Search - Various Artists (Artist) :: Earthtone Collection, Vol. 2

The BEST compilation CD in the New Age genre I've heard!

09/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD boasts (on the jewel box) of "pulsating rhythms and trance-hypnotic songs" along with "contemporary jungle beats and ambient grooves" and it surely delivers what it promises. There are also "chants and vocals that layer many of the selections." If this sounds like your "cup of tea," you will not be disappointed. This "collection" CD also served to introduce me to several artists (such as "Primal Instinct," "Ginkgo Garden," and "F.R.E.U.D.") that I will definitely be adding to my CD storage unit. Buy this CD, listen...and ENJOY!"

Haunting extraordinary collection of ambient New Age grooves

Distant Voyageur | Io | 05/26/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I agree with madyak 26, this CD is an improvement over Earthtone Collection One. The first one had a very traditional Mayan, Inca influenced sound with a few modern sounds. As that album played along I kind of dragged along after track 11. It's a whole other story on here. Where I sometimes skipped a track or two on Earthtone Collection One, I can easily enjoy the whole CD from start to finish. Many of the songs on here have a much darker, more electronic sound and some even kind of are danceable and the CD as a whole is far more varied. I would call this CD a kaleidascope of sounds from all over the world.Heart Of The Rainforest by Primil Instinct kicks off this CD with a bang. It's a very upbeat songthat that uses the drum loop from Soul II Souls' 1989 hit Back To Reality and fuses that beat with Mayan chanting, flutes and a very what I guess you'd say humid sound. Woodland Ride by Gingko is to me, springtime music with a poppier, more electronic sound and a very feel good vibe. I love the wierd intro and outro. Bear Clan by Stonecoat is a slightly darker groove with a Native American sound. Considering myself to being a Native American this song has great meaning. Call of The Muezzin by Kamal is absolutely radiant. It's a spacey, electronic Middle Eastern song with a Sanskrit chant and a haunting melody. I get chills when listening to this incredible song. Alive by Govinda is like futuristic Middle Eastern music. It's a haunting track with a ambient groovy sound with a Middle Eastern violin. After September 11, this song has become one of my favorites considering that area of the world has created some of the best world music I ever listened to. Secrets by Mars Lasar is a much more turbulent track with a very fast beat and a spacey sound. I love the space shuttle launching vioces at the ending. Morphing Space by Christopher Franke is the absolute winner on this CD. The version on the Epic collection is mellow, haunting, and spacey. The remix on here is much more upbeat, jazzier and actually ties with the original. Eternal by FREUD is absolutely breathtaking. It's kind of like a darker, more Gothic Enya. I just love how the beat fades in. Wizardry by Alkaemy is a more romantic song with a Celtic influence. I can do without the talking at the beginning though. Time To Follow by Marcome is a very sunny, cheerful song with a very Enya-esque. Damaged Goods by Christopher Franke is like the dark storm clouds coming after the sunniness of Time. It's a very brooding song with a slight Middle Eastern sound. Unfortunate the song is less than two minutes long and it ends before you can really get into it. Miles Away by Delago is a mellow jazzy track with a very summer-like sound and a trumpet. This is ideal summertime music. Atma Victu by Roykey is my other favorite track on this CD. It;s a very upbeat, Latin influenced song that will make you feel good. Children Of The Moon by Ak-Kin is a more Mayan influenced song. The final track Sacred Chant by Primal Instinct is another Mayan song with a mournful yet happy feel at the same time. It closes this incredible collection out with the sound of a creek flowing. As you can see EC two is an absolutely extraordinary collection of New Age grooves. This CD is much better than any of the pure moods CDs. I say get this CD if you can find it. Believe me it's worth the hard search."