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Facing Future

To gauge the magnitude of Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's popularity in his native Hawaii, consider this: following his death in 1997 (at age 38, attributed to his profound obesity), Kamakawiwo'ole's body lay in state in the state capitol, only the second person to receive such an honor. Kamakawiwo'ole's appeal lies in his love for prestatehood, precondominium Hawaii and the expressiveness of his gently passionate voice, which can float through higher registers with an ease that brings Johnny Mathis to mind. Several selections ("Ka Pua U'i," "White Sandy Beach of Hawai'i," the sun-kissed "La 'Elima") feature Kamakawiwo'ole in a traditional mood, using only his ukulele to adorn the charm of his native lyricism. Others, such as the Jimmy Buffett-like "Maui Hawaiian Sup'pa Man" add playful contemporary touches that suit Kamakawiwo'ole's style. Most touching are the string-backed laments that open and close the album, "Hawai'i '78 Introduction" and "Hawai'i '78," initially a reflection on his father's death, later on the passing of Hawaii's native culture. Best known is his medley "Somewhere over the Rainbow/What a Wonderful World," which played over the closing credits of the film Meet Joe Black. --Terry Wood

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Customer Review:

Facing Future

Izzy's was a stunning talent and wether you are a fan of Hawiian music or not his voice and interpetive skills will intoxicate all.

Soothing music

It took a long time for me to acquire this album, and I'm glad I did. It's a very soothing album that one can relax to. I recommend it to everybody.

Sad, Sincere, Amazing.

Iz's voice is the voice of generations of Hawaiian's who wonder about the future and what it holds for their people. He is also the joyful storyteller that lets us share in his culture.

"White Sandy Beach of Hawai'i" is an utterly romantic song that could very easily be someone's - first dance as a married couple, song at their wedding reception.

"Somewhere Over the rainbow/What a Wonderful World" has been featured in movies and tv shows for a reason...there is a quiet power in the way Iz sings these classics.

Although I don't understand the Hawaiian words on many of the songs it simply doesn't matter. The lilt in the voice, the giddiness of delight, the heaviness in the feel; it all translates into a delightful and lovely CD. A little sad, a little fun but amazingly cool.

Sit with a glass of your favorite iced beverage, turn the lights out, light a few of your favorite candles and relax to the music. You'll be tapping your toes as well as welling up a few tears.

Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Facing Furture is well worth your listening efforts.

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Keywords: Hawaii; Hawaiian; Hawaiian Music; Int'l & World Music; Pop;

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Zucchero & Co.

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Customer Review:

A must for any Zucchero fan!

Please note this review is pertaining to the IMPORT (not Italian) version of this CD which has 18 tracks. Of the four extra songs not on this CD, only one of them is a 'skipper,' (the Tom Jones duet that I mention below). Otherwise, it's worth the few extra dollars (I think) to get the longer, IMPORTED version. If not, get this one! You have got to give Zucchero a try if you haven't already. I also highly recommend his "BLUE" CD.
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I adore this CD. It's worth the price just for the Macy Gray (Jeff Beck) duet in "Like The Sun" which is my favorite, if I was pressed.
If you already have 'SHAKE', you will recognize the John Lee Hooker duet from that cd; but you can't hear that tune too many times, either.
"Blue" from the BLUE cd is made fresh with the Sheryl Crow addition. I don't know who "Mousse T." is, but the "Mama Get Real" duet is a toe tapping winner.

I only have to skip past a couple of unfortunate songs here: the duet with Tom Jones (!!) being one of them. But there is Lots to love here like I said before-well worth the price for any Zucchero fan.

regards,
Laurie in Alaska

Come Sweet Soul of Mine, I Lay Down With The Angels

John Lee Hooker sings with his soulful voice and mellow tones with Zucchero's rustic, Italian pop and blues, "I Lay Down". This song was recorded in 2001, and John Lee Hooker died in a month's time. When you hear this tune, you will play it over and over in your mind.

"Come sweet soul of mine
I lay down with the angel
I lay down with an angel

I lay down
With an angel
I lay down
With an angel
'cause she treat me kind sometimes
Vieni in me
Portami via
Ali d'oro"

Zucchero which means Sugar, whose real name is Adelmo Fornaciari, was born in Roncocesi, Italy. He learned to play the organ at church, and was eventually introduced to Black Spirituals by a visiting American. He formed his first band known as "Le nuove luci", The New Lights. He traveled Italy playing his music. In 1994 he played at Woodstock Festival with Eric Clapton and Lucianno Pavorotti. But this is one of the first times his music has been played in the US. This CD is climbing the charts quickly. Zucchero has joined many talented musicians and has produced a CD of magnificence.

The most magnificent of these tunes is "I Lay Down" with John Lee Hooker. I forecast this as a top ten hit. This is followed by "Blue" sung with Sheryl Crow, with her lovely, lilting voice. They performed "Blue" first in 1998 in another album. The lyrics are written by Bono of U2. This song will catch you and lift you into the stratosphere.

Former Cranberries singer, Dolores O"Riordan, sings "Pure Love" with Zucchero, a memorable performance. She has a particularly lovely accent.

Miles Davis heard the song "Dunne Mosse" "Dune of Mercy" on the radio while he was touring in Italy, and he performed it with Zucchero first in 2001 and then in 2003. Gravelly voice and catchy rhythm.

Sting asked Zucchero if he could write lyrics to "Muoio per te", "Mad About You."and this is the final version. This is Sting at his finest.

"Everybody's Got To Learn Sometime" with Vanessa Carlton is one of the newer tracks on this CD. Vanessa Carlton plays the piano and Haylie Ecker plays the violin. You will recognize the lovely melody and sing along.

I have not been a fan of Macy Gray, but she sings "Like The Sun" with feeling and style. Macy Gray sings and Jeff Beck added a guitar solo

"Wonderful World", Eric Clapton met Zucchero in 1989 and they started singing together whenever their tours coincided. Eric Clapton at his best,sounds like his earlier style.

"Diavolo In Me" (Devil in me) with Solomon Burke is a treasure. Zucchero and Burke met in the 80's on several tours and festivals. Their styles click and this song is sweet. Higher and higher as the notes and their vocies swell, the sweeter the song.

"Miserere" with Luciano Pavarotti and Andrea Bocelli was written by Zucchero and Bono. Pavarotti recorded it first, and Bocelli recorded the studio version. Bocelli as an unknown is now a known entity.

This is a masterpiece of an album. The Italian pop and blues of Zucchero mixed with the talented voices of BB King, Miles Davis, Eric Clapton, Sting, Sheryl Crow, John Lee Hooker and others have given us a mix of a soulful, resounding memory. Highly Recommended. prisrob

Raspy, Sexy---Fresh

Zucchero is a true talent. His Joe Cocker-like voice fills your ears with emotion, pain, exhileration. The songs are fabulous, the arrangements intriguing. He is the real deal. I especially like the songs adapted by Frank Musker, but all are great. He is a master in his prime.

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Keywords: Int'l & World Music; Italian Pop; Italy; Latin Pop/Rock; Modern Electric Blues; Political Folk; Pop;

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Alone in IZ World

The artist behind Facing Future, the top-selling Hawaiian album of all time, the late Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole was possessed of a voice so sweet, so tender, and so lovely that it continues to deeply stir those who hear it long after he died. Lovingly assembled and notated by producer Jon de Mello, Alone in IZ World is comprised of both alternate versions of Kamakawio'ole's best-loved songs as well as tracks never before heard by the public. The latter category includes versions of "Hanohano No Na Cowboy," the playfully incomplete opening on "Mona Lisa," and "Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star," on which IZ takes a rare turn at harmonizing with himself. In light of his premature passing, devastatingly beautiful alternate cuts of "Starting All Over Again" and "In This Life" are especially poignant. And "Over the Rainbow"--IZ's renditions were heard in Meet Joe Black and Finding Forrester--may never again sound so pure. --Paige La Grone

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Futures

Enhanced;

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Customer Review:

Over The Rainbow/Wonderful World

I have not heard the entire CD, but I will be searching for it.

I'm writing this because I live in Phoenix, but have the computer on to "The Fabulous 690" out of Los Angeles.

They played this song of Iz's. It was beautiful. I stopped typing an email to a friend, just to enjoy it. I'd never heard of him before.

It was sweet, gentle and rhythmic. I admit I kind of got a little teared up listening to it. I've not heard this kind of version of "Over The Rainbow" before.

Look, if this one cut is that good, the whole CD must be good!

over the rainbow

IZ should get 10 stars for such a wonderful song. Both my daughters ages 3 1/2 and just turned 1 love it! My oldest dances around whenever she hears it and my baby will just stand and smile! I love it so much and it always makes me think the outstanding job Anthony Edwards did in his final ER.

If you don't enjoy this cd you don't know what real music is.

Great music has a great following of fans, but what makes even greater music is having a large variety of fans as well. IZ's music can be categorized as Hawaiian music, however it is evident that the music he created is so inspirational, so evocative, so beautiful that it has attracted a wide variety of people (just look at where all the reviewers are from). IZ has a widespread fan base,of people that don't neccesarily like Hawaiian music but like IZ. IZ made real and passionate songs. There is more to IZ than his rendition of "Somewhere over the Rainbow." I think everyone can feel what IZ wanted people to feel through his music, if people are less critical and truly listen. If you study up on IZ and his life you will even more feel the meaning in his songs regardless of whether you understand the Hawaiian language, and you will also experience the pain that Hawaii and the world felt when we lost this wonderful singer and person. If you like real music you will like this CD.

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Keywords: Hawaii; Hawaiian; Hawaiian Music; Int'l & World Music; Pop;

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Enigma - Love Sensuality Devotion: The Greatest Hits

A greatest-hits package sampling four Enigma discs released between 1990 and 2000, LSD splendidly documents the influential output of Michael Cretu, a techno-bohemian who successfully creates cinematic, otherworldly New Age-like musical suites. Now, more than a decade removed from the arrival of Sadeness (Part 1) and its eyebrow-raising mix of sacred and sensual subplots, people can debate whether Cretu's music represents savvy commercial calculation or satisfying art. LSD suggests a split decision, though tracks with intriguing blends of atmosphere and rhythm, such as "Gravity of Love," "T.N.T. for the Brain" and "Morphing Thru Time," reveal an inventiveness that demonstrates Cretu is capable of more than sophisticated novelty tunes. Two new songs, neither especially noteworthy, open this package. Meanwhile, remastered older tracks segue beautifully to exude a satisfying, seamless unity. Big bonus: run time exceeds 76 minutes. --Terry Wood

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Customer Review:

Thanks 4 Mehdi !

I've always enjoyed the Enigma and this album is no exception, but while reading some of the customer recommendations posted on this page I discovered a group by the name of Mehdi (pronounced meddie). After an online search I found their site (SoothingMusic,Com) and listened to the samples...
I was instantly blown away by the quality of this music and so I gave it a try and now that I have listened to these CDs several times I really must say that although I'm still an Enigma fan I find Mehdi to be a great addition to this CD. I have them both in my multi-disc CD player and love the way they compliment each other. I highly recommend that you give this artist a try or atleast just go listen to the samples, I have a feeling you'll be glad you did.

Absolutely Beautiful Non Anemic Enigma

I have been a fan of Enema for many years, even before they were a group. There have been many imitators spawned by Enema but they remain the quintessential new age/ambient group. The female lead vocalist has a hauntingly, ethereal voice and the the bagpipes are superbly played...much like I was taught in Scotland. If you like Enemas, this is a great buy. Cuckoo ForCeltic

The soundtrack to my dreams...

Ah. Enigma. Savor the word. Feel it flow off your tongue. Rarely does a musician choose such a captivating alias, yet alone one that so perfectly describes the intricate music laying underneath. With this greatest hits release Love Sensuality Devotion we are taken into the mysterious world of Michael Cretu, via 18 sensational tracks laced with beauty and rinsed in atmosphere. Think of a beautiful painting, the kind that forces you to stare for minutes on end. Now imagine this painting being transformed into a song, and you should have some sort of idea as what to expect from this mastermind. Mixing dancepop beats with Gregorian chants, a diverse range of synths, and gorgeous female vocals placed here and there, Cretu never hides his love for artistic experimentation - which makes Enigma's success all the more interesting, given all the tasteless musical trends that have emerged over the past decade and a half. Perhaps it's that such hits as "Return to Innocence" and "Sadeness Pt. 1" are just so darn addictive. Who knows? But why complain?

Production-wise, the album fails on no level. It is obvious which songs have been remastered and which have been left untampered with, but they all sound great in the long run. From the calm tenderness of "Shadows in Silence" to the catchy atmo-synth of "TNT for the Brain", you will be left speechlessly dazed and entranced (especially after multiple listens, which are required for full musical comprehension). Other hits like the epic "I Love You...I'll Kill You" complete with blaring guitars, or the infectious "Turn Around" - a song exclusively written for this record - are also essentials. My personal favorite track is number 3, "Gravity of Love", fronted by angelic female singing, rounded out by an ethereal chorus and some rather enchanting operatic vocals. Actually, since there are no weak tracks to be found, the album flows pretty darn well too - a big plus in my book, especially for "best of" releases which are often muddled by poor organization.

In conclusion, LSD is an essential, comprised of pure new age classics, fit for any and all CD collections built on the foundation of good music (aka music with substance). Don't let yourself miss out on such an incredible masterpiece - you'd only be mistreating yourself. Don't believe me? Well, I'll sum this CD up in three words - find, grab, buy!

10/10

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Keywords: Dance; Dance Music; Ethnic Fusion; New Age; Pop;

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