New age composer/multi-instrumentalist Chris Spheeris began writing songs on his guitar as a teenager. Inspired by the sacred and folk music of his Greek heritage and other world music, classical music, and pop, Spheeris fused these elements together into his own unique musical style. The folk aspects of his music were prominent early in his career as part of a duo with guitarist/composer Paul Voudouris in the '70s and early '80s. After they disbanded, Spheeris began to create a more complex, keyboard-based sound, which he documented on self-produced demo tapes. One of these demos found its way to the A&R department at Columbia Records, with whom Spheeris signed a deal in 1985. The label released his debut album, Desires of the Heart, and Pathways to Surrender before he left in the early '90s to form his own label, Essence, which released most of his solo output and two reunions with Voudouris: Enchantment and Nothing but the Truth. Along with his solo albums, Spheeris has also composed scores for cable and public television documentaries. He released his Higher Octave Records debut, Dancing With the Muse, in early 2000.
BRIO BY CHRIS SPHEERIS
BRIO is a collaboration between multi-instrumentalist Chris Spheeris and guitarist Anthony Mazzella. The two performers have a fantastic interplay that leads to warm Spanish/Mediterranean flamenco guitar rhythms garnished with influences that range from Middle Eastern to jazz. The opening tracks, "Dia del Sol" and "Brio," introduce listeners to the duo's fiery fretwork and amazing technique. The remainder of the album sways between smooth romantic ballads and mid-tempo dance pieces like "Toward the Light," "The Afterglow" and "Trance Fusion." You can't go wrong with an album of sizzling grooves like this.
1. Dia Del Sol 4:50
2. Brio 4:00
3. Solitary Road 4:46
4. Sequin 5:19
5. Confluence 6:01
6. Looking Back 4:44
7. Toward the Light 5:30
8. TranceFusion - The Longing 2:21
9. TranceFusion - The Rushes 2:20
10. TranceFusion - The Afterglow 2:37
11. Forever... My Love 5:21
This exotic and energetic instrumental and ingenious integration of musical motifs from different cultures.While guitar and percussion predominate, the sound textures range from the rhythmic chant of Kashmiri carpet weavers to the ethereal metallic rain of Thai temple pots.A most dynamic and uplifting musical experience.
Drawing upon his love of World Music, ethnic sounds and percussive textures, million-selling multi-instrumentalist Chris Spheeris fashions his Higher Octave Music debut as a festive melange of lush, sweeping guitar and keyboard-based atmospheres and melodies, polyrhythmic grooves, colorful authentic instruments and vocals from a wide variety of world cultures-including Greek, Spanish, East Indian and Middle Eastern.
1. Magaya 6:45
2. Dancing With the Muse 5:55
3. The Joy of This Longing 6:02
4. Marionette 6:59
5. The New West 7:32
6. Shahzada 9:45
7. Remain in Motion 7:14
8. Invisible Hands 13:32
A world traveler in more ways than one, the music of Chris Spheeris has always been about synergizing different cultural components to create rousing multicultural tapestries that are both romantic and grand in scope. For fifteen years, audiences have been taken by Spheeris' enchanting adventures - this album compiles many of them into one quality-intensive recording. Featuring a repertoire of tunes not featured on any previous Spheeris collection, ESSENTIALS offers a fond look at what has made this artist so popular - strong melodies, enjoyable arrangements (sporting Greek, Latin, Middle Eastern and European influences) and a flair for both ballads and upbeat tunes. Highlights here include Persian-flavored "Elektra" from CULTURE and the breezy "Mediterraneo" from EROS.
1. Aria 4:48
2. Psyche 4:50
3. Margarita 4:48
4. Marionette 6:59
5. Mediterraneo 5:35
6. The New West 7:31
7. Embrace 4:09
8. Alegria 5:32
9. Elektra 5:26
10. Always 3:04
11. Quiver 5:09
12. Desires of the Heart 6:02
13. Slow Dance 4:33
14. Bombay 5:15
BRIO is a collaboration between multi-instrumentalist Chris Spheeris and guitarist Anthony Mazzella. The two performers have a fantastic interplay that leads to warm Spanish/Mediterranean flamenco guitar rhythms garnished with influences that range from Middle Eastern to jazz. The opening tracks, "Dia del Sol" and "Brio," introduce listeners to the duo's fiery fretwork and amazing technique. The remainder of the album sways between smooth romantic ballads and mid-tempo dance pieces like "Toward the Light," "The Afterglow" and "Trance Fusion." You can't go wrong with an album of sizzling grooves like this.
MP3 clip CD PRICE $16.00
Drawing upon his love of World Music, ethnic sounds and percussive textures, million-selling multi-instrumentalist Chris Spheeris fashions his Higher Octave Music debut as a festive melange of lush, sweeping guitar and keyboard-based atmospheres and melodies, polyrhythmic grooves, colorful authentic instruments and vocals from a wide variety of world cultures-including Greek, Spanish, East Indian and Middle Eastern.
A world traveler in more ways than one, the music of Chris Spheeris has always been about synergizing different cultural components to create rousing multicultural tapestries that are both romantic and grand in scope. For fifteen years, audiences have been taken by Spheeris' enchanting adventures - this album compiles many of them into one quality-intensive recording. Featuring a repertoire of tunes not featured on any previous Spheeris collection, ESSENTIALS offers a fond look at what has made this artist so popular - strong melodies, enjoyable arrangements (sporting Greek, Latin, Middle Eastern and European influences) and a flair for both ballads and upbeat tunes. Highlights here include Persian-flavored "Elektra" from CULTURE and the breezy "Mediterraneo" from EROS.
