Since the beginning of recorded history, mankind has held a fascination for Greek myth and legend. The ancient Pantheon of Gods, of which there were so many, has never been explored in musical form before now. So sit back and allow Composer Clifford White to take you on a truly historic ride through the centuries - to explore those ancient myths and legends that were... The Gods Of Olympus!
Clifford White is one of the early pioneers of the new age music movement, having experienced a massive hit at the tender age of 17 with “Ascension” in the mid 1980’s. After many years away, Clifford blasts back on the scene this year with this truly epic CD.
A supremely powerful and soaring work of which we at MG Music are most proud to be releasing. To quote Medwyn Goodall “It has to be one of the finest, most impressive CD’s I have heard in years”. Clifford has produced a majestic, larger than life sound that ranges from the celestial and subtle to the bold and powerful.
With 14 tracks running at over 70 minutes, this thrilling work is a magnificent achievement and a true return to form for this unique and gifted artist. Welcome back Clifford, and thank you for 'The Gods Of Olympus'!
By: Richard Simms Location: UK Rating: Date: 06/09/2009
Having listened a few times to this new album by Clifford White, his first since "Myths of the Rock" in 1995, here are some of my thoughts:
Firstly, in addition to the immaculate presentation (nifty cover art and interior photos of the studio), the sound production, to my ears, is top notch. The music really benefits from an overall clarity and an agreeably "spacious" sound. All the different layers of instrumentation in each track are mixed together very well -- you can hear everything that is going on.
Two tracks that I really like are actually next to each other in the running order. "Athena" (No. 6) is just absolutely superb. Like a number of pieces it is reminiscent of Vangelis; this one brings to mind the "Bladerunner" score for some reason. It kind of has that exotic atmosphere about it, like a soundtrack to an imaginary movie. "Athena" has an evocative and haunting quality. The following track, "Demeter" (No. 7), exhibits a nice, laid back groove that underscores a catchy melody. It's a very positive, feel-good, relaxed piece, in some contrast to the dark intensity of the previous track.
And these two gems encapsulate what I see as two sides to this album: the sweeping, majestic orchestral passages and the more laid back, melodic stuff. Of course, many tracks deftly combine these two elements.
Other standout tracks are the filmic "Ares" (No. 4), which again, could easily be from a soundtrack by that Greek maestro; "Artemis" (No. 5), with its dance beat, funky bass line, lush synth chords and delightful melodies (can you tell I really like this one? ;-) ); the playful and mysterious Eastern flavour of "Dionysus" (No. 8); and finally the stately, studied beauty of "Hestia" (No. 12).
These are just a few I've picked out. Some of the more textural, ambient pieces perhaps require a few listens to fully appreciate, but are full of surprises and display a creative energy that is apparent throughout this album. Much of the music on this CD might be described as "mesmerizing", you can really dream to these sounds, especially on headphones.
The last piece, "Zeus" (No. 14), is magnificent, with a beautiful Tangerine Dream-esque sequencer line that I adore, blending seamlessly into the powerful and grandiose central theme. I can see why Mr. White wanted to close his album with this track, so it ends on a definite high! :-)
All in all, "The Gods of Olympus" is quite an achievement, a varied, entertaining musical journey that scales some lofty heights along the way.
By: Ken Li Location: Canada Rating: Date: 02/06/2009
Your music is AWESOME
By: Oscar de Jarjayes Location: France Rating: Date: 17/05/2009
Clifford is back, and so the world is nicer!
By: Simon Lovelock Location: Kent, UK Rating: Date: 27/04/2009
Welcome back Clifford! At long last someone returns who has the courage and skill to paint a broad and exciting musical canvas using some of the vivid and much loved sounds of a Greek musical master and what better subject to choose than the Gods of Olympus. There is a wide range of other musical colours and textures on this album too which provide a very full and rich listening experience. I echo the other reviewers' sentiments that this album is a pure joy to listen to from beginning to end and highly recommend it.
By: Mark Mifsud Location: Malta Rating: Date: 12/04/2009
Now that I actually had the chance to hear all this album in its intricate detail I must say that my initial impression was right but my expectations have been exceeded too.
Clifford White's latest album is the album I've always dreamed of listening too. It has got quality, quantity, melody, variety, creativity, emotion, faithfulness to the theme and all I can ask for with not a turkey in site :)
Usually when there's an album this long and varied one is bound to find a track which is less nice than the rest and one gets in a habit of skipping it. This doesn't happen with Gods of Olympus, it is a good listen throughout, whether listened with attention to detail or while working.
I realise people's tastes' vary but I feel confident recommending 'Gods of Olympus' to everyone who has a good ear for music and even go to the point of saying this will become a TOP Favorite to many. It is a must buy!
Clifford - I envy you!
By: Bill Binkelman Location: United States Rating: Date: 18/03/2009
The Gods of Olympus is electronic keyboard player Clifford White's first album in fourteen years (his previous, Myths of the Rock, was released in 1995). After listening to The Gods of Olympus, all I can say is "We should all take fourteen years off from our work if this CD indicates the quality of results we'll achieve!"
Just as the gods of Greek mythology each had distinct traits and powers, so too do the fourteen tracks on this enjoyable excursion into state of the art electronic music; each exhibit their own musical "personalities" as White crisscrosses from dramatic Vangelis-esque soundscapes to lively chill-out infectiousness to classic new age melodic portraits, all done up in rich production values and a luxuriant cinematic sense of visual splendor.
The CD spans 70+ minutes of music, so I can't recount everything in detail. Suffice to say that White hits the ground running and never looks back - The Gods of Olympus is a winner through and through, starting gate to finish line. From the opening strains of powerful orchestral awe on the title track all the way through the closing Berlin-meets-techno propulsive power of "Zeus - King of the Gods," White whisks the listener away with his exemplary production values, acute ear for excellent instrumentation, and, more than anything else, his knack for unbelievably catchy melodies and infectious rhythms. Simply put, The Gods of Olympus is a solid recommendation to lovers of EM (electronic music) across the full spectrum of the genre's styles and moods.
"Aphrodite - Goddess of Love and Beauty" spins a siren song of sensuality and mysterious beauty with harp, synth pads, choirs, and orchestral plucked strings, hinting at a subtle desert/nomad musical influence. "Apollo - God of Light and the Sun" lightens the mood considerably, moving into bouncy chill-out territory with a pulsing bass beat and wooden flute melody line, supplemented by a variety of shimmering keyboard accompaniments and a decidedly jazzy inflection. "Ares - God of War" features suitably somber Barber-esque adagio-like strings, eventually morphing with a march-like cadence synthesizer rhythm track and ebbing/flowing orchestral arrangements. "Artemis - Goddess of the Hunt" pitches an appropriately frenetic pace with techno-like bass beats and a fast tempo melody line on piano and keyboards. "Athena - Goddess of Heroic Endeavor" brings subdued world music influences to the forefront with its sampled sitar and Middle Eastern rhythms, whereas "Demeter - Goddess of the Earth and Fertility" features reverbed piano, synths, pan pipes and a beat reminiscent of (but not derivative from) Enigma, Ryan Farish and many others. "Hera - Goddess of Women and Marriage" also hews close to this same leit motif.
White has produced a work of highest quality ear candy - an album that is so enjoyable and infectious that it's damn near narcotic in its initial impact. Despite the impressive variety from song to song, White infuses the album with a cohesive "sound," no doubt due to his production acumen and his skill/artistry in choosing his keyboard instrumentation. Besides the impressive music, the overall CD package is likewise visually appealing - great art design and layout, especially color and font choices.
Comparisons to other artists would be problematic since White incorporates many different musical styles into The Gods of Olympus. Yes, Vangelis fans should certainly take note, but so should chill-out/electronica lovers, as should electronic new age music aficionados. This CD is a flat-out blast - a true joy to listen to over and over. I sure hope we don't have to wait fourteen more years for the next offering from Clifford White.
By: Mark Mifsud Location: Malta Rating: Date: 14/03/2009
WOW!
I have just heard these samples and I decided that I want this album upon hearing only the first sample.
I always like the kind of sounds Clifford White comes up with, he certainly knows how to mix the right instruments together to create wonderful textures.
I also appreciate the combination of slow and fast, rhythmic tracks in the same collection. I love rhythmic tracks myself and it is hard to find energising tracks anywhere near to this quality!
