Deborah Martin and Cheryl Gallagher are pioneers in ambient and acoustic music; both artists have released several projects on Spotted Peccary Music.
Traveling to (and through) Tibet 20+ years ago was no easy feat for anyone, but for Deborah Martin and Cheryl Gallagher it was a worthwhile life-changing journey. In many ways, they say, they are still there in their hearts. So, it was exciting for the two to return to the studio — now immersive — to help create a more realistic recalling of that time and space. The result is a remastered and immersive version of the album originally recorded in 5.1 titled TIBET: 20th Anniversary Remaster.
Instrumentally, what you will hear includes electronics and samples, Tibetan bells, bowls, drums, cymbals, ceremonial conch shell, Taos drums, various ethnic hand percussion and sound environs by Deborah, with Cheryl on electronics and samples, Camac electric harp, acoustic grand harp, various ethnic hand percussion, also Howard Givens on selective electronics and ambient guitar textures on “Glacier” and “Procession,” Mark Hunton on flute in “Procession,” as well as the location sound recordings, Mark Rownd on Taos drum in “Glacier,” and David Helpling on the djembe in “Seeker and Sought.” All recordings of Sherpas and Tibetan monks and nuns were recorded on site at various locations throughout Tibet and Nepal.
Immersive audio is an emerging technology that allows a multi-dimensional approach to audio storytelling. By utilizing new audio production tools, award winning Audio Producer Todd Boston at Spatial Sound Studios can bring these new sounds to listeners in an expanded sonic field that goes beyond traditional surround sound, using ordinary headphones or earbuds. While “surround sound” exists in a horizontal plane around the listener, “immersive audio” is designed to produce a fully immersive experience where audio is perceived as coming from all around you including the dimension of space above. What I heard was that amazing sense of placement as well as very unique layering, all around.
Emerging majestically, “Palace” (7:43), there are the people chanting, the drummers, the regal horns, a blasting bass with gongs and frame drums, lots of instruments rotating colors and patterns weaving and transitioning, the track “Glacier” (6:51) settles into the pace of camels walking on and on in a line on an ice trail, always getting more interesting. Rownd can be heard on Taos drum and Howard Givens on selective electronics & ambient guitar textures. “Morning in Tibet” (5:24) imagine the mountains catching the sun’s rays slowly awakening the heavenly host in the sky above.
The concluding track opens as the winds fade in, becoming roaring mountain winds, “Procession” (10:11) brings together drums bells big horns all making sound together, some places are quite a ruckus, some offer a succession of people doing different chants, amidst shifting columns of tones layering into a quilt of sunset colors, a man singing prayers becomes a procession of voices, until the strange struggling calls fade out.
Now a top-selling award-winning artist on the Spotted Peccary Music label, Deborah Martin continues pursuing her passion of exploring the depths of thematic composition through the process of creative layering of structured studio recorded compositions and live recordings of instruments, blending them into a world of ambient electronic expression. Deborah’s releases include Under the Moon, Deep Roots Hidden Water, Ancient Power, Convergence, Anno Domini, Between Worlds, Etched Into Memory (EP), Eye of the Wizard, Hemispherica Portalis (Portal of 1000 Years), The Silence Of Grace, Chaos In Premonition [Firestimo Mutato], and Kinishba.
Cheryl Gallagher’s life path has led to success as an electronic musician, harpist, and meditative sound painter who produces and performs music with intention towards supernal inner growth and development, composing inspiring sound-spaces reflective of mystical vibrations and light from the center of being. Also known as Madhavi Devi, her critically acclaimed releases feature rich textures and nuanced melodic structures that are evocatively moving and intimate, and yet celestial in scope. With several releases over the last couple decades, Cheryl continues to explore her innate sensitivities towards musical conversation, evolving sound as a vital connection to personal discovery. Cheryl’s other releases include Source of Compassion, The Truth of Being, and The Celestial Expanse.
TIBET – 20th Anniversary Remaster brings to you a whole new listening experience, using the Atmos technology your favorite headphones or earbuds allow you to take this journey to the Tibetan Plateau in the western part of East Asia, gigantic mountain landscapes, nature sounds, various acoustic percussive elements, and subtly crafted electronic sub-components, enchanting voices, striking instrumentation, a refreshing orchestral mix from Tibet and links between present and past, hand percussion and electronic ambient guitar textures.
TIBET – 20th Anniversary Remaster is available for streaming and downloading, including high resolution studio master formats. The CD version of TIBET – 20th Anniversary Remaster, comes in a factory sealed 6-panel gatefold package with liner notes; a digital booklet is available with every album purchase.
Tracks
- Palace 07:43
- Glacier 06:51
- Morning in Tibet 05:24
- Essence 07:12
- Seeker and Sought 07:04
- Leaving Shigatze 05:12
- Eklabatti 06:16
- Procession 10:11
