Ascension
Clifford's first album Ascension became a new age classic of the '80s, selling over 70,000 copies worldwide. A serene and uplifting album with a peaceful and expansive atmosphere, Ascension is both gentle and powerful, blending smooth orchestral themes with an indefinable sacred or reverant quality of sound. Many have noted Ascension's healing properties and it's ability to create a calm and warmly welcoming atmosphere.
I came across this CD many years ago and have returned to it again and again. It moves me in ways which I find hard to describe. The title is an accurate description of the effect of the music. Everytime I listen to it I find my spirit literally soars. I use this CD to relieve feelings of sadness and/or grief, and I trully believe it would aid anyone suffering from a significant loss. As a reflexologist and counsellor I use this music with my clients. I think Clifford White must have been communing with the Gods when he produced this album. - D. Cox, Australia.
Ascension is with no exaggeration "outstanding". Clifford White is genius and has the power to bring a smile to your heart and an overall feeling of a soaring spirit. He is truly one of England's finest and I would venture to say one of the world's finest. It is by far the most powerful, heartwarming, and valued CD in my collection. He is a master synthesizer, bringing heartwarming peace into my world. Every song without a doubt will bring you in touch with truly beautiful music. I see that one cannot preview any of the music on this CD but I feel that if you had to pay twice the cost every cent would be well spent. I discovered Clifford White in 1990 and haven't forgotten his power to move one's soul for an instant when it comes to music. - A Music Fan, USA.
Clifford White is an inspired and talented synthesizer player who could well emerge as England's answer to Kitaro - his recording Ascension is simply outstanding. White is a master of intriguing melody lines, as on 'Golden Sunrise' and 'Journey's End', but also explores a wide range of musical tones and textures with his electronic equipment. 'The Calling' has an orchestral quality and its melody line suggests a glockenspiel. 'Church of Light' is regal and most attractive, with its harp-like introduction and rich layers of synthesizer, while 'Hallowed Ground' is full of mystery - the music seems to rise up from the earth as if in awesome revelation. Ascension itself is almost a type of 'Moonlight Sonata', and ethereal tones are added to give considerable depth to the composition. Overall, fine album and one which is thoroughly recommended.
Recording quality is no problem for Clifford White's album, which is stunningly beautifully engineered. It is marvelously layered and textured, recessed like a three-dimensional model which revolves in front of us on a slow-moving turntable.
There is another aspect, an emotional one, which is unique in the New Age albums I have encountered up to now: a religious orientation, without embracing any particular faith. It can be discerned in the titles of individual pieces; 'Ascension', 'Hallowed Ground', 'Church of Light' - these may not seem particularly important in themselves, but add up to an overall feel, something like one experiences on entering a large or famous church. Immediately one is in an atmosphere of profound peace, quiet and solitude, surrounded by a sense of space, in which one can meditate or meander at will, at all times 'protected' so to speak by comforting environment of the hallowed building.
No religious message is implied, or meant (still less forced upon us), but the spiritual qualities of peace and love and understanding are nevertheless here. It may be pushing matters too far, but I found my thoughts turning to such matters on hearing Clifford White's album. It is sensitive, carefully and expertly put together. Many will be content to let the music flood over, bathing in its calm effect, and leaving a feeling, a beautific, macarian untroubled tranquility. The use of bird-song adds to the feeling of unhurried nature, and I found the whole thing enchanting.
Ascension is Clifford White's first album, written before he was 20 years old. The melodies are simple, yet radiant; the synth orchestrations sound like an organs and clarion with the occasional angel choir. "Mr. Elemental" offers a nice touch with its funky bass line. By the end of "Eternal Dusk," I was hooked into White's dream world. "Music Box Lullaby" is just that, but with even higher pitches, perhaps meant for fairies' ears. The album has that certain "something" -- the dewy wisdom of innocence, perhaps -- that makes it an enduring favorite. Charming.
'One of the all-time classics of gentle New Age Music...' - Mark Jenkins, Future Age Music Express.
Clifford's music is one of the nearest to the work of Vangelis the UK has provided to date - Ascension is a lovely album, featuring synthesized heavenly choirs and soaring strings that are stunningly melodic and spiritually uplifting... - C & D Compact Disc Services.
...a slice of New Age music history... - Vee Van Dam, 'DNA Door' magazine.
A classic New Age that everyone should own, I'm on my 3rd copy , on cd at last after wearing out two tapes ! What more can I say - just one the best ever chillout albums ever made - if you haven't got it , now's your chance! - Andy, UK.
