GREGORIAN MYSTICS is a compilation of material by the band Magna Canta, who layer medieval chants over mellow dance beats. Double disc anthology of the group that puts a modern beat underneath liturgical classics for an uplifting, pleasant experience.

I only recently began listening to Magna Canta, but I've always been drawn to groovy, mystic sounds and Gregorian chant. No doubt I'd probably heard Magna Canta before, but as is sometimes the way, you hear something and don't know who's the artist or what's the title or annoying things like that. Then the song haunts you for days after, and you either find out what it is or it goes in the mental file referred to as "Things to Find Out at a Later Date".

This 2-disc CD is awesome! The music itself is superb...the chants mix beautifully with the music, the beats lend the music a certain depth and life that's nearly addictive, and the Latin really helps transport you to a different realm of listening pleasure. Some of the tracks are more suitable to relaxing than others, but it's all great stuff. I love to pop in one of these CD's when I'm driving or cleaning or even exercising. The music helps take your mind off the monotony of daily tasks.

The CD's themselves do contain a number of tracks from Magna Canta's previously released material, and I didn't know this when I bought the album. I'm not disappointed, however. The remixes are great, and the chants blend so well that you never really get tired of listening, especially if you want some "mystic dance club" music without having to leave home.

Overall, this is certainly a worthy CD set to have in one's collection. For longtime fans of Magna Canta, you won't mind having a few repeats of songs in your library...and for newcomers, this is a terrific introduction to this genre and this group. Unless you don't like chant or mystic groovy dance beats, you can't go wrong with this CD set.

Tracklist:

CD1 (52:55)

01. Hymn (3:49)
02. Aethera Et Terra (5:19)
03. Silentium (3:54)
04. Ritmo (5:11)
05. Offizium (3:35)
06. Agnus Dei (5:05)
07. Gregoria (4:44)
08. Alleluia (5:45)
09. Recordare (3:37)
10. Cantandus (4:05)
11. Spritus Sanctus (3:47)
12. Sancta Maria (4:04)

CD2 (51:45)

01. Pater Noster (3:59)
02. In Excelsiss Deo (4:39)
03. Himawari (4:20)
04. Lux Lucies (3:50)
05. Sanctum Christe (4:01)
06. Credo (4:05)
07. Russia (3:59)
08. Kyria (4:04)
09. Close To Heaven (4:22)
10. Celestia Organa (4:06)
11. Sequentia (4:14)
12. Hymn (Deep Spirits Mix) (6:08)