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Stella Mirus? - Eri Sugai and ensemble

Geoff Hall | Borehamwood, UK | 04/25/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If anyone has head "MAI" by Eri Sugai and liked it, buy this. Pay the price for this import - it's thoroughly worth it.



The album is a mixture of classical pieces performed in an unusual, but simple style - it sounds like Eri Sugai is singing along to the melodies, using her voice as an additional, multi-tracked instrument - and her own compositions, which are in a similar classical style.



The title comes from the first track - J. S. Bach's "Air On A G String". This is followed by Erik Satie's "Gymnopaedies No. 1" (in similar vein) and then "In Your Arms", which reminds me very strongly of Enya. After that, it's plain sailing with pieces by Beethoven, Faure and Mussorgsky as well as more of Eri's own compositions. It's all so beautiful, you'll just keep listening to it.



The talented Ms Sugai should be congratulated, because the nine tracks are superbly put together and, whether you like classical music or not, you will surely like this.



And if you do, I understand that there is another album which has been recorded but, for some reason, may never be released. This is not good news and, despite being in contact with Eri through her website, I and others are mystified by its non-appearance. But for now, whilst we wait impatiently, we must all make do with this wonderful album. By the way, if you go onto the website and follow the links, you can hear a couple of the tracks.



Stella Mirus (note the name and the spelling!), aka Eri Sugai and ensemble. If you want more od Eri Sugai, buy her solo album from 2000 MAI and ask those nice people at Amazon to get hold of copies of KAORI, the 2004 follow-up which is stunning. Then find out how the follow-up to AIR can not be released."