Austin Chronicle: cd review by David Lynch
If Brian Eno's name were switched with Maneki Neko's in the credits of Auracle,
it wouldn't be noticed. Not because no one's listening, but rather because the
ethereal soundscapes produced by Maneki Neko - the nom de sound of Taylor,
Texas' Al Mikula - parallel Eno's ambient Thursday Afternoon, Music for Airports,
Yet here, Eno's experimental tack is supplanted by Mikula's spiritual searching.
Melodies emit from prayer bells, gongs, and reed and bamboo flutes, while layers
of drones and synth splashes build the filo dough foundation. Not surprising
given its name, "Drifting Between Stars" hits like Eno/Lanois/Eno's Apollo:
Atmospheres & Soundtracks, whereas "The Road to Madurai" sounds like an outtake
from Peter Gabriel's soundtrack to The Last Temptation of Christ. For those
unfamiliar with this flowing, beatless music, it's not an album that - thanks
to nuance - plays well in the car. As Mikula describes, its for "yoga,
relaxation, meditation, and massage therapy." As such, it's probably not going
to convert those who only hear aimless murmurs, but ambient-music mavens shouldn't
be surprised if Auracle shows up in future installments of the nationally
syndicated Hearts of Space radio program.
Mysteries Magazine: cd review by Richard Mackenzie
"This is meditative music at its finest, a musical revelation that will delight
those looking for unique yoga music or an introspective backdrop for meditation
or healing."
[click on link for full review]
Music Morsels: cd review
"Drawing from various world styles with ethereal keyboard work and deft brush
strokes of pan flute and Tibetan bells, this sort of relaxing soundscape
is a perfect accompaniment to unwind from a stress-filled world."
[click on link for full review]
Innerchange Magazine: cd review by Ron Rudin
"Auracle is meditation music at it's grandest…There's something about this
music that goes beyond words."
[click on link for full review]
Awareness Magazine: cd review by Jim Brenholts
"The sound design is exquisite and allows for sharp focus with free-form
expression... This is an excellent CD from a newcomer to the community.
It approaches, achieves and supersedes greatness."
[click on link for full review]
Indie-Music.com: cd review by Todd Beemis
"With titles like "Cats Sleeping on Clouds" and "Drifting Between Stars,"
Neko's music promises much -- and delivers on it all…The sounds are luxuriously
layered, with bell chimes, pipes, soft percussive taps, and plenty of
smooth-as-silk electronics."
[click on link for full review]
The Smiling Ear:
cd review by Steven Parente, Producer of The Smiling Ear Internet Radio Station "Sounds for the Soul"
"I really enjoy good ambient music and it was a pleasure to discover ambient
sound designer, Al Mikula of Maneki Neko ("beckoning cat" in the
Japanese language) and his latest CD, "Auracle". …Each of the five tracks on
the CD are recorded and mixed to perfection with layer after layer of subtle
shakuhachi flute melodies, narcotic body-numbing vibrations and layers of
electronic space sounds that allow the mind to drift into other realms…This CD
is in the style of exceptional electroacoustic ambient musicians such as
Steve Roach, Patrick O' Hearn, Vir Unis, Stephen Bacchus and Koorunba.
I especially enjoyed "Drifting Between Stars" and "Cat's Sleeping on Clouds",
but the entire CD is superb."
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