THE OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF CUSCO

Soaring melodies, haunting flutes and tribal rhythms is the trademark style that has consistently ranked CUSCO in the Top 10 Instrumental Charts as one of the most popular instrumental groups around the world. With more than two million albums sold worldwide, CUSCO’s timeless music continues to delight new and loyal fans alike.

Fans often comment that CUSCO’s music inspires wonderful, vivid images. Michael Holm, the group’s leader, echoes these sentiments, "CUSCO is a storyteller, only we paint the pictures with sound and melodies. Whether it's lions roaming the Serengeti Plain or an Aztec temple, the image is what brings the music to life." In fact, it was Holm's overwhelming desire and adept ability to express such images that founded CUSCO, which he named after the Incan empire's capital city.

As a teenager in his native Germany, Holm began his career as a songwriter and soon embarked on a legendary career as a Top 10 rock vocalist, yielding a series of hit records and over 800 songs to his credit including several million sellers. Successful but still searching for something more, Holm decided to take a six month sabbatical and found the creative answer he was looking for at the sacred Inca temples at Machu Picchu. Returning home, Holm teamed up with long-time friend Kristian Schultze, best known for his keyboard role in the jazz-rock-fusion band Passport, and the partnership led to the creation of what is now CUSCO's distinctive core sound.

Inspired by the legacy of ancient cultures and the wonders of nature, CUSCO's first album was released in 1980 before such terms as New Age or New Instrumental music existed, yet it quickly became a success in Japan. As Jazz, Ambient and New Age music started to take root in Europe, CUSCO developed a distinct following and eventually found it's way to the U.S. in 1987 when they signed with Higher Octave Music, a new label at the time.

Starting with APURIMAC, their U.S. debut that includes the hit "Flute Battle", CUSCO carved a niche in American radio that was all their own. With its memorable melodies, pan flutes and tribal rhythms, CUSCO's uncommon instrumentation opened a unique genre that was neither Jazz or New Age, but one that nonetheless went Top 5 at radio and NAIRD nominated for the Best New Age Chart Album. A remarkable debut, APURIMAC still remains on the best seller list worldwide.

The follow up album, MYSTIC ISLAND, featuring "Lonely Rose" and "North Easter", solidified CUSCO's acceptance at radio by once again climbing into the Top 5, garnering another NAIRD nomination, and Higher Octave's first Top 20 Billboard New Age Chart Album. With critical acclaim, the three subsequent albums WATER STORIES, CUSCO 2000, and CUSCO 2002 all entered the Top 20 Billboard Charts, with CUSCO 2000 reaching Top 10.

APURIMAC II gained new heights with CUSCO’s continuing celebration of Inca and Aztec civilizations. Undoubtedly their most successful album to date, APURIMAC II went Top 10 in the Billboard Charts while non-stop sales drove it back almost a year after its initial release. The extent of CUSCO's popularity became even more apparent when "Montezuma" was chosen as the driving force behind a national ad for Bud Ice, and radio talk show host Art Bell flooded the airwaves with CUSCO music in a nightly endorsement to his 12 million listeners.

Based on their own storybook of mythical tales, RING OF THE DOLPHIN captures the true essence of a bardic adventure. Enchanting melodies intermingled with the opulent sounds of Medieval and Renaissance instruments, CUSCO takes us on a timeless quest to reveal humanity's long-forgotten relationship with the dolphin. A brilliantly rendered epic, RING OF THE DOLPHIN garnered another Top 10 album and includes the ever-popular "Waters Of Cesme" and "Bur Said".

Within the first two weeks of release, APURIMAC III entered the Top 10 Billboard New Age Charts, setting yet another milestone for CUSCO. An electrifying vision of spiritual mystery, sacred legends and proud heroes, CUSCO’s powerful tribute to Native American culture continues their renowned Apurimac journey. The riveting percussion of "Ghost Dance" became a standard theme on Art Bell’s Coast To Coast, while today APURIMAC III continues on the best seller list worldwide.

ANCIENT JOURNEYS, is an extraordinary glimpse through the pages of time. CUSCO’s vivid musical imagery and dynamic rhythms capture all the romance and adventure of Spanish galleons on the high seas, caravans to the Orient and the wondrous bazaar of Byzantium. From lively flutes and Latin rhythms to exotic and mysterious Middle Eastern flavors, ANCIENT JOURNEYS entered Billboard’s New Age Charts at 4* the first week of release, soared up the charts to 2*, and remained in the Top10 charts for over 20 weeks. Tracks include "Da Gama" featuring Ottmar Liebert’s brilliant Flamenco guitar work.

Soon to be released in March 2003, INNER JOURNEYS delves into the adventure, magic and mystery of ancient Myths and Legends. From the dark ocean caverns of "Poseidon" to the ravishing beauty of "Aphrodite", CUSCO’s soaring flutes, haunting vocals, and unforgettable melodies capture the awe-inspired tales of gods and heroes. An extraordinary musical journey filled with heart and spirit, INNER JOURNEYS is sure to become another legendary CUSCO album.