the project

Popol Vuh's Tantric Songs and Hosianna Mantra are recognized as classics in the field of contemplative music. Popol Vuh has long been praised for their ability to blur the boundaries of time and space through a unique hybrid of ceremonial styles from around the world. Tantric Songs and Hosianna Mantra complement each other perfectly in their creation of modern ritualistic soundscapes. From the evocative, bass chants of Mantra of the Touching of the Earth to the primal drumming of In the Realm of Shadow, Tantric Songs merges traces of classical refinement with feelings conjured up by ancient religious rites.

Hosianna Mantra encompasses a series of gracefully understated chants. With pastel piano textures, spacious melodies from guitar and violin, and the angelic vocals of Djong Yun, Popol Vuh distills the sublime nature of Christian liturgical music from the dogma normally associated with it. As critic Keith Armstrong wrote, Hosianna Mantra is "a hypnotic work that leaves its echo on the air...relentlessly drawing one away from one's surroundings and into the space in which thoughts become musical sounds and words are experienced as feelings and nuances."

the artist

Praised as one of Germany's premier progressive bands in the 70s and early 80s, Popol Vuh was founded in 1969 by keyboardist Florian Fricke. The band took its name from the title of the Quiche Mayan Indians' bible. Popol Vuh's first album, Affenstunde (The Time of the Monkey King) was a strong reflection of Fricke's interest in Mayan lore and his attraction to the devotional aspects of music. Popol Vuh successfully combined sacred musical traditions from around the world with classical, jazz and rock elements. Although the band employed acoustic instruments from a variety of Western and ethnic sources, it created quite a stir as one of the first ensembles to use the Moog synthesizer in the early 70s. As such, Popol Vuh influenced several generations of electronic and contemplative artists. Popol Vuh also gained considerable attention for its scores to films by the celebrated German director, Werner Herzog, including Nosferatu and Aguirre, The Wrath of God.

tracklist

1 Mantra of the Touching of the Earth 2'16"
2 Mantra of the Touching of the Heart 1'49"
3 Angel of the Air, Part One 2'39"
4 Angel of the Air, Part Two 2'56"
5 In the Dream of Shadow 2'13"
6 Wanderer Through the Night 4'09"
7 Listen He Who Ventures 5'58"
8 Brothers of Darkness-Sons of Light 16'42"
9 Ah! 4'46"
10 Kyrie 5'25"
11 Hosianna Mantra 10'17"
12 Departure 3'13"
13 Blessing 6'09"
14 Devotion I 0'45"
15 Not High in Heaven 6'23"
16 Devotion II 0'45"
  Total Time: 76'31"