David Arkenstone
Another Star in the Sky (Narada Equinox) (STAR)(STAR)(STAR)
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Like the stars in the sky that Romans believed were fallen heroes, David Arkenstone’s brushstrokes of soaring keyboards and lithe woodwinds can also take their place in the New Age firmament. “Another Star in the Sky” celebrates what makes him a premier figure in the genre-soothing, transcendental instrumentals. This is the first Arkenstone record to include vocals and one impressive track, “Taken by the Wind,” layers Arkenstone’s vocals to superb effect, even harkening to the Alan Parsons Project’s “Eye in the Sky.” Although it’s touted as the first new age-contemporary adult recording to be recorded with Dolby Pro Logic Surround Sound, the Arkenstone disc really has little more sonic resonance than most in Narada’s catalog of audiophile-quality recordings. Considering the electronics involved in much of Arkenstone’s work (in some cases a stone’s throw removed from art rock), there really isn’t a great need for the extra bells and whistles.
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