From the Dark Earth features internationally known trumpet soloist David Bilger in a collection of richly atmospheric, mystical works for trumpet and synthesizer. Often dark and sensuous, the musical style combines space/... more »ambient elements with a lyricism seldom heard in that genre.« less
From the Dark Earth features internationally known trumpet soloist David Bilger in a collection of richly atmospheric, mystical works for trumpet and synthesizer. Often dark and sensuous, the musical style combines space/ambient elements with a lyricism seldom heard in that genre.
CD Reviews
Exciting and highly original space/ambient music.
06/25/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Meg Bowles always offers her listeners delicious excursions into the imaginal realms but with this new CD she blazes new territory. Her always brilliant handling of syth has been combined with electrifying trumpet, provided by David Bilger. This superb union delivers a gorgeous, swilrling listen into a brave new world."
Superior Synthesizer/Instrumental Blend
11/26/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Another work of superior quality. Bowles should receive more recognition from the Space/Ambient world. In my opinion, this work is a shade under her earlier release "Blue Cosmos". Her dark synthesizer work is complemented very well by Bilger's solo "ethereal" trumpet. An excellent step for Bowles, as I look forward to her next release. It would be very interesting to have her generate a work with other classical instruments in a supporting role. Both "Dark Earth" and "Blue Cosmos" are space-essentials."
Colorful and evocative
11/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"On "From The Dark Earth" Meg Bowles paints colorful and evocative ambient soundscapes which wonderfully compliment the beautiful and sensitively rendered trumpet playing of David Bilger. Bowles usually sets up each piece with a dark and brooding palette which sometimes moves effortlessly from sonic soup to austere beauty as in "The Forgotten Valley," with the addition of Cynthia Bilger on horn. These excursions into more melodic territory, with the trumpet leading the way, sometimes recall the melancholy mood set by oboe, cor anglais or cello in the neo-romantic ambient chamber music of Tim Story. Bowles music would certainly be in good company with the likes of recordings by Robert Rich, Steve Roach, Michael Stearns and Mychael Danna, amongst others. Fans of the ethno-ambient trumpet musings of Jon Hassell or Mark Isham's ambient trumpet recording "Tibet" may also want to give this recording a listen. Make no mistake though...this is a recording by a space music/ambient artist which features trumpet, not a trumpet recording attempting to explore that territory."
From the dark earth
Glenda T. Younger | Sarasota | 08/28/2005
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Good news and bad news. The good. This is the best space music that I have heard. The bad news, then the trumpet comes in. Every song is completely ruined by the trumpet. It is completely in a different mood from the space music. One second you traveling through the cosmos and the next second you are in a lounge act. Mrs. Bowles needs to loose Mr. Bilger. He is a great trumpet player but not for space music. I wish that it were possible to get this album without the trumpet. It would be superior.
Mark Younger"
One of its kind
Rowen di Bowen | MA ,United States | 11/16/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This music is something special.Outstanding even.
It is probably Meg Bowles spaciest album out of the 3 available ones.
I totally disagree with some of the reviews here that criticize the trumpet.The acoustic tone merges very well with the myriad of electronic sounds and takes it to another level which makes this one so special.
It's the light that comes into the darkness.Very uplifting,hymnlike quality to the clarity with which this trumpet is played here.
One can definetly feel the strong influence of her mentor Constance Demby.
Her deepest and most mature album yet and only wishes for more of that kind."
Track Listings (9) - Disc #1