Janet Dunbar's "Spirit Journey" presents a powerful magical odyssey for listeners. Her choice of fresh presentation, timbre, collages, singing, and spoken poetry balance feminine and masculine elements while creating masterly pathways to the heart and psyche. "Spirit Journey" is pure listening pleasure.

Upon first seeing an Egyptian Nile River Goddess representation, with hook-shaped hands and uplifted crescent arms, on the front album cover this reviewer's thoughts turned to Ka—regeneration and the mystery of eternal spirit. The inner section of this fascinating album cover portrays the Willendorf Goddess, one of the earliest depictions of Gaia or Mother Earth.

The first selection is "Song of the Shaman." We find ourselves in a forest surrounded by dark clouds. Within the forest waits a mysterious cave. A black cross symbolizes the cave's secret causing wonder and meditation. And what is the cave's secret?

Janet Dunbar is qualified to provide the difficult composition for "Spirit Journey." Her credits include a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the Stanford University Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics. She earned a Master's Degree in instrumental music from San Jose State University, and a bachelor's degree in psychology from Duke University. She is a member of the Audio Engineering Society, engaged in advanced audio technology research. Dunbar's background confers expertise for programming musical ideas in computer software to create original special effects. She says her work provides a deep, meditative religious experience, and she gives credit to a higher source for her transformative creations.

Our odyssey continues with the ten part "Song Of The Sea." The full moon, "Queen of Night," heralds change with sounds of water, nature, and many more enjoyable listening sensations which can be translated and experienced on a metaphysical level. The next three part "Nine Prayers" is replete with symbolism and talented presentation reaching heart, mind and soul. Our odyssey continues to "Life On Earth," and the final destination is the symbolic "Song of the Bear." And what clues do we have now to conceptualize the secret of the cave?

"Song of the Shaman," parts 1-4, "Life on Earth," parts 1-3, and " Song of the Sea," parts 3 & 5 were composed by algorithmic composition which requires advanced skills. A musical recipe recombining groups of pitches, rhythms, durations and amplitudes of sounds are programmed into a computer. Dunbar united the algorithmic composition with musical ideas from world folk music of many cultures with elements of silence applied to enhance the meaning of the poetic texts. The result is passionate, enjoyable music. The impact of "Spirit Journey" caused within this reviewer an enlightenment arising from a double helix of collective, ancient memories. Yes! The secret of the cave is coming into focus.

All composition, vocal, and electric guitar performances including recording, mixing, producing and mastering are by Janet Dunbar except for the percussion (acoustic drum) performance by Jim Lemmons in Part 3 of "Song of the Shaman," the poetry created and recited by April Eiler in "Life On Earth," and Jacqueline Thurston on other tracks.

The Goddess energy is omnipresent in this exceptionally entertaining and ground-breaking CD. As She leads, veils part and the listener enters and travels Her Realm. Perhaps it is best that each person experience the transformative conception of the cave's secret.

Review by Bernie P. Nelson, Lightword Publishing Co.

Details: Amberlight Productions, POB 3211, Saratoga, CA 95070. 408-378-9313. CD. 60min. $15.99.

Email: rholmes@amberlight.com

www.amberlight.com

http://www.janetdunbar.com

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