O'Cean

Narada/Enso has re-released this 1980 new age classic with 20-bit mastering. Here, Larkin plays flute improvisations keyed to the pulse of the ocean waves and the songs of the humpback whales. For "Emergence," Michael Stearns adds appropriate synthesizer tones, just enough to create a sympathetic organ drone, rather like an extended "aum." Larkin's flute takes an unhurried approach, simulating the long gentle undulations of the whale's movements or perhaps the soaring of seagulls overhead. In this remastering, the groans, squeals, and chirps of the whalesongs (from a mother humpback and her pod, according to the liner notes) and the surf are very crisp. "Communitizing" features just solo flute, echoed, gracefully dancing over the waves. Larkin notes that dancers in the studio helped create the fluid interpretation. Accents of seagull cries help set the scene. There have been many similar albums merging reflective music and nature sounds; O'cean is one that helped set the standard. ~ Carol Wright

Sounds of the ocean and humpback whales open this classic recording. Then Larkins flute slowly enters and develops themes that mix perfectly, elevated above the sustained synthesizer chords of Michael Stearns. ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats