Merry Christmas Lawrence

Valley of the Sun: Field Guide to Inner Harmony Review by Paul Simpson
Valley of the Sun was established as a publishing company in the 1960s by Scottsdale, Arizona resident Dick Sutphen, who was referred to as America's leading past-life therapist. He started releasing self-hypnosis tapes during the 1970s, and by the beginning of the '80s, his imprint was also producing meditative, synthesizer-based music free of narration. The label was still active well into the 2010s, but its golden era was approximately 1977 to 1990, and Numero's Valley of the Sun: Field Guide to Inner Harmony focuses on this fertile period.

Seigen Ono is a composer, musician, recording and mastering engineer. For over 40 years, he has engineered for renowned artists such as Ryuichi Sakamoto (Merry Christmas Mr.Lawrence/1983), Sadao Watanabe, Manhattan Transfer, Joe Jackson, The Lounge Lizards, Arto Lindsay, John Zorn, and David Sylvian.

Streamlining the muted, organic atmospheres of the previous Gone to Earth to forge a more cohesive listening experience, Secrets of the Beehive is arguably David Sylvian's most accessible record, a delicate, jazz-inflected work boasting elegant string arrangements courtesy of Ryuichi Sakamoto. Impeccably produced by Steve Nye, the songs are stripped to their bare essentials, making judicious use of the synths, tape loops, and treated pianos which bring them to life; Sylvian's evocative vocals are instead front and center, rendering standouts like "The Boy With the Gun" and the near-hit "Orpheus" – both among the most conventional yet penetrating songs he's ever written – with soothing strength and assurance.

Following the success of 2014’s Birdman (Winner of four Academy Awards including Best Picture and Best Director), director Alejandro G. Iñárritu pushes the limits of film making with the survival epic The Revenant. Starring Leonardo DiCaprio (Titanic, Wolf of Wall Street), Tom Hardy (Mad Max: Fury Road, The Dark Knight Rises) and shot in the frozen Canadian wilderness with only natural lighting, The Revenant is a story of loss, revenge and resilience in the face of impossible odds against the furies of man and nature itself. The film is heavily favored to be a critical darling as awards season gets under way. Director Iñárritu has chosen to forgo almost all dialogue in favor of a gorgeous soundscape and a sweeping score. A film of this magnitude deserves a composer who understands creative artistry and unbridled passion. Japanese master and Oscar winner Ryuichi Sakamoto (Merry Christmas Mr. Lawrence, The Last Emperor) fits the bill perfectly. Along with fellow Yellow Magic Orchestra member and frequent collaborator Alva Noto, Sakamoto has created a gripping soundtrack that is sure to be a treat for the winter crowds. Bryce Dessner (writer for Kronos Quartet and the LA Phil) also supplies additional music.

Acrobat Presents Americas Greatest Hits 1944 album 94 original hits and the original artists genre Pop, Rock. Includes tracks by Glen Gray The Casa Loma Orch. With Eugenie Baird, Ella Mae Morse, David Rose, The Pied Pipers and more.