Mind over Matter – Indian meditation

8 reviews for Mind over Matter – Indian meditation

1. 

   Bert Strolenberg / Sonic Immersion – 2022-11-22

   The music of Mind over Matter, aka Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock, has always been heavenly influenced by the music from India, a country he travelled a lot.

   Indian Meditation” offers eight tracks

2. 

   Phil Derby / Electroambient Space – 2022-11-22

   The country and the culture of India have profoundly influenced Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock, a.k.a. Mind Over Matter. Though this has manifested itself frequently in his prior works, Klaus musical kinship with India has never been more pronounced than in his latest release, Indian Meditation. Klaus blends Eastern and Western influences seamlessly into his own unique take on Indian music, much like David Parsons has melded east and west on several of his ethnic-sounding discs.

   Brahman” floats like a wisp in the air

3. 

   Lothar Lubitz – 2022-11-22

   Besides his well-known e-guitar and mellotron works, Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock makes/made fine ambient music. With ‘Indian Meditation’ da music presents a collection of this great songs.
   ‘Brahmann’ and ‘Varansi Morning’ are new songs from 2004, probably taken from the ‘On The Wings Of The Wind’ sessions. ‘Mahatma’ is taken from ‘TrancenDance’ (1990), ‘La Vie’ and ‘Mountains Of Karma’ from ‘The Colours Of Life’ (1988), ‘Sri Ram’ from ‘Palace Of The Winds’ (1995) and ‘Northstar’ and ‘The Silence’ from ‘Music For Paradise’ (1987).
   All tracks were ‘completely digitally remastered and cut for highly improved sonic quality and dynamic’. So if you like fine ambient music, ignore the word ‘meditation’ and go for this collection of great ambient songs.

   2005. Lothar Lubitz

4. 

   DC / GB – 2022-11-22

   Mind over Matter, as the name implies, is the meditational project of Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock.This album is an 8-track compilation of specially selected Middle Eastern orientated works, spanning releases from the period of 1988 to 2004. The pieces are indeed meditational throughout the albums duration but more melodic than your average CD of just trance inducing drone-works. Here we have carefully crafted pieces of music for the head which are interesting enough to grab and hold the listeners attention.

   Track 1, Brahman, exemplifies the setting and pace of the set and begins suitably in synth pad and natural sounds territory. A general feeling of serenity and warmth encases the listener and induces spiritual awareness. The Eastern presence is slightly more noticeable in this piece, with an occasional thematic flute lead line adding depth to the proceedings. Add to this a soft, almost Mellotron styled choral underlay and this proves as a good opus to the set at just under six minutes.
   Mahatma is one of the two longer pieces on the album at just under 11 minutes. Heading off in a slightly different direction a mid- tempo acoustic bass pattern enters the fold together with bass drones plus various natural and processed effects. A Mellotron flute lead then enters, keeping the piece serene, yet a little mysterious and is then joined by sprinklings of electric piano textures. Intensity builds via the addition of solid string and choral textures together with short intermittent narratives.Varanasi Morning, the shortest track on offer, begins with natural effects and is perhaps the most minimal of the tracks on offer. Again the listener is treated to another wonderful Mellotron flute lead but occasionally this is replaced by the sounds of Mellotron strings.
   La Vie takes the listener away from the mid-eastern sensation temporarily and as the title suggests has French flavourings. The piece starts in light drone territory but an effective guitar theme gives some melodic direction. A bass undercurrent then takes hold and brief intermittent French narratives carry the piece forward. The piece transposes to a higher level under a sea of sparkling melodic textures and further percussive elements. An acoustic guitar enters at around the 7 minute mark with the narrative returning at select moments. Organic chordal structures carry this track to its conclusion.
   Mountains of Karma begins with a distant Tibetan monastic chanting loop. A flute lead is then introduced under a wash of thunderous effects and synth patterns Occasional harp stabs and additional bass drone give the piece variety until a more apparent harp motif is heard. This piece could be compared to Vangelis in one of his more serene and somewhat minimalistic moments.Sri Ram begins with Tamboura drones and is perhaps the most Eastern influenced track on the album. A dominant sitar theme grabs the listeners’ attention with a mid-tempo percussive loop. Flute sounds appear together with effective vocal harmonies. An electric piano lead takes over before the sitar section finally returns.
   Northstar begins in white noise sonic territory. More minimalistic in orientation this track features occasional shimmering textures over an array of soundscapes. Further low textures help to build intensity, providing a distinctly atmospheric and profound cosmic quality.
   The Silence is anything but what the title suggests with its initial wash of resonant drones and effects. Additional minimalistic tones combine forces with a hybrid Electric Piano theme, warming in nature, if not a little mysterious. The tracks conclusion lies in the continuation of the main theme and soothing chordal textures.

   This is a very pleasant album that should appeal those who enjoy good quality melodic, meditational music. This is indeed warm ambient music without the clichs so often associated with the genre!

   2005. DC / GB

5. 

   Sequences Magazine – 2022-11-22

   Mind over Matter, like the brilliant Psychedelic Breakfast” is another project of Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock. Although the sleeve design and notes give the impression that this is a new-age release

6. 

   Sylvain Lupari / Canada – 2022-11-22

   Far from being a meditation album, Indian Meditation is a compilation of quieter titles, even serene, than we find among Mind Over Matter works. Including two new titles Brahman and Varanasi Morning, the other titles were digitally remastered and differently cut, adding a richer and consistent texture compared to the original works.

   A beautiful intro, like a sun rising, introduced Brahman. On floating synthetic pads a soft Mellotron deludes our thoughts on chords impregnated with an astral softness. A superb flute accompanies a swaying movement which charms by its serenity and its depth.
   Originally on MoMs Trance n Dance-CD Mahatma is definitely richer and denser. On a sensual and hypnotic tempo, with a bewitching bass, a piano filters its soft solitary chords, coiled in the hollow of an exquisite Mellotron flute. Of suave synthetic layers to the depths of enveloping violins add a depth melancholic to this superb title.
   Varanasi Morning opens one chimerical day on crickets which bask in the fresh morning dew on superb breaths of ethereal flutes which come from Klaus Hoffmann-Hoocks Mellotron a beautiful title which bathes in a consistent atmosphere with the presence of the virtual violins.
   La Vie is another unrecognizable title with the digital remastering improvements. A Frenchmans voice recites esoteric psalms, on a suave and hypnotic tempo, a little like Mahatma. The keys of keyboard are clear and scintillating on a superb guitar, a beautiful Mellotron and felted tablas.
   Mountains of Karma is crossed by a windy flute which blows among thunders, a soft movement with tribal spirit on scattered and crystalline keys. A bewitching sitar initiates a light rhythm which dandled on a superb flute and exotic tablas.
   A beautiful feminine voice sings a tribal anthem Sri Ram which is agitated a little more, but always in the lighter touch mood.
   Northstar is a superb atmospheric title where the synthetic layers are juxtaposed in a harmonious depth.
   And what could be better than The Silence to enclose an opus in homage to peace, a long floating movement where intense drones emerge from abyssal depths of a long timeless sleep.

   Although extremely quiet, Indian Meditation is not completely a floating or atmospheric album. To the limit, it can be a sublime ambient album without the monotony of atonics movements. Its a superb collection of soft ethereal moments which evolve with sensitivity on slow rhythms.
   An opus in homage to quietude, to serenity, brilliantly developed on the unique softness of the Mellotron with thousand nostalgic breaths of the German virtuoso, Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock.
   It is a superb opus which will please the friends of beautiful calm and harmonious music. Indian Meditation 2 is now available and should be good as this one.

   2006. Sylvain Lupari / Canada

7. 

   ND / UK – 2022-11-22

   Moral No 1 – never judge an album by its title – come to that, don’t judge it by the artists promotional blurb, either.
   Because I know what you lot out there are like – you’ll see this title and that it’s inspired by his trips through the Indian subcontinent and how the musician brought with him unusual sounds from different parts of the country” and so on – put two and two together and make a less than appealing prospect.Well

8. 

   George Thamberton / USA – 2022-11-22

   Far from being a meditation album, Indian Meditation is a compilation of quieter titles, even serene, than we find among Mind Over Matters works. Including two new titles Brahman and Varanasi Morning, the other titles were digitally remastered and differently cut, adding a richer and consistent texture compared to the original works.

   A beautiful intro, like a sun rising, introduces Brahman. On floating synthetic pads a soft Mellotron deludes our thoughts on chords impregnated with an astral softness. A superb flute accompanies a swaying movement which charms by its serenity and its depth.
   Originally on MoMs Trance n Dance-CD, Mahatma is definitely richer and denser. On a sensual and hypnotic tempo, with a bewitching bass, a piano filters its soft solitary chords, coiled in the hollow of an exquisite Mellotron flute. Of suave synthetic layers to the depths of enveloping violins add a depth melancholic to this superb title.
   Varanasi Morning opens one chimerical day on crickets which bask in the fresh morning dew on superb breaths of ethereal flutes which come from Klaus Hoffmann-Hoocks Mellotron a beautiful title which bathes in a consistent atmosphere with the presence of the virtual violins.
   La Vie is another unrecognizable title with the digital remastering improvements. A French mans voice recites esoteric psalms, on a suave and hypnotic tempo, a little like Mahatma. The keys of keyboard are clear and scintillating on a superb guitar, a beautiful Mellotron and felted tablas.
   Mountains of Karma is crossed by a windy flute which blows among thunders, a soft movement with tribal spirit on scattered and crystalline keys. A bewitching sitar initiates a light rhythm which dandled on a superb flute and exotic tablas.
   A beautiful feminine voice sings a tribal anthem Sri Ram which is agitated a little more, but always in the lighter touch mood.
   Northstar is a superb atmospheric title where the synthetic layers are juxtaposed in a harmonious depth.
   And what could be better than The Silence to enclose an opus in homage to peace, a long floating movement where intense drones emerge from abyssal depths of a long timeless sleep.

   Although extremely quiet, Indian Meditation is not completely a floating or atmospheric album. To the limit, it can be a sublime ambient album without the monotony of atonics movements. Its a superb collection of soft ethereal moments which evolve with sensitivity on slow rhythms. An opus in homage to quietude, to serenity, brilliantly developed on the unique softness of the Mellotron with thousand nostalgic breaths of the German virtuoso Klaus Hoffmann-Hoock.
   It is a superb opus which will please the friends of beautiful calm and harmonious music. Indian Meditation 2 is now available and should be good as this one.

   2008. George Thamberton / USA