Planet Passion

Amazon.com
Ancient Future weren't the first to merge music from around the world, but they were the ones who coined the term world fusion. They've been living that vision for a quarter of a century. Now, after a nine-year silence, they've released another powerful reminder of that dream. The concept--songs of love drawing on global traditions--and packaging, including a space to write a love note, are a little hokey, but the music is anything but. India has always been at the heart of Ancient Future's world fusion. Founder and only remaining original member Matthew Montfort plays a special, scalloped fretboard acoustic instrument that lets him get the bends of an Indian sitar. He uses it to weave seductive melodies, and his exchanges with Indian sitarist Habib Khan on "Socha, Socha" are exhilarating. Singer Irina Mikhailova, from Medicine Tree and Lumin, is the first vocalist in Ancient Future. Singing in vocalese and her native Kazakh tongue, she is intoxicating. From the gamelan cycles of "Semara" to the exuberance of "Forest Frolic," Ancient Future is the sound of the global bazaar in ecstasy. --John Diliberto

Product Description
“Ancient Future certainly earns the 'ancient' in its name. The Bay Area band's first world beat album was released way back in 1979, making these artists a sort of Rolling Stones of fusion music. And on the evidence of ‘Planet Passion,’ they've still got that 'future' ahead of them. Nobody does a better job assimilating Asian music genres and combining them with an American coffee house acoustic sensibility. Sure, I'm snobby about usually preferring to grapple with original source material from Indonesia, China, et al, discordant harmonies and all. But there are also times I just want to relax with the smooth and dreamy soundscapes Ancient Future whips up to a froth. Led by Matthew Montfort's often jazzy guitar, the ensemble excels at lots of foreign genres while still having the good sense not to try to do everything themselves. Guests including Manose Singh on bansuri flute, Ustad Habib Khan on sitar and Liu Qi-Chao on Chinese flute up the authenticity quotient without disturbing the homogeneity. That's not to suggest anything like dumbing down is involved. Montfort's ‘Forest Frolic’ is an aptly named romp for flutes, guitar, and percussion that blazes like a bluegrass number. ‘Ocean of Love’ with its reggae-inflected Afro-Slavic groove isn't your off-the-cuff concoction. And demonstrating that future is also past, the gamelan-esque ‘Semara’ stars the band's original line-up with the inimitable Mindia Klein on bansuri flute. Shamelessly beautiful, ‘Planet Passion’ is easily the pinnacle of this group's long career.” – Bob Tarte, THE BEAT

Planet Passion

Planet Passion,Ancient Future,Ancient-Future.Com Records,The world's first and longest running band dedicated to the creation of world fusion music. Billboard calls the group "trendsetters" for their work in establishing the world fusion music genre since 1978.

Average customer rating: WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!

Passion Planet: Songs Of Love From Around The World Various Artists Manufacturer: Juna ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD India | India & Pakistan | International | Styles | Music General | International | Styles | Music General | Compilations | International | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | International General | International | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B00000IISG Release Date: 1999-04-20

Tracks:

1. Nuestro Amor - Claudia Gomez
2. Pozo Del Desco - Songhai 2
3. Ofertorio - Milton Nascimento
4. Nao E Desgraca Ser Pobre - Amalia Rodrigues
5. Makhabat 'Iri' - Salamatkan Sadikova
6. Amin Amin - Assarouf
7. Quam Na Dimi - Mohammed Saleh Abd Al-Saheb Lelo & Haitham Hasa
8. The Mystic's Dream - Loreena McKennit
9. Mama - Chris Combette
10. Adarini - Ravi Shankar
11. Dil Ki Doya - Paban Das Baul & Sam Mills
12. Nyalomei Luange - S. E. Rogie
13. Obiero - Ayub Oagda

Amazon.com

An inventive compilation of 13 tunes, Passion Planet has matters of the heart as its theme. Artists as diverse as Milton Nascimento, Ayub Ogada, Ravi Shankar, and Loreena McKennitt share space with less well known talent like Claudia Gomez, Paban Das Baul, and Salamatkan Sadihova for a truly international mix of love songs from around the world. The stylistic range is wide indeed, from ballads to more uptempo numbers suitable for romantic sashaying, offering an eclectic smorgasbord of expression from around the world on one of the basic human emotions. The CD also has a nice balance of traditional and contemporary in both material and production that should provide something to like for almost any listener. --Derek Rath

Customer Reviews:

WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!! WOW!!!.......2003-06-18

If you have any interest in world music buy this CD now!!! It has some of the most beautiful music I have heard in a long time. Compilations are usually hit and miss (missing more often then not). Not this CD. It has at least 5 to 6 cuts that are absolutely magnificent. You will not be disappointed.

Average customer rating: Luscious audio romance Food for the Soul Only gets better with time!

Planet Passion Ancient Future Manufacturer: Ancient Future ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Natural Rhythms World Without Walls Quiet Fire An Ancient Muse Amarantine ASIN: B00006K0AU Release Date: 2002-10-15

Tracks:

1. Simsimay Panima
2. Forest Frolic
3. I Mett Her in the Medowe, a
4. I Mett Her in the Medowe, b
5. Ocean of Love
6. Ochun
7. Semara
8. Alap
9. El Zaffa
10. Ne Po Pogrebu Bochonochek
11. Socha Socha, a
12. Socha Socha, b

Amazon.com

Ancient Future weren't the first to merge music from around the world, but they were the ones who coined the term world fusion. They've been living that vision for a quarter of a century. Now, after a nine-year silence, they've released another powerful reminder of that dream. The concept--songs of love drawing on global traditions--and packaging, including a space to write a love note, are a little hokey, but the music is anything but. India has always been at the heart of Ancient Future's world fusion. Founder and only remaining original member Matthew Montfort plays a special, scalloped fretboard acoustic instrument that lets him get the bends of an Indian sitar. He uses it to weave seductive melodies, and his exchanges with Indian sitarist Habib Khan on "Socha, Socha" are exhilarating. Singer Irina Mikhailova, from Medicine Tree and Lumin, is the first vocalist in Ancient Future. Singing in vocalese and her native Kazakh tongue, she is intoxicating. From the gamelan cycles of "Semara" to the exuberance of "Forest Frolic," Ancient Future is the sound of the global bazaar in ecstasy. --John Diliberto

Album Description

"Ancient Future certainly earns the 'ancient' in its name. The Bay Area band's first world beat album was released way back in 1979, making these artists a sort of Rolling Stones of fusion music. And on the evidence of `Planet Passion,' they've still got that 'future' ahead of them. Nobody does a better job assimilating Asian music genres and combining them with an American coffee house acoustic sensibility. Sure, I'm snobby about usually preferring to grapple with original source material from Indonesia, China, et al, discordant harmonies and all. But there are also times I just want to relax with the smooth and dreamy soundscapes Ancient Future whips up to a froth. Led by Matthew Montfort's often jazzy guitar, the ensemble excels at lots of foreign genres while still having the good sense not to try to do everything themselves. Guests including Manose Singh on bansuri flute, Ustad Habib Khan on sitar and Liu Qi-Chao on Chinese flute up the authenticity quotient without disturbing the homogeneity. That's not to suggest anything like dumbing down is involved. Montfort's `Forest Frolic' is an aptly named romp for flutes, guitar, and percussion that blazes like a bluegrass number. `Ocean of Love' with its reggae-inflected Afro-Slavic groove isn't your off-the-cuff concoction. And demonstrating that future is also past, the gamelan-esque `Semara' stars the band's original line-up with the inimitable Mindia Klein on bansuri flute. Shamelessly beautiful, `Planet Passion' is easily the pinnacle of this group's long career." - Bob Tarte, THE BEAT

Customer Reviews:

Luscious audio romance.......2002-09-27

This varying crew of great talents give us a clever sequence of songs from different cultures, depicting progressive stages of love -- flirtation through courtship and eventually to a more spiritual "longing for the beloved". Moods and instrumentation are typically light-hearted, lending themselves to more traditional visions of romance. I particularly like: The guitar solos (Matthew Montfort) on I Met Her in the Medowe; The lilting vocal chant (Irina Mikhailova) on Ocean of Love (more complex, a deeper exchange of feelings); the exotic instrumental mix, including flute and gamelan, on the meditative Semara; and a playful but low-key Seduction song, Ne Po Pogrebu Bochonochek, again featuring the lovely voice of Irina.

The packaging is a cute concept too: There's a big heart-shaped space for your personal love note if you give this CD as a gift.
(They ask you to send your own love story if this music helps it along!)

An easy, seductive listen with impeccable performances and engineering.

Food for the Soul.......2002-09-15

If music is the food of love, then feast on "Planet Passion."

Ancient Future has definitely hit a high-water mark with this CD. Matthew Montfort has assembled a fantastic group of musicians (sitar, violin, tabla, vocals, percussionists and many more) for this World Fusion CD. I especially like the flute work and Matthew's guitar is compelling.

Each piece ties into the next, telling the universal story of love, courtship and longing. After several listenings, I enjoy it more each time (especially with the lights out and being with someone I love)

The final cut, "Socha Socha." has me longing for more.

Only gets better with time!.......2002-05-15

Yeah, these guys really do just keep getting better. And the album is the same! I discover something new every time I listen. There are so many wonderful musical moments on this CD, beautifully blended with the most amazing array of instruments I've every heard. Guitar, sitar, bansuri, Chinese instrumentation, loads of quirky percussion and hauntingly beautiful vocals delivered so pristinely!

For fans of world fusion, I can't recommend an album or a group more strongly. The album combines lilting Celtic moments, Russian folksongs, Arabic dances and flowing Asian melodies. The members of Ancient Future are consummate, professional musicians and composers. It is truly refreshing to hear real musicians playing real instruments. It lifts the spirit and gives me hope that music can survive the age of computerization and Mickey Mouse performers!

Average customer rating: Luscious audio romance Food for the Soul Only gets better with time!

Planet Passion Ancient Future Manufacturer: Philo/Rounder ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | International | Styles | Music General | Celtic | International | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music Rounder Records | Specialty Stores | Music General | International | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Natural Rhythms World Without Walls Quiet Fire An Ancient Muse Amarantine ASIN: B00005V4ZP Release Date: 2002-02-14

Tracks:

1. Simsimay Panima
2. Forest Frolic
3. I Mett Her in the Medowe, a
4. I Mett Her in the Medowe, b
5. Ocean of Love
6. Ochun
7. Semara
8. Alap
9. El Zaffa
10. Ne Po Pogrebu Bochonochek
11. Socha Socha, a
12. Socha Socha, b

Amazon.com

Ancient Future weren't the first to merge music from around the world, but they were the ones who coined the term world fusion. They've been living that vision for a quarter of a century. Now, after a nine-year silence, they've released another powerful reminder of that dream. The concept--songs of love drawing on global traditions--and packaging, including a space to write a love note, are a little hokey, but the music is anything but. India has always been at the heart of Ancient Future's world fusion. Founder and only remaining original member Matthew Montfort plays a special, scalloped fretboard acoustic instrument that lets him get the bends of an Indian sitar. He uses it to weave seductive melodies, and his exchanges with Indian sitarist Habib Khan on "Socha, Socha" are exhilarating. Singer Irina Mikhailova, from Medicine Tree and Lumin, is the first vocalist in Ancient Future. Singing in vocalese and her native Kazakh tongue, she is intoxicating. From the gamelan cycles of "Semara" to the exuberance of "Forest Frolic," Ancient Future is the sound of the global bazaar in ecstasy. --John Diliberto

Album Description

“Ancient Future certainly earns the 'ancient' in its name. The Bay Area band's first world beat album was released way back in 1979, making these artists a sort of Rolling Stones of fusion music. And on the evidence of `Planet Passion,' they've still got that 'future' ahead of them. Nobody does a better job assimilating Asian music genres and combining them with an American coffee house acoustic sensibility. Sure, I'm snobby about usually preferring to grapple with original source material from Indonesia, China, et al, discordant harmonies and all. But there are also times I just want to relax with the smooth and dreamy soundscapes Ancient Future whips up to a froth. Led by Matthew Montfort's often jazzy guitar, the ensemble excels at lots of foreign genres while still having the good sense not to try to do everything themselves. Guests including Manose Singh on bansuri flute, Ustad Habib Khan on sitar and Liu Qi-Chao on Chinese flute up the authenticity quotient without disturbing the homogeneity. That's not to suggest anything like dumbing down is involved. Montfort's `Forest Frolic' is an aptly named romp for flutes, guitar, and percussion that blazes like a bluegrass number. `Ocean of Love' with its reggae-inflected Afro-Slavic groove isn't your off-the-cuff concoction. And demonstrating that future is also past, the gamelan-esque `Semara' stars the band's original line-up with the inimitable Mindia Klein on bansuri flute. Shamelessly beautiful, `Planet Passion' is easily the pinnacle of this group's long career.” - Bob Tarte, THE BEAT

Customer Reviews:

Luscious audio romance.......2002-09-27

This varying crew of great talents give us a clever sequence of songs from different cultures, depicting progressive stages of love -- flirtation through courtship and eventually to a more spiritual "longing for the beloved". Moods and instrumentation are typically light-hearted, lending themselves to more traditional visions of romance. I particularly like: The guitar solos (Matthew Montfort) on I Met Her in the Medowe; The lilting vocal chant (Irina Mikhailova) on Ocean of Love (more complex, a deeper exchange of feelings); the exotic instrumental mix, including flute and gamelan, on the meditative Semara; and a playful but low-key Seduction song, Ne Po Pogrebu Bochonochek, again featuring the lovely voice of Irina.

The packaging is a cute concept too: There's a big heart-shaped space for your personal love note if you give this CD as a gift.
(They ask you to send your own love story if this music helps it along!)

An easy, seductive listen with impeccable performances and engineering.

Food for the Soul.......2002-09-15

If music is the food of love, then feast on "Planet Passion."

Ancient Future has definitely hit a high-water mark with this CD. Matthew Montfort has assembled a fantastic group of musicians (sitar, violin, tabla, vocals, percussionists and many more) for this World Fusion CD. I especially like the flute work and Matthew's guitar is compelling.

Each piece ties into the next, telling the universal story of love, courtship and longing. After several listenings, I enjoy it more each time (especially with the lights out and being with someone I love)

The final cut, "Socha Socha." has me longing for more.

Only gets better with time!.......2002-05-15

Yeah, these guys really do just keep getting better. And the album is the same! I discover something new every time I listen. There are so many wonderful musical moments on this CD, beautifully blended with the most amazing array of instruments I've every heard. Guitar, sitar, bansuri, Chinese instrumentation, loads of quirky percussion and hauntingly beautiful vocals delivered so pristinely!

For fans of world fusion, I can't recommend an album or a group more strongly. The album combines lilting Celtic moments, Russian folksongs, Arabic dances and flowing Asian melodies. The members of Ancient Future are consummate, professional musicians and composers. It is truly refreshing to hear real musicians playing real instruments. It lifts the spirit and gives me hope that music can survive the age of computerization and Mickey Mouse performers!

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