|
| |
Recordings
by Jim Berenholtz
(See
also: Hu-Ra Records)
|
| |
|
|
| |
 |
| Order
the CD with Book:
|
|
The
New “Psalms of RA”
CD plus Book
The all new version of “The Psalms of RA” is a single CD plus
book that is entirely focused on the ancient Egyptian-based material from
the original 2 CD set. The 56 minute CD comes inside a beautifully packaged,
48 page, full color, hard cover book that is the size of a standard CD
jewel case. The book includes full descriptions of every song, including
instrumentation, history and cosmology, with texts in English, German
and French.. All the song texts are also provided, from the original hieroglyphic
versions to the phoenetic pronunciations to the translations. The artwork
and photography of composer Jim Berenholtz illustrates the book throughout
its 48 pages. The photographs are exclusively drawn from Jim’s extensive
travels to ancient sacred sites in Egypt and the Sudan. This highly informative
and illuminating product is ideal for world music lovers, Egyptology enthusiasts,
history buffs, students of metaphysics, and anyone who appreciates the
art and wisdom of ancient civilizations. Experience the acoustic ritual
of “The Psalms of RA”, as it takes you on a journey from sunrise
to sunset to sunrise again, paralleling the journey of the soul.
|
| |
| |
 |
Order
the Double CD:
|
|
|
|
The Psalms
of RA
Double CD
108 minutes (2002)
An acoustic ritual of neo-ancient
music recorded at world-famous Skywalker Sound with nearly fifty musicians
of diverse ethnic background. Ancient Egyptian, Hebrew and Sumerian texts
are brought alive on two CD's. From sunrise to sunset to sunrise again,
the recordings move the listener through time, from birth to life to death
to rebirth. Unique orchestrations combine Western symphonic instruments
with traditional Near Eastern winds, strings and percussion. Highlights
include a riveting string quintet set to the Hebrew text of Psalm 104,
and a stunning musical interpretation of Akhenaten’s “Hymn
to the Sun” in ancient Egyptian. "The Psalms of RA" celebrates
the sun as our common ancestor and source of light, while offering a new
vision of a spiritual foundation for peace in the Middle East.
For ordering and other information, go to The Psalms
of RA page. |
|
Music
in the Language of Light
Contemporary Interpretations of Ancient Hebrew Texts
48 minutes, 12 tracks (2005)
Contemporary Interpretations
of Ancient Hebrew Texts
by Jim Berenholtz
The latest release from Hu Ra Records, “Music in the Language
of Light” features 48 minutes of the Hebrew-based compositions
from “The Psalms of RA” double CD. Included are an uplifting
chamber orchestra rendition of Psalm 116, a stirring string quintet
setting of Psalm 104, and a mixed Hebrew/Arabic version of the traditional
Hebrew folk song (“Hinay ma tov...”) derived from Psalm
133. Also included is an original and beautiful setting of the Kaddish
for voices, guitar and soprano saxopohone, as well as Kaballistic
incantations of the archangels and chants to the dawn light. The
instrumentation combines chorus, symphonic instruments, and traditional
Middle Eastern instruments like the oud, santur, kamancheh, ney,
and dumbek.
Among the featured performers
are singers Sonya Heller, Melanie DeMore and Phyllis Addison, saxophonist
Paul McCandless, and master instrumentalists A.J. Racy (Lebanon)
and Nejad (Iran). The CD is accompanied by a 24 page full color
booklet with all the texts written in Hebrew, transliterated, and
translated into English. The booklet is illustrated with photography
by composer Jim Berenholtz, taking on his many journeys throughout
the Middle East and Africa. Images of the Sinai desert, of sacred
sites like Petra, Jerusalem, Giza, Persepolis, Axum and Lalibela,
and of the wildlife found in ancient Israel during Biblical times,
bring illumination to the texts and inspire the listener to imaginings
of the sacredness of life.
This CD is ideal for
lovers of classical and world music, for those with an interest
in Judaica, the Kabbalah, and Near Eastern civilizations, and for
all people who work and dream for a world in peace.
|
To Order
the Music in the Language of Light:
|
|
|
|
|
| |
 Xochimoki:
Land of the Feathered Serpent
66 minutes, 22 tracks (2004)
Xochimoki's new CD, "Land of the Feathered Serpent" has
over an hourof music performed on ancient Aztek and Mayan instruments.
It has been compiled from the best of our recordings in the 1980's,
previously only available on cassette. It also includes music that
was created for an animated film by Patricia Amlin entitled "Popol
Vuh - The Creation Myth of the Maya" (1990) that has aired
many times on PBS. All of the music has been re-edited and digitally
remastered, and some here-to-fore unreleased music is also part
of this release.
The CD, booklet, and covers are illustrated with original artwork
based on pre-Columbian motifs. The highly informative booklet is
in both English and Spanish, and includes a Nahuatl and Mayan glossary
of terms .
Titles of various tracks on the CD refer to ancient Mayan ceremonial
centers, sacred Aztek volcanoes, cosmologies and cultural traditions
of the native peoples of Mesoamerica. The music was inspired through
the living experience of connection to these cultural/spiritual
roots.
see separate webpage
for Xochimoki |
To order
Xochimoki Land of the Feathered Serpent:
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
Turquoise
Waters
Songs from the Spirit World (1986)
60 minutes
|
 |
“The uniqueness of this music sets
it apart from other recent recordings of chant . . . may be
the beginning of a completely new expression of sacred music.
. . What is here now is exciting, sacred and transformative.”
According to a review
in Shaman’s Drum (1988) |
|
Now available on CD with print out and translation of all text.
Original
ceremonial songs and chants in a “Lemurian” language
called “Ra-ali-lea-hu”, as well as in traditional native
languages and English. Performed by the composer with singer Ani
Williams and flautist Mazatl Galindo.
To order
Turquoise Waters:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Keeper
of the Woods
SoloPiano
Improvisations (1988)
60 minutes
|
“This is not ‘elevator’
background music. It is deeper. It represents a return to
rootedness - - in this case, the Sefirot, or cosmic Tree of
Life known by Jewish mystics. Totally devoid of ‘leading
tone harmony’, the music is based on open intervals,
dramatic left hand strokes, and strong right hand improvisations.
It is music of the woods, not of the sky. With power.”
According to reviewer
Robert Maynord in Pathways - Music for Spiritual Awakening
(1989) |
|
An inspired and unique synthesis
of Near Eastern, Classical, Jazz and Ambient styles. Great for meditation,
relaxation, massage, or just pure listening pleasure.
On cassette. Currently unavailable.
|
|
|
Cycles
and Spirals
Songs from
the Spirit World (1988)
46 minutes |
|
“This
collaboration between Jim Berenholtz and Rashani represents
an integration of diversities. . . The spoken word is integrated
with the sung. Harmony and dissonance are in dialogue. Ancient
chants with contemporary. Rendition of such chants as ‘Ancient
Mother’ are done exceptionally well, with harmonies,
drums and rattles. Poems, such as ‘The Awakening’,
read by Rashani and accompanied by Jim on Plains Indian flute,
are haunting in their effect.”
Reviewer
Robert Maynord (1989) |
|
On
cassette. Currently unavailable. |
|
|
Clear
Energy/Free Spirits
(1990)
30 minutes |
|
“An
exhilirating tape of cross-cultural rhythms designed to support
the celebration of life in every moment. “Rainstick,
turtle shell drum, llama toe nail rattles, log drums, djun
djun, and onebeji bongos are just some of the instruments
that Free Spirits use to help the listener free up the body
and clear the mind.”
Heartbeats
catalogue. |
|
Performed
by Jim Berenholtz on native winds and percussion, with the late
Frank Ekeh, reknowned Nigerian percussionist and alumnus of Olatunji’s
Drums of Passion.
On cassette. Currently
unavailable. |
|
|
|
