Cusco Albums (17)
'Inner Journeys: Myths and Legends'
Release Date 3/25/2003
Tracks 10
Label Higher Octave
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
With its lush melodies, tribal rhythms and chants and soaring flute driven energy, Cusco has cornered the market on mystical world music since becoming one of Higher Octave Music's mainstays over 15 years ago. They could have sold those two million units based on the engaging, spirit-energizing music alone, but no doubt dedicated listeners have been prompted to brush up on Inca and Aztec civilizations, which fueled this brainchild of German born group leader Michael Holm. This sweeping and provocative new disc blends a multitude of world cultures while delving into the adventure, magic, and mystery of ancient myths and legends. These odes to the "Oracle of Delphi" (blending a lush, dare we say, Yanni-esque piano with exciting chanting and throbbing grooves), "Eros and Psyche" (soundscape with Incan flute flavors), "Janus" (a loping adventure as the flute treks through the forest), and "Poseidon" (imagine dark ocean caverns) will inspire not only spiritual peace in the present but also a link to our collective past. Using the song titles as guides, the listener may feel the urge to study up on the enduring legends which continue to captivate and inspire today. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
'Ancient Journeys: A Vision of the New World'
Release Date 2/29/2000
Tracks 9
Label Higher Octave
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
From the Cradle of Civilization to the Age of Discovery, the worldbeat ensemble Cusco presents a dramatic, richly textured landscape commemorating ancient journeys that have changed the vision of the world. Soaring flutes, tribal drums, and an array of new and old-world instruments (simply credited as percussion) capture the romance of everything from Spanish galleons on the high seas, caravans to the Orient, and the densely percussive exotic seduction of the bazaar in "Byzantium." While most of the tunes feature a wide range of dramatic shifts-- "Conquistadores" rolls from an orchestral overture to intense percussion and tribal flutes, and "Land of the Midnight Sun" contrasts a high-toned soaring flute with dramatic synth creating low-tone choir effects -- a happy medium is struck on the opening track "Da Gama." That track is a bubbly, loping flamenco-tinged piece driven by the always welcome acoustic guitar lines of guest star Ottmar Liebert. "The Journey of Marco Polo" rolls powerfully along with a stampede of airy flutes, snappy guitars, and ominous synth footprints. The band is also kind enough to reacquaint us with the history of the world, as colorful liner notes explain the possible origins of civilization as well as some of the historic journeys that made history over the past several thousand years. Dramatic and powerful, yet easy to get into. ~ Jonathan Widran, All Music Guide
'Apurimac III: Nature Spirit Pride'
Release Date 8/26/1997
Tracks 10
Label Higher Octave
See Album Tracklist and Review
'Choral Christmas'
Release Date 9/26/1995
Tracks 10
Label Higher Octave
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Cusco is joined by the Munich Opera Choir for the enigmatic A Choral Christmas, which applies the group's flutes and celestial textures to yuletide music dating from the late Middle Ages, Renaissance and classical periods. Among the featured tracks are renditions of "Silent Night," "Swan Lake/The Nutcracker" and Pachelbel's "Canon." ~ Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Cusco, under the watchful direction of Michael Holm, has once again managed to adopt traditional world music melodies and instrumentation into a Western Eurojazz sound with Apurimac II. Taking the music of the Andes, with its strong rhythms and ethereal flute sound, Holm has added the music of modern technology. The result is a near full orchestra of wonderful music with new depth and complexity without betraying its native roots, where Holm had found his inspiration. ~ MusD, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Cusco's philosophy is that human beings must understand, respect and rejoice in the natural world. The music on this recording was created especially for the 20-part TV series "Sielmann 2000," which focuses on changes in our natural environment over the past 30 years. Cusco 2000 features 10 themes from the series. Listeners will experience a likable sound that blends classical styles, euphoric melodies and rhythms of Old Europe with surprisingly compatible Peruvian pan flutes. This release brings the group's unique style to a new height with a mix of natural instrumentation which includes majestic horns, articulate strings and rich woodwinds. ~ MusD, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The third U.S. release by the German keyboard-based group Cusco is a tribute to some of the world's great lakes and seas. The joyful sound of synthesized panpipes and flutes, that first endeared Cusco to American audiences on Apurimac, appears on several cuts, notably on the opening track, "Waters of Cesme."...Their catchy melodies and playful spirit of celebration have earned Cusco a place among the best-loved of the more pop-oriented new age artists. ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
The German group Cusco exploded on the scene a couple of years ago with Apurimac, an album of infectious electronic pop interpretations of the pan flute music of the Andes. On their latest release, the pan flute sound only appears as coloring on a few cuts, dominating only on the outstanding "Catalina," which leaps along to a neo-Andean rhythm, with intoxicating acoustic guitar frills from Sigi Schwab. The remainder of Mystic Island is full of catchy melodies, shimmering textures and a bright upbeat charm that makes this instantly likeable music -- a quality they share with fellow Germans Tri Atma and the Nightingale artists. ~ Backroads Music/Heartbeats, All Music Guide
