Shajan The Healing Touch

I am reminded of a bit from Mystery Science Theatre 3000. The robots and the guy, either Mike Nelson or the other one, are taking a break from watching a horrible movie they have been forced to watch as part of being trapped on that spaceship way out in space, and they start talking about New Age music, which had droned on throughout said horrible movie. Mike, or Joe, or whoever, said they could do New Age just as well as the next guy. All you have to do is press down on some keys, then press down on a few more, and have it set to something really trippy and spacey. No sweat, anyone can do it.

When I first sat down to Shajan’s The Healing Touch, I must admit to I’m reminded of MST3K and their playful jab at the sometimes simplistic, spacey nature of New Age music. “Designed for healing sessions,” The Healing Touch is more an ambient soundtrack than actual constructed tuneage, which I feel allows it to garner some slack. It’s not John Tesh, Enya or Yanni, it’s music to practice your “downward facing dog” maneuver or to relax after a basher of a day at work. And, you know what, it’s not half bad.

Each of the four tracks comes in at about 15 minutes, enough time for one to go through a light meditation session, some yoga or whatever. As would be expected, each track flows freely and lightly, with very little, if at all, musical discord. And despite New Age’s occasional stigma of being known as “music to pass out to”, I popped this in earlier during a drive and, instead of passing out, I just chilled out. This is especially important when you’re doing 75 on the Parkway.

Occasionally, while listening to The Healing Touch’s admittedly simplistic note progressions, the thought, “Hell, I can tap a note, let it linger in space and then tap another one, too” did creep, and might turn off some looking a more structured album. But, if you’re looking for a mental escape, some Zen, if you will, The Healing Touch is a pretty good choice.

Aggh! Movie time! Movie time!

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Release Date: August 03, 2004
Tracks: 15 - Time: 60:08
Produced by: Shajan
Format: CD
Website: www.sequoiarecords.com

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