Brook Lynne

Lisa Lynne is one of the top new age artists on the planet. It would be very difficult to recognize a more accomplished new age harpist. She combines traditional and ethnic instruments to allow subtle tribal overtones into her soundscapes. Her expert arrangements create lush and melodic atmospheres. Seasons of the Soul is perfect music for contemplating the self and for communing with God. Lynne's sensitivities for the subtleties of humanism are vivid and real. The sensuality of her sound design is smooth and warm. This environmental ambience is best when shared with a lover. This CD will appeal to all fans of good music. Comparisons to Hans Christian, Enya, Loreena McKennitt, and David Darling are valid. This is one of Lynne's better efforts. It is essential for all new age collectors.

Having an album release party in the London Zoo's Aquarium, where the emphasis would no doubt be on stillness, hush and the haunting beauty of the deep, just suits most 4AD label releases to begin with. Given that Brook is known for his mysterious, spare guitar work makes this record of the solo concert he gave there upon the appearance of Cobalt Blue all that more appropriate. Reproducing much of the content of that album but in a different running order, Aquarium consists solely of Brook, his guitar and preset synth/rhythm patterns. The result is quite fascinating; whether a listener thinks that the more stripped-down overall sound of the songs here works better as a result or prefers the generally lusher textures of the studio release must ultimately be up to individual judgment…

Alessandro Scarlatti wrote over 600 cantatas, two of which are on this 1987 disc performed by soprano Lynne Dawson and the Purcell Quartet: Correa nel seno amato and Già lusingato appieno. He wrote considerably less keyboard music – and next to nothing compared with the gargantuan achievement of his son Domenico – one of which is on this disc performed by Robert Woolley, the harpsichordist of the Purcell Quartet: the Variations on La Folia. With the chamber cantatas flanking the keyboard variations, this disc is a wonderful program of the elder Scarlatti's art. Though there are some who might argue English soprano Dawson is perhaps too reserved for this repertoire, none would argue that she doesn't have a clear voice and a supple technique. And while there are others who might argue the Purcell Quartet is perhaps too stringent for the repertoire, none would argue they don't play together with consummate ease and they don't accompany Dawson with brilliant mastery. But there are few who would disparage Woolley's blindingly virtuosic and blazingly demonic La Folia Variations.