Vicki Richards 'Time in Between' (Temple Street Music TSM3001) Vicki Richards Violin Amitava Chatterjee Guitar This is the first duet recording by Vicki Richards' and Amitava Chatterjee. The music on "Time in Between" combines elements of both artists' past work with explorations into new musical territory. Focusing on slowly evolving musical themes, Richards and Chatterjee explore areas of light and darkness, of quiet solitude and vast emotion. The seamless blending of both artists' combined vision is fully realized on "Time in Between." The album begins with the title cut, a well orchestrated fluid landscape, which immerses the listener in a space for stillness. The second piece on the album, "The Stone Cottage", dedicated to Vicki's husband, Tim Richards, continues this contemplative mood. The third cut, "Shilong", is a raga based composition, which is fervent with divine passion. The next song, "Eternal Breath" is posthumously dedicated to Vicki's Godmother. It demonstrates the musical prowess that has kept her at the top of the critical cosmos. As Richards and Chatterjee roam through ancient modal textures and contemporary ideas on this haunting exploration, their hearts and hands wander through the ages as they cross the strings. The album concludes with the epic half-hour long piece, "Mukti". This composition best reflects the ideas conveyed by Richards in her following description of her intentions for the album. "The concept of "Time in Between" can be viewed in several ways: It's the time in between our hurried tasks (when we have time to sense the wind or view beauty), between relationships, during relationships, and on the scale I have in mind, between our reunions with the Great Spirit, Universe, God or Goddess. That is, while we are in our bodies on this earth." This is a special recording, not only for its unity and direction, but because it once again shows how an artist with vision can create new music without delving into cliches, incorporating traditional techniques with new ways of expressing the language of music. Highly recommended. Review by Ben Kettlewell information: email: vicki@vickirichards.com website: http://www.vickirichards.com/

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