Hui Ward
The Way

It’s very easy to lose yourself in the music…If you seek to find even just a small piece of enlightenment, these albums are as good a place as any to start. The music is ethereal, soothing and uplifting. Truly a delight to the ears and possibly a path to paradise even if you can only stay there as long as the album plays.  - Andrea Guy – The Muse Paper

On the opening track of The Way, “Phoenix,” vocalist Hui Ward (pronounced Way) asks the listener to “Set yourself aside. Go deep inside.” This simple instruction in many ways captures the essence of the entire album. Much more than a simple collection of songs, The Way is a musical voyage through 12 different keys and scales, each corresponding to a multitude of different physical, energetic and spiritual phenomena. The deeper connection of the music is immediately apparent upon listening. The overall vibe of the record is based on a fusion of modern western music and classical Indian influences. Picture ANOUSHKA SHANKAR meeting BJORK on the Khyber Pass.

Throughout the album Hui’s voice sings over an instrumental bed that includes Indian violinist and bansuri artist H.N. Bhaskar and Pravin Godkhindi as well as various western instruments including guitar and synthesizers. The electronic sounding rhythms are the result of layering various acoustic Indian classical percussion instruments, creating the feeling of a drum set. Stylistically, the vocals draw influence from Kirtan and Bhajan (Hindu devotional chanting) to create simple resonating melodies with ardent lyrics in English, French and Sanskrit that seem to be sung straight from her soul. Each song explores the many different permutations of a specific collection of notes with the intent of drawing the listener into a state of resonance with the music – an idea similar to the Indian musical concept of Ragas. These dynamic improvisations provide a stark contrast to the more airy musical textures that underlie the compositions. The resulting combination of these elements is a truly hypnotic and uplifting sonic palate.

Hui’s diverse array of musical tastes comes as a result of her seasoned musical background and her experience living in eight countries and traveling in twenty countries. Born to a vocalist and pianist mother, she began her musical training at the age of three, studying voice and piano. By her teens her musical skills expanded to include classical guitar, drums, flute, and clarinet.

But much of Hui Ward’s influence for The Way and the entire Om Creation label is a result of her travels to India following a near-death experience in New York. Here she discovered the healing powers of devotional music and yoga. By following a dedicated spiritual approach to her music and life Hui was able to transcend the physical and emotional limitations of her illness and find a place of true inner peace. But even without knowing the spiritual details and intentions behind the music, the power of Hui’s voice, songs, and the compelling fusion of east and west make The Way a must listen.

Please check out Hui Ward’s release—The Way—and let us know what you think.  If you need any more information, would like to set up an interview, need a high-resolution .jpeg photo, or have any questions or requests, please don’t hesitate to contact me.

Enjoy the music!
~Rob

http://www.myspace.com/huiward