Mythos (musical project)

Mythos is a Canadian new age musical project started by Bob D'Eith and Paul Schmidt in 1996. Bob (piano) and Paul (guitar) collectively wrote, produced, and performed on the albums with the help of various session performers. The centerpiece of the Mythos sound rests on the acoustic guitar and piano, which are accented by guest vocalists. Synthesizers and performances in various other musical styles are regularly incorporated into the music.

History

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Robert (Bob) D'Eith attended the University of Victoria in the 1980s, receiving both a Bachelor of Arts (BA) and a Bachelor of Law (LLB) from this institution. Before creating Mythos, he played keyboards in Rock band Rymes with Orange, and contributed to the scores of a number of film and television productions. Throughout his musical career, he also maintained a private legal practice in Entertainment Law, and currently holds the titles of President for Adagio Music (Mythos' label, formerly "Spark"), and Executive Director of Music BC.[1]

D'Eith and Schmidt formed Mythos in 1995. Mythos' initial releases, Introspection and Iridescence, were on D'Eith's Spark Records and were confined to the Canadian market. The success of these albums led to Mythos' distribution by the Higher Octave label, who first released an eponymous album containing mostly songs from prior releases. This release was commercially successful, peaking at 18 on the Billboard Top New Age Albums chart. Higher Octave went on to release two more studio albums by the group, both of which placed on the Billboard chart. Higher Octave has been restructured multiple times in the past few years by its parent labels, Narada and EMI. The most recent Mythos album, Purity, is being distributed by Pacific Music and Alula Records. In 2010, Mythos released Rain, a remixed version of Wind (from Introspection), in celebration of the group's 15 year anniversary.

In 2013, Mythos released "Journey" on Adagio Music/The Orchard, followed in 2015 with a special 20th Anniversary Vinyl Best of Mythos collection. August 3, 2018 Mythos released the EP "Eros" on Adagio Music/The Orchard. In 2021, Mythos released a 25th Anniversary Album "XXV" featuring 5 new tracks and 9 fully remastered classics.

Musical style

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Critics have described Mythos as New Age, Ambient, Ethereal, and Film-Oriented, with influences from Jazz, Classical, Gospel-Soul, and various World styles. Many of their songs include vocalize performances, but few have lyrics. The music is multi-layered, incorporating synthesizers and a numerous acoustic instruments. Multiple guest artists and/or session musicians have contributed to each of Mythos' studio releases, most prominently husband and wife pair Rene Worst (bass) and Jennifer Scott (vocals).

Awards and nominations

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Mythos was nominated for Juno Instrumental Artist of the Year award in 1998. Bob D'Eith was nominated for the Canadian Music Awards' Best Keyboardist of the Year in 1995. Individual albums have won and been nominated for various awards, as described in the Discography.

Discography

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Introspection

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Introspection
Studio album by
Mythos
Released1996
GenreNew Age
LabelSpark Records
Mythos chronology
Introspection Angels Weep
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Drop-D Magazine(favorable) [2]

Track listing

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  1. "Wind" - 4:00
  2. "November" - 4:58
  3. "Angels Weep" - 8:33
  4. "Paradox" - 4:42
  5. "Premonition" - 4:09
  6. "Cathedral" - 4:32
  7. "The Nile" - 4:01
  8. "Clockwork" - 4:45
  9. "Sirens" - 3:29
  10. "Prelude" - 2:36
  11. "Introspection" - 4:01
  12. "November [Remix]" - 5:32

Awards

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Winner West Coast Music Award Best Dance Album

Performance Credits

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  • Bob D'Eith: Piano, Keyboards
  • Paul Schmidt: Guitar
  • Christine Duncan: Vocals
  • Jennifer Scott: Vocals
  • Rene Worst: Bass

Angels Weep

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Angels Weep
EP by
Mythos
Released1996
RecordedCamelot Studios, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
GenreNew Age
Length18:18
LabelSpark Records
ProducerBob D'Eith
Mythos chronology
Introspection Angels Weep Iridescence

Track listing

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  1. "Angels Weep (Radio Edit)" - 3:42
  2. "Angels Dance (Remix)" - 3:33
  3. "November (Radio Edit)" - 3:15
  4. "November Dance (Remix Edit)" - 3:26
  5. "The Nile (Bonus Track)" - 4:00

Iridescence

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Iridescence
Studio album by
Mythos
Released1997
GenreNew Age
Length48:10
LabelSpark Records
Mythos chronology
Angels Weep Iridescence Mythos

Track listing

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  1. "Loneliness" - 3:38
  2. "Sunless Sea" - 4:01
  3. "Iridescence" - 4:15
  4. "Planinata" - 3:28
  5. "Brazil" - 4:15
  6. "La Cathedral" - 1:59
  7. "Sacred River" - 3:05
  8. "Evolution" - 5:08
  9. "June" - 5:07
  10. "Motif" - 2:47
  11. "Danse Plantania" - 3:31
  12. "Sacred River [Remix]" - 3:01
  13. "Angels Dance" - 3:32

Performance Credits

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  • Bob D'Eith: Piano, Keyboards
  • Paul Schmidt: Guitar
  • Annette Ducharme: Vocals
  • Christine Duncan: Vocals
  • Niko Quintal: Percussion
  • Jennifer Scott: Vocals
  • Rene Worst: Bass

Mythos

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Mythos
Compilation album by
Mythos
ReleasedOctober 20, 1998
RecordedCamelot Studios, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
GenreNew Age
Length1:03:44
LabelHigher Octave
ProducerBob D'Eith
Mythos chronology
Iridescence Mythos Reality of a Dreamer
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
After Enigma(favorable)[3]
Allmusic     [4]
Musical Discoveries(favorable) [5]

Background

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This is Mythos' debut on the Higher Octave label, consisting mostly of previously released material. The liner notes claim this release includes "the best of the previously released album Introspection plus seven new tracks," but a number of the remaining songs were included on Iridescence. The track name "The Odyssey" does not seem to appear prior to this eponymous album, but it actually is the track "Catheral" on Introspection.

Track listing

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  1. "Brazil" - 4:17
  2. "June" - 5:01
  3. "Sunless Sea" - 3:59
  4. "November" - 4:57
  5. "Planinata" - 3:26
  6. "La Cathedral" - 2:03
  7. "The Odyssey" - 4:31
  8. "Angels Weep" - 5:36
  9. "The Nile" - 4:02
  10. "Motif" - 2:49
  11. "Sirens" - 3:31
  12. "Prelude" - 2:36
  13. "Introspection" - 4:01
  14. "Evolution" - 5:11
  15. "Premonition" - 2:58
  16. "Paradox" - 4:46

Charting

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Year Chart Peak Position
1999 Billboard Top New Age Albums 18

The Reality of a Dreamer

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The Reality of a Dreamer
Studio album by
Mythos
ReleasedApril 25, 2000
RecordedCamelot Studios, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
GenreNew Age
Length43:41
LabelHigher Octave
ProducerBob D'Eith
Mythos chronology
Mythos The Reality of a Dreamer Eternity
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
After Enigma(neutral)[3]
Allmusic     [6]
Musical Discoveries(favorable)[7]

Track listing

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  1. "Alchemy" - 4:38
  2. "Kaleidoscope" - 3:30
  3. "Venice" - 4:28
  4. "Vision I" - 3:22
  5. "Requiem" - 4:37
  6. "Solstice" - 4:06
  7. "Fantasy" - 3:24
  8. "Destiny" - 3:42
  9. "Reveries" - 1:28
  10. "The Ring" - 3:24
  11. "Redemption" - 3:33
  12. "Vision II" - 3:24

Awards

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Nominated for the West Coast Music Award Best Electronic (Techno, House) Release

Charting

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Year Chart Peak Position
2000 Billboard Top New Age Albums 6

Eternity

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Eternity
Studio album by
Mythos
ReleasedAugust 27, 2002
RecordedBakerstreet Studios, North Vancouver, BC, Canada
GenreNew Age
LabelHigher Octave
ProducerBob D'Eith, Paul Schmidt
Mythos chronology
Reality of a Dreamer Eternity Purity
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
After Enigma(unfavorable)[3]
Allmusic     [8]
Earth Rhythms     [9]

Track listing

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  1. "Ascent" - 3:39
  2. "Unity" - 4:21
  3. "Del Mar" - 3:42
  4. "Turn to Grey" - 3:56
  5. "Alpha" - 2:48
  6. "Exodus" - 4:39
  7. "Leyenda" - 1:51
  8. "Kyrie" - 4:35
  9. "Dreams of Jade" - 5:28
  10. "Paradise" - 3:46
  11. "Orca" - 5:48
  12. "Sixth Sense" - 2:35
  13. "Freedom" - 4:02

Awards

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This album won Western Canadian Music Award for "Best Instrumental Album" in 2003[10]

Charting

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Year Chart Peak Position
2002 Billboard Top New Age Albums 14

Purity

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Purity
Studio album by
Mythos
ReleasedNovember 14, 2006
RecordedCamelot Studios, Maple Ridge, BC and MX Solutions, Vancouver, BC, Canada
GenreNew Age
LabelPacific Music
ProducerBob D'Eith
Mythos chronology
Eternity Purity
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
After Enigma(favorable)[3]

Track listing

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  1. "Purity" - 4:34
  2. "Surrender" - 5:51
  3. "Alten Mara" - 3:18
  4. "Andalucia" - 4:03
  5. "Icarus" - 4:38
  6. "Adagio" - 2:35
  7. "Mizo's Gift" - 5:13
  8. "Deus Ex Machina" - 5:46
  9. "Dream" - 4:53
  10. "Mystique" - 3:51
  11. "Triste" - 5:23

Performance Credits

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  • Bob D'Eith: Piano and Keyboards
  • Paul Schmidt: Acoustic Guitar
  • Jennifer Scott: Vocals
  • Rene Worst: Bass
  • Pepe Danza: Additional Percussion, Ethnic Flutes, and Stringed Instruments
  • Cameron Wilson: Violin
  • Finn Maniche: Cello

Singles

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  • "November Dance"
  • "Danse Planinata"
  • "Kaleidoscope"
  • "Angels Dance"
  • "Ascent"
  • "Rain"

Journey

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Journey
Studio album by
Mythos
ReleasedApril 30, 2013
RecordedCamelot Studios, Maple Ridge, BC
GenreNew Age, Electronic, Ambient
LabelAdagio Music Inc.
ProducerBob D'Eith
Mythos chronology
Purity Journey
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
After Enigma(favorable)[3]

Track listing

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  1. "Journey" - 4:38
  2. "Spiritus" - 4:47
  3. "Escape Velocity" - 5:46
  4. "Tokyo" - 5:12
  5. "Inner Peace" - 3:01
  6. "April" - 2:43
  7. "Novaya Zemlya" - 4:02
  8. "Nepal" - 3:40
  9. "Duet" - 4:34
  10. "Nocturnal" - 1:38
  11. "Impressionism" - 3:48

Performance Credits

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  • Bob D'Eith: Piano and Keyboards
  • Paul Schmidt: Acoustic Guitar
  • Jasmin Parkin: Vocals


Eros

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Eros
Studio album by
Mythos
ReleasedAugust 3, 2018
RecordedAdagio Studios, Maple Ridge, BC
GenreNew Age, Electronic, Ambient
LabelAdagio Music Inc. (the Orchard)
ProducerBob D'Eith
Mythos chronology
Journey Eros
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
After Enigma(favorable)[3]

Track listing

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  1. "Kawakari" - 4:30
  2. "Eros" - 4:49
  3. "Catana" - 4:17
  4. "Allure" - 4:35
  5. "Song from a Sad Dream" - 3:36

Performance Credits

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XXV
Studio album by
Mythos
Released2021
RecordedAdagio Studios, Maple Ridge, BC
GenreNew Age, Electronic, Ambient
LabelAdagio Music Inc. (the Orchard)
ProducerBob D'Eith
Mythos chronology
Eros XXV
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
After Enigma(favorable)[3]

Track listing

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  1. "Legacy (feat. Cam Blake)" - 5:02
  2. "Fly Away" - 4:39
  3. "Bonum et Malum" - 4:10
  4. "Progression" - 4:52
  5. "Recuerdos de la Alahambra" - 2:44
  6. "November Dance (2021 Remastered Version)" - 3:28
  7. "Brazil (2021 Remastered Version)" - 4:17
  8. "Planinata (2021 Remastered Version)" - 3:26
  9. "Alchemy (2021 Remastered Version)" - 4:39
  10. "Ascent (2021 Remastered Version)." - 3:40
  11. "Icarus (2021 Remastered Version)" - 4:40
  12. "Surrender (2021 Remastered Version)" - 5:51
  13. "Eros (2021 Remastered Version)" - 4:48
  14. "Spiritus (2021 Remastered Version)" - 4:47


Performance Credits

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ "Music BC". Music BC. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  2. ^ Drop-D Magazine review
  3. ^ a b c d e f g Smootz, Derek. "Review: Purity". After Enigma. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  4. ^ Shulte, Tom. "Review: Mythos". Allmusic. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  5. ^ Musical Discoveries review
  6. ^ Widran, Jonathan. "Review: Reality of a Dreamer". Allmusic. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  7. ^ "Review of Reality of a Dreamer". Musical Discoveries. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  8. ^ "Overview: Mythos". Allmusic. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  9. ^ Soup. "Review: Eternity". Earth Rhythms. Retrieved 10 November 2009.
  10. ^ "Eternity Awarded Best Instrumental Album". Earth Rhythms. Retrieved 10 November 2009.

References

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