Any
new release from the master of Celtic music Llewellyn
is an event to be looked forward to with relish, of
course the style and creativity of this extremely talented
musician has taken us on many journeys in the past and
my favourites among others are the World class "Journey
To The Temple" showing Llewellyn's outstanding
ability to create the perfect album for meditation away
from the Celtic style and Ghosts, my first ever New
World album!
Sacred
Circles takes us, the listener beyond all that has
gone before and touches the real soul in our hearts
with outstanding compositions. I had waited eagerly
for my preview copy, to tease my listeners and to
satisfy my hunger for great music! I was not to be
disappointed upon its arrival and I personally hail
this as probably the best album that has come from
the Llewellyn stable, so far
Rule
one for any musician is always start with your strongest
track and grip the listener from the off, however
Llewellyn does much more than that, Stardancing opens
the album and joined on support vocals by the angelic
voice of Juliana, he delivers us one of his most commercial
tracks so far, a very catchy piece and very radio
friendly, it is an extension of the Brilliant Woman
Wisdom album, but the back beat and the harmonies,
will with out doubt make this an anthem in the years
to come for all Llewellyn Fans, this track is easily
good enough to be released as a single in the mainstream
world of music!
Now!
Would the second track grab me as well, with a most
emphatic and resounding yes, I was truthfully overcome
with emotion listening to Sacred Space, this has to
easily be the most beautiful piece Llewellyn has ever
composed, if any film director wants to add music
to his Hollywood blockbuster for a romantic scene
then Sacred Space is the ultimate track, resplendent
flute from Tori Donovan sets the scene with a pristine
perfection, but when the piano joins the piece it
makes for a truly beautiful and emotional composition,
the album is worth buying for just the first two tracks
alone.
The
energetic White Flower (Blodeuwedd) and Oar Wheel
(Arianrhod) take us to more familiar Llewellyn Territory
and with the help of Juliana's backing vocals begin
to paint a picture of this amazing album, but this
latest compilation of quality music has an even deeper
rhythmic soul, than before, the track Phantom Queen
(Morrigu) proves the point perfectly, heavy beat and
rhythms with an almost tribal feel, leads into a very
trance like track The Ritual, reminds me so much of
the Ghosts album, but brought up to date and is reminiscent
his more ambient work on the Mind Body and Soul Series,
for New World Music.
The
album has been brilliantly constructed, a good solid
beginning, tight and well constructed tracks in the
middle and an outstanding finish, The Ritual's almost
funky feel leads us into a stunning 4 some and one
of the strongest pieces on Sacred Circles, Casting
The Circle, the base and drum are evident in this
4 piece, try keeping still when you get to this track!
It's dance ethic is a deep and sensual sound and clever
Irish Whistles by Chris Conway compliment even more
this amazing track, a perfect musical description
of the 4 elements of Air, Fire, Earth and Water.
The
end of Casting The Circle and the Beginning of Release,
thankfully show us that natural added sounds are not
dead in the musical water! But add a very nice touch
to the piece and Release with its flute and subtle
keyboards and Guitar, adds a touch of lightness, before
the best and the most commercial track on the album,
if New World Records (Llewellyn's label) do not release
this track as a single, for mainstream chart success,
then it will be a musical travesty, it has everything
needed for greatness and will doubtlessly become an
anthem for all fans for all time, having Kevin Kendle
joining him on Silver Wheels was an inspiration, Kendle
is one of the finest Keyboard players around today,
combined with the talents of Juliana's perfection
in backing vocals and Llewellyn's confident gentle
singing talents, this would easily be a huge hit,
but sadly I doubt this will ever happen! (Still one
can dream)!
In
all, Sacred Circles is a truly wonderful album, more
commercial yes, but that is a testament to show just
how far Llewellyn as an artist has come in the industry
and hopefully this could be the launch pad to something
even bigger, if you miss out on purchasing this, then
you will leave a huge gap in a collection of albums
that desperately needs filling with quality material
and in Sacred Circles you have that very product and
I absolutely recommend you buy it.
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