Spectrum Suite

Steven Halpern, Steven Halpern

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 28, 1994)
• Original Release Date: 1975
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Inner Peace Music
• ASIN: B000003IUU
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #71,848 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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  #26 in	Music > Indie Music > Miscellaneous > Self-Help
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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Steven Halpern is a seminal figure in New Age music, pioneering the market back in the 1970s, long before the major labels got hold of it. His merchandising touts the healing attributes of his music, which he dubbed the "anti-frantic alternative." According to Halpern, his sounds will tune your aura, massage your chakras, and stop you from smoking. His theories have been largely debunked as pseudoscientific, quasi-metaphysical fluff, (see Lisa Summer's book, Music: The New Age Elixir), which brings us to his first album, Spectrum Suite, originally released in 1975. Its 14 compositions float by in major-key improvisations that never resolve. Instead, he sends notes out into the clear air, the vibraphone-like tones of his Fender Rhodes electric piano resonating like bells in space. You don't follow Halpern's music, but float through it. More rhapsodic than Brian Eno's ambient compositions of the same era, Halpern would be a pleasant diversion if he didn't weigh his music down with so much New Age baggage. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Calming for adults and children, October 19, 1999

By	Keegan Curry (Sedona, Arizona USA) - See all my reviews

The first few times my wife put on Steven Halpern's "Spectrum Suite" I didn't consciously pay attention to it, but I noticed that I felt better after listening to it. And, as a wonderful side effect, it seems to calm my children when they hear it. They seem to fight less and play cooperatively while it is on. Last week my two oldest children sat for about two hours and played a card game in front of the CD player while "Spectrum Suite" was playing repeatedly. I have never seen them sit in one place for two hours before, much less play a game quietly. It would be interesting to see some research done with this music, as has been done with some pieces of Mozart music. Definitely one to add to your CD collection.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spectrum Suite is now Chakra Suite, June 15, 2002

By A Customer

After being named the most important New Age recording of all time by New Age Voice Magazine, Steven Halpern decided that this classic recording was ready for an update. The new version of Spectrum Suite, now called Chakra Suite, features additional music, new artwork and was totally re-mastered. A classic made even better by perhaps the finest artist in this genre!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for Yoga meditation, January 8, 1999

By A Customer

Have enjoyed this selection for many years. First on tape and now even better on CD. The "music" is ideal as background for meditation and for yoga practice. It's ability to clear the "noise" from an active mind and allow for a sense of peace to surround you makes this album my favorite choice when in need of quiet time.