THE INSTRUMENTAL WEEKLY
With the prominence of various types of flute acting as the foundation for this recording, Mystic Journey from Suzanne Teng presents a refreshing and fascinating fusion of world sounds. From Far and Middle Eastern motifs to Celtic and African rhythms, this recording offers an abundance of styles that blend together perfectly.
With over a dozen musicians of varying fame and her own masterful presentation of several flute variations, Suzanne has taken a rather eclectic mix of instrumentation and formed the resultant sound into something new and worldly. At the same time however, I found that Mystic Journey had a very familiar and comfortable feeling, which makes repeated listenings a true joy.
Some pieces, such as "Topanga Dream" and "Darjeeling Sunrise" are more subtle and relaxed, highlighting Suzanne's alto flute against gently fading harp chords and wonderful percussion layouts. Other tracks, like "Lhasa Love", which is based upon an ancient Chinese folk song, are more upbeat and would make amazing backdrops to traditional as well as modern dance performance.
An album such as Mystic Journey is a great example of music that works equally well when listened to carefully, or as relaxing background music in your living room. Suzanne and company have taken a great amount of ideas and styles, and have expertly blended them together in a hybrid that is heard only so rarely in current instrumental releases.
A quick word about the instrumentation on Mystic Journey: keyboard is accounted for here, but the lack of heavy electronic synthesizers is a welcome strategy that I wish more musicians would at least try once in awhile. There is a very real, very friendly vibe from this recording, and it's one that I think you will definitely appreciate.
CD BABY
Having studied with some of the finest flutists in the world, having diligently studied the field of Music and Healing, collaborated with famous musicians and artists, leaving an award-ridden path behind her pioneering ventures, it is no wonder why Teng's mesmerizing album of new age flute with magical accompaniment stands out among all others. Tapping into the wisdom and spirit of the East but embracing musical gifts from all corners of the globe, including melodious cello and penetrating tabla, New Age fans of all tastes will be enchanted.
UK NEW CLASSICS
The beautiful flute player, dancer, percussionist, composer and teacher Suzanne Teng is joined by 17 other fine musicians, including the percussionist Gilbert Levy, on this debut recording of original music featuring flutes, strings and percussion instruments from around the world. The ensemble blends music and sounds from east and west, combining the ancient with the new to produce an ethereal and ecstatic whole.
WHOLE LIFE TIMES
Journal of the Holistic Lifestyle Issue 221, review by Kerri Hikida
Mystic Journey is an apt title for this CD, which lifts the listener to a place where beauty, ecstasy and tranquility reside. A literal world fusion orgy, this CD features 18 master musicians on a plethora of flutes, strings, and percussion instruments from around the world - C flute, alto flute, Chinese bamboo flute, pan pipes, Celtic harp, African harp, Tibetan cymbal, tabla, doumbek, Chinese drum, shakers, string bass, oud, violin, Indian zither - the instruments are too numerous to name here. The resulting sound is full and rich without giving way to modern electric instruments; keyboards are the sole non-acoustic instrument played here.
Above the tapestry that the various instruments create is Suzanne Teng’s flute, sometimes soaring like a bird taking flight, other times evoking subtler shades and moods. The 10 original songs, written by Teng and other collaborators, are inspired by the East (China, India, the Middle East and Africa) and fused with the West, and by nature (a sunrise in India, clouds, lakes). The opening song, “Topanga Dreams,” is an ode to the town where Teng resides, and starts the album off on an uplifting tone. “China Lily” invokes the Far East with Teng on the dize (Chinese bamboo flute). The album reaches a peak with the song “Fertile Crescent,” which starts off slowly, then jumps into a fast-paced Turkish song replete with oud (Arabic lute), dumbek and ney (Turkish flute) that’s implssible to sit still to!
After that, things quiet down a bit. “Clouds Across the Darkness” evokes just that; it’s a slow, moody piece with sparse instrumentation (bass flute, wind chimes and Tibetan bowl) as opposed to the more than a dozen instruments played on other songs. Finally, the album flickers out quietly with “Lotus.”
I’ve heard a lot of CDs (most of them in the so-called New Age genre) that claim to elevate and inspire, but turn out to be over-produced, heavily synthesized and disappointing. Mystic Journey, however, delivers the goods.
YOGA JOURNAL
review by Derk Richardson
Suzanne Teng’s flute playing is all over the map. On Mystic Journey,
that’s a good thing. “Topanga Dreams,” the beautifully produced CD’s
beguiling opening track, seems to start in India, with droning tamboura,
percoloating tabla, and jingling ankle bells in the mix. But before
long, Celti harp, bongos, string bass, marimba, keyboards, and other
instruments help transport Teng’s lushly overdubbed flutes and piccolo
to a nonspecific cultural region all its own.
As her global sojourn continues through nine other contemplative and
celebaratory tracks, the music touches down in Asia, the Middle East,
Africa, and South and North America. A Southern California-based,
classically trained virtuoso and ethnomusicologist who leads a large
performance ensemble also named Mystic Journey, Teng plays traditional
silver flutes as well as their relatives from China (the bamboo dize),
Turkey (the ney), and the Andes (pan pipes). Her ambitious
cross-cultural vision impels her to weave her fluid solos through
accompaniment that includes guitars, djembe, oud, sarangi, kora, mbira,
cello, dulcimer, harmonium, Tibetan bowls, zithers, windchimes, and a
plethora of ethnic percussion.
Some of the upbeat numbers boast immediate pop accessiblity through
lilting melodies and infectious dance rhythms, while others create
simpler, more spacious listening environments in keeping with Teng’s
reputation as a composer for healing practices like yoga and meditation
BACKROADS MUSIC
review by Lloyd Barde
Formerly with the Angels of Venice, Suzanne Teng needs only a few notes
to establish herself as a major artist in her own right. Her
flute-centered compositions show a dancer’s view of world music motifs,
with light, swaying and gentle rhythms occasionally offset by more solid
rhythms that would easily support belly dancers, improv or modern dance,
or free movement on any level. She has assembled an all-star cast of
supporting players that lend this project a sense of expertise and
artistry that really shines. As a student of the flute, Suzanne is
equally at home in many styles from around the globe. Her primary
percussionist is Gilbert Levy, who underscores the sensual flute
passages across slow ballads, fast-paced tangos & ritual dances.
African kora player Prince Diabate shines on his tracks, while Greg
Ellis of Vas and oud master John Bilizikian also stand out. “Mystic
Journey” becomes just that on a couple of pieces, most notably “Clouds
Across the Darkness,” with multi-tracked bass flute, wind chimes and
Tibetan singing bowl beckoning the listener from afar.
|
