Page 16 - Jan Feb 2015

Music Reviews
Full of Faith
by Lauren Ashley ©2014
Reviewer
Stacey Leigh Mohr
I opened my office door about a month ago to discover an envelope had been slipped under the door that contained a CD and a note from musical artist Lauren Ashley. I popped the disk into my CD player, sat back, relaxed, and listened to a moving, poetic collection of softly melodic compositions.
The first song on the album, “I Remember You”, is sublime poetry that lapses at one point into alliteration that evokes a soft and gentle, harmonious rap rhythm.
We have all heard the phrase “We are the ones we have been waiting for”. Lauren employs the Ukulele in the song “We Are the Ones” to give these words new life through her delightful, light and airy interpretation of the poem “Grief is a Skill” by Jesua Wight.
Accompanied by the beautiful harmony vocals of Yonat Mayer, Lauren sings the title song “Full of Faith” as a sweet, gentle folk song celebrating the exultant feelings of being filled with faith in something greater then oneself.
With evocative, poetic lyrics, and beautiful, clear, simple melodies, every song on this album is a treasure, and inspir- ing pleasure to hear.
“Full of Faith” can be purchased at cdbaby.com/laurenashleybrown or by contacting laurenbreathes@gmail.com
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Weya
by Rene Jenkins ©2014 Vibe Therapy Records
Weya is the Kashaya-Pomo word meaning nurturing-healing energy. In the album “Weya”, Rene Jenkins “sings Weya”, through the skillful blending of musical sounds from many indigenous instruments, to activate the nurturing, healing essence of the Life Force with each of us. Rene, collaborating with five other indigenous musicians, has created well-crafted and soothing soundscapes using such diverse instruments as Mayan drone flutes, agave didjeridu, dan moi, mamma quena, dinosaur bone ocarina, gourd rattle shakapa, pap rainstick, tingsha, bells, chimu water vessel, Zapotec quad clay flute, Tibetan bowls, Koji chimes, udu, and many more.
Each piece is seems as if it is a prayer that takes us on a journey through the sacred sounds of ancient peoples. I have listened to this album intently, absorbing the healing beats, chimes, chants, and lyrical flutes, feeling the healing energy. I have also listened to it in the background, while driving, and felt calmed and soothed by the end of my journey, even without listening directly to the music. “Weya the World” is an especially beautiful and moving piece that I could listen
to over and over again. If you are looking for some unusual music that will move you on a very deep level, I highly recommend “Weya” by Rene Jenkins.
(Playing with Rene on the album;
Ian Dogole, Nick Simons, Kim Atkinson, Ena Vie and Howard Lipp)
Reviewer
Stacey Leigh Mohr
16 The Wave www.thewaveholisticjournal.com