Morning Jewel is a
Michael Stearns classic. The original album was recorded and released in 1979. He remastered and optimized it in the late '90s and released it on CD on his own
Earth Turtle Music label. The set has two long-form compositions, and each stands on its own merit.
"Morning" is 29 minutes of natural ambience from an Arizona desert and a Mexican jungle.
Stearns builds a soundscape of drones and melodic synths around the natural sounds. He tops it with acoustic music and wordless vocals. It is pure
minimalism and natural relaxation music.
"Jewel" is 23 minutes of warm bell tones created on
Erv Wilson's Eikosany with a chorus of female voices.
Stearns' unique recording and processing techniques give the piece an electronic synthesizer sound. It is gentle, elegant, and mystically haunting. This music was completely unique in 1979. Modern minimalists like
Klaus Wiese and
Mathias Grassow create similar music in the new millennium. This is an essential CD. ~ Jim Brenholts
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