Love Always: Spirit of the Ancient Masters

3 Responses to “Love Always: Spirit of the Ancient Masters”

1. J. Warshauer says:

   May 9, 2010 at 6:00 am

   This lengthy compilation covering nearly 20 years of recording serves as a potent introduction to one of the most compelling and enigmatic figures in jazz, guitarist Tisziji Munoz. The recording features some well known world class musicians, Pharoah Sanders, Dave Liebman , Ravi Coltrane, Rashied Ali, Paul Shaffer, Bob Moses and others working under this powerful and mostly off the radar bandleader and composer. The appearence of musicians so closely associated with John Coltrane is particularly apt and telling. Mr. Munoz is in many respects following in a tradition of spiritually based music that includes John and Alice Coltrane and Pharoah Sanders as its most important proponents. Mr. Munoz is a serious spiritual practitioner and a prolific author on spiritual matters, indeed some see him as a bonafide Guru or Spiritual Master.
   
   So this music has spiritual sources and conveys a very unearthly point of view at times. The recordings starts with and includes some very melodic and passionate playing that is anything but avant-garde. Mr. Munoz then tackles Seven Steps to Heaven and All Blues and establishes his credentials as a straight ahead jazz player of the highest order.
   
   This CD veers between beautiful straight ahead romantic playing such as on Summer of 42 to powerful uncompromising originals. At times such as on Happy Sadness , the playing brings to mind Carlos Santana but quite frankly Mr Munoz is a far more capable, more melodic and more passionate player. The track featuring Pharoah Sanders demonstrates how “out” the two of them can play. Yet this free playing has a strange compelling serentity about it that distinguishes it from much of the field. I think Dave Liebmans perfomance on Happy Sadness may be the best I’ve ever heard by him.
   
   For those beings seeking more heart, more love, more tragedy, more humor, more transcendence in their music .
   Rating: 5 / 5
2. T. Arabia says:

   May 9, 2010 at 8:45 am

   This is Heart to Heart music. There is no question of the high level of musical/artistic mastery present on this disk, with Rashied Ali, Bob Rakhalam Moses, and others at the prow, and Pharoah Sanders and Tisziji and others at the helm. But if it were merely about the art it would be an empty shell, as so much art is. Truly this music is of and for Love, and the Joy of Spiritual Freedom. This is why Tisziji moves so seemlessly between ’straight ahead’ or ‘free jazz’ styles. The form is only there as way to carry the message, but the spiritual ‘content’ of the music is always at its source the same. So for me, listening to this music is sadhana, spiritual practice, because I experience the enveloping light of a heart broken wide open, because every note is a window to enlightenment, because it speaks from the realm beyond karma. I cannot really even say how moving to me certain tracks are like Song for All Children and Blessing, just that they pierce and burn the superfluous glut of garbage around my Heart. Thank you Tisziji, and Love Always to all beings! Hu.

   also see: Divine Radiance
   Rating: 5 / 5
3. Robert Moses says:

   May 9, 2010 at 9:36 am

   For those unfamiliar with Tisziji’s music, this compilation makes an excellent introduction to the cataclysmic, catastrophic, transcendental,
   
   ultimately benign Spirit blessed, Heart Fire Sound of this humble master.
   
   I’ve had the privilege of hearing and playing with some of the great guitarists of the world but Tisziji stands apart from them all by way of his purity, fearlessness, compassionate detachment, lack of ego or karmic gravity and the absolute reality of a life lived in selfless service to the needs of Spirit.
   
   This cd is infinitely rich in truth, heart, soul, creativity and Spirit. It should be essential listening for any and all who appreciate
   
   those qualities in music.
   
   As Tisziji says, “Gratitude is the Attitude”!
   
   Hu namm rakalam bob moses
   Rating: 5 / 5