Michael Diamond (www.michaeldiamondmusic.com)
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Tone poems and sound prayers
According to Michael Brant DeMaria, the songs on this CD are his “tone poems and sound prayers offered in the spirit of waking up and acting for the good of our children’s children, children during this time of ecological crisis and transition” as well as honoring our common heritage as dwellers on this precious planet.
Native American flutes, which are one of Michael’s primary instruments, are featured prominently in the music. Other flutes include the Chinese xiao and Japanese shakuhachi, along with piano, synthesizers, global percussion, and Michael’s own voice. The music on “GAIA” leans toward the more meditative side of the spectrum, with a few rhythmic, yet still mellow tracks such as the kalimba-propelled “Asase Yaa” and “Alchera,” with it’s didgeridoo and hand drums weaving a trance-like groove. A spirit of the rainforest dwells in the appropriately named “Amazonia,” while visions of a serene Buddhist temple emerging through the mist on Mt. Fuji were evoked in “Zazen.”
This is a wonderful album that is diverse yet unitive, and expansive in its’ vision.
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Kathy Parsons
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From MainlyPiano
"Gaia" is the third in Grammy-nominated composer/musician Michael Brant DeMaria’s Healing Sound Project. Two years in the making, DeMaria’s multi-instrumental work takes us on a musical world tour exploring earth (Gaia) as a living presence and chronicling her awakening on down through time. DeMaria’s instruments of choice are Native American flutes, but he also performs on an impressive array of other instruments - Xiao, Shakuhachi, keyboards, piano, synthesizers, world percussion, and his own voice. Native flutes have a haunting quality to begin with, and DeMaria’s expressive playing makes this music unique and deeply emotional. DeMaria’s excellent liner notes explain what each of the fourteen pieces is about and what the titles mean, but I think one of the quotations says it all: “What we need most is to hear the sound of the Earth crying. -Thich Nhat Hanh.” DeMaria continues: “These are my tone poems and sound prayers offered up in honoring our common heritage as Native Earthlings on this precious planet and showing how music connects us all.”
"Gaia" begins with the title track, which depicts Gaia in her sleep, drifting in endless space. Piano and Native flute create the feeling of effortless floating in vast openness - dark, safe, and warm. In “Anima Mundi,” Gaia begins to awaken. Piano, flute, percussion, and DeMaria’s voice add mystery and intensity. “Alchera” takes us to Australia as Gaia breathes through her vast sky. Demaria’s breathing suggests wind while light flutes, percussion and didgeridoo inform us of where we are. “Asase Yaa” takes us to Africa where the children dance to light percussion and flute as an expression of joy. “Ja-Neb’a” journeys to Siberia, expressing bitter cold as Gaia watches those who have forgotten she is alive. The grief and sadness in this piece go right to the heart. “Zazen” expresses the ancient art of stillness and being. Flute and deep ambient sounds create a dark and mysterious feeling. “Balinasia” is soothing and comforting as Gaia’s heart embraces all who suffer. “Kishar” is a gorgeous prayer for peace in the Middle East. The gentle rhythm and simple melody express tranquility and serenity. “Danu” ends our journey with a quiet celebration of Gaia’s living within each of us - endlessly nurturing us and giving us hope.
"Gaia" is another amazing musical achievement from Michael Brant DeMaria. His musicianship is incredible, but to put so much research as well as heart into his music puts him in a category of his own. I’m sure we’ll be hearing a lot more about this fantastic album! I give it my highest recommendation.
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John P. Olsen / NewAgeMusicWorld.Com / NewAgeMusic.nu
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New World Music of Gaia
Michael Brant DeMaria, PH.D, is a clinical psychologist, author, poet, lecturer, and Grammy Nominated, award winning musician from Florida with a revitalizing new concept album honoring our shared heritage with the Earth by the World influences in Gaia, an innovative and exceptional new release from his widely acclaimed Ontos Healing Sound Project. Gaia is essentially the achievement of over 25 years in personal and professional research by Michael into the fundamental principles of auditory healing techniques. His New Age Ambient release The River began the first origins of the Ontos Healing Sound Project while leading to the Healing & Meditation release Ocean, which remained at number 1 for 3 months on the monthly chart then ended the year 2009 with ZMR’s Best Ambient & Best Relaxation Albub Awards.
Ocean and was first conceived to help hurricane survivors begin anew and return to a more peaceful existence, but then after the 2010 Gulf Oil Disaster, Ocean became a second symbol of recovery since Michael donated his time performing concerts around the Gulf Coast Region, along with donating a portion of sales proceeds for the still ongoing wildlife recovery. I was pleased to learn that Ocean is under consideration for a Grammy Nomination in the New Age category. Gaia is a serene excursion into the Ontos Healing Sound Project by directive of Michael Brant DeMaria. Therapeutic by a graceful vibrancy that effectively renews the inner spirit akin to The River & Ocean; the innovative World inspirations found in Gaia heighten these emotive sensations of calm and well-being while ascertaining our undeniable relationship with planet Earth. Siyotanka is the story based narrative and soundtrack score that secured a Native American Music Award ( NAMA ) in the Native Heart category, and then lead to his Grammy Nomination for Best Native American Music Album, along with winning the Best Native American Album at year ending ZMR Music Awards for 2009. Gaia has every hallmark for success since nearly every album produced by Michael Brant DeMaria has earned awards and respect from those in the music industry, and rightly so. Michael’s music, books, art, and poetry have acquired recognition in the United States along with widespread international acceptance in Australia, Europe, and Russia, having touched many lives with his universal message. Third in the Ontos Healing Sound Project Gaia is based in part on the Greek Goddess Gaia, along with esteemed Earth Scientist Dr. James Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis, whose research studies involving planetary exploration while at NASA led to his famous Gaia Hypothesis which interprets the planet Earth we share as one cohesive single living organism. Gaia ( Title Song ) is the musical genesis of 14 tonal poetries and sound prayers traversing many nations and cultures, opening with a lighter piano melody, where World and Native American wood flutes in amended resonance on every song begin their ethnic exploration and develops into a wonderful first prelude to the ever changing stages in this moving expedition. Anima Mundi tells of an emergent period and where Michael uses his voice as a human instrument to speak for the ancestors of our past. The surreal Alchera features Australian ( didgeridoo ) ever present wood flute instrumentals and vocal exhalations to denote the Earth as a single living entity of magnificent beauty. Asase Yaa, with fine qualities of African rhythms and Amazonia, with South America textures are together moderate in rhythm, having unifying world flute instruments and percussions in each melody, even during the deep and mystical atmosphere of Ja’neba. The silk road to China is traversed by highly symbolic gong strikes in Xiaolin, along with Chinese flute ( Xiao ) in akin song Kuan Yin with traditional (Yueqin ) strings instrument dramatizing the orient with vibrancy. Gentle imprints of Japan are represented by bamboo flute ( Shakuhachi ) and the gentle breeziness of wind chimes leave fine impressions in Zazen & Tarani, likewise revealing Michael’s fine transition in World music personified on Gaia, along with the notion that our enduring heritage of dependency we share with planet Earth will always be just a simple fact of life.
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REVIEWS NEW AGE
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Un concepto musical de lo más original!.
Nominado en dos ocasiones a los premios Grammy, el premiado multi-instrumentista y doctorado en psicología Michael Brant DeMaria nos presenta su cuarto lanzamiento, Gaia. Un trabajo que tomando como título el nombre del Dios griego de la Tierra, traduce a través de una música misteriosa y apagada el lamento de nuestro planeta; melodías que atraviesan lugares únicos y se adaptan a cada uno de estos territorios con suaves ritmos e instrumentos étnicos, pero siempre, manteniendo un estado de preocupación/meditación. En este último álbum podemos disfrutar de una música rica en cuanto a instrumentos, un amplio número de singulares sonidos nos abordan al paso de la música: la flauta nativa americana (principal en Gaia), el xiao, el shakuhachi, algunos teclados, el piano, sintetizadores, percusiones étnicas y profundas voces que consiguen sintonizar al oyente con su Mundo y reflexionar sobre este.
Un piano presenta "Gaia", pieza que da nombre a este trabajo. Sólo dos instrumentos intervienen en esta obra que describe la fuerza y el respeto de la antigua Grecia. Una melodía tranquila, perfecta para la concentración.
Misteriosa y amenazadora. Una voz abre "Anima Mundi" junto a un ritmo de percusiones sintetizadas. La flauta continua siendo el sonido predominante bajo la aterradora voz narradora.
Un alarmante y profundo sonido de didgeridoo junto a una rítmica percusión se unen para interpretar "Alchera", la pieza que describe la fuerza del continente australiano. Diferentes sonidos, instrumentos y poderosas voces detallan a vista de pájaro la belleza de estas tierras.
"Asase Yaa". "Madre Tierra" en la mitología Akon. Esta es una de las piezas más alegres en cuanto a cadencia, pasando la flauta a un segundo plano con golpes de notas y dejando protagonismo a la estupenda percusión. Me gusta!.
En representación de la pureza del conocimiento, Michael nos presenta "Sarasvati" una pieza con un fuerte embrujo oriental. sin duda, esta es una de las grandes piezas de Gaia, donde flauta y diferentes instrumentos indios hacen aparición con un misterio y belleza sin igual. Fantástica!.
"Amazonia" y el vasto verde de Sudamérica quedan representados en este CD. Flauta inmersa en un interesante compás, junto a sonajas y fascinantes sonidos ambientales son fusionados con gran acierto creando una pieza poderosa.
"Ja-Neb'a" nos devuelve al misterio. Una música aterradora, donde los sintetizadores logran alterar el estado de quietud del oyente, mientras, flauta y piano ayudan a elevar esa fase de pánico.
Nos transportamos a la antigua China con "Xiaolin", donde el xiao y sutiles percusiones surgen de la nada en medio de un ambiente idóneo para la meditación. Michael ha logrado sin lugar a dudas, que el oyente vislumbre en su mente un nítido escenario donde los monjes realizan sus sorprendentes movimientos. Mi favorita!.
Continuamos en Oriente con "Zazen" (Japón). Una pieza donde el shakuhachi interpreta la melodía principal bajo el sonido de algunos cuencos que ofrecen un sonido brillante al tranquilo tema.
Hermosa e increíblemente agradable para los oídos es "Kuan Yin". Un instrumento de cuerdas, la flauta y un fondo musical de lo más tierno se funden para dar vida a una de las obras más encantadoras de todo Gaia. Qué maravilla!.
"Balinasia" es el perfecto apoyo para el descanso. Los sonidos nacen con delicadeza mientras DeMaria interpreta una dulce melodía con su flauta. Cristalinos sonidos y suaves percusiones le acompañan con sumo cuidado para no sobresaltar al oyente.
Después de un breve periplo por Indonesia con el track anterior, regresamos a Japón con "Tarani", una pieza en la que sólo se destaca la flauta de DeMaria y un sonido electrónico muy tenue como fondo musical. La melodía de la flauta es repetitiva, llegando a ser hipnótica.
En Gaia no podía faltar el sonido de la primera civilización del mundo, Mesopotamia. "Kishar" es heroica, una música con un tempo muy marcado y donde los sonidos instrumentales van brotando con fuerza, dejando a la flauta de Michael la melodía principal. Me gusta!.
Extraído de la mitología irlandesa, Michael presenta la pieza "Danu", nombre de la Diosa celta perteneciente a los dioses de la vida, la luz y el día. "Danu" es un tema con algunos tintes de música celta, pero conteniendo fragmentos con un estilo muy oriental. Una mezcla de lo más interesante!.
El último lanzamiento del músico y psicólogo Michael Brant DeMaria es un concepto musical de lo más original. Gaia nos transporta a las diferentes y más importantes civilizaciones del mundo a través de una música relajada y profunda. Los instrumentos elegidos son perfectos para conseguir que cada obra transmita, dentro de la tranquilidad, un sentimiento distinto, pero perfecto para la meditación. Una música muy lineal que muestra la belleza del lugar en que vivimos. Gaia es un CD recomendable.
reviewsnewage.com
08/04/11
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Raj Manoharan (www.rajmanreviews.blogspot.com)
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The RajMan Review
Gaia is psychologist, author, lecturer, and musician Dr. Michael Brant DeMaria’s ode to the planet we all call home, and as such, it plays like a sonic travelogue to many of the world’s ancient cultures.
The CD is truly an authentic representation of world music, with each track rooted deeply in the musical traditions of a particular nation, such as Japan, China, and the ancient Americas. As a result, the compositions are as exotic as the lands from which they draw their inspiration.
DeMaria uses his Native American flutes, keyboards, synthesizers, and other modern and ancient instruments to great effect, creating ethereal, nocturnal, and mystical textures of sound. He also performs tribal and primal chants with the use of reverberated vocals that are soothing, spiritual, and psychologically penetrating. This is music to meditate to.
Although DeMaria lives in Pensacola, Florida, the overall feel of the album made me think of the desert sun and the moonlit skies of the Midwest. It just has that New Age aura indicative of that region. And yet it is useful in a variety of settings: as calming and therapeutic music while driving or doing housework or just relaxing and meditating.
If you want to be transported to another time, place, and dimension, this CD is the perfect conduit. It sets the mood for you to become one with the universe, nature, and Earth itself.
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