The Best of Cusco

Cusco

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 18, 1997)
• Original Release Date: May 30, 1997
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Higher Octave
• ASIN: B000003Z2F
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #72,929 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
In the mid-1980s, a lot of music professionals and session musicians from jazz, pop, and jingles began manufacturing instrumental moods under the rubric of New Age music. Cusco is one of those groups. The band's founders, Michael Holm and Kristian Schulze, are guns for hire and refugees from German '60s and '70s pop music. Named for Cuzco, the ancient Incan city of Peru, Cusco has all the elements that turned New Age into an industry trend. The sound includes lots of synthesizers, perky rock-funk rhythms, and enough sampled panpipes to provide virtual plumbing for all of Berlin. For every Andean-inspired piece like "Montezuma" and "Waters of Cesme," there's also a cornball workout like "Didjeridoo," which subjugates this aboriginal instrument to an arrangement right out of Easy Listening 101. The Best of Cusco draws from seven of their first eight American releases, including the popular Apurimac and Cusco 2000. --John Diliberto

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars ..::Simply Amazing::.., February 2, 2000

By	J. McDougald "jazzmidi" (Seattle, Washington - U.S.A.) - See all my reviews

Cusco is not a group to be mistaken. Once you hear a Cusco tune, you will always recognize them if you heard them in a store. Cusco has a style of their own and this CD is a great example of that. I've been a fan of Cusco sense the early 80's and now own every CD. I love Cusco's style and you will too if you like Ethnic Fusion type music. What drove me to love Cusco was when I heard for the first time "The Kokopelli's Flute". I never heard a sound like that before. Cusco makes the flute come to life and you can feel your body melting into yourself. If you don't own any Cusco CD's then this one is a good starter for any NewAge collector. It's just simply amazing!

If you like "Cusco" then I would recommend you listen to "Afternoon In Sedona" by Nicholas Gunn.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Amazing!!!, October 31, 2005

By	sally smith "AKA_notreally" (Mustang Ranch, NV) - See all my reviews

one day, long ago, I was stuck in an airport. probably Chicago. spent a lot of time in the Chicago airport. board, I went into a shop that had music for sale, and they had headsets that you could listen to the music before you buy.


that is where I discovered "Cusco". I bought the CD "best of" and I never regretted it. it is way different than the kind of music I had always listened to. I never heard of them, and I have not listened to any of their other albums, which, no doubt are lovely. but, this one - it is special.

turn it up loud and let it engulf you. the instruments and sounds are magic. can't name my favorite track. love it all. it's an experience. I wouldn't play one song without the other that comes before it or after it, they flow into each other in a way that no other music can. when I listen to it, I know by heart, which song is coming next, and I anticipate with child-like excitement.


it's that good.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Soothing, Serene and Splendid, July 16, 1999

By	[e-mail] (Hillsboro, Oregon, USA) - See all my reviews

I first heard of Cusco when I was listening to the Art Bell radio program. And ever since my ears honed in to the graceful, and smooth sounds of the brilliant song, "Montezuma" I could never forget what I heard and the masterful artist. While I don't listen to the Art Bell show anymore, I do intend to listen to Cusco more often, beginning with my first CD, The Best of Cusco. I just purchased the Best of Cusco online, and I am waiting eagerly for the CD to arrive. If the songs on the CD are nearly as good as the Real Audio sound clips, I have myself quite a treat. I am a new fan of Cusco and music of its genre.