inSPAration – various artists (Real Music) www.realmusic.com

As regular readers of Kindred Spirit will know, I usually include one compilation album in each issue’s selection of CDs. Compilations always provide a lower-risk means of sampling a number of new artists from one genre. However, in this case, it’s the genre that is new to me, not the artists!

Apparently someone (let me guess – an American?) has coined the phrase ‘spa music’ to describe the sort of thing that gets played in the new wave of health spas that are apparently burgeoning States-wide. On this CD this includes new age notables such as Gandalf, 2002 and Bernward Koch. Now, call me a cynical sod from the old country but could the invention of the term ‘spa music’ be a cunning marketing ploy to re-package good old, bad old new age music that the mainstream media love to hate? As they say: ‘all’s fair in love and American-style marketing’, and at least in this case Real Music are only mounting a relatively passive invasion of your local new age record store. Okay, it seems I’m not supposed to use the term ‘new age’ any more (or make childish political references for that matter), but referring to ‘your local Spa store’ could cause some confusion over here in ole’ Blighty.

Despite everything, this CD is actually rather good, and if it causes a few newageophobes to remove their blinkers (or earwax) to give it a fair listen, then maybe I’ll overlook the stealth-marketing just this once. There isn’t a duff track on the CD; it all fits faultlessly together so shouldn’t cause unwanted turbulence in those spa waters. Real Music really do do new age relaxation music rather well, so lie back and enjoy – I’m just nipping down the Spa(r) for some chocolate… no I mean a healthy chewy, bar, thing… with oats in it…and stuff… no sugar, or chocolate in it, no of course not… or lager. Really… Bum.

Buy now from:

Amazon.co.uk

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