TUU
Invocation
The album begins with a deep bass tabla sound, flute and gorgeous delicate floating synth pads which caress the senses and smooth away all the cares of the day. And that sets the tone really for all that is to follow throughout the album. Its certainly rather ethnic sounding which might put some off but to me it spans the gap between East and West very well. I've used this CD a lot to play when I am working late. The music isn't dark at all unlike some of the other TUU stuff I have heard but instead is rather uplifting. It got my mind wandering but thinking rather positive thoughts.

The second track uses more tranquil pads and warbling tones over the top making me think of heat hazes. The tabla rhythms are more ethnic than on the opener and I thought they were slightly intrusive but this is only a very minor quibble. The third number initially just lets you drift on a swirling backdrop, its all very spacey with suitably cosmic effects. Percussive detail is added then the tablas and flutes start up again, it doesn't come much more mellow than this. A solo flute over the faint sound of gongs begins our next journey. Here different percussive devices provide the backdrop for the lead line, a different approach to what has gone before but just as effective. We return to some floating pads for the next number, the flute as always providing the haunting melody. The rhythms are rather complex but it finishes before having time to develop.

The next track however, also a short one, almost seems to follow on providing yet more complex rhythmics. We then have a number with what to me sounded like a sitar but that is not on the instrument list. The flute this time is of the very deep variety sounding a little like the wind and some other breezy almost sighing effects blow over the top- lovely one. More relaxing tones open the next offering and more breathy effect are also used though the flute is back to the more typical sound found on the rest of the CD. There is no rhythm here just float.

The penultimate track begins very quietly with percussive effects sounding like running water. We then get metallic tones joined by a bright flute sound. The overall feeling though is rather funereal, as if its music to accompany an ancient burial ritual. Finally we get the best track on the album. Deep undulating drones joined by infectious tabla rhythms got my head nodding to the beat but its the subtle melodies played on a variety of instruments weaving spells that grabbed my attention most. Captivating stuff.

This is an album that many will be surprised that I like as I usually avoid ethnic sounding stuff but this is staying in my own collection. There are few moments that I like to just mellow out but for when I do this is ideal, supremely restful but in a way that doesn't make my stomach churn as most so called 'relaxation' or 'meditation' albums do. (DL)

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