Search - Karl Maddison :: Tibetan Groove

Nice groove but nothing at all to do with Tibet

ShriDurga | 05/18/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Karl Maddison is one of those studio wizards, a guy who with a computer and a keyboard can create a sound that otherwise might require a roomful of musicians. He deploys these skills quite effectively on his first solo release of "new age" music, a collection apparently inspired by Himalayan culture entitled Tibetan Groove.



Besides owning his own Yorkshire recording studio and producing for other musicians and for film and television, Maddison is also proficient on a number of instruments, though he started out on and continues to favor the guitar, the lead instrument on the eight songs that make up this album. Maddison plays mostly acoustic over slow to mid-tempo beats accented by synthetic flourishes and an occasional bowl, bell or gong. Except for one track featuring synthetic tabla and another with a tiny harp-like fill, there are no lutes, kotos, erhus, or other traditional Asian instruments or players on this recording, though flautist Julian Wiggins on several tracks lends what could be considered an Asian-like sound. One or two tracks, such as Nam-Tso, might put you in mind of more recent work from Mike Oldfield, but for the most part the music on Tibetan Groove is more contemporary instrumental (a relative of smooth jazz) and most of the songs would fit quite comfortably on any Third Force album.



That's not to say it's bad music. In fact it's quite a tasty album of laid-back grooves, great for use in the background when you're working, or maybe a leisurely bicycle ride through the countryside.



Tibetan Groove was originally released in 2006 on UK New Age label MG Music under the title "On the Road To Tibet." Many MG Music recordings are now being distributed in the US by Gemini Sun, often retitled with new packaging.

"

ANYTIME-ANYWHERE

Ricke | San Francisco Bay Area | 05/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I love this CD. As I saw that Nicholas Gunn recommended this (and I love his music), I listened to some track samples and once I heard "Friendship Highway" I knew I had to have it. I listen to this CD at all times of the day -- morning, during the day while I'm just fiddling around the house, when I'm reading a book, at night when I go to bed. It's a really soothing album and definitely has some great grooves and as a singer I really like to sing along to them and add my own. I'd like to work with Karl (would you care to produce my album?). Anyway, Friendship Highway is my favorite. That guitar and melody are beautiful. If I'm leaving the house to go out for a motorcycle ride I put that on before I leave so that it will stick in my mind. Love it. My kitties love it too. Check it out."

Majestic Maddison Music

William K. Smothers | Hockessin, Delaware | 05/14/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a fantastic instrumental album with modern jazz grooves and upbeat New Age electronic melodies. Reminds me somewhat of both David Arkenstone and Mehdi (without Mehdi's annoying handclaps and overdone programmed percussion). There is not a bad track on Tibetan Groove.....I sincerely hope that Karl Maddison will produce more of the same!"