Thupten Pema Lama (& Steve Roach) Prayers to the Protector

Quite a simple review really. If you are into listening to a Buddhist monk saying his prayers then this one is for you. You even get the prayers translated into English in the booklet. The monk in question is Thupten Pema Lama. So why on earth are we reviewing such a CD in this mag? Just one thing really - the involvement of Steve Roach who as it says in the liner notes was "creating a sacred sonic space worthy of supporting, and at certain moments amplifying, the feelings of devotion, compassion, protection and unfathomable mystery resonating throughout Thupten's recitations". To someone who doesn't have a spiritual nature such as myself it all comes across as a load of hokum. To others however I must obviously have a heart of stone who just can't see what a wonderful and spiritual creation we have here. Bah - humbug!

The first track 'Gyab Do' is basically a prayer spoken by Thupten Pema Lama with no synth backing. Four of the other tracks however benefit from Steve's synth accompaniment which tends to be subtle during the prayers then becomes fuller after the speaking has finished. The title track is a purely instrumental using the same gently undulating / throbbing / swirling textures found on much of the rest of the CD. (DL)

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