Keytone

New Age / Meditation

Raghunath Seth

Hinze’s interest in other cultures has always been at the root of all his creative output. Many years ago, in ’74, he went to India to study the bansuri bamboo flute and ragas with the famous Raghunath Seth (interpreter of classical Indian music, also a highly respected composer of film music and teacher at several Indian universities) in Bombay. Later Hinze invited his teacher back for concert tours in Europe. They have recorded many CD’s together, all available on the Keytone label (Realm of Raga, Mystic Flutes/Eternal Flute, Chintan and Cosmic Energy Coll. Nr. 1: SUN). Raghunath Seth was also one of the highlight soloists on the CD Princess Of The Sea together with members of the Ali Khan family from Pakistan, well known singers of classical Indian ragas.

audiosample 'Heart Sutra' (from 'Zen Silence')

Recording sounds in the
jungle of the Andaman Islands

The CD Passage contains Chris’ solo flute playing, recorded in the famous Ellora Caves, in Aurangabad, India. These caves are hewn out of rock and contain different temples (Buddhist, Jainistic, and Hindu) with beautiful statues, reliefs and other sculptures. But the most impressive thing about them is their size. The temple where these recordings were made is about 25 m. long, 13 m. wide and 10 meters high. Imagine what that does for atmosphere and acoustics.

Apart from the fore mentioned productions Chris Hinze toured, recorded and produced a lot more in the category Meditative Music or New Age Music.

For instance the production from the early eighties with Jasper van ‘t Hof: Meditation. This solo piano CD is compiled from the material from the Edison Award winning triple LP set ‘My World of Music’. The title ‘Meditation’ refers to the fact that here the more quiet compositions were chosen. Van ‘t Hof’s music is primarily based on improvisations on a theme. Normally very fond of synthesizers, this time he explicitly avoids them and ‘only’ plays a single Steinway grand piano. Another album under the Keytone label is the CD Transparency by Akasha, a 1998 release which has already been renowned for its unique approach of meditative music, followed by the release of Mystic Moods by the same composer/musician in December 1999.

The CDs Meditation and Mantras, Meditation and Mantras Volume II and Music for Meditation are three of the top selling CD’s from the oeuvre of Chris Hinze. The mantras on the first two albums were recorded in Southern Indian temples in the early 1980s. Back then, Chris Hinze worked in his studio for two years in order to find the right combination of mantras and the added rhythms, sounds and soloists. The third CD (which is a completely different approach to meditative music) is a production with less dominant vocals, whereas the instrumental diversity is more important. A wide musical range, resulting in very serene music.

Furthermore there is the great 2-CD Music for Relaxation, especially chosen and compiled by Chris Hinze for the sole purpose of furthering or emphasizing a mellow mood. The CD Savage Silence is another album fit to be mentioned in this section. It contains the pure sounds of Tibetan singing bowls, (which are also considered to have healing power) very often used with meditation practise.

And that leads us to Zen-Silence. This unique CD comprises no less than 60 minutes of silence, divided over three pieces of 25, 20 and 15 minutes. Each piece begins and ends with the sounds of gongs and bells in the tradition of Zen meditation as practiced in Japanese monasteries.

More meditation CD's can be found in the categories Zen and Tibet.

> To order cd's click here

	Realm Of Raga Raghunath Seth Meditation/Relaxation [KYT 704] Raghunath Seth, interpreter of classical Indian music, also a highly respected composer of film music and teacher at several Indian universities, recorded this amazing album together with Kasinath Seth on tabla and S. Pathak & Manohar Lal on tambooras. With his bamboo flutes he improvises on ragas (based on scales, specific to Indian classical music); a technical wonder which can only be called astounding.
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	Mystic Flutes/Eternal Flute Raghunath Seth Meditation/New Age/World Music [KYT 721/22] This CD is a compilation of the finest tracks from two previous releases of the Indian composer, producer and, above all, bamboo-flute master Raghunath Seth.He is a consummate artist who truly embodies the spirit of the music he plays. Among the pieces he selected are ragas along with well-known and beloved traditional Indian pieces which, in his interpretation, breathe a meditative and peaceful atmosphere.
ORDER THIS CD	audiosample 'Ragayama'

	Chintan Raghunath Seth Meditation/New Age/World Music [KYT 725] This CD is a re-release of a production, recorded in Bombay in 1979. It shows an unusual meeting of East and West. Chris Hinze (on western flutes) and his friend Raghunath Seth (on bamboo flute) play traditional Indian ragas with jazzy overtones. In R. Seth’s own words: “Studying the approach of Jazz music, one certainly finds some similarity (to Indian music) of spontaneity, freshness and creativity”. Three wonderful, meditative ragas, played by R. Seth, were added to this re-release.
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	Cosmic Energy Coll. Nr. 1: SUN Raghunath Seth Relaxation/World Music/New Age [KYT 791] The first release of a World Music series in which producer/composer/musician Chris Hinze puts an emphasis on the soothing power of music for Relaxation. Here it is Indian flute genius Raghunath Seth who puts a mysterious veil over the intriguing compositions. The music ranges from Indian traditional ragas to Ambient /trance. Wonderful synthesizer soundscapes with the pure tones of Mr. Seth’s bamboo flute.
ORDER THIS CD	audiosample 'Raghunath Seth'

	Princess Of The Sea C.Hinze, R.Seth, A.S.Ali Khan, S.A.Ali Khan New Age/Ethno/Meditation [KYT 767] Chris Hinze found the ideal synthesis between East and West together with the Indian flutist Raghunath Seth and Ustad Salamat Ali Khan and Shafqat Ali Khan (father and son from a famous Pakistani family of singers). Meditative music with a cross-over from New Age to World Music.
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	Passage Chris Hinze New Age/Meditation/Relaxation [KYT 764] Produced by flutist Chris Hinze after his visit to India where he played and recorded this Meditative music in one of the famous Caves of Ellora. The immense seize of the temple, hewn out of rock by Buddhists in 800 AD gives an extra dimension to the mysterious sound of this already unique production. This CD is a compilation of the LP’s Flute and Mantras Vol. 1 and II, both cherished by many, but especially the fans of New Age music.
ORDER THIS CD	audiosample 'Nazali'

	Meditation Jasper van ‘t Hof Relaxation/Meditation/New Age [KYT 712] This solo piano CD is compiled from the material from the Edison Award winning triple LP set ‘My World of Music’. The title ‘Meditation’ refers to the fact that here the more quiet compositions were chosen. Van ‘t Hof’s music is primarily based on improvisations on a theme. Normally very fond of synthesizers, this time he explicitly avoids them and ‘only’ plays a single Steinway grand piano.
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	Transparency Akasha Soundscapes/Meditation/Ambient/Relaxation [KYT 801] A remarkable music production of Akasha. According to insiders this young rather unknown producer/composer/musician somehow managed to immediately find the right approach to the people who enjoy listening to this relaxing and intriguing kind of music. Although created with synthesizers and samplers and sometimes acoustic instruments like singing bowls, as well as original recordings from Tibetan monks (as can be heard on tracks 3 and 4 of this album), the character of his music is far from electronic; Akasha prefers the term ‘earthy’. Not only soothing and relaxing but also enchanting for the real music lover.
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	Mystic Moods Akasha Soundscapes, Meditative, Ambient, Relaxation [KYT 812] 'Mystic Moods' is the first album by Akasha. Now the re-mastered version of this 1995 recording is available through Keytone, and it is easily as innovative and overwhelming as 1998’s well-received CD 'Transparency'. According to insiders’ comments on 'Mystic Moods', the young Dutch producer/composer/musician Akasha has from the very start found the right approach to relaxing and intriguing music. A few years ago this album was available at book and record clubs only through-out Europe and has sold considerably. Reason enough for Keytone to release it on a wider scale.The seven tracks on the album 'Mystic Moods' are soothing and relaxing, while enchanting the real music lover.
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	Meditation And Mantras Vol. 1 Chris Hinze Meditation/World Music [KYT 743] Here Chris Hinze combines his flute playing with the vocals of the Indian priests and their devotees, recorded in a temple in South India, with western instruments added in Europe. The synthesizer sounds, repetitive bass rhythms, guitars and drums, blend gently with the South Indian percussion instruments, maintaining the mystical atmosphere of the original chants.
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	Meditation And Mantras Vol. 2 Chris Hinze, feat. Charlie Mariano Meditation/World Music [KYT 753] The by now famous combination of Indian temple music and western rhythms come into play once again on this CD, which is the sequel to the extremely successful volume 1.It is predominantly instrumental music, created by different artists such as the incredible Charlie Mariano on alto and soprano sax, adding their individual contributions to the mantras and ragas sung and recorded in India.
ORDER THIS CD	audiosample 'Meditation And Mantras'

	Music For Meditation Chris Hinze Meditation [KYT 756] After the successful Meditation & Mantras Vol. I and II Chris Hinze came up with this totally different approach towards Meditative music. Compared to the other two productions the vocals are less dominant whereas the instrumental diversity is more important. Clearly this is a CD with a wide musical range, resulting in beautiful serene music.
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	Music For Relaxation Chris Hinze New Age/Relaxation/Meditation [KYT 765/66 - 2CD] Nowadays frontiers disappear and cultures merge. Music becomes an even more important way to express personal feelings and ways of living. For this compilation we selected Meditative music with an Asian color as well as Relaxation music from the western spheres. Beautiful music for the quiet hours.
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	Savage Silence Dries Langeveld New Age/Meditation [KYT 795] The very imaginative sounds of the Himalayan bowls, which are also considered to have healing power, are often used to muse, pray, meditate, go into trance or on inner journeys; they summon almost visual, tactile and even more intimate sensations. Dries Langeveld is the musician, composer and performer of Savage Silence; he is considered an authority on Tibetan singing bowls.
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Zen Silence (Zen-timer)
Chris Hinze & Zen-master Rients Ritskes
Ethno/Meditation [KYT 808]

As a result of the fast life our culture demands and the over-achievements we are expected to deliver, all of us are in desperate need of peace and quiet. That leads us to 'Zen-Silence'. This unique cd comprises no less than 60 minutes of silence, divided over three pieces of 25, 20 and 15 minutes. Each piece begins and ends with the sounds of gongs and bells in the tradition of Zen meditation as practiced in Japanese monasteries. Despite the periods of silence, however, there is music to be heard. The beautiful flute-playing of Chris Hinze introduces us to the cd, accompanied by the chanting of the heart sutra by the Japanese Zen monk, Daitokutsi-San. The periods of silence are also introduced by Chris Hinze on flute. (And just as a frame allows a painting to come into its own, the music allows to hear the silence.)

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