We’ve all heard CDs that are made to be relaxing, but are really just boring. Boring and relaxing don’t have to be the same thing! The concept behind the approach to “Zen Gardens” was to create a sonic ambiance that would have a certain consistency of calming energy, but would have the ability to maintain a portion of your attention. In the ancient study of Zen Meditation, during hours of quiet meditation, it was not uncommon for a young student to drift off to sleep, at which time the Zen instructor might whack the young apprentice with a stick! This would encourage “quiet attentiveness” (...ouch!) and discourage the lack of focus that one often experiences as they drift off to sleep.

While there is certainly no attempt to whack the listener with a stick, Zen Gardens attempts to encourage a relaxed but focused state. Perfect for Yoga, the elements of sound and form are varied enough to be conducive to a more active state of listening than that which comes from the endless repetition and lack of variety found in many collections of similar music. In fact you will find that Zen Gardens has many layers and that, like a real Garden, there is a depth that can encourage greater exploration.

Mark Hollingsworth is a studio woodwind player based in Los Angeles. He has performed with dozens of legendary names from Quincey Jones to Tom Petty. Mark’s ethnic flutes were also used in the soundtrack of the award-winning movie Xiu-Xiu (The Sent-Down Girl). For more information visit: www.windshoremusic.com

From the Album Cover: