The label suggested the concept of The Healing Drum and paired the 2 Chris's. Some material came out of CC adding to drumming ideas, and sometimes CP added his drums to CC composed ideas.

Oregon, Paul Winter, Don Cherry, Bengt Berger, Stephan Micus, Donal Lunny, Alan Stivell, Okay Temiz, Terry Riley, Arto Tuncboyaciyan

recorded digitally at Oblong Studios, Leicester, UK, and Norvic studios, Tring UK

Traveller

In the end a genuine collaboration with each Chris shining. Quite a world music album in effect, tho on a new age label.

1. The Source 13.11
This piece goes through a 4 phases.

i. slow section as tin whistle plays over tabla and subtle synthesizer

ii. faster section as didgeridu and old filtered twin oscillator synthesizer play over tabla and temple bells and zither.

iii. talking drum solo

iv. djembe and udu (big tuned tubes hit with sticks) set up reggae-like rhythm with organ enters and low whistle played though harmnizer solos over it all.


Chris P - tabla, talking drum, cymbals, gongs, pakhawaj, didgeridoo, talking drum, djembe, udu
Chris C - synthesizers, tin whistle, temple bells, low whistle, zither, low whistle with harmonizer, organ
Dave - cymbals, djembe



2. Traveller 5.00
Ghatam (clay pot) and bowl play over atmospheric synthesizers. Zithers flow over the rhythm and play the repeated theme.

Chris P - ghatam
Chris C - zithers, synthesizers, temple bells
Dave - Balinese gong, singing bowl



3. The Healing Drum 1.12
Solo djembe interlude

Chris Puleston - djembe

4. An Irishman in Africa 11.45
In 3/4 time. Djembe's are featured in the first half especially. Marimba samples come in and state the theme riff.
Acoustic 9string guitar solos. Things then take a Celtic turn when the low whistle comes in. Repeated figures on the marimba samples build up before the twin whistles join in.

Chris P - shaker, djembe, cymbals, gongs
Chris C - synthesizer, marimba samples, bass drum, acoustic 9 string guitar, kalimba, low whistle, twin whistles


5. Cymbology 3.28
Cymbals and gongs underpinned by synthesizers which play notes of the overtones of the gongs and cymbals

Chris P - cymbals, gongs
Chris C - synthesizer


6. The Seven Jewels 5.04
A piece in 7beat cycle, darabukas and subtly underpin the vibraphone samples, kalimba, and mallet instumens and acoustic 9 string guitar as they weave around eachother. A low whistle solos overthe delicate carpet of sounds.

Chris P - darabukah, cymbals
Chris C - vibraphone sample, synthesizer, acoustic 9string guitar, kalimba, low whistle, celeste, glockenspiel


7. Back To The River 9.02
A djembe is the backbone of the piece, over which electric 9 string guitar, tin whistles and voice with harmonizer and eventually theremin weave around eachother before the waters rise around them

Chris P - djembe
Chris C - tin whistles with harmonizer & delay, voice with hamonizer, electric 9string guitar, shaker, theremin,

1, 2, 4, 7 by Chris Conway & Chris Puleston
3, 5, by Chris Puleston
6 by Chris Conway

total time - 49.00

Produced by Chris Conway

(on the track "An Irishman in Africa") - This is not just a song, it's a journey. Beautifully composed, if you like the fusion of Africa and Ireland, and New Age music, this is the trip to take.

What we thought: Fun-tastic
This is so cool! I finally got to use my shamanic drum for more than just space clearing, unfortunately this has resulted in my being warned that I might have to move into the shed if I don't stop! - Allyson