Saturn Return CD
[SM07]

From the Missoula Independent Vol. 16, No. 43, Oct. 27th - Nov. 3rd, 2005 Western Montana's Weekly Journal of People, Politics and Culture By Quinn Riedy Nathan Zavalney's Saturn Return definitely sounds like the product of cosmic intervention. Zavalney, who's fluent on several instruments and a member of the local world-percssion group Drum Brothes, initially recorded this collection of ambient instrumental originals as a soundtrack for an instructional belly dancing DVD. That may sound cheesy, but Saturn Return does not. Zavalney's debut delivers mystical Eastern soundscapes that transport you to the other side of the world, fusing Middle-Eastern drums with a wide range of exotic accompanying instruments such as the didgeridoo, kandira and the Armenian double-reed-duduk. Hightlights include "Dream Sequence," wherein Beth Youngbloods' violin soars eloquently over a steady percussve beat reminiscent of 1999's American Beauty soundtrack. Other standouts include "Terra Firma" and "Trance Figure," which showcase Michael Marsolek's udu drum and are firmly anchored by thunderous percussion grooves that evoke a sense of indigenous tribal rituals. In the end, Saturn Return is a worldly and poetic meditation music with no need for lyrics to convey its message.

A Musical Note by Yasmina www.joyofbellydancing.com Saturn Return The CD in review is Saturn Return by Nathan Zavalney. This is a collection of original instrumental soundscapes that combine hypnotic desert rhythms with flowing melodies and improvisation. Along with the CD Nathan sent a press release and other information to help write this review. After receiving the CD I took it with me to listen to during my facial. My esthetician really enjoyed it and she’s not a belly dancer. I took the CD to class one night for my advance class to dance to and they really enjoyed it and the songs are very danceable. Such a nice variety of sounds, styles and instruments are used in Nathan’s music. It’s great to get music that you can just sit and listen to but also you can get lost in and dance. I’m listening to Saturn Return as I’m writing this review and I keep getting lost in the music. It takes me to another place but back to reality and this review. The entire CD is instrumental with overtone singing on the last song on the CD. Most of the CD was featured as the soundtrack of the Gypsy Spirit Instructional DVD with Kelli Marie 2005. The first song, Shiva Melody, features a soprano saxophone. Nice peppy song great song to open a routine with. The saxophone and the guitar complement each other nicely in the song. The song slows down in the middle and picks back up again with a short drum solo and back to the melody with saxophone and guitar. Dream Sequence is the second song and features a violin. This piece is slow and would be nice for improvisation or floor work. Trance Figure is all drum. It’s not a classic Egyptian drum solo with all the rhythm changes but it’s a nice drum piece, very peppy. This would be great for Tribal style dancing. When listening to this song I envisioned dancers around a camp fire moving to the rhythm of the drums. I love the explanation on the CD jacket for Saturn Return the next song. -This is based on a 7 beat, 4 cycle pattern, rhythmically symbolizing the 28 year period which it takes Saturn to return to the location that it occupied an individual’s birth. The time period surrounding this planetary relationship is thought to be one of the great significance in a persons’ development-. Saturn Return is one of my favorite songs on the CD. To me it had a Spanish flavor to the song; a nice skirt dance piece. I really liked the guitar in this song. The next song, Night Driving it like its name sake. I can envision someone driving through the night. It has that driving pulse through the song. Main instrument in the piece was the violin. The sixth song, Migration is a very moving piece; nice and slow. I love the instrument that is used in this piece; its call a Duduk. This instrument is Armenian and is has a double reed which gives it that haunting soulful sound. You can feel and envision the Armenian people migrating to another land. Another favorite piece of mine, a song you can get lost in. Terra Firma features the didgeridoo and udu drum. The next song, Romanian Hora is my second favorite song. The violin on this piece is so fiery and just makes you want to dance; very gypsy sounding. Lions on the Savannah is the next song and is another favorite song. I love dancing to 6/8 and this song is such a feel good song you just want to dance to it. The last song, Shiva Melody Remix as it states is a remix of the first song on the CD and uses the violin, a variety of drums and guitar. A nice song to end your routine with. You can download sample songs and purchase Saturn Return from Drum Brothers website, www.drumbrothers.com. The CD is $16.00. I give this CD thumbs up I really like it and will use it in class for teaching and even use several songs in a performance.