Narada Decade Two: Evolution, 1992-2001 (2-CD Set)

Various Artists (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (June 19, 2001)
• Original Release Date: June 19, 2001
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Narada
• ASIN: B00005LMPQ
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #148,359 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. The Journey Begins - Hans Zimmer

2. Yonnondio (Part 1) - Peter Buffett

3. The Merced - Tingstad & Rumbel

4. Skywatching - Michael Gettel

5. Under The Canopy - David Arkenstone

6. Chuiagh Me 'Na Rosann - Scartaglen

7. Danching Kachinas - Ralf Illenberger

8. Back Home - Nando Lauria

9. Joy Of Beltane - Friedemann

10. Sunrise - Kostia

See all 15 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. The Call To Dance - Leahy

2. Waters Of Eden - Tony Levin

3. Forgive e (Perdoname) - Oscar Lopez

4. El Manisero (The Peanut Vendor) - Cuba L.A.

5. Klimbim - Don Ross

6. Virtue - Jesse Cook

7. Gloria Benditta - Chuscales

8. Onward, Upward - Alex Bugnon

9. Quiet 3 - Sheila Chandra

10. Love Life - Warren Hill

See all 14 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Once a contemporary instrumental/New Age label to the core, Narada Records dramatically revised its aesthetic posture during the latter half of the 1990s. Following its acquisition by Virgin Records in 1997, Narada intensified its expansion into neighboring musical genres (principally world and jazz) and, as showcased on this two-disc sampler, has become a far more diverse label--practically a whole new Narada. How much has changed? Consider: On a 29-track compilation (all previously released material) with a running time that exceeds two hours, just one solo piano track appears ("Sunrise" by Russian pianist Kostia). Longtime artists such as Eric Tingstad & Nancy Rumbel, David Arkenstone, and Michael Gettel make appearances on disc one, while disc two demonstrates--sometimes to jarring effect--just how eclectic Narada has grown. The suave flamenco guitar of Oscar Lopez, for example, is followed by a sweaty brass-and-percussion workout by the all-star ensemble Cuba L.A., which is then followed by the detailed finger-style guitar of Don Ross. Flamenco (Chuscales) later leads into funk-flavored uptown jazz ("Onward, Upward," a terrific track from Alex Bugnon), then moves into an Oriental vocal dreamscape (Sheila Chandra), smooth jazz (saxophonist Warren Hill), and then a traditional Mexican-Indian vocal piece (Lila Downs). Worthwhile stuff, just a little strangely juxtaposed in a single package. Narada Decade Two serves more as a sampler that displays the label's diversity and eclectic nature than a cohesive listening experience. Looking for a bliss fest? Maybe try Narada Decade. --Terry Wood

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Beautifull..., June 26, 2001

By	Filippos Raftopoulos (AGRIA - VOLOS, MAGNESIA Greece) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This second Narada "Decade" collection begins with the opening music track from Hans Zimmer's "Millenium", while the first one (almost) closes with the closing track from the same record. This is not by chance. Narada released the new "Decade" by the turn of the millenium and named it "Evolution", trying to show the changes that took place these eight years since the first "Decade" collection was released.

Those of you who have the first "Decade" and hope to find it's sequel in this, will not be that pleased. The first CD may be close to what you expect, with names you will already know. Smooth music that really has a "New Age" - uplifting feeling. Soft sound, either it is guitar, piano or synthesizers, or even vocals. Although some of the songs can be found on other Narada collections too, the compilation is very good.

The second disc is a compilation of what we now know as "nouveau flamengo" music and some smooth jazz. Narada has become maybe the biggest music label of this kind of music since the first "Decade" was released. Although you will find some beautifull pieces of music there, it's not really the kind of music I like. If it wasn't for that, I would have given it five stars.

As usual, the sound is perfect with clarity and quality that is far above the average recordings you may have heard, making it a reference CD for setting up stereo equipment.

In general, this is a good collection of music to have. Although it definately didn't thrill me as much as the first one did eight years ago, I shouldn't deny that there is beautifull music in those two silver discs...

The first "Decade" seems to have showed the way to a great music exploration. This one seems to be the destination of this beautifull trip.

Sadly for me, I enjoyed the journey more...

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Example of how things have changed, September 15, 2004

By	Tigerbos (TN) - See all my reviews

In the 80's after Windham Hill's success with New Age, Narada came and originally had some fine acoustical acts. Things certainly have changed in the new age genre. It's a shame that most "new age" music is not as it once was - contemporary instrumental music consisting mostly of acoustical music. Now every Tom, Dick and Harry buys a synthesizer and calls it new age. Old 80's Windham Hill and Narada were once prime examples of how lovely the "new age" genre could be. Narada is not the same any longer (neither is Windham Hill under the direction now of someone other than its founder/guitarist William Ackerman). Disc one is good in the sense that you get that old Narada sound but disc two is all flamenco and if you're not into that, you won't like this set. I would save my money and buy one of the other Narada Collections if that is the case.