Even
before inviting us into the grand sweeping musical experience of his latest
masterwork Mystic, Grammy nominated new
age and world fusion composer arranger and multi-instrumentalist Al Conti
intrigues us with the darkness and light of the CD’s compelling artwork. In a
monastic setting, a lone seeker dressed in a red robe stands before a
mysterious black door, as sunlight pours through stately columns on the left,
but not the right. We wonder, is he contemplating a trip towards the light, or
towards exploring the mystery of the other side? Or is he the generator of the
light that’s flowing out? As we contemplate these questions, Conti sets the
musical stage for this mystical opening of a door on the opening title track by
laying down a haunting ambiance behind the ethereal wordless vocals of Charlee Brooks and The Oxford Court Monk Choir.
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| Al Conti's new album is MYSTIC |
These vocals bookend the
piece and helps it build to a dramatic conclusion – which of course, is just
the beginning of the journey. As a sensual groove and exotic keyboard melody
take hold, Conti is pulling (or, rather, sweeping) us toward the heart of his
exploratory journey – given extra emotional heft by Butto’s whimsical flute
solo. Infusing the soul with relaxation, “Trance” puts us in a moody, musically
liquid space before evolving into an exotic and hypnotic ballad featuring an
elegant lead melody on the Indian santoor (played by Vanil Veigas, whose
mastery graces a total of seven tracks).
The chamber music
and rock influenced “Contemplation” features the mystical charms of another
special guest, harpist Pamela Copus (2002) interacting with George’s soulful
violin lines; later in the piece, Pearce’s soulful and crisp electric guitar
echoes sweetly over the lush ambience, then creates a hypnotic steel string
harmony behind the harp melody. “Ritual”
alternates atmospheric dreaminess with dramatic drums and percussion fills,
bells and powerful keyboard chords. Underneath all that is the deep rhythm of a
beating heart, as if on a mission to pump life into the spirit. Capturing the
lighthearted side of Conti’s fluid musical spirituality, “Devotion” is a
playful and poppy, sensual and infectious romp based on a pilgrimage song from
the Middle Ages. It was inspired by a visit to a cloister and reflects
humanity’s constant struggle to sustain one’s own devotion and balance.
Driven by Conti’s
elegant, contemplative piano melody and some later caressing string harmonies
and a gentle violin solo by Manoj George, we are drawn into a “Prayer” whose
ultimate aim is to become one with the cosmos – and grateful for all things. In
this state, it’s easy to have “Visions” of what Conti’s inspiration, 12th
Century mystic Hildegard von Bingen, called “the shade of living light.” Conti
proves a masterful weaver of trippy sonic delights here, tying seamlessly
together a gentle flute line, a resonant santoor melody and a deepening wash of
dreamy ambience even before the rhythms enter the picture via Karthik K’s ever
present tabla. The stark, ambient and trance-inducing “Pilgrimage” was inspired
by Spain’s renowned Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage. It features an initial
conversation between dark and light elements via Conti’s keyboard melody and
George’s violin – then as the tempo picks up, Conti swirls his ancient flavored
keys with a lively, dancing violin and the fiery electric guitar of another
guest star, Jeff Pearce.
The artist wraps the collection with “Anima
Aeterna,” a contemplation of one of the most mystical concepts of all, the
human soul. He expresses this never ending mystery via Brooks’ dreamy
vocalizing, lush atmospheres, a unique combination of santoor, electric guitar,
tabla and other exotic elements. With this artful, sweeping blend, Conti helps
us explore the eternal while inspiring the mystic in us all to engage in our
surroundings. Mystic is deep and insightful work that can be grasped on many
emotional and spiritual levels. While it can be enjoyed all the way through for
its dual ability to relax and exhilarate, upon further careful listens, one
comes to appreciate the artist’s incredible tapestry of textures.
Mystic releases worldwide on October 7, 2016.
-- Jonathan Widran
