Search - Karunesh :: Call of the Mystic

Masterful & mystical "new age music" from KARUNESH

Jeffery K. Matheus | Indianapolis, IN United States | 09/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I discovered the music of this German-born composer/multi-instrumentalist by accident. I was browsing in the new age music section at a certain mega-bookstore, looking for the latest CD from Kitaro (one of my favorite artists.) Well, I didn't find the Kitaro disc that day, but another CD soon caught my eye, one by an artist I'd never heard of - "Call of the Mystic" by Karunesh. Curious about the cover-art and song titles, I put the CD on the store's headphone listening station. I was soon immersed in the music, and intrigued by its exotic sounds. Of course, these were only brief sound clips from the album, so as each snatch of music soon cut off, I was left wanting to hear more. I then came home, found the CD on Amazon, and ordered it (sorry to the bookstore, but your prices were just too high! : ) Anyway, to make a long story short, in the several months since then, I have become a major fan of Karunesh (pronounced "Care-un-ish", which is, I learned, also the sanscrit word for "compassion".) I have now also collected several titles from his extensive back catalog, and while all of his albums have their own strengths, I believe that "Call of the Mystic" still rates as one of his finest overall releases. With it's mystical/mysterious feel, warm synth textures, and heavy use of exotic instruments, this CD literally makes me feel better when I listen to it. I know that the term "healing music" is probably overused in this genre, but in this case the term really fits. It's one of those rare albums that somehow pulls the listener into its World, and transports them to a better state-of-mind for it's duration. (Kitaro is perhaps the only other new age artist who's work has this effect on me.) Like most of Karunesh's works, this album is fully instrumental (So those of you who do not like vocals/lyrics with your new age music will be particularly pleased!), with all of the tracks running in the 5 to 7 minute range (a good length for this type of music.) Now, as people usually like points of comparsion for reviews such as this, I would say that Karunesh falls into the same general "new age/instrumental/electronic" genre as Kitaro, Vangelis, or Patrick O'Hearn (although his music's rarely as gloomy as O'Hearn's can be.) However, comparisons can tend to be a tad misleading, and at the end of the day Karunesh is a unique artist who's music has a personality of its own...Here is a quick rundown of all the tracks: the album opens with "The Joy of It All", an Eastern-flavored track which benefits from a hypnotic percussion groove and the sitar work of special guest Govi (a respected new age artist in his own right.) "Hearing You Now" features piano/flute lines that rotate back and forth, and an ear-catching mix of both electronic & acoustic drumming. "Monsoon's Dance" gives us one of Karunesh's most memorable melodies, played with a gorgeous blend of piano, Indian violin, and synth/percussion backing. "Mount Kailash" has a deeply-spiritual feel, and is highlighted by another guest spot from Govi (this time playing what sounds like an acoustic guitar run through a digital delay effect...quite a beguiling sound, actually!) "Sunrise at the Ganges" is basically a sitar/flute duet set over a backdrop of synth chords and Indian-style drumming. "Zensual" takes on a darker, electronic tone, with some mysterious "reed"-like synth soloing, layers of keyboard ambience, and a sensual rhythmic groove. "And the Grass Grows by Itself" adds some contrast to the pevious track, based mainly around acoustic sounds and a fun, hopeful melody. This track also features the hum of a Tibetan singing bowl (an unusal sound that I have come to like.) Lastly, "Ancient Voices", the only track with no noticable percussion line, is made up almost entirely of sitar and woodwind sounds, and serves to end the album on a peaceful, contemplative note. All in all, this is an album (and artist) that should not be missed if you are a fan of new age music. I will have to agree with what another reviewer said about Amazon's soundclips, though. The brief clips here are all of the opening moments of these songs, before the main themes really kick in - so the CD really does need to be heard in its full context to be truly appreciated. Also, speaking of other reviews, I think it is quite remarkable that of the six customer reviews that have been posted of this CD thus far, EVERY single one has given it a perfect 5 stars!...Amen!"

Calming And Soothing

Janet Boyer | Pennsylvania | 09/12/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

""Within each of us is a loving, magical, powerful being...a Real Self. Music, friend that it is, cocoons us from our worries, enabling that hidden self to emerge." -- From the liner notes of Call Of The Mystic



Call of the Mystic is the first CD by Karunesh that I've had the pleasure of listening to. Karunesh (Sanskrit for compassion) spent 5 years living in an ashram in Germany, where he learned from, and played together with, musicians from all over the world.



Call of the Mystic offers a decidely Eastern/Indian flavor with the beautiful instrumentation of bells, chimes, Tibetan bowls, sitar, sarod and Chinese instruments, bansuri flute and Indian violin. Many of the songs start quite slow, with a singular instrument in the foreground, then builds up quiet steam that promotes a sense of calm and well-being. I listened to this CD after a stressful time, and after I was done, I felt refreshed and centered.



There are 8 songs on this CD, with a length of 50 minutes and 45 seconds:



For The Joy Of It All



This song begins with gentle chimes and a low bass rumble. A rich, Indian tapestry forms the background as the rhythm picks up with soft drums and sitar (a type of Indican guitar made out of a gourd and metal strings). I felt as though Karunesh was telling a story through the music--a story of the Mystic and the inner/outer journey that one must take in the process of enlightenment.



Hearing You Now



Magical chimes, flute, and piano weave an almost mournful sound that takes you by the hand and leads you back to yourself.



Monsoon's Dance



Violin, drums, and piano enhance this song which feels like a celebration of the Earth, capturing the murmuring insistence of a refreshing monsoon.



Mount Kailash



This beautiful soundscape begins with pipes, then chimes and crystal bowls. Synthesizers and sitar gently enter the piece, reminiscent of the majestic stillness of a mountain. I put the headphones on my 6 year old during this song, and he was captivated. (Away from his children's video, no less!)



Sunrise At The Ganges



Featuring the sarod (a many-stringed Indian lute) and bansuri, this song evoked feelings of the first hing of daylight and the majestic crescendo of the sun making its rise into the Eastern sky.



Zensual



Sensual flutes and wind instruments form an undulating rhythm of ecstasy.



And The Grass Grows By Itself



Deep resonant bass sounds, chimes, harp and sitar join voices to tell an ancient story. I couldn't help but feel that this song was a children's story told by an elder--a story conveying the idea that life unfolds in it's own time, in it's own perfect way. A song of lightness, optimism, and hope, I could almost see the other members of the tribe coming forward to tell their own unique part of the story.



Ancient Wisdom



Ethereal sounds set the tone, while the mood is reverent and circumspect.



This calming, refreshing CD is a beautiful way to enter a meditative state. The careful orchestration creates space for thoughts to flow away, and the quiet inner Self--the true Self--emerges. I could tell my son was touched by this CD, so I believe it could be very helpful for parents and teachers who work with children. In fact, I think it would be a soothing CD for children with an ADD/ADHD or Autistic diagnosis, as well as the Indigo and Crystal children.



Also, bodyworkers and energy workers will enjoy this CD as background music for their healing efforts. For me, I love it just because it's calming and soothing--a very Zen CD that invokes a very Zen mood. Highly recommended!

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Call of the Mystic~Karunesh

Daisy7117 | pennsylvania | 07/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Even though this is my first experience with Karunesh, this album was exactly what I expected,...and I enjoyed the different selection of instruments used to evoke a light, whimsical, and meditative feeling of calm. Recommended for light meditation, yoga practice, or massage therapy.

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