Akash in Sanskrit means sky or æther (ether) and all that that embraces. For instance Akash Ganga (Ganges) can mean the Milky Way (sky river). It is also the name of India's medium-range surface-to-air missile defence system and Akashwani is the local name of All India Radio.

In keeping with the original meaning of the word, I have endeavoured to evoke an expansive sky-like atmosphere in all of the tracks.

As with my previous albums, Earthlight (13231-2) and Jyoti (13296-2) , I continue to concentrate more on pure synthesis than on any type of sampled sound, and so this album continues my quest for surrealism or off-worldliness rather than anything too graphic. I have also used only sound programmed by me, using just oscillators and filters to create every sonic landscape.

the artist

From his homeland in New Zealand, David Parsons travels frequently to Asia for spiritual and musical inspiration. After collecting musical samples and studying different musical and cultural traditions, Parsons returns to his studio to integrate these influences with his own experiences. In the process, he bridges disparate elements with seamless grace, and creates a unique musical affirmation of our common humanity and cultural endowment.

Parsons has been a student of Indian music, studying with Dr. Krishna Chakravarty (Ananda 17046-2, Dancing to the Flute 13135-2, and Circular Dance 13133-2), whose recordings he produced.

Parsons' recordings make the Eastern sensibility comprehensible to the Western listener and formulate a unique and captivating new expression. To Parsons' credit as a musician, composer and performer, he has evolved into a rare and highly acclaimed producer of cultural music traditions. His work is often featured in film, television and radio scores, and continues to be widely praised by reviewers.

tracklist