Search - Karunesh :: Zen Breakfast

Layers of Tranquility

Clarissa | Ontario, California | 10/05/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I don't normally gravitate toward any type of music that could possibly be used for meditation (especially space music) because it lacks any real emotion in me and I become tediously bored with the flat rhythms that are beautiful, yes, but seem to go nowhere. I try to keep an open mind though which is needed in this genre (you must become free and let go of all earthly cares) and have found a few exceptions, such as Troika, Pia, and Medwyn Goodall. The serene harmonies on `Zen Breakfast' are absolutely gorgeous and I feel as if I'm floating in rapturous bliss every time I listen to this heavenly music. The sound of Karunesh may be simplistic but it's layered with such peaceful tranquility. The common stress of everyday life is kept asunder as the chaos becomes lost in the calming winds. I love unwinding to the breathtaking melodies heard here and feel so relaxed as I take in the mystical cadence (tempo) that's sometimes tinged with an underlying sadness. The melancholy flutes often convey that feeling as it's a very haunting instrument. The bluesy guitar chords played by Govi augment the sitar, chimes and gongs and the songs are never tarnished of their dreamy, trance-like quality."

From Solo Piano Publications

Kathy Parsons | Florence, OR United States | 11/05/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Zen Breakfast" is truly classic "New Age" music, with floating melodies, shimmering flutes, clear bells, gentle guitar and piano. Many of the tracks remind me a bit of early Kitaro, but this is definitely not an imitation of that artist or any other. While there are many Eastern influences, there are also many from the West, joining to make a soothing, mystical blend. The music is quiet and consistent enough in mood and tempo to make a very pleasant backdrop for other activities. It will also hold up well for meditation or meditative listening. Just don't try to wake up to it - I can tell you from personal experience that this will put you right back into dreamland! The album is extremely well done and is beautiful to listen to. I have seen comparisons to Ray Lynch's groundbreaking "Deep Breakfast", but even though Lynch incorporates Eastern touches into his music, the only thing I find that the two albums have in common is a word in the title. "Zen Breakfast" doesn't have anything as catchy as "Celestial Soda Pop" or "Rhythm in the Pews", and while it is an excellent album, Lynch brought us something brand new with his recording, and this CD continues the tradition without breaking any new ground - something I doubt Karunesh was intending to do anyway. This CD was apparently conceived over a breakfast meeting with Karunesh and Real Music President Terence Yallop, hence the title. The cover art is especially nice on this CD."

I'd take part in this "breakfast" anytime

Guardian of the Zen Sea | Looking after the sun and surf | 07/31/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a wonderful, musical CD. It is a great mixture of acoustic instrumentation with very subtle overdubbings, including natural sounds. The music really pulls you into each piece differently, and provides a complete, and compelling soundscape for each selection. There are no "dud" cuts, and the peices can stand alone, or can be enjoyed as a continuous CD experience without inducing a seriously comatose state....unfortunately, a common difficulty for some music of this genre. The artist, Karunesh, creates music diverse enough to be included on deeply healing, meditation CDs as well as songs which contain a ral groove, allowing the music to appear on compilation CDs such a Claude Challe's "Buddah Bar". This CD is almost the "folk" version. The tunes are not overly lively, or driving, but there is a definite pulse. On the other hand, they are not so introspective that the listener feels like entering a meditative state. Listen to track number 4, "Remembering to Forget" to get a feel for the music...."