Music For Yoga

Some album titles are so stereotypical that the listener knows exactly what type of music to expect. If an album title contains the words "thug" or "ho," it's probably gangsta rap. If a title refers to "cheatin' hearts" or "achin', breakin' hearts," it's probably country. And if a title has a reference to yoga, meditation, or relaxation, it may very well be new age. As its title indicates, Music for Yoga, Vol. 1 is a new age album that producer/composer Kevin Kendle recorded with a yoga session in mind. This instrumental CD contains a 61-minute piece of music that is broken down into four parts -- "Sunlight," "Stars," "Still Air," and "Returning" -- and those four parts are interchangeable. Music for Yoga, Vol. 1 makes a point of being repetitious; after the listener has heard the first few minutes of Music for Yoga, Vol. 1, he/she has pretty much heard it all. Once Kendle establishes a groove -- an ethereal, calm, tranquil groove with a slight Asian influence -- he stays with it for an hour. Those who aren't heavily into this type of new age may find Music for Yoga, Vol. 1 one-dimensional, but then, faulting this CD for being repetitious and predictable misses the point. Music for Yoga, Vol. 1 is all about mood and ambience, and since the album was meant to be yoga-friendly, Kendle's goal was to maintain a peaceful ambience. However, one doesn't have to be into yoga to appreciate this release; Kendle's albums are typically aimed at anyone who just wants to unplug and decompress, and not everyone who fits that description practices yoga. Although not one of the more challenging new age releases of 2002, Music for Yoga, Vol. 1 is a pleasant disc that accomplishes what it sets out to accomplish. ~ Alex Henderson