various endeavors, but there is plenty here for those who wish to have a provacative listening session as well. the warm commraderie the participants shared really comes through. i don't see how any fan of acoustic based alternative music will be disappointed in this recording. as an added incentive to explore this work, it is stated in the liner notes that "all performance and compositional royalties due to the baka for this album will be collected for them to use to protect their forest and to develop in a sustainable way without losing their knowlege or their culture."

I bought this a few years ago because I was drawn by the cover, without a clue to what was inside. What a great find! Raw, organic, lush, touches your spirit. The Meeting Pool is just as good. I'm just ordering Journey Between, and can't wait to get it.

I didn't purchase Spirit of the Forest first; no matter. I wound up buying everything Cradick is involved with in short order. The music is richly textured, rythmically fascinating and downright fun to listen to, even after scrutinizing the sounds and tracks. The mixing is well done. The cultural merging is artfully performed by skilled musicians. The story of the Baka, having greater sensitivity to sound and using music as ritualistic expression is enchanting. The cause is great! If only we all can experience the same trip to the forest, but no need! It's all in the music. If you listen carefully, you can return with this fine group to the forest whenever you can, even if a steering wheel is all you have to make noise; and you WILL make noise, if there's just the slightest musical inclination in you. If only Eleanor Churchlow were singing with Sue Hart.I saw a recent clip of Eeya Be live with Sue and Eleanor on vocals - what an addition! All the more reason to fly and see this group live, wherever they are. Greece would be nice..<grin> But I digress; Top of the listening list for me, and an easy 5 stars.

I've owned this CD for many years, and grateful for the GRACE that
helped me discover it. It always picks my spirits up, even if I'm not down! It always makes me feel like moving. You can feel the respectful and genuine relationship Martin Cradick and Su Hart had with the Baka Pygmies. Martins production truly honors the interelatedness of us human beings, especially through music.

I picked up this album almost at random looking for "Kwanzaa music". What I found was a delightful, creative blend between ethnic elements sampled from tribal music, New Age-style ambient and Western-style pop music. In addition to being pleasant listening, it's also soft enough to be good background music. It's definitely encouraged me to look for more work by this artist.

I literally wore out my first copy! This CD is incredible. It moves from enchanting to invigorating and back again, over and over. People from neighboring apartments knock on my door, not to ask me to turn down the volume, but to find out what I'm playing! The music gets into your mind and your body, I find myself whistling bits of it all the time. I strongly recommend Spirit of the Forest, and I will definitely be buying more of Baka Beyond!

3 1/2


Baka Beyond walk that fine line, shared with many world fusion projects ala Afro Celt Sound System, usually teetering along the edge of invigorating, joyful music celebration and sappy, exploited, white man's new-age tribal. With their first album, sampling and centering much of their work around the Pygmy tribe this husband and wife recording team interacted with, the results feel fresh, though in a modestly restrained context. While a certain generic predictability may radiate from these beats, crisp instrumentation and clear production marks this endeavour with quality.

The title cut is a world fusion favorite, as well as a favorite of mine. Baka Beyond melds acoustic world rhythms and near-wordless vocals in an ingratiatingly upbeat manner, though it can become tedious at times.

I just recently returned from a 4 month trip to Africa. I went in search of music, art, animals and a deep, soul searching adventure. I found this CD everywhere I went. While in Swaziland , They played it non-stop. I left Africa with a mission to find this group (who ever they were). I recently heard "Spirit of the Forest" on the air here at KGNU Boulder, Co. - That was it! Hearing it again for the first time since returning makes me think of the most wonderful times I had on my journey through Africa. I just got on line tonight and ordered it PLUS 1 more of theirs!