Search - Marina Belica :: One Sky

Thank God for "Echoes"

A. G. Gladwin | 05/28/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I first heard a track from "one sky" on a streaming audio internet broadcast called "Echoes" which is a syndicated public radio program played on the web and in the airwaves by both WXPN in Philadelphia and WFUV in New York. I believe the show is aired on 150 stations nationwide.Anyway, the program shifted from a somewhat hypnotic track to this very sophisticated track that was reminiscent of chamber music. It was so fresh and unexpected that despite the late hour I waited to hear who composed it. Much to my surprise the composer turned out to be Marina Belica, the former keyboard player and harmonist of October Project. The DJ surprised me further by saying that she is now the lead singer of that band (which I thought had disbanded).If you are a fan of Marina' s voice (as I am), then you will understand my surprise to find that this track , and indeed all the tracks, from "one sky" are purely instrumental--no vocals. Suddenly, I felt as though I was stuck in an episode of The Twilight Zone. Marina Belica, who is now singing lead vocals in a cult 90's band, is out there somewhere composing instrumental music. Why?After visiting various websites and doing a little research, it all began to make sense. Marina, a Yale music major and super pianist, spent some of her idle time between the demise of the original October Project and the resurrection of the new and much improved October Project exploring her music composition skills."One sky" boasts ten tracks each with a different ethnic flavor. My favorite, "Bedouin," is an uptempo composition which sounds like bedouins on horse back galloping across the desert in the moonlight. Amy Platt's clarinet playing is rather amazing.Another great track is "Waterwheel" which features some lovely and soothing string compositions. One of the other treats on the disc, which seems to link the compositions, is the versatility of Jorge Alfano, who plays about 7 instruments on the CD including fretless bass, sitar and a number of instruments I've never heard of before. These instruments add a lot of color to the album. As much as I like vocals, there are times, like while writing music reviews or balancing my checkbook, when they can be distracting. "One sky" is perfect for those moments. Now I can listen to Marina
all the time."

She doesn't SING!

S. Davis | MA | 03/16/2005

(2 out of 5 stars)

"With such a beautiful voice, I just assumed Marina would be singing on this CD. Clearly I didn't pay attention while shopping!!! It's all instrumental music - very nice, but not what I was looking for. Just so you know :)"

Marina is a Multi-Talented Performer

Marcia Reid Marsted | Canton, CT USA | 06/17/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm not a music critic in any kind of official sense (or unofficial for that matter). I just know what I like. Marina Belica's music is both soothingly contemporary and intelligently eclectic.Marina's instrumental CD, One Sky, is a wonderful counterpoint to her vocal CDs, especially December Girl, which I have and love. A beautiful singer who can also accompany herself on various kinds of instruments is impressive. One who can compose music for herself as well is pretty special indeed. The musicians who play her music with her are talented, too, and let us hear an amazing variety of instruments and sounds. All of this - composer, musicians, sounds - comes together to produce a CD worth putting in your player and enjoying.One Sky is mellow, mellifluous music that everyone, no matter what their preferred musical style might be, would be happy to hear. It's great to listen to as you drive. It's great as background music as you read or enjoy a glass of wine. It's great to just sit and soak up the sounds. Try it! You'll like it!"