Review Extract – “The guitar is nimble with its growlings, belting out riffs capable of searing paint from walls,then issuing delicate strumming designed to instill a heavenly dreamstate.Whether displaying intensity or delicacy, Lowe shows a remarkable mastery not only of the instrument but to the diverse emotional potential inherent in both sonic directions.” Sonic Curiousity
Dream of the Gryllidae released 22 November 2010 – is an atmospheric, improvised soundscape which can be purchased at iTunes and amazon.co.uk. Featuring the haunting, ethereal voice of Yumi, accompanied by her inimitable piano style and Tony’s elemental and searing guitar, this CD invokes a feeling of abstract otherworldliness. Preview at Myspace
Yumi Hara Cawkwell, a winner of a number of awards in composition, collaborated with David Cross (King Crimson) and Hugh Hopper (Soft Machine) amongst others, and regularly performs her work at concerts around the world. She is known for her unique ability to ‘jump from pure improvisation to strict compositional accuracy within the same thematic storyline’.
- 4 Star Review by ‘Mr H’ – top 100 reviewer on Amazon “And it’s all rather good, as the splendid guitar work of Tony Lowe clashes and sparks with the keyboards of Ms Cawkwell to good effect across a set of psychedelic, progressive, jazzy and spacerock styled pieces…It’s an album that touches a lot of feelilngs and sensations, and needs some time set aside to fully appreciate everything that is going on. But you won’t be disappointed if you make the effort.”
- Review by Sonic Curiousity “These compositions wield melody and precision like a laser scalpel, without unnecessary frills, delivering tightly knit tunes reminiscent of a recital hall performance. The difference here is: this combination of guitar and piano is rich with contemporary sentiments that render the music highly enthralling to aficionados of prog as well as classical music.”
- Review by Lisa Tenzin-Dolma “This is an extraordinary album, far-reaching in the sheer power of its emotional resonance. The music ranges from heart-rending poignancy to a maelstrom of passion, and further into exquisite beauty, with Yumi Hara’s haunting vocals and keyboards complementing the soaring virtuoso guitar sequences that Tony Lowe is renowned for (though ‘Dream of the Gryllidae’ is very different to Tony’s other albums). The music stays in the mind long after the final notes have faded.” Full Review Here
- Review at United Mutations blog.
UPDATE April 26, 2011 – Inu Neko Kyusai no Wa (Circle for welfare of Dogs and Cats)
Due to the sad events in Japan – Yumi and Tony donated the proceeds from the sale of downloads of the Dream of the Gryllidae to the Japanese relief effort for pets – Inu Neko Kyusai no Wa (Circle for welfare of Dogs and Cats). The Japanese websites can be viewed here and here. Since April 22, voluntary organisations are no longer allowed to go inside the 20 km evacuation zone. Here is a petition to change that ruling and also to help those animals left inside the zone.