Indian Meditation

Indian Meditation Cover
1. Brahman 5:52
2. Mahatma 10:58 *
3. Varanasi Morning 4:38
4. La Vie 11:00 *
5. Mountains of Karma 4:45 *
6. Sri Ram 6:49 *
7. Northstar 4:51 *
8. The Silence 6:57 *

Total time: 56:32

* completely digitally remastered and cut for
  highly improved sonic quality and dynamic

a release of da music
CD 873197-2

Far from being a meditation album, 'Indian Meditation' is a compilation of quieter titles, even serene, than we find among Mind Over Matter works. Including two new titles 'Brahman' and 'Varanasi Morning', the other titles were digitally remastered and differently cut, adding a richer and consistent texture compared to the original works.

A beautiful intro, like a sun rising, introduced 'Brahman'. On floating synthetic pads a soft Mellotron deludes our thoughts on chords impregnated with an astral softness. A superb flute accompanies a swaying movement which charms by its serenity and its depth. Originally on MoM's 'Trance 'n' Dance'-CD 'Mahatma' is definitely richer and denser. On a sensual and hypnotic tempo, with a bewitching bass, a piano filters its soft solitary chords, coiled in the hollow of an exquisite Mellotron flute. Of suave synthetic layers to the depths of enveloping violins add a depth melancholic to this superb title.

'Varanasi Morning' opens one chimerical day on crickets which bask in the fresh morning dew on superb breaths of ethereal flutes which come from Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock's Mellotron — a beautiful title which bathes in a consistent atmosphere with the presence of the virtual violins.

'La Vie' is another unrecognizable title with the digital remastering improvements. A French man's voice recites esoteric psalms, on a suave and hypnotic tempo, a little like 'Mahatma'. The keys of keyboard are clear and scintillating on a superb guitar, a beautiful Mellotron and felted tablas.

'Mountains of Karma' is crossed by a windy flute which blows among thunders, a soft movement with tribal spirit on scattered and crystalline keys. A bewitching sitar initiates a light rhythm which dandled on a superb flute and exotic tablas.

A beautiful feminine voice sings a tribal anthem 'Sri Ram' which is agitated a little more, but always in the lighter touch mood.

'Northstar' is a superb atmospheric title where the synthetic layers are juxtaposed in a harmonious depth. And what could be better than 'The Silence' to enclose an opus in homage to peace, a long floating movement where intense drones emerge from abyssal depths of a long timeless sleep.

Although extremely quiet, 'Indian Meditation' is not completely a floating or atmospheric album. To the limit, it can be a sublime ambient album without the monotony of atonics movements. It's a superb collection of soft ethereal moments which evolve with sensitivity on slow rhythms. An opus in homage to quietude, to serenity, brilliantly developed on the unique softness of the Mellotron with thousand nostalgic breaths of the German virtuoso, Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock.

It is a superb opus which will please the friends of beautiful calm and harmonious music. 'Indian Meditation 2' is now available and should be good as this one.

Buddha T. 6/2008
Far from being a meditation album, 'Indian Meditation' is a compilation of quieter titles, even serene, than we find among Mind Over Matter works. Including two new titles 'Brahman' and 'Varanasi Morning', the other titles were digitally remastered and differently cut, adding a richer and consistent texture compared to the original works.

A beautiful intro, like a sun rising, introduced 'Brahman'. On floating synthetic pads a soft Mellotron deludes our thoughts on chords impregnated with an astral softness. A superb flute accompanies a swaying movement which charms by its serenity and its depth. Originally on MoM's 'Trance 'n' Dance'-CD 'Mahatma' is definitely richer and denser. On a sensual and hypnotic tempo, with a bewitching bass, a piano filters its soft solitary chords, coiled in the hollow of an exquisite Mellotron flute. Of suave synthetic layers to the depths of enveloping violins add a depth melancholic to this superb title.

'Varanasi Morning' opens one chimerical day on crickets which bask in the fresh morning dew on superb breaths of ethereal flutes which come from Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock's Mellotron — a beautiful title which bathes in a consistent atmosphere with the presence of the virtual violins.

'La Vie' is another unrecognizable title with the digital remastering improvements. A French man's voice recites esoteric psalms, on a suave and hypnotic tempo, a little like 'Mahatma'. The keys of keyboard are clear and scintillating on a superb guitar, a beautiful Mellotron and felted tablas.

'Mountains of Karma' is crossed by a windy flute which blows among thunders, a soft movement with tribal spirit on scattered and crystalline keys. A bewitching sitar initiates a light rhythm which dandled on a superb flute and exotic tablas.

A beautiful feminine voice sings a tribal anthem 'Sri Ram' which is agitated a little more, but always in the lighter touch mood.

'Northstar' is a superb atmospheric title where the synthetic layers are juxtaposed in a harmonious depth. And what could be better than 'The Silence' to enclose an opus in homage to peace, a long floating movement where intense drones emerge from abyssal depths of a long timeless sleep.

Although extremely quiet, 'Indian Meditation' is not completely a floating or atmospheric album. To the limit, it can be a sublime ambient album without the monotony of atonics movements. It's a superb collection of soft ethereal moments which evolve with sensitivity on slow rhythms. An opus in homage to quietude, to serenity, brilliantly developed on the unique softness of the Mellotron with thousand nostalgic breaths of the German virtuoso, Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock.

It is a superb opus which will please the friends of beautiful calm and harmonious music. 'Indian Meditation 2' is now available and should be good as this one.

Sylvain Lupari, 'Guts of Darkness', Canada 10/2006
The 'Mind Over Matter'- master returns from another Indian adventure and the resulting new music is an incredible fusion of Mellotron, space guitar, electric sitar and electronics. The energy level goes from spatial and flowing to high energy fusion jams that transmutate from one theme to the next with ease. Of all the German multi-instrumentalists today Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock is the most consistently creative and mind blowing musically. He has yet to make an album (among his 15 releases) that I don't like.

AP USA 10 / 2005
Mind over Matter, as the name implies, is the meditational project of Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock.

This album is an 8-track compilation of specially selected Middle Eastern orientated works, spanning releases from the period of 1988 to 2004. The pieces are indeed meditational throughout the albums duration but more melodic than your average CD of just trance inducing drone-works. Here we have carefully crafted pieces of music for the head which are interesting enough to grab and hold the listeners attention.

Track 1, Brahman, exemplifies the setting and pace of the set and begins suitably in synth pad and natural sounds territory. A general feeling of serenity and warmth encases the listener and induces spiritual awareness. The Eastern presence is slightly more noticeable in this piece, with an occasional thematic flute lead line adding depth to the proceedings. Add to this a soft, almost Mellotron styled choral underlay and this proves as a good opus to the set at just under six minutes.

Mahatma is one of the two longer pieces on the album at just under 11 minutes. Heading off in a slightly different direction a mid- tempo acoustic bass pattern enters the fold together with bass drones plus various natural and processed effects. A Mellotron flute lead then enters, keeping the piece serene, yet a little mysterious and is then joined by sprinklings of electric piano textures. Intensity builds via the addition of solid string and choral textures together with short intermittent narratives.

Varanasi Morning, the shortest track on offer, begins with natural effects and is perhaps the most minimal of the tracks on offer. Again the listener is treated to another wonderful Mellotron flute lead but occasionally this is replaced by the sounds of Mellotron strings.

La Vie takes the listener away from the mid-eastern sensation temporarily and as the title suggests has French flavourings. The piece starts in light drone territory but an effective guitar theme gives some melodic direction. A bass undercurrent then takes hold and brief intermittent French narratives carry the piece forward. The piece transposes to a higher level under a sea of sparkling melodic textures and further percussive elements. An acoustic guitar enters at around the 7 minute mark with the narrative returning at select moments. Organic chordal structures carry this track to its conclusion.

Mountains of Karma begins with a distant Tibetan monastic chanting loop. A flute lead is then introduced under a wash of thunderous effects and synth patterns Occasional harp stabs and additional bass drone give the piece variety until a more apparent harp motif is heard. This piece could be compared to Vangelis in one of his more serene and somewhat minimalistic moments.

Sri Ram begins with Tamboura drones and is perhaps the most Eastern influenced track on the album. A dominant sitar theme grabs the listeners' attention with a mid-tempo percussive loop. Flute sounds appear together with effective vocal harmonies. An electric piano lead takes over before the sitar section finally returns.

Northstar begins in white noise sonic territory. More minimalistic in orientation this track features occasional shimmering textures over an array of soundscapes. Further low textures help to build intensity, providing a distinctly atmospheric and profound cosmic quality.

The Silence is anything but what the title suggests with its initial wash of resonant drones and effects. Additional minimalistic tones combine forces with a hybrid Electric Piano theme, warming in nature, if not a little mysterious. The tracks conclusion lies in the continuation of the main theme and soothing chordal textures.

This is a very pleasant album that should appeal those who enjoy good quality melodic, meditational music. This is indeed warm ambient music without the clichés so often associated with the genre!

DC GB / 2005
The country and the culture of India have profoundly influenced Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock, a.k.a. Mind Over Matter. Though this has manifested itself frequently in his prior works, Klaus' musical kinship with India has never been more pronounced than in his latest release, Indian Meditation. Klaus blends Eastern and Western influences seamlessly into his own unique take on Indian music, much like David Parsons has melded east and west on several of his ethnic-sounding discs. "Brahman" floats like a wisp in the air, full of synth pads. "Mahatma" adds a soft, lilting bass line and sparse plinking on piano keys, sounding a lot like a mellow Spyra track with the exception of the voiceover in the middle, by Mahatma Gandhi I'm guessing. "Varanasi Morning" begins with crickets and lovely mellotron flutes, always a special sound in the hands of a skilled player like Hoffmann-Hoock, as is his dreamy guitar playing on "La Vie." The synth sounds here are full of shimmer and light, almost too smooth. French narration intrudes too much for my taste in the early going, but gives way to the beautiful instrumentation for the latter half. Flutes and a distant thunderstorm appear on "Mountains of Karma," a deep, calming, expansive piece. Sitars begin "Sri Ram," which then makes a surprise turn into a section with tribal percussion, flute, and enchanting female vocals in a foreign language that I can't identify. More world music than new age or electronic, it isn't quite to my taste but well done. "Northstar" has whooshing wind and metallic synth pads swirling delicately over the top of one another. More space music than Indian, it is wonderful. "The Silence" is, as the name implies, very quiet, barely even audible for the first minute. Subtle drones are eventually aided by sparse piano. It is a beautifully understated and thoroughly relaxing way to finish things out.

© 2005 Phil Derby / Electroambient Space USA
Mind over Matter, like the brilliant "Psychedelic Breakfast" is another project of Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock. Although the sleeve design and notes give the impression that this is a new-age release, this CD is in fact an excellent spacey and relaxing voyage of quality music, devoid of the saccharine overdose present in many new-age releases.
The music on this disc is a masterly blend of endless drifting synthscapes, Indian instrumentation, guitar, and mellotrons. It is as much a space album as it is a relaxation album, full of melody, subtle use of ethnic textures, and endless synthscapes, that occasionally bring to mind Steve Roach and Brian Eno. Track 4, for instance, "La Vie" features Steve Roach-like guitar textures, beautiful synthscapes and spoken word, and then morphs into music reminiscent of some of the sounds on Vangelis' "The City". "Northstar " is pure synthscaping that builds and builds to its conclusion, though at only 4:51 you don't have to wait around all day for this to happen.
Indeed one of the great things about this album is that none of the pieces are longer than eleven minutes, so all are concise and to the point always the sign of a great musician. The final track "Silence" starts with Roachian synthscapes and then transforms into Budd/Eno piano figures, slowly morphing back to the synths, with distant enviromental sounds coming up through the mix as the music fades out, the track doesn't outstay its welcome at only 6:57.
All in all a superb album, with beautiful and mysterious textures coming and going. It is great for relaxing to but it also provides depth and interest for the active listener, exactly what the best ambient albums are meant to do. Buy this!

Sequences GB 4/2005
Moral No 1 - never judge an album by its title - come to that, don't judge it by the artists' promotional blurb, either.
Because I know what you lot out there are like - you'll see this title and that it's inspired by his trips through the Indian subcontinent and how the musician "brought with him unusual sounds from different parts of the country" and so on - put two and two together and make a less than appealing prospect. Well, the reality is - and trust me, I'm a Guru - that this album is simply stunning!! No word of a lie - it's gorgeous, almost breathtakingly so.
It opens and closes with two sublime, full-sounding, multi-layered, cosmic synth tracks averaging six minutes a piece with synths and mellotrons set in heavenly mode. Between that you'll find two eleven minute tracks that are cosmic synth excursions with an Indian flavour in that the use of sitars, field recordings and the overall atmospherics of what makes the essence of Indian meditation, is kept so that it works WITHIN the music that is the main body of the track, so that undulating bass, rippling piano, soaring synths, heavenly choirs, flute, Mellotron and synth strings, all carry the tracks forward, while the overall feel is almost akin to parts of the 'Music For Paradise' album, only here much warmer sounding and multi-faceted, musically speaking.

Of the two, the eleven minutes of 'La Vie' also introduces a solid but chilled-out tabla drum rhythm to provide added impetus to the synth splendours. A four and a half minute 'Varanasi Morning' is a veritable sea of Mellotrons with a feel to that of Froese's 'Epsilon In Malaysian Pale' while the 2 five minute tracks, 'Mountains Of Karma' and 'Northstar' are simply fantastic, multi-textured, varied, flowing synths-dominated slices of heavenly music.

A final track, the near seven minute 'Sri Ram' is the closest the album gets to an overtly "Indian-dominated" offering, as tablas and Indian stringed instruments combine with a chanting female vocal that is absolutely wondrous, all above this huge sounding desert of synths, deep bass, resonant ethnic drums and soaring flutes, that all combined, takes you right back to the heady days of the seventies, in terms of sheer feel and execution. Honestly, there's not a bad track on this album - it's solid yet heavenly, warm sounding but not sweet, substantial yet cosmic and so magically arranged, produced and delivered, all you want to do when you've played it once - is play it right through again - I did - and I'm sure you will too. Superb!!!

ND / UK 2005

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