It's always rare to discover an artist so committed to a particular vision that he incorporates all aspects of his musical, cultural, and spiritual experiences into one cohesive whole. Such a creative palette forms the core of Beautiful World, composer/ producer Phil Sawyer's cosmopolitan mosaic which interweaves image-laden textures of exotic worldbeat, environmentally conscious musical vision, Eastern mysticism, and even an occasional pop-dance vibe. On ...In Existence, Sawyer blends English and French lyrics, as well as the traditional chants of the Hopi Indians and from East African Swahili, underscoring these elements with melodic, meditative pop music. More an overall, multi-ethnic experience than an easily categorized adult contemporary release, it's best experienced in its entirety, as a journey to some sort of spiritual center. A few of the more atmospheric pieces slow the pace down slightly, but the fluffy disco vibe of "Revolution of the Heart" more than redeems the moments where sonic wonder dominates melodic considerations. There are hefty vocal performances in all tempos, but mainly the 11-tune collection finds Sawyer delving electronically into a positive message for the global community.
© Jonathan Widran /TiVo