Swirling synths, tinkling bells and baying whales ... no spa session is complete without its background sounds. Kevin Courtney reports on a growing music segment.
You're lying back on the treatment bed, waiting for the therapist to bring sweet aromatherapy to your troubled soul. The lights are low, the candles are lit, and soft, atmospheric music wafts through the stereo system. Bells tinkle softly, synthesisers swirl hypnotically and the melodies are overlaid by the sound of waves gently lapping on the shore. But you can't relax - even though the music is designed to send you floating off into a peaceful idyll, where flame-haired Celtic maidens caress your brow as you drift along a calm, sun-flecked lagoon - because your mind is being tortured by a thorny question: who actually makes this music? And how do they get those big whales into the recording studio?
Well, the weird, watery and wondrous world of therapy music is peopled by sonic wizards, all working their musical magic to help soothe your stress, clear your chakras and fix your feng shui. The stars of this world would not be familiar to your average rock fan; there are no Bonos, Robbies or Eminems here - just not chilled enough. The celebrities of this genre include such legendary names as Kitaro, Llewellyn, Midori, Medwyn Goodall, Howard Green and Sally Oldfield. Never heard of 'em? Book an aromatherapy session soon.
The massive growth in popularity of alternative therapy and treatment has meant a rise in demand for pamper parlour soundtracks. And with more people practising meditation, yoga, t'ai chi and whatnot at home, there's a market for music dedicated to all things therapeutic. In many people's record collections, rock albums are being replaced by records with titles such as Swimming With Dolphins, Floating World, and Journey To Our Dreams. None of these are likely to feature heavy metal guitars, swear words, or people shouting like the devil.
New World Music (www.newworldmusic.com) is the Universal of relaxation record companies - with all the top names and CDs to suit different therapies, including Ayurveda, Pilates, Indian Head Massage, Reiki and Chakra Flow. There's even a Feng Shui CD, to help the energy flow through your stereo system.
Llewellyn, a New Age practitioner and reiki healer, has sold hundreds of thousands of albums. He's also an expert on druids. Sally Oldfield is the sister of Mike Oldfield (she even made a record with Mike before he hit the bigtime with Tubular Bells). Her successful 1980 single, Mirrors, and her album, Water Bearer, started her on the path to healing music, and she uses her ethereal voice to create relaxing, otherworldly soundscapes. The godfather of them all is Grammy-nominated Japanese artist Kitaro, who has sold millions of albums during his 30-year career.
London musician Jeremy Woolwich has moved away from the New-Age sound, and labels his style of music "Piano Café". It is made to be listened to at home, in the coffee-shop, anywhere people go to relax and let go of the day's stress. Woolwich has so far released one CD, Letting Go (available through info@independentp.co.uk). "I believe music can release emotional stress and put you in touch with your feelings," he says.
"Music gives off vibrations, and so it can affect you physically. Music is used by healers and counsellors to create the right space for accessing emotions that are hidden away."