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AMAZON REVIEW

5 out of 5 stars STAR CYCLES - A MULTI-DIMENSIONAL AUDIO/VISUAL EXPERIENCE. Reviewed by Rick Calic on Amazon.com, January 31, 2006.

Star Cycles is a spectacular DVD of visual and sonic improvisations by VyZ that touches the viewer/listener in ways not usually associated with music we typically hear played by the usual suspects. Spontaneous improvisations from these exceptional musicians on the Star Cycles DVD are as artistically creative as any work of genius. The visual entertainment value alone is worth the price of admission, but this experience goes much farther in scope and diversity than first meets the senses. The concept behind the DVD comes from deep in the Musical universe, its Mathematical applications, and the Mystical aspects that stem from the timeless wisdom of Pythagoras (the founding father of Modern music). (And those are just the "M's").

THE MUSICIANS

Charlie Tokarz - flute/saxophonist playing two Saxes at once with multi-layered electric effects has played with musicians such as Ed Mann of the Frank Zappa band, Charles Neville of the Neville Brothers, and guitar master, Larry Coryell.

Rich Damone - bassist using electronic technology and analog tube effects who has played with Sam Rivers, Archie Shepp, Dave Liebman, and Kenny Kirkland.

John Pritchard - electro-acoustic drummer who plays midi drums and keyboards simultaneously has played with "Blood, Sweat & Tears" saxophonist, Fred Lipsius; Native American flute player and Grammy award nominee, Ken Littlehawk; and the drummers' drummer, Jack DeJohnette.

Adam Holzman - legendary keyboardist who has played with Miles Davis, Wayne Shorter, Grover Washington, Wallace Roney, and his own band Brave New World whose latest Cd "Jazz Rocket Science" is a Jazz Rock masterpiece!

It's difficult to talk about the music of VyZ on Star Cycles without some knowledge of Pythagoras and his contributions to the science of music. While the complete understanding of Pythagoras is subject to some debate, his musical influence is generally not questioned. Based on mathematics, he discovered and invented many of the musical standards still in use today. VyZ is keenly aware of the importance of the Pythagorean musical Tetraktys and the multi-dimensional meaning of the four levels it represents.

Star Cycles, while appealing to the ear and eye, is much more than a music video. It has an inescapable rhythmic vibe that sounds as good as it feels and a visual experience that's well beyond ordinary. I highly recommend this DVD. It is an intense demonstration of the "...Geometry in the ringing of strings [and the] ...harmony in the spacing of spheres" (Pythagoras 575 - 480 BC).


The STAR CYCLES movie is designed as a springboard for learning about both the mathematical and musical nature of the Universe, as well as, the Pythagorean roots of our modern world in democracy, science and art. Most of us only know about Pythagoras through the Pythagorean Theorem we learned in our middle school geometry class. STAR CYCLES - the Timeless Wisdom of Pythagoras, provides a wealth of knowledge across many academic disciplines that Pythagoras introduced over 2500 years ago. The great Greek philosophers, Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle, were all deeply influenced by Pythagoras and his teachings, as were the great scientists and artists of the Renaissance, such as, Galileo, Kepler, Copernicus, DaVinci, and Michelangelo. Einstein used the Pythagorean theorem in his theory of special relativity. It is produced to especially inspire students, teachers, parents, and librarians.

DOWNLOAD FREE PDF
Above is the Official STAR CYCLES Companion Book to the movie which celebrates the artistic side of the film. The 52 page book contains over 100 full-color images and text from the movie. Purchase soft cover book for $25