Shadowplay

Fans of singer Mark Winkler and keyboardist Emil Palame -- two of Los Angeles' most beloved performers -- may have to adjust the adrenaline level for this ultra mellow and spiritual journey into the romance of Ancient Egypt. Winkler and vocalist Marie Cain have smooth and lilting voices perfectly suited for the relaxing strands of music. Palame's keys are luscious as always and Winkler's lyrics are quite poetic. The one problem which plagues the disc is the music, which Winkler describes as "soundtracks for the heart," but is more like pretty-but-sleepy mood music -- the trapping of the new age genre. Give Winkler and Palame credit for abandoning their happy jazz leanings for a more risky journey here, but their solo efforts are much more engaging.