Review

Echoes of Egypt is another in Neo Pacifica Recordings' Adventure Cargo series, which has previously included titles like African Skies and Spirits of the Rainforest. For Egypt, Diane Arkenstone and David Arkenstone meditate on the spiritual history of that country and the captivating pull its past still has today. There are five pieces, with four clocking in at ten minutes plus; musically, they mix traditional Egyptian rhythms and instrumentation with the compositional makeup of contemporary new age. "The Secret Chamber" is the highlight here; it drifts mildly between spooky breath of Pharaohs-type moods and more upbeat passages tinged with finger cymbals, flutes, and Egyptian lutes. A similar sound continues throughout the album, with light electronica beats appearing here and there as signposts.