When an album is released in order to raise money for a charitable cause, many critics -- even some of the tougher, more hard-nosed ones -- can become overly generous. They fear -- perhaps consciously, perhaps subconsciously -- that if they say something negative about a CD that is raising money for a worthy cause like AIDS research, abortion rights, disaster relief, or feeding homeless children in developing countries, they will end up looking like the bad guy. In that type of scenario, two-star material can end up receiving four-star reviews. But however worthy the cause, inferior music is still inferior music. Thankfully, this 2005 release by Spanish composer/producer David Caballero, aka
Gnomusy, is a charitable CD that has artistic value and doesn't slack off creatively. The Madrid resident recorded
Ethereality in order to raise money for the organization Doctors Without Borders -- and instead of providing forgettable music for a worthwhile cause, he provides memorable music for a worthwhile cause. A new age disc that is peaceful and good-natured but not mindless or unsubstantial,
Ethereality has been greatly influenced by both world music and the European classical tradition. Celtic music is a definite influence, as is South American music -- specifically, the Andean sounds of Peru and Bolivia. But despite those South American influences, this CD ultimately has a very West European quality.
Ethereality often makes you feel like you're sitting in a café in Milan or Vienna watching the world go by -- perhaps some South American visitors are sitting at the next table, but the café is still somewhere in Western Europe. And, of course, the Euro-classical composers who have influenced Caballero and similar new age artists came from countries like Switzerland, Germany, Italy, and Austria. New age enthusiasts needn't worry about finding inferior material on this appealing CD;
Ethereality is one charitable disc that is deserving of any favorable reviews it receives. ~ Alex Henderson