| Review from Innerchangemag.com - music review by
Cherie Lassiter - click here to visit innerchangemag.com website |
Jewel in the Lotus is the musical journey of Julian Franks to India and Nepal. Franks began to paint this soundscape following a pilgrimage there. It is rich with colorful, musical imagery of mystical places.
Experimental and progressive, Julian Franks and friends blend elements of World Fusion and smooth jazz. In the title track, "Jewel in the Lotus," vocalist Jane Blickett sings "the jewel in the lotus will be found when we shed the layers that surround." Powerful voice. Powerful truth.
This pilgrimage set to music takes you into the heart of India and Nepal. Track one, "Serpent of Shiva," includes sounds of rain and city streets recorded in Varanasi, the city of Shiva. From that track Julian Franks and vocalist Carrie Tree sing, "with head in pure sky-bare feet walk the earth - may the serpent of shiva-just rise up on high." Sounds good to me! Check this one out. |
| Paul Elliot, writer for Q Magazine and MOJO |
| "A beautiful album" |
| Review from Progressive Homestead.com - music review 2005 - click here to visit website |
|
On the first couple of tracks (built up by sound recordings, keyboards, effect vocals, loud recorded rhythm-accompanying bass), the music started as rather mainstream pop first in a New Agey world music fusing context from a deliberate vision and choice or interest to mix Indian sounds with rather obvious effects, and a more poppy track with predictable content.
One could already notice that at the same time this was no sampled world fusion, but still seemed to be deliberately similar. I had to listen twice to understand why, because further on the style had thoroughly changed and opened up.
With each track the world fusion elements, and the progression moves further away from this, with a beautiful evolution going deeper into the enjoyment of what world music could produce from there.
It is as if the composer Julian who first made a deliberate step of interest towards the world, with the help of friends evolves from the commonly recognisable Western new age world music pop vision towards truer essences, which are more deeply rooted in the countries musical elements he'd like to adapt.
And in this evolution, it is as if Julian travels there, until he truly IS there, like Buddha once said something like "the world is here".
The tracks get more improvisations, built up in mood, use Indian, African and Asian elements, which by the second half have created their own perspective and vision, rather than an obvious reflection from where it started.
This is a journeyl in a musical sense and perhaps a spiritual sense. |
| Matthew Forss, Inside World Music
- click
here to visit - new music review March 2005 |
|
Jewel In The Lotus is a contemporary compilation inspired by Indian
and Nepalese culture.
Englishman Julian Franks, enthralled by South Asian culture, composes
a uniquely contemporary album with spoken words, female vocals and
choral arrangements. The contemporary arrangements are backed by
shenai, dilruba, didgeridoo, violin, tabla, bamboo flute and tamboura.
Jewel In The Lotus is a diamond in the rough for eclectic world
music fans. A variety of musical styles, instruments and hauntingly
beautiful vocalizations signify Julian Franks' charismatic message
of sharing the foundational music of South Asia with the rest of
the world. Jewel In The Lotus is the culmination of Western melodies
meeting Eastern instrumentation and culture.
|
| Al Scott, Record Producer (Asian
Dub Foundation, The Oyster Band, The Levellers): |
"I first heard of Julians work through various
mutual friends and it appealed to me both for its energy, its quality
and its obvious path from the heart. Julian is on a journey.
When I met with him, he showed me some footage he intends to incorporate
into a DVD of the album and I liked it a lot. This footage will widen
the scope of the project considerably.
There are talented people prepared to be a part of this journey and
that's always a good sign.
I'm really looking forward to the next gig and to help wherever I
can". |
| Dave Meegan, Record Producer (worked with U2 on
Joshua Tree, Rattle & Hum; producer of Marillion’s new album;
worked extensively with Trevor Horn): |
“On listening to Jewel in the Lotus I found myself
drifting further and further away on a Soulful Pilgrimage through
a richly woven soundscape of Western and Asian music”
“Being
privileged to see an advance copy of the Jewel DVD I was very touched
by it's magnetic warmth, especially as it seems to focus on what as
inhabitants of this small planet we all have in common, and not as
is usual....Our Differences!” |
| Benjamin Zephaniah, Poet: |
| “I really enjoyed your album and will talk about
it where I can” |
| Lynne Franks, Author, Entrepreneur
& Lifestyle Guru: |
| "As a long term fan of world fusion music, I know
what I like. And I like Julian Franks new album 'The Jewel in the
Lotus' very much indeed. I have been playing it repeatedly and still
find it as fresh as the first time - and this is an objective opinion
regardless of our cousinship" . |
| Arthur Brown - ''The Crazy World
of Arthur Brown': |
| "Its good to see he's making music about something
important to him. Lovely Rhythms, and an expansive vista. Well done!" |
| Matt Chittock, Wave Magazine: |
| “Julian’s heartfelt musical
impressions of his trip make for stimulating and evocative listening
and might well make you want to pack your rucksack as well”
|
| Karin Ridgers, Director
of the Vegan Society |
"I am very grateful to Julian, I do not usually
listen to 'World music' but I thought I would give The Jewel in
the Lotus a try. I was very stressed out and listening to the CD
helped me to relax - I played it non stop for quite a few days!" |
 |
| By Paul
Sinclair (One World One People for Peace) 8/11/04 |
The Power of Inspired Music
to Help Bring World Peace
Given the state of our world, it is important that we try not to
become negative, disillusioned and fearful. The way to do this is
to remember the message given by many wise people from the past.
'Peace begins from within.'
One way of finding peace within, which I have personally experienced,
is through inspired music.
A very dear friend of mine, Julian Franks, has produced
a unique CD that helps us to go on a musical and lyrical journey
of the heart, through Nepal and India; a journey within and without.
All we have to do is listen to it and follow its uplifting and spiritually
rich message through the booklet that doubles as the CD cover.
'Jewel in the Lotus' is a special collaboration of many different
artists, from many different backgrounds who were drawn together
and graciously donated their love and passion into this special
work of great love.
It all began when Julian was first inspired while travelling in
India and Nepal and he opened up his heart and his mind to the people
he met. In his own words:
".......I could feel a deep contented happiness within all folk
from the old to the very young - even in the middle of adversity
and unbelievable life difficulties. This "True Spirituality" that
I felt pervading these lands is something I feel we as the Human
Family need so much in our modern "global" society. Compared to
most of the Indians, Nepalese and the displaced Tibetans whom I
met on my travels we live 'comparatively' in the lap of luxury.
The message I personally received was to return to simplicity, a
loving and caring heart, an awareness of the fragility of our planet
and learning to fall in love with nature in all its glory. With
these new bountiful feelings I began to care more about the welfare
of all the other "sentient beings" both animal and human - with
whom I share this sacred planet. I started on a journey without,
which has lead me to a journey within, to find 'the Jewel in the
Lotus'."
Let's now throw in the words of the Great Mahatma
Gandhi:
"Art had to be spiritual. 'True beauty' consists in purity of heart.
True art is thus an expression of the Soul. All true art must help
the Soul to realize its inner self. True art takes note not merely
of form but also of what lies beyond. True art must be evidence
of the happiness, contentment and purity of its author."
True peace and happiness cannot be faked. It can be seen deep in
the eyes of people. I have seen it in Julian's eyes and his humility
deeply inspires me.
Paul Sinclair, One World One
People for Peace, Nov 2004.
Read this article on the OneWorldOnePeople.org website. |
|
| |
|
