Search - Cusco :: Ancient Journeys

Delightful Musical Interudes Discovering New Worlds ...

Erika Borsos | Gulf Coast of FL, USA | 07/09/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Cusco has become my favorite New Age musical group because they express the music of various cultures and connect it to discoveries and major events in the past. Track #1 "Da Gama" begins with a provocative flute introduction, the hallmark of Cusco. With impressive fluidity and style Ottmar Liebert, a guest artist, enhances the Turkish and Spanish cultural effects with his guitar playing. "Ancient Journeys" includes the guitar, violins, keyboards, and percussive instruments -- creating very unique and evocative music. "Conquistadors" (track #2) creates a feeling of triumph and soaring energy ... the occasinal flute is overcome by the percussion and sense of extremely urgent flourshing melodies. One senses the weakening hold of the flute music as other instruments become more dominant ... reminiscent of historically accurate events. Track #6 "The Journeys of Marco Polo" includes spendid guitar playing and synthesizer variations on the main theme/melody. A most distinct and fascinating musical interlude is one that resembles the trotting of horses ... Another interlude has Turkish or Middle Eastern rhythms that captivate the listener. "The Horseman of Bulgar" is a tremendously triumphant artistic achievement. It is a masterpiece of splendor and grandeur ... I love the Asian root sounds and the cross-over transiitonal sections that have a Balkan-like flavor. Erika Borsos (erikab93)"

Good but not great.

Jeo | USA | 03/03/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Ancient Journeys is good but not great. Don't expect it to blow you away. This set of music lacks alot of the characteristics of some of the previous CUSCO CDs. The melodies do not stand out nearly as much as songs from CUSCO's other recordings. Don't get me wrong, this is a good CD, but it's just not their best. For better CDs look to Apurimac I, CUSCO 2000, or THE BEST OF CUSCO."

Recommended: No new ground but enjoyable none-the-less

Dick K | Centreville, VA United States | 03/17/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Bottom line: If you enjoyed Apurimac I and/or II then you'll like this CD provided you're not going to object to the music extending beyond the South American flavor of those works. If you liked Apurimac III, then read no further, go directly to checkout line--you'll almost certainly like this one, too.Cusco has been a favorite of mine for quite some time and I have most of their work. This one isn't in my top 2 or 3 but its growing on me and very representative of their recent work. I've enjoyed it more than Apurimac III for instance. Yes, its less cohesive than the Apurimac series but I don't find that a problem--although I did find it a bit odd that they didn't arrange the titles in order with respect to the history they attempt to portray. In any case, the variety in style makes it more like some of their earlier work like Water Stories or even Cusco II. But it adds the sophistication and complexity in arrangement and instrumentation of the Apurimac series.If you're new to Cusco, I'd have to recommend going back to Apurimac and starting there. But if you have a Cusco CD or two and liked them, then get this one, you're not likely to be disappointed--I wasn't!"