By combining electronics with multicultural influences, composer Wolfgang Stindl has created a unique type of world fusion that touches on Celtic, African, Indian, and Asian themes. Fleshing out ambient grooves with the di... more »dgeridoo, guitar, keyboards, vocal samples, and shakuhashi, Touch the Sun exhibits a new vision of transcendental sound and energy. With fluid and dramatic tracks such as "In My Deepest Dreams" and the title cut, "Touched the Sun," this 10-track collection provides an uplifting experience in trip-hop sounds. --Leslie R. Marini« less
By combining electronics with multicultural influences, composer Wolfgang Stindl has created a unique type of world fusion that touches on Celtic, African, Indian, and Asian themes. Fleshing out ambient grooves with the didgeridoo, guitar, keyboards, vocal samples, and shakuhashi, Touch the Sun exhibits a new vision of transcendental sound and energy. With fluid and dramatic tracks such as "In My Deepest Dreams" and the title cut, "Touched the Sun," this 10-track collection provides an uplifting experience in trip-hop sounds. --Leslie R. Marini
"Just wanted to say that upon hearing just a few 30-second clips, I went on a furious search to find more of this group- low and behold Ikarus has its own website, (do a quick search on google), that contains 3 CD releases after this one, and almost every song as a preview sample. "Touch the Sun" is the only release that is sold on mainstream websites, but I strongly strongly strongly recommend you take a listen at the samples of his latest CD, "breathing cultures", on his website. I was absolutely stunned, the production is world-class, top-notch quality. (Note to amazon: you should sell this CD!) If you like groups like Enigma, and Deep Forest.. you should be incredibly inspired by the new take Ikarus adds to these genres."
Ikarus draws on voices from every corner of the world...
01/30/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Ikarus draws on voices from every corner of the world; from India and Africa to Eastern Europe and Asia. Hymns of joy and cries of anger, prayers to the spirits, songs of hope and despair have all been brought to question your certainties, seize your senses and stir your emotions. Ikarus combines all kinds of ethnic music with electronic backgrounds. A unique fusion where vocal samples and instrumental solos, including guitars, didgeridoo and shakuhachi blend perfectly with fashionable downtempo trip-hop and ambient grooves. Join them in their uplifting dance and semse the beauty of diversity in this magic, spiritual album."
DEEP FOREST lite
Peter Manale | LOWELL, MA United States | 11/18/2004
(3 out of 5 stars)
"If you like the music of DEEP FOREST, you might like this album. The orchestration is not as lush and complex as that of Deep Forest and many of the songs can get repetetive. Ikarus' simplistic formula: take a small sample of indigenous singing, add an exotic instrument or two, throw in backbeats, stir and repeat (and repeat). One exception: the last song blatantly---and unsuccessfully---tries to recreate the sound of Karl Jenkins' "Adiemus." Overall, OK, but there are better CDs out there within this genre. For example, check out Waterbone's excellent album "Tibet."
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CMJ March 26, 2001
Peter Manale | 12/22/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"CMJ March 26, 2001The fusion of world music instrumentation and electronic rhythms/production tactics has always reached a diverse audience intrigued by the fuson of earthy spirituality and synthetic ambiance. Though such musical disciples have no trouble finding artists whose music meets their aural needs, Wolfgang Stindl's IKARUS project approaches the form with a fresh perspective. TOUCH THE SUN is an engaging offering that fleshes out its Celtic, African, Indian, and Asian influences with a mixture of didgeridoo, guitar, keyboards, vocal samples with ambient groove and trip-hop undercurrents. The ingredients are similar to those of artists like Banco De Gaia and Ekova, but the taste of the end result is succulent and satisfying in it's own right."
Something for your mind
Aaron Blumenthal | Bainbridge Island, Washington United States | 05/14/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This CD is absolutely astounding. There are few composers taking advantage of the of soul and spirit in music that match Ikarus' creativity. I've followed Ikarus since his debut on mp3.com, and have not been disappointed. The music is a fantastic bridge between ambient electronic and world music. The regional samples and songs are seemelessly intertwined into emotional works of electronic art, each track something completely different from the next. The diversity of his compositions are incredible. I've never heard anything like this CD, and it is honestly one of the best ever. For deep, thought-provoking music that returns to the diverse culture of humanity and brings it to light in a contemporary form, Ikarus is the mastermind you must experience."