Therapeutic music:

windham hill artists

J., I try to reach that state often. Some of Robert Rich's and Steve Roach's discs work very well. Rich used to have 'Sleep Concerts" where he would try to bring whole audiences to that state. Another disc that I really like is "Hidden World" by John Serrie and Gary Stroutsos which is a particularly good blend of electronic and acoustic instruments brought together in a very deep atmospheric way. Sections of the first two Weather Report albums as well as parts of 'Sweetnighter" work. Some of the Miles stuff both electric and acoustic can also, as you mentioned, bring one to that state.I could go on and on here but email me if you want some more suggestions. Happy Trails...... ;^) Peace, Lee

John Coltrane's father was a primitive church minister in North Carolina;John was effected by religion at an impressionable age. Coltrane moved to Philadelphia to go to decent schools. After leaving the army,he made a detailed study (and practice) of music theory-particularly of chord structure.(Best example,Giant Steps). Later in life,he entertained his interest in Eastern Musics and Religions. His album "A Love Supreme",one of his last works before he died in a plane crash, has a recurring motif that could be considered mantra-like. The essay on the album cover speaks for itself. I'm not sure I understand the music but on one level,at least,the mantra level,perhaps it is not supposed to be intellectualized.

In my earlier post I spoke of Miles, I should have mentioned specifically "In A Silent Way" and most of "Get Up With It"for release. I have written in earlier threads about my liking for Native American flute music for massage, floating, etc. the sound can be so gentle and soothing. Several good examples are"The Healing Flute" by John Werner and titles by Marina Raye, "WomanSpirit" and her latest "Wings Of A Dream". Both Werner and Raye play some very simple, very tasteful slowly evolving pieces, dreamy stuff. There are some very good, largely electronic artists as well, such as TUU,Spool,Sounds From The Ground,Stephan Micus,and Koi,you might enjoy. Maybe someting here will soothe your soul. Peace, Lee

My massage therapist plays some ethereal music by N. Carlos Nakai, a Native American flutist which puts me in a trance like state. Sometimes I feel like I'm hovering three feet above the floor, in a semi conscious state.

I have EXACTLY that kind of hypontic,transporting, trancendental experience with the following favorites:
1. Chick Corea's work with Flora Purim, and the title track to the Romantic Warrior RTF album
2. Santana's Welcome album, and selected passages from Santana's Caravansari and Borbolletta
3. Ditto on the Weather Report, for me it's Heavy Weather and Tale Spinnin
4. Jade Warrior Waves, Kites
5. Brian Eno's Before and After Science or Another Green World
6. Pat Metheny's As falls Witchia
7. Ralph Towner's Solo Concert
8. Kieth Jarrett Arbor Zena
9. Steely dan title track to Aja
10. After 20 years of listening to Miles Davis Kind of Blue you will achieve enlightenment. To say nothing of Coltrane's Naima or After the Rain
11. Repeated listening to Happy the Man's first album will actually result in some sort of "high" it's hard to explain

Gunbei you are right, R. Carlos Nakai as well as Mary Youngblood are both excellent players and are the most widely known Native American flute artists. Nakai has many, many discs but my two favorites are "Canyon Trilogy" and "Mythic Dreamer" both of which are strictly flute music uncluttered by any other instruments. Mary only has a few discs. I prefer the first one"Offering" which was recorded live in a cave. Beautiful, smoothly lilting sounds for drifting away. Very soporific indeed.

Peace, Lee

Lee, thanks for the heads up on "R." Carlos Nakai and Mary Youngblood. I'll have to look into more of their offerings. Thanks!

Thanks for all the responses, I will check those out.