HennaCat's Favorite Music
maintained by Roy Jones, music@hennapage.com
"Today, like every
other day, we wake up empty and frightened.
Don't open the door to the study and begin reading.
Take down a musical instrument."
Don't open the door to the study and begin reading.
Take down a musical instrument."
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DJ Pathaan "Indian Sunset "
I bought
this by mistake a couple of weeks ago. I ordered a Yoga mat and
inadvertently ordered this and ‘Global Sunset’ by the same artist. So
it was with trepidation that I played it. Within seconds though I was
impressed. According to the reviews ‘On Indian Sunset he (DJ Pathaan)
explores the depth of his knowledge of Asian music and electronic
grooves. A world where beats caress and new harmonics are created, an
integrated global sound space designed with two moods in mind, Sunset
(CD1) and Sunrise (CD2).’ From my own point of view I have found the
perfect music to act as a backdrop to Henna, Yoga and general chilling
– something I am comfortable with, which draws together the East and
the West in a laid back groove that’s full of interest and expression.
This is an album which everyone asks about when they hear it! Be warned
though – when you listen to this you do have an increased propensity
for lounging about, burning sandalwood incense and requiring delicious
food and drink within reach of a outstretched hand (hennaed and draped
in strings of jasmine flowers of course!)! |
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Ozric Tentacles "Pungent Effulgent /
Strangitude"
Apparently
the music is ‘psychedelic instrumental jazz-funk trance with a hint of
reggae dub’, the band are named after an imaginary breakfast cereal and
I absolutely love them. In fact I love every single thing that the
Ozrics have ever done and I reckon that is pretty rare! I have chosen
this double album because it reflects a wide variety of the early
Ozric’s music – most of which are my all time favourite pieces of
music! Pungent Effulgent starts with a classic song ‘Dissolution – The
clouds disperse’ which has you waiting on the edge of your seat for the
climax of the bubbling introduction – at which point you sit back, eyes
closed with a smile on your face and listen to the rest of the album!
Strangitude has one of the most unusual but fantastic songs I have ever
heard - ‘Sploosh’ is a symphony of water flushing, splishing and
splashing set to the most crazily catchy rhythm that transcends the
fact that you are listening to something pretty weird! The reason I
have put this in my selection is because it doesn’t offend anyone, it
is totally accessible and it is very easy to listen to. It works on all
levels: driving to work, dinner party, friends round for henna but at
the same time it offers so much more – the cultural signposts are there
for those who care to follow them, the music demands respect for it’s
sheer inventiveness and originality and it is technically superb. |
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Ozric Tentacles "The Hidden Step"
Review:Whilst their music retains the formula of the description given
above, the Ozrics are ‘artists’ in the true sense of the word – with
every album you are invited to participate in their musical experiments
and other worldly adventures as they explore new instruments and
musical styles. This album in particular is suited to henna as it has
an Egyptian theme. The music swirls and spirals from blissed out
serenity to fast paced sublimity, the North African flavour very subtle
in places and overt (‘Ashlandi Bol’, 'Aramanu' and 'Ta Khut') in
others. As well as being utterly enjoyable to listen to the music is
technically very good – think of this as a henna design book – but for
musicians – full of inspiration and ideas! The music draws me in and if
I am hennaing at the same time I experience a sort of meditation (nudge
me if I don’t speak for half an hour!) – coming out more refreshed,
more inspired and more positive! |
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Santana "The Ultimate Collection"
OK so I am
trying not to choose ANOTHER Ozric’s album (but if you are interested
you could check out Waterfall Cites, Spice Doubt, Tantric Obstacles…)!
Santana are just so good to listen to. Latin, Blues, Rock, Salsa all
fuse together to produce a mesmerising collection of beautiful music
which is by turns soothing and stimulating. The three classics are here
on this album: ‘Evil Ways’, ‘Black Magic Woman’ and ‘Oye Come Va’ along
with my personal favourites ‘No –one to depend on’, ‘she’s not there’,
‘One chain (don’t make a prison)’ and ‘Aqua marine’. Back in the 70s
Santana were instrumental in bringing ‘World music’ to the ‘West’ and
they still serve to act as an extremely palatable distillation of all
that’s best in the world of Jazz, Latin, Folk, Rock, Salsa, Cuban….the
list could go on and on! This music transports you from a wet November
day in England to a carnival in South America! Absolutely perfect for
upping the tempo at a street party or BBQ! |
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Easy Star All Stars "Dub Side of the Moon"
Imagine
the scene…Sitting in the middle of a festival audience after 8 hours
solid hennaing on blisteringly hot summer’s day, sunset and a bottle of
chilled champagne (not from one of the many ‘queue for 45 minutes ‘bars
but from the supermarket – chilled by spending the afternoon wrapped in
frozen chips!!!) – accompanied by some amazing French cassoulet and a
massage of my tired sun burnt back! It is the last night of the Big
Chill festival 2004 and I don’t have to work tomorrow! The relief is
enormous and I am determined to seek out a good time! Fortunately it
finds me! I can hear a familiar but unfamiliar sound – Is that Pink
Floyd’s ‘Breathe’ Reggae style? It is and it is absolutely amazing! The
Easy Star All Stars transform the whole of ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ with
chilled out reggae beats making the music not only accessible but
danceable to! I managed to get hold of a copy of the album fairly soon
after the Big Chill and it has not lost any of the individuality,
humour and sheer good vibes of that first festival experience. Don’t
expect anything amazingly different, this version of DSOTM is as
recognisable as the original – the music is straightforwardly
translated – but the alienation and edge is removed and replaced with
personality and wit. It allows you to either concentrate or enjoy - a
perfect musical back drop to a relaxed summer henna party in the back
garden with a BBQ and a few beers! |
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