Atlantis Has Risen
Since antiquity the whereabouts of the legendary island Atlantis has been discussed. From Plato to Francis Bacon and into today’s world, it has been a frequent topic for both scientific research and art. Atlantis is also the topic for Clifford White’s new album. Here he gives the listener a fresh perspective on the old myth. Indeed, after 65 minutes of music you feel that Atlantis has risen from the ocean and become a place in your mind you can visit and revisit again and again. So hang on, and enjoy the voyage!
Atlantis is a popular theme in New Age Music. Most prominent is David Arkenstone’s Atlantis: A Symphonic Journey (2004), but also Alex Herr’s synth classic from the late 1980s Atlantis Arising comes to mind. And now we can add another strong album to the list!
I was excited when I heard that Clifford White’s new album would be about Atlantis. The reason is because his previous albums concerning water are among my all time favorites. The collection An Island Called Paradise is a like a trip to a magical and relaxing island, and I make sure to recommend it as often as I can. Selected songs from it are also among the most popular on our channel New Age Stars. We must also not forget that Clifford White is used to myths and great histories; last year’s The Gods Of Olympus was an album worthy of gods.
So with this in mind I put Atlantis on my iPhone and started my musical journey.
The album opens with the title song, which starts with the sound of waves, a quiet piano melody and then something I can describe (bear with me here) as a Vangelis / Chariots of fire-like synth pluck-beat. Which is always a welcome effect! The larger-than-life strings are also here, illustrating the grandness, the light and magic of the underwater world. The song has a very nice melody, and a calming atmosphere.
Track 2, Catacombs, takes the listener even further down – into a darker world, with a faster beat and nice dripping sounds. After all, the tale of Atlantis – like the real-life story of Pompeii – is first and foremost a dramatic story. If Atlantis hadn’t disappeared, there would be no magic; what you can’t ever see, find or reach is to man always more exciting than what is readily available. Isn’t that so?
I am fascinated by the way Clifford White changes sound from one track to the next, while the tracks still blend perfectly into each other. An example here is track 6, Time Tunnels, which is lounge in style. It has a jazzy freshness. Then it is track no. 7, Edge of the Ocean, which is laid back, has a bossa nova beat and a Vollenweider-ish electronic harp melody. This makes the album into an interesting listen.
There is no monotony or repetitiveness.
Again it is tempting to refer to Vangelis – both in style and in craftsmanship; Track no. 8, The New World, has the force of Conquest of Paradise, and lots of White’s usual magic too. The new world unveils itself before your inner eye.
Atlantis is like a box of surprises. The album closer is Exodus; an upbeat, bright piece. Here I must compare to Jean Michel Jarre’s classic Fourth Rendez-Vous. It shines bright, illustrating the overwhelming power of the Exodus.
As you can see from the references; White is here delivering a top notch album, and will once again find himself on the year’s top lists of new age albums.
Atlantis is here as real as it will ever get. Bravo!
Visit cliffordwhite.co.uk to sample / purchase his new Atlantis release and then go to his albums page. You can also visit his NewAgeMusicNews.com website then our interview and review pages dedicated to Clifford White.
The editor notes that NewAgeMusic.nu and NewAgeMusicWorld.com are partners and supporters of Clifford White’s NewAgeMusicNews.com, but .world/nu are independent sites with no commercial ties to Clifford White/MG Music. Cover art by Medwyn Goodall – picture copyright BigStockPhoto – Regisser.com
Lisa Hilton – Underground Album
Acclaimed composing Jazz pianist Lisa Hilton has released her newest instrumental album entitled Underground. Lisa’s continuity for producing trendy and progressive music that takes the high road over the years may not have surprised those who know her best. After the release of 12 significant recordings, her earlier albums have indeed helped pave the way to place her name recognition alongside other top Jazz artists.
Lisa Hilton from Southern California was raised in a family of musicians after having taught herself to play piano and compose music at an early age, before setting her sights on formal educational studies in classical and twentieth century piano. Her early love of music in a variety of styles became the early foundation before a transition into the contemporary Jazz excursions in which Lisa is so highly regarded today.
The progressive nature of her work as a pianist have not gone unnoticed either since her songs have received airplay prominence on hundreds of radio stations including the United States, Canada and other countries internationally. This includes syndicated programs like NPR Morning Edition, Sirius XM Radio, along with numerous online radio stations which have led to strong radio chart listings at College Media Journal, Earshot Jazz and JazzWeek radio charts.
Lisa Hilton’s thirteenth album entitled Underground features her band performing 9 songs that are quite adventurous in compositional style, even by her own standards. Recording and producing an album every year since 1997, her band features world-class musicians Larry Grenadier on bass, Nasheet Waits on percussion, and J.D. Allen performing tenor saxophone. Together this talented group does a magnificent job of openly communicating Lisa’s reintroduced vision of Jazz expressions as a team, and during their key roles in the spotlight as soloists.
The title song from the Underground album is lively and up-tempo with great counter rhythms, which offset the quietly laidback moments in Just A Little Past Midnight & B Minor Waltz. The bands interactive poise is apparent on the stylish song Blue Truth and throughout the classic swing and sway of Jack & Jill during Lisa’s extensively driven movement up and down the keyboard.
Lisa Hilton is a great talent who personifies Jazz improvisation with creativity and imagination. While Underground, Nuance, & Twilight & Blues reflect her achievements as a Jazz musician, and are refined lexes in their orientation to New Age albums, her piano performances of improvisation either as a soloist or with the band under her direction is definitely worth a listen. Lisa Hilton’s newest release is boldly expressive in Lisa’s already exploratory viewpoint as a Jazz pianist. Clearly an innovative escapade in elegance, Underground is like a smooth journey down a newly paved road.
Visit lisahiltonmusic.com to sample / purchase or visit her Amazon.com page.
Photo courtesy Michael Weintrob. Cover art courtesy lisahiltonmusic.com.
Inspiring Guitar Songs by Fred Thrane
If you have ever heard the facts about our universe that there are over 1 billion galaxies, and there are more stars in the sky than grains of sand on every shore, then you know these truths about our universe make the interstellar space above us seem infinite and hard to envision.
Fred Thrane from Sandpoint Idaho has incorporated those fact based linear notes on the inside CD cover of his debut album Angels of the Sun, but in a related topic much closer to home and easier to picture is the like a grain of sand approach in which he composed and launched his first instrumental album. Presenting his exclusive talents on CD for his first official introduction, Angels of the Sun yields an expansive diversity in what you would expect to hear on a debut album, so it is a release that can be appreciated by a variety of people.
Angels of the Sun features diverse styles ranging from New Age, Flamenco and Contemporary, which likewise ascertain his aptitude as an accomplished guitarist of various styles. Relying on his strong background as both a student and music educator, I thought Fred Thrane has released a wonderful first album. Everything began when he picked up the guitar for the first time during his teen years studying Classical and Flamenco guitar.
The next phase of his education was Classical Guitar instruction during college years at UC Santa Barbra. Fred later transferred to Cal State Hayward, where he majored in guitar and earned a master’s degree in music, with a specialty in Classical Guitar. For the next 5 years he took lessons from distinguished guitarist Rey de la Torre. Fred Thrane then reached a turning point when he began his teaching career as Professor of Music at San Jose State University and Foothill College while educating students in Classical Guitar. It was during this time period he had composed some of the melodies for this release.
Angels of the Sun features 9 engaging songs, and brings with it the foresight and experience of a music professional that has devoted much of his life acquiring the skills needed to produce an album which is singular in its existence yet further reaching in its appeal among many.
Dennis Murphy and Jim Norris are two performers who provide accompaniment on this release. While Denis plays bass and Jim contributes the variety of percussion parts, both complement the nucleus of Fred’s composition by magnifying his melodic theme and then adding a good measure of vibrant harmony of their own.
The more extravagant Flamenco styled songs Big Sur, Fandango in Four, Farruca & Moraga Raga were among my favorites. Like most songs on this contemporary instrumental album, you will find they are quite lively and up-tempo with great percussion enhancements which are in harmony with the energetic atmosphere one would expect to hear on Flamenco music. The Title Song, Dawn Dancer & The Third Heaven are more serene in tempo and rhythm, but they too are engaging and consistent in theme.
Finding a forte in blending New Age, Flamenco and Classical styles into a single orchestration, Fred Thrane is a music professional who shines on his first release by his diverse experience as a guitarist. More than capable of arranging a select number of music influences into a single improvisation of wonder, I can see where Angels of the Sun will please a wide variety of musical tastes. In the end, this makes his first release seem more like a universal commodity.
Visit the fredthrane.com homepage to find out more. Sample or purchase at his CDBaby.com page & Amazon.com page.
Hubble Telescope cover image courtesy NASA, B.D. Moore and J.J. Hester.
Jonas Kroon – Melo
Jonas Kroon has released his first cinematic album during 2011, and it didn’t take very long to answer the essential question of whether I believe his first release entitled Melo would be of interest to my site visitors. Another point answering the question of whether Jonas Kroon and Melo would be the perfect candidate is the quality of his first album, along with the proven experience he has demonstrated as a music specialist, even though this is technically his first release.
Jonas Kroon is a Norwegian composer, producer and artist taking full advantage of his tenure in the music business to produce one of the most unique debut albums I have heard in recent memory. As one might imagine this artist from Norway reveals his years of experience directly into his first product which sounds more like something you would expect from a musician with several best of the year releases or chart topping albums.
Riviera is a Sweden based global music company with a branch in Oslo Norway, where Jonas is currently employed producing artistic scores for the firm. During his time with Riviera, Jonas has produced commercials, feature films, and television programing which have clearly given him an edge for his first release. Developing his production talents along the way with a company handling accounts like IKEA, Burger King, McDonalds, Volkswagen, Saab and Volvo does make his technical edge and cinematic expertise noticeably sharper.
Melo is a 2011 AMAdea Records release that has a unique identity of its own character since Jonas had the freedom to compose his first album without the usual constraints of what various clients may have expected for him to produce. The 14 songs represent a renewed focus on creating cinematic music composed to his personal taste and perceptions which has led to a great album. Listing film composers Hans Zimmer, Danny Elfman and Howard Shore as film score artists he favored, I couldn’t agree with him more.
Melo is very much Cinematic with a composite of World and Ethnic influences from beginning to end, relying on electronic and symphonic elements along with wonderful percussion rhythms. The up-tempo songs Her Er Eg, Fakir Fusion & Into the Wild were my top favorites, along with violin and guitar version given on The King, with each featuring exotic without lyric vocals and orchestra instrumentals. However the more moderate in time songs Element, Zanzibar & Highland are just as worthy by highlighting the same colorful vocals with rich instrumental setting of cello, flutes, guitars, keyboards, violin and percussion which is a prominent feature on the entire album.
Melo is likewise the name of the 14 member band of international musicians Jonas selected to become the foundation for his album. The 14 member band whose first concert performance was in 2007 at the Paul McCartney Auditorium in Liverpool England was off to a great start right from the beginning. Formed in 2006, the band members in Melo represent the nations of Norway, Sweden, UK, Poland, Bosnia and Hungary.
Jonas Kroon doesn’t have a long track record of earlier releases, chart topping albums or music awards, but his musical aptitude made top honors with me. The new release Melo easily makes my list as a new release to be commended and who is to say what the future holds, so let’s hope we hear more. Along with several other review publicists that have written positive reviews about him, Jonas has earned my respect, for which there is no question.
The following musicians are Melo band members performing with Jonas Kroon who provided vocals, keyboards and programing; Jostein Austvik (drums) Alex Braathen (percussion, vocals) Sondre Sandhaug (bass) Goran Obad ( electric guitars, saz, oud, tambura) Mateusz Rostad (violin) Birgit Nerheim (violin) Line Haukland (cello) Silje Karlsen (vocals, flutes) Kjersti Vatnan Ekman (vocals, flutes) Thomas Wicklund Larsen (vocals) Trym Bjonnes (vocals, didgeridoo).
Visit jonaskroon.com to sample / purchase or at Jonas Kroon’s AMAdeaRecords.com page & Amazon.com page.
Photo and artwork courtesy Oda Hveem & Jonas Kroon.
Jon Anderson – Survival & Other Stories
Picture yourself as a singer on stage in front of a large crowd of people with all eyes upon you. Now, even if you are well accustomed to performing on stage, and are within your comfort zone in front of an audience and do well, keeping audiences entertained year after year is of course a completely different story. To survive and remain a long-term success, everything is dependent on your abilities as a vocalist and the quality of the lyrical message you wish to deliver.
Jon Anderson, former lead vocalist and lyrical messenger for the group Yes, is while I write this review, standing on a stage entertaining audiences during tour venues in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, which is in support of his concept album – Survival & Other Stories. What I find most impressive about Jon Anderson is the fact he has been not only capturing, but keeping a firm grip on audiences with his music for the past 5 decades, and so it goes without saying that Jon Anderson is a wonderfully gifted vocalist with a exciting message people truly want to hear over and over again.
It was during my 2011 interview with Jon Anderson where he specified that while on stage, concert goers would hear original Yes songs, along with Jon & Vangelis songs. In addition he articulates the biographical aspects about his life to an audience, what the songs mean and how they were created, along with singing songs from his newest release – Survival & Other Stories. Jon also acknowledged the importance his fans are to him, which are of course the lifeblood for any artist.
Jon Anderson is a music superstar, even to those other than his loyal fans who regard him as one of the greatest music icons past and present. While true he is best known as the former lead singer and key lyricist of the Progressive Rock band Yes, his prolific solo music career continues to be as positive and significant today as it was years ago, when people like myself were buying his vinyl records!
Jon Anderson’s influence and starring role in music over five decades is legendary, and one can say Jon’s divine voice and lyrical message is as clearly unforgettable. Presently, it is estimated over 38 million records were sold during his years as the dynamic lead vocalist with Yes, and his successful solo career to date. Even today people are discovering the earlier works from Yes, in addition to his numerous collaborations with other top artists, and personal solo projects.
Survival & Other Stories is a concept album Jon created after he nearly perished from a serious illness. The silver lining began after his recovery when this unique project began to take shape. During this time Jon published a message on his website inviting artists to submit their music for this new endeavor.
When musicians from all corners of the world turned in their ethnic music over the internet the substance of something beautiful was born. Jon then mixed, composed, and co-produced with wife Jane Anderson the first of three concept albums, Survival & Other Stories which has a collection of 11 songs with wonderful orchestrations unified with Jon’s heartfelt vocal energies clearly articulated both musically and lyrically as optimistic and positive.
The first song New New World which opens with bold drum cadence, snare taps, and dancing strings makes a clear distinction this release is like no other yet his lyrical propensity and alto tenor range vocals reassure the listener this release will be just as impressive as the melodies he released decades ago. Unbroken Sprit is a moving piece with a light percussion backed melody, while Love Of The Life & Big Buddha Song touch upon politics and religion with spirited instrumentals backing verses of inspiration.
The blend of harmonic ethnicities continues in the moderately arranged melodies Understanding Truth, Effortlessly, Love And Understanding & Sharpening The Sword. All songs are identifiable in a sense by vocal recognition, yet each has a varying metrical rhythm and unique melody which gives every song a singular timbre and atmosphere. Gentle introspective moments are prevalent qualities in the more serene songs Incoming, Just One Man & Cloudz.
Jon Anderson without a doubt has a wonderful story to tell, and in the auditory sense, his new release has a personalized point of view that comes across as musical magic. And while many artists have abandoned their music careers or quietly faded away by stepping off and never returning to the stage, Jon Anderson is an expert at entertaining his audiences both onstage and in the studio. As it turns out, 2011 now appears to be an exciting year for everyone.
On the 10 page CD cover booklet are all song lyrics and a memoir style narrative from Jon. The musicians listed on specific songs are; Jamie Dunlap, Peter Kiel, Jann Castor, Dan Spollen, Kevin Shima, Stefan Poddell, Steve Layton, Jeremy Cubert, Christophe Lebled, Ryan Fraley, Daniel Reinker, and Paul Quinn.
Visit jonanderson.com for music news and concert info. Survival & Other Stories can be pre-ordered from Gonzo Multimedia and Amazon.com prior to June 6 release date. Read our 2011 interview article on our pages dedicated to Jon Anderson.
Concert photo courtesy jonanderson.com. Big Stock Photo – dws.
Jon Anderson | 
Leave a commentFionnuala Sherry’s Songs From Before solo album
In an exciting new release notice, international music sensation Fionnuala Sherry is preparing for the North American release of her solo debut album entitled Songs From Before by Hearts of Space Records. If you are among her millions of enthusiastic supporters in Canada and the United States you may already be mindful of the early applause given to her solo album, having been an instantaneous achievement upon the initial release in Europe during 2010.
Irish born Fionnuala Sherry is the celebrated violinist, vocalist, and fairer side of the music duo Secret Garden, which she shares with equally gifted Norwegian composer and pianist Rolf Løvland. Together as a team the pair of music professionals are admired and loved by millions for their award winning melodies, some of which were performed by stars like Barbara Streisand, Josh Groban, and UK prominent artists Westlife.
Fionnuala Sherry herself arrives from a family of musicians who began her music career at an early age, and I can say with near certainty that it was not luck of the Irish or mere happenchance that she is presently one of the most popular musicians produced in modern day Ireland. After graduating with honors from the College of Music of Trinity College, she relocated in Dublin to continue her musical ambitions. During her tenure as a seasoned professional she remained a member of the RTE Concert Orchestra for 10 years. In addition she has performed with a broad range of top artists over the years, including The Chieftains, Sinead O’Connor, Van Morrison, Chris de Burgh and Bono of U2 fame, along with her role in several Hollywood film scores with the Irish Film Orchestra.
Songs From Before is as you can imagine, unique and personal by her wonderful expressions on violin with instrumental accompaniment, remaining true to character in regards to the fine melodies for which Fionnuala is famous. Her contemporary instrumental album highlights renditions on some of Ireland’s most beloved melodies, and some unreleased material. Given the modern theme which reproduces various songs made for the popular music standards of today, it brings us back to the lineage of her solo release.
Secret Garden is where Fionnuala shares a starring role with composing musician Rolf Løvland from Norway. Together their achievements run deep, having won the Eurovision Song Contest in 1985 and 1995 with sold out concert tour performances to multitudes of people worldwide. It is estimated they have sold well over 5 million albums as the music group Secret Garden, some of which were platinum or gold records, along with their recording status on the Billboard New Age charts.
Fionnuala Sherry breathes new life into the 10 songs which have been in the planning stages for years. Some born of Irish heritage, her contemporary revisions capture traditional moments with charm and charisma during a fine performance on an English John Edward Betts violin from the 1790 time period. The overall sound quality is rich and opulent, uplifting at one moment to deeply poignant in another. Descriptive words like elegant and graceful are often overused, but truly merited in this case. I felt every song has a melodic tenor of sophistication without being overly classical and beautiful in depth without a veiled shroud of mystery.
While fame and success as the fairer side of Secret Garden is a principal achievement which precedes her solo album, Fionnuala Sherry’s Songs From Before is an shining example for her all inclusive music heritage. The 10 pieces are a moving experience and inspirational beacon showing her in a new light. May the light continue to shine far and bright.
Visit fionnualasherry.com homepage and valley-entertainment.com music store for pre-orders, and Amazon.com or iTunes when officially released in June 2011. Visit Fionnuala and Rolf at their secretgarden.no homepage and music webshop page.
Cover art courtesy of fionnualasherry.com.
Midnight Orchestra from Spencer Stanley
Spencer Stanley is a composing musician who first developed his love for the piano during his elementary school years. Composing musical scores during junior high was a constant activity and form of creative enjoyment for him. Spencer’s performance in school bands, jazz bands and orchestras reflect his own compositional phrasing on his 2010 Midnight Orchestra debut album.
Midnight Orchestra has a Classic Piano, Contemporary Instrumental & New Age presentation. This album contains 11 pieces which takes listeners into the depths of melodic piano flow, with appealing resonances of strings, some woodwinds and lively percussion rhythms on snare and timpani drums. I was really impressed with his talents, along with the performing instrumentalist in accompaniment. Songs from Midnight Orchestra are currently being played on various internet radio stations, and his YouTube videos feature the song Velocity, and the title song.
Spencer Stanley has received training in piano, trumpet and French horn during his high school years. His scholastic studies earned him top scores in ensembles and orchestras in competitions throughout the state. He is currently attending Brigham Young University for academic studies, and was selected an all-star youth musician with the Utah Symphony. Even though his background skills are centered on brass instruments, these songs are comprised of mainly piano, strings, and percussion rhythms blend remarkably well by their light melodic harmony.
Midnight Orchestra is compiled of songs Spencer composed and co-orchestrated with Dave Zimmerman during their high school years. It has Spencer on piano and Dave Zimmerman on percussion, with other musicians he became friends with over the years; Andrea Hughes (violin) Natachia Li (cello) and Sophie Stanley (classical guitar). Together these musicians have produced an impressive instrumental album, and I am sure you will reach the same conclusion.
Visit Spencer Stanley on his Facebook page. Sample or purchase his at Amazon.com and iTunes.
Louis Colaiannia – A Moment Between Eternities
Composing pianist Louis Colaiannia from Denver Colorado has a classic contemporary instrumental release you may want to know more about. His most recent New Age album expresses his love of Classical music by composing pianists like Beethoven and Mozart, but you will also hear a freestyle influence in his original compositions that give one the impression of more contemporary orchestrations. It’s like modern improvisations on classical music!
Louis Colaiannia has composed a number of classic piano and instrumental releases over the years. With earlier albums having titles of Desert Winds, Journey Of The Soul, Sailing On A Dream & Sea Of Stars, it is easy for anyone to envision his modern orchestrations are divine and dreamy in nature. They are, much like the album titles themselves.
I found this true regarding his earlier albums, along with the wonderful piano and instrumental release Louis Colaiannia has produced in 2011, A Moment Between Eternities. With divine piano music evenly centered by a classical and contemporary atmosphere, why would anyone want to change this fine balance?
A Moment Between Eternities is a classic New Age Contemporary Instrumental release comparable to earlier albums by a wonderful range in thought and feel. The mood variations in the 9 songs are as if transitioning between one season to another, so in relation to the emotional content of his work, you will hear light graceful songs carefully blended with pieces emboldened by a more impassioned frame of mind.
Louis Colaiannia has composed each of the 9 songs total, performing on piano and synthesizer. The instrumentalist in accompaniment are; Jenna Ehrle (vocals and lyrics) Melvin Morford (bass) Jess Allen (cello) Bob Glassman (percussion) Evelyn Rutenberg (flute) Bill Kerr (guitar) and Rex Spease (saxophone and clarinet).
There is one recent variation in Louis Colaiannia’s music where a new innovative single titled City Scapes takes on a whole new direction. Moving in a new trend like his classical and contemporary orchestrations, City Scapes takes a melodic shift in what Louis Colaiannia terms “Orchestral Jazz”. I listened to this song and found the upbeat melodies with lively rhythms another beautiful performance of his modern classic improvisations.
Visit louismusic.com to sample / purchase and find out more. You can visit his Amazon.com page.
Cover artwork courtesy Steve Hamilton.
Live Concert on Electric Cello
Matthew Schoening is a professional cellist who caught my attention recently. I primarily became interested since his current release Elements (Live and Uncut) is presented as a solo concert recorded in front of a live audience. As it turned out the initial reason I became curious was less important to me after I listened to his Avant-Garde electric cello concert in front of a rather enthusiastic audience.
During his live concerts Matthew apparently does a touch of magic too since this one man cello concert ended up sounding more like a full orchestra of string instruments. In addition to cello, fine resonances of acoustic guitar, violin, double bass, and a variety of percussion rhythms are expertly produced. I also found his tenacity for perfecting his sounds on electric cello are equal to his fine technical skills of live looping and layering in real time. Because no other musicians are present during concerts, and his current release Elements was live and uncut, it greatly increased my admiration for Matthew Schoening.
Matthew is from a family of music professionals and enjoys free reign to pursue his music career, which has led to performance opportunities of several prestigious fundraising events. One significant fundraiser with Mark Steines of Entertainment Tonight was a charitable benefit designed to raise money for relief work in Sierra Leon, West Africa.
Elements by Matthew Schoening is his third Solo Cello release, and the earlier first and second albums; Solo Electric Cello & The Art of Live Looping are like Elements by the Avant-Garde style of cello Instrumentals. In fact, there is also a Cinematic influence in his work I feel shouldn’t be overlooked. Leap of Faith from The Art of Live Looping and then songs Air & Fire from Elements gave me this impression the most.
Elements (Live and Uncut) is a stage session before a live audience of 75 people, and it does create interest by an inherent uncut and recorded in one session format. The original electric cello innovations on Elements are 5 songs titled Water, Air, Fire, Earth, and Spirit, with clapping only at the beginning and end of the 45 minute session.
Matthew performs live concerts and he tours upon request, so if you have a group function or get-together coming up, find out the details at his website. The warm tonal setting and enhanced rhythms of his solo electric cello music is perfect for a wide variety of festive social occasions. In fact I would be interested to hear your group as the next enthusiastic attendees during a live concert venue with Matthew Schoening.
Visit soloelectriccello.com to sample / purchase or by going to his Amazon.com page.
Portrait & cover photos courtesy Greg Gorman.
Beautiful Piano & Instrumental Music
Kathryn Kaye is a talented pianist releasing her first piano and instrumental album. After learning every detail like her lifetime of music experience, the collaborating artists and production credits, I had a feeling her new release was going to be great. In fact Kathryn Kaye’s new release greatly exceeded my expectations since this album really goes the distance.
Dreaming Still is an Acoustic, Contemporary Instrumental, New Age release having many integral advantages, one being the importance of music in Kathryn Kaye’s life, which began with playing the piano at age four. She later attended college and began working toward a major in music, earning a performance degree with a double major in voice and keyboard. In addition to her strong educational background she pursued classical training while living in Germany, appearing on television in both the U.S. and Germany as a vocalist during concerts, recitals and operas.
Kathryn Kaye is a musician and songwriter presently residing in Colorado. The beautiful Rocky Mountains region and Appalachian mountain territories in Kentucky recalled from childhood are in part a focal point for this contemporary nature inspired release. Dreaming Still contains 14 songs she composed, half of which are Solo Piano, with the balance in piano and instrumental harmony support by violin, cello, bass and English horn.
The world-class musicians providing instrumentals with piano are commendable, and they are: Charlie Bisharat (violin) Eugene Friesen (cello) Dan Greenspan (bass) Jill Haley (English horn) Derrik Jordan (percussion) and Noah Wilding (vocal). Dreaming Still is a Will Ackerman production, with recording, mixing, and mastering by Corin Nelsen at Imaginary Road Studios. The assistance from these two Grammy Winning talents is a fine enhancement to her proficiency as a composing pianist.
Dreaming Still is a delightful album, and I was pleased to hear a wonderful cinematic touch at times. Waiting For The Rain with piano and cello, then a Solo Piano song August Light were my favorites, but this album is consistent and enjoyable throughout.
I believe Kathryn’s commitment and expertise in music has been vital to the level of quality on her first album, and her choice of music artists was first-class. In contrast to the vast expanse of the Appalachian territory, I expect the appreciation for this beautiful album will go the distance and travel far. Note: Dreaming Still by Kathryn Kaye is listed at #1 in the ZMR top 100 Radio Chart for January 2011. Congradulations Kathryn!
Visit kathrynkaye-music.com to sample. Purchase at her CDBaby.com page & Amazon.com page.
Photo courtesy Delanda Licata. Cover art courtesy Robert Kooken.
Uplifting Music of Marc Enfroy & 2002
When you unite the Cinematic Piano talents of award winning Marc Enfroy with the production abilities of Billboard-charting musicians 2002, the conclusive result is a work of music bound to be a success. Arriving with this creative transformation in contemporary instrumental music is the impression a new and innovative sound entity has just been born.
Marc Enfroy has released his third Cinematic Piano album Unconditional, and the newly formed alliance with Randy and Pamela Copus of 2002 certainly does deliver a rather unique chord in piano and Contemporary Instrumental fanfare. Already admired for their singular inspiring melodies, the union of their two unique styles into one creation of beauty is exemplary.
Marc Enfroy’s music career had first emerged after the death of his sister Suzanne Whiting to cancer, but it was from this profound loss his progressive music legacy arose. Finding his inspiration in memory of Suzanne, Marc proceeded to compose music for the senses just like a painter would use brushstrokes to fill in the empty spaces on white canvas, and as it turned out, Marc indeed has the gift of a true artisan.
His Solo Piano debut Unbounded acquired Best Neo-Classical award in the ZMR Lifestyle Music Awards in 2008, and Best New Artist nomination. Awakening was the second colorful music portraiture, with classic orchestrations by Janet Sullins on violin, Jack Chen on flute, and vocals by Jillian Aversa. Awakening was also an award finalist which aired on many popular Internet radio stations worldwide.
Unconditional will be unveiled to the public when released on March 1 2011. The 10 song classics display Contemporary Instrumental orchestrations and fine piano detailing expertly blended with flute, strings, bell tones and chorales, with admirable performances by Jack Chen on flute and Pamela Copus on vocals.
If you are familiar with both Marc Enfroy and 2002, then you can imagine this new arrival in Cinematic Piano, Instrumental and celestial soundscapes is the ultimate music experience. While I can only speculate on the success of this, or any album, I can give you the assurance Unconditional is a passionate creation and absolute beauty that was empowered by design to take flight, in uplifting music made to celebrate life.
Visit marcenfroy.com to sample / purchase or Amazon.com page. Visit Randy & Pamela Copus at 2002music.com.
Cover art courtesy Marc Enfroy.
2002, Marc Enfroy | Leave a commentInspiring Piano & Instrumental Music
Even if the holiday celebrations of Christmas and New Years are behind us now, one contemporary composing pianist has an important message to share having equal relevance to the honorable offerings of peace and harmony we celebrate during the close of one year and the hopeful new beginning of another, arriving just in time for Valentine’s Day.
Evan Wish is a classical trained concert pianist from Encino California with a new release titled; Forget-me-not, blue. Incorporating the spoken words of honorable Nobel Peace Prize recipients, and like their principled humanitarian message of peace and hope, Evan Wish gives a heartfelt message of peace and hope, told by his beautiful design in inspiring contemporary instrumental music having a classic touch.
Evan’s contemporary classic Solo Piano debut album titled Lullaby Of Love acquired the number 3 position in global charts, and remained in the Top 10 position for three months and the Top 100 for 6 months, earning a NARAS consideration for a Grammy Nomination for 2005 in the Best New Age Album of the Year category on his original composition. Evan travels and performs concerts in Europe, and does television, film, and theatre production writing, and is an active ASCAP & ACF member, plus you can find his music on Syndicated, Public, and College Radio Stations, along with AOL, Music Choice, Live 365 and numerous others.
Forget-me-not, blue has 10 songs of Contemporary Instrumental bliss with 5 Solo Piano pieces and 5 piano with string ensemble of violin, viola and cello. Together in unison Evan Wish delivers gently contemplative and some inspirational songs while sharing the message of peace and hope in a positive upbeat manner. Recent recognition for Forget-me-not, blue is the # 3 chart success for December 2010, in ZMR’s Top 100 Radio Airplay Chart listings.
In a universal message of harmony in tune with a multitude of people who share the same beliefs and ideals, the song What will man’s legacy be is the heart of the humanitarian side of this project. Here you will find past Nobel Peace Prize recipients incorporated spoken words of Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Theresa, and Martin Luther King are included, along with Native American reciting, an Israeli singer and ethnic percussions.
Forget-me-not, blue is a true achievement after many years as a Canadian born and educated pianist, beginning his first music instructions at age 7, where his gift as a pianist became apparent as a young adult which then led to formal studies at the Conservatory of Music institute in Canada where he won first class honors among many talented competitors.
In addition Evan attended the prestigious Dick Grove School of Music in Los Angeles and received tutoring from top composers in the entertainment industry. His unique gift at an early age was discovered thankfully, and those early formative years were the strong foundation for his composing skills. Today Evan has achieved international recognition while performing worldwide for the past 25 years.
The Solo Piano and strings ensemble songs each retain their individual merits of quality, and Evan performs on a Bosendorfer Grand Piano, widely accepted as a fine tonal instrument which transfers a pianist musical arrangement with warmth and clarity. When touring the Provence region of France, Paris, or the French Riviera, Evan Wish is often publicized as “The Passion of a Romantic” and you will find his Solo Piano and Instrumental release with ensemble allows one to hear his passionate work as others have discovered for themselves. In recent news, Evan has just returned from Cannes, France while attending the Midem 2011 Music Conference, meeting with music companies and industry leaders, in addition to performing an exclusive solo concert.
While peaceful ambassadors of our past have arrived to us in the form of an ideological leader, an advocate for the poor and a nonviolent civil rights crusade of another, the beautiful Solo Piano and strings instrumental expressions from the heart of Evan Wish constitute a gallant and notable gesture too, arriving in a truly inspiring manner sure to be embraced by all.
String orchestration by Marcy Vaj (violin) Robin Ross (viola) Vahe Hayrikyan (cello). Engineer/Co-produced by Peter Granet.
Visit evanwish.com to sample / purchase or visit his CDBaby.com page & Amazon.com page.
Photo courtesy John DeCindis
Yanni Truth Of Touch album review
Chances are everyone reading my pre-release Truth Of Touch album review today is well acquainted with the man we identify simply as Yanni, and if you are like most people you can vividly recall the very first time you viewed a televised Yanni concert. Now, can’t you just remember the exhilaration you felt while watching this charismatic gentleman touch the lives of people from all nationalities with his music ?
Truth Of Touch is truly a passionate reflection of what Yanni does best which is create a personal interaction with an audience through his extraordinary music abilities, and just like those powerful memories of yesteryear the close societal bond is shared by virtue of his magnificent studio version of 15 songs with an over hour long symphony of refined harmony.
Truth Of Touch is a Contemporary Instrumental & Electronic arrangement likewise creating a genuine fascination for a multitude of people by being an original composition and direct expression from Yanni himself. This enthusiasm is not surprising since his last original arrangement Ethnicity from 2003 happens to be an excellent and successful album so it may explain why Truth Of Touch is so highly anticipated among his enthusiastic fan base, along with a vast multitude of people searching for outstanding music that greatly surpasses the everyday ordinary.
Yanni is conceivably the greatest influential musician of our time, and while his exceptional abilities as a gifted composer and keyboardist by themselves are a valid testament to his universal appeal, when you factor in the remarkable musicians and vocalists by his side and personal “One World, One People“ vision, the collective inspiration he creates pay tribute to a universal and heartfelt music experience.
Yanni Live at the Acropolis began his historic rise to stardom and likely the first time you witnessed his grand entrance onto the world stage since 500 million people from 65 countries have viewed this top fundraising program for PBS. The album sold 7 million copies worldwide and the music video sold over 1 million copies to become a top selling music video, second only to the Thriller Video by the late Michael Jackson.
If you regularly watch the Olympic Games then you know his music scores are presented during international television broadcasts of the Olympic Games since 1988. He has 35 platinum and gold albums internationally and received 2 Grammy Nominations in the Best New Age Album category, for In My Time and then Dare to Dream, but perhaps of greater importance to Yanni himself are his fans, since after a temporary departure Yanni made a celebrated return to concert tours and producing music due in part to the personal letters from his dedicated fan base requesting encore performances.
In fact his global presence has remained strong following earlier days where over 2 million people in more than 20 countries attended a Yanni concert, some of which were held in culturally significant locations like the Tribute Concert venues held at the Taj Mahal in India & The Forbidden City in China, where viewership reached a television audience of 250 million people.
Truth Of Touch can be defined by the Contemporary Instrumental, Electronic and Cinematic influences, but what makes this new release special like earlier albums are a wide array of influences, crossing over into Popular, New Age and World music domains. Truth Of Touch ( Title Song ) begins a memorable introduction to a lavish cascade of midrange keyboard and string sequences set in time to energetic orchestration crescendos and intense timpani drum beats, giving you your first positive affirmation this is indeed an authentic composition from Yanni. The boldly decisive first song is satisfying to the senses by the majestic intonation, just like the reverberation keyboard melody united with higher octave twinkling notes heard in Echo Of A Dream.
Seasons has a lighter keyboard sequence at the onset, changing in dramatic fashion during every refrain by articulated electronics, strings and xylophone notes. Backed by rhythmic heartbeat percussion, Seasons progresses into a heartening song of inspiration. Voyage is a fine excursion reaching epic qualities at times where the lighter prelude is forerunner to a spectacular sound adventure created by strings and woodwind orchestration. Suspended by steady percussion, the full instrumentation creates a wonderful sensation of depth.
The World ethnicity percussion rhythms and accents with ever changing intervals of harp and cello create a beautiful tribal effect in Flash Of Color, and true again by the voice of a child set in instrumental counter time during I’m So. The finely pronounced orchestra and percussion rhythms are a bold source of vibrant energy presented in the upbeat melodic theme of Vertigo. The vocal melodies with rich orchestrations on Can’t Wait and Secret are definitively two of the more serene songs on the album. Elegant and passionate, the soprano vocalist delivers her romantic lyrics in a graceful emotive voice which is certain to be a popular collection of contemporary songs for many people.
O Luce Che Brilla Nell’Oscurita is exquisitely imaginative given the theatrical piano, light choir and opera concerto in a harmonious adaptation where the tenor vocalist proclaims his warm and moving declaration of sentiment direct from the heart.
Long Way Home has an air of sophistication yet the vigorous piano melody has a peaceful atmosphere at times too, changing from light to more dynamic expressions along the way. Mist Of A Kiss reveals intricate percussion rhythms having a steadfast effect in the timing of piano chord phrasing, like the piano and percussion cadence heard in the song Nine. Yanni & Arturo begins with a light trumpet and piano prelude while transitioning into exuberant poetry in motion when glorious soprano vocals and intricate percussion rhythms set the progressive tempo for an improvisational style trumpet solo during which the highest octave notes are reached then extended with astounding precision and clarity.
Truth Of Touch is a studio composition of pure refinement, giving one a beautiful impression exactly like the inspiring concert recollections of yesteryear. The prodigious caliber of musicians Yanni enlists for his projects is boldly demonstrated on what I feel is his greatest instrumental music composition yet. Perhaps you can tell by now his newest release made me reflect on the personal exhilaration I first felt upon my introduction to his music, and it did inspire me today. With that said, I am certain you too will find the qualities in Truth Of Touch are genuine, unforgettable and yes, simply Yanni !
Visit yanni.com and truthoftouch.com to sample or purchase and read the latest news and concert tour dates in 2011. For pre-release album orders and gift items visit the Yanni Store then read earlier articles on our page dedicated to Yanni.
Photo copyright – courtesy yanni.com. Big Stock Photo copyrights Acropolis – sborisov and the Taj Mahal – pius99.
Contemporary New World Music of Shambhu
When you integrate one proficient acoustic guitarist with select vocalists and instrumentalists, along with the skillful production talents of Windham Hill Records founder and Grammy Winner Will Ackerman, the final product might expectedly turn out to be a top album compiled by dedicated music professionals that virtually everyone would love and appreciate.
Shambhu is the proficient guitarist asserting in his website news pages his first album has truly been a “ labor of love “ while composing, performing and co-producing with Will Ackerman, along with his time spent working beside other top music professionals. This I can believe since at the end of the day, Shambhu and his insightful selection of collaborating musicians has paid off rather handsomely, and by their collective time spent together, have helped convert this debut release into an readily available commodity of premium value.
Sacred Love – Feel The Journey is New Age Fusion, Contemporary Instrumental, and Jazz, having East, West, and World elements which facilitate the conversion of artful melodies into solid gold entertainment that requires only simple involvement for the rest of us to easily acquire the appreciable benefits of this grand endeavor. Sacred Love has already achieved a quantifiable amount of success, where at present Sacred Love – Feel The Journey is # 1 for the month of October 2010 in ZMR’s Top 100 Chart, but I also have a feeling this album will appreciate in value even more over time.
Shambhu is truly an esteemed musician in his own right performing concerts or on albums with top music entertainers like Bob Hope, Carlos Santana, Jon Anderson and on Whitney Houston’s multi-platinum album titled simply Whitney. The long list of talents go on since Shambhu has also been involved in projects with many of the respected musicians I continually write about like Will Ackerman, Jeff Oster, Eugene Friesen, Ann Licater plus many more.
Sacred Love – Feel The Journey on the Acoustic Shine label has an impressive cast and crew since many have toured or recorded with top musical groups themselves. Some of these artists on Shambhu’s album include Tony Levin of Peter Gabriel on bass, Jeff Haynes of Pat Metheny on percussion, George Brooks of John McLaughlin on saxophone, Celso Alberti of Steve Winwood on drums, and Premik Tubbs of Santana and John McLaughlin on flute.
Together is the first of 12 songs total and what a memorable impression it creates. The center stage guitar and violin pairing established securely alongside flute and reflective instrumentation is magnificent, plus it is easy to visualize this song and others in a Cinematic role since the warm, sincere, and dynamic atmosphere echo the characteristic essentials for a multitude of made for the big screen movie settings.
Natural Moment is a warm and casual song that positively takes off and ascends to new heights. First expressed during the initial sequences, xylophone and numerous percussion enhancements become the lively components that merge into a free spirited narrative complete with smooth and graceful electric guitar rhythms which intensify and progress neatly into a picturesque arrangement.
Maiu Breeze is refreshing by exhibiting a jazzy tropical presence. First conveyed by acoustic guitar highlights, the integral xylophone rhythms and harmonious vocals filled with energy and vitality are a natural accompaniment to the guitar arrangement. Together they merge perfectly to bring out the compositional fascination of this album and its entirety, creating a dynamic atmosphere that leaves one with an impression of total harmonic refinement.
This first release by Shambhu will always be termed a debut as one might expect, but when you consider his proficiency as a guitarist, the impressive number of outstanding talents on this extraordinary album, and their combined lifework totaling a significant number of decades as esteemed music professionals, then this masterful first album by Shambhu truly does amount to a rewarding and appreciable “ labor of love. “
Full musician credits are Eugene Friesen – cello, Charlie Bisharat – violin, Ravichandra Kulur – flute, Michael Manring – bass, Jill Haley – English horn, Claytoven Richardson – lead vocal, Jeff Oster – flugelhorn, Noah Wilding – vocals Todd Boston – sarod, mixed and engineered by Grammy Award winning Corin Nelsen.
Visist shambhumusic.com to sample / purchase or at his CDBaby.com page and Amazon.com page.
Big Stock Photo – rkasprzak
Great Ambient Music from Paul Avgerinos
Some love relationships begin with an introduction or the sparks may have ignited after that first gaze into someones eyes. Regardless of how it began, if a relationship progresses into something special it may lead to the divine word we call love, and while there are no definitive set of rules governing love the first attraction determines a lot about what happens next.
Grammy Nominated Paul Avgerinos from Redding Connecticut happens to have a new release called Law of Attraction that his prodigious fan base is certain to fully embrace with open arms, and do so without hesitation. I would imagine this great ambient album will also succeed at winning over many new fans for Paul Avgerinos, new fans who will go directly to the heart of his widely popular Round Sky Music website to hear for themselves, so for some of you, let me be the first to introduce you to this award winnng musician.
Paul Avgerinos has based the Law of Attraction theme in regards to authors Esther and Jerry Hicks and their bestselling self-help books, but after listening to his thirteenth album I discovered Paul Avgerinos Law of Attraction has such a pleasingly rich sensation of expressive delights, I just had to respond myself by concentrating more precisely on the fine melodic wonderment and charismatic appeal of this sensational new release, which if it was a library book, Law of Attraction would certainly be shelved in the romantic therapy section.
Law of Attraction is after all quite compatible or along the same wavelength with his prior Love album, which is another positively feel good release with a passionate and dreamy intonation paired to the divine word we call love. The Love album did after all achieve a desirable level in 2009 by 2 nominations at ZMR which included Best Relaxation / Meditation Album.
Law of Attraction is an exciting fusion of New Age Ambient and World Music styles from the Middle East and India, and of the many earlier releases that garnered success, this album has the instrumental music essentials to his earlier award winning Garden of Delight.
Paul Avgerinos further album awards do include Garden Of Delight which won Best World Album in 2007 and notable Gnosis had 5 Best of nominations total, while winning the Best Relaxation / Meditation Album award category in 2006. Muse of the Round Sky which made the airwaves on over 2000 radio stations worldwide was the great ambient album that first introduced Paul Avgerinos as a top artist and Grammy Nominated musician.
Paul Avgerinos has composed the 10 songs, performing on bass violin, Fretless bass, 12 string & nylon guitars keyboards, vocals, percussion and sound design. Kevin Braheny Fortune playing Electronic & Classical flutes, and Steve Gorn on Bansuri flute join Paul, as do the 7 essential talented musicians I have credited below.
This group blends vibrant instrumental fusion into an intricate musical project fascinating for the senses to behold like heard in Gentle My Love & Ask and It Is Given which are deep, exotic, and mesmerizing. You will find every song holds a diverse kaleidoscope of elevated ambience, but these two songs in particular are quite unique from anything I had ever heard before since multiple guitars and ethnic vocals infuse a sensual calm and steadiness to where they seem spellbinding or even hypnotic at times.
The Vortex is another picturesque song that intermingle keyboards, guitars and lyric less vocals into wonderful patterns that are like a magnet by attracting you into a beautiful sound adventure made for the senses. Follow Your Passion & Art of Allowing are two songs showing ingenious geometrical patterns of his Ambient music, and like Law of Attraction ( Title Song ) they have gentle curved surfaces free of any abrupt edges or distant note to note sound plateaus leading to nowhere. If one was to compare the textural sensations of touch to this release, it would be smooth as silk and you will see what I mean when you sample this perceptive new release.
It is pretty easy to fall in love with Paul Avgerinos music whether you have been officially introduced or not, and you may be interested to know that in addition to his eloquent skills as a composing New Age musician he has worked on over 100 television and film projects. Paul was also the primary bass player for The Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra and toured with many Popular, Contemporary, and Jazz groups over the years, having been involved with numerous Platinum album productions while collaborating with popular music acts Aerosmith, Jewel, Run DMC, Willie Nelson and Deana Carter.
Credits and your introduction to the additional musicians are Trina Basu on Violin, Brahim Fribgane on Oud, Rafiq Khan on Indian Sarangi, Rohin Khemani on Tabla & other percussions. Steve Waite on 12 string & electric guitars, Christine Yandell on vocals and Malika Zarra on French & Arabic vocals.
Visit roundskymusic.com to sample / purchase or go to his CDBaby.com page & Amazon.com page. Find out more on our pages dedicated to Paul Avgerinos.
Big Stock Photo – SSilver
Al Conti’s New World Fusion in Northern Seas
Al Conti is a name many recognize in U.S. and international audiences as a composing musician having a natural ability for producing some of the most vivid story based music in the New Age & World genres and for those who are wondering, his ability to intermingle exciting tales of intrigue into each of his award winning projects originates from life experiences and global travels.
Northern Seas is the fourth narrative from Al Conti that made a grand impression on me after hearing this new release for the first time. On Northern Seas the ancestral homeland and Nordic heritage of Scandinavia is the theme presented in a manner you will find intensely glorious regardless of your own family coat of arms since the perceptions in imagery and rich instrumental landscape valiantly hold the high ground on this resolute masterpiece.
Al Conti has a long family legacy himself arising from a extensive linage of expressive artisans, and in addition to his popularity as a top musician, Al Conti is an performing actor, having made television appearances during shows of the acclaimed CBS daytime drama As The World Turns, commercials, and films in addition to stage theatre productions in the United States and overseas.
Al Conti’s first albums were Shadows & Poeta and third release Scheherazade from 2008 was a landmark award winning release that resided at the top of ZMR charts for 3 consecutive months, and then received 4 ZMR Lifestyle Music Awards nominations including Album of the Year. Scheherazade then sailed among the clouds to secure the Best World Album of 2008 and is played on many satellite and cable channels including Sirius / XM and Music Choice in addition to reaching high watermarks in global radio charts. Northern Seas at present has reached # 2 in ZMR’s Top 100 chart for October 2010.
Northern Seas is a fascinating mixture of New Age & World Fusion with a Celtic inscription on several of the 11 tales of intrigue recounted from the long ago days of antiquity. The indigenous folklore of Norse mythology brought to light by Al Conti is a melodious one indeed, telling of Norsemen during a time of Viking sovereignty in the Scandinavian nation. Treading a deep imprint on each tale, every single song is crisp, clear, and refreshing as if detailing the pristine landscape and panoramic mountain vistas by the deeply spacious tonal qualities.
Northern Seas ( Title Song ) has a thunderous opening with an aura of mystery by the piano melody but the free spirited rhythms by flute and violin illuminate the first waterscape images and swiftly place you into the forged from fire and ice Nordic landscape. Light lyricless vocals portrays an invigorating atmosphere which greatly changes what could have been pictured as a cold dreary day into one filled with deep but breathtaking rays of shrouded sunbeams. Long drawn out colorful vocals are another positive element dominating an ambient grounded Veil of Mist.
Song of Rig & Valkyrja are adventurous melodies featuring the ancient and exotic instruments used in this albums production. Al Conti is proficient on a wide range of instruments and on Northern Seas he and contributing global talents create the unique feel of ambience using ancient and exotic instruments like kantele, harp, hurdy gurdy, pump organ, accordion and tribal drums melded with modern time instruments of piano, violin, cello, acoustic and electric guitar.
Odin The Wanderer is notably mysterious but also carries a palate full of vibrant hues much in part to the charismatic melody and choir that is lightly comingled with alluring violin and accordion tracings. Two flute melodies with a Celtic essence are the vigorously paced Dans for Loki and then free flowing The Rainbow Bridge. Piano and accordion merge in the light song Baldur and the time honored instrument when united with piano turn the tides of time to create an aesthetically pleasing old world essence.
Ragnarok has a penetrating melody and light percussion rhythm of true enchantment. This graceful new dimension in elaborate instrumentals of piano, harp, flute, and accordion constitute smooth verses in unison with a light choir while transitioning into a breezy reflection well in harmony with the chosen Nordic folklore theme.
Al Conti has crossed yet another threshold with this exciting new release having every telltale sign of award winning success given his intriguing music portraiture of Scandinavian countries centered by Norway, Denmark, and Sweden. The majestic highlands, islets, and fjords bordering the Barents, Baltic, and Norwegian Seas have now become the phenomenal harbor setting for this striking new album christened Northern Seas.
Visit alconti.net to sample / purchase or visit his CDBaby.com page and Amazon.com page.
Album art courtesy Elena Ray. Picture copyright Big Stock Photo – galdzer.
New Flamenco Music of Luna Blanca
Luna Blanca is a prominent Nouveau Flamenco ensemble from Bocholt Germany that has perhaps become the celebrated toast of the town in another part of the world by naming their latest Contemporary Instrumental album after a beautiful region of Southeastern France, amidst the countries of Italy and Spain, with a seaside boarder along the glistening coastal waters of the Mediterranean Sea.
Provence is the name of this admirable new release by Luna Blanca, along with the region of Southeastern France highly prized by a warmer climate, gourmet cuisine and regional quality vineyards, creating the picture-perfect setting for Luna Blanca’s new release that greatly succeeds at intertwining these luxurious qualities of refinement into their own creation of beauty.
Luna Blanca selected the nearby locality of Provence for a good reason since many famous authors, poets, and painters like Vincent van Gogh & Pablo Picasso had acquired inspiration for their artistic masterpieces. After reading more about this region of Europe it became clear to me why Luna Blanca members regularly travel to Provence for their creative inspiration, and it appears everything was well designed during their masterful adaptation.
Luna Blanca is prevalent on an international level and where founding lead acoustic guitarist Richard Hecks, first trained in classical music initiated his crossover to New Flamenco and began writing the vibrant original compositions we hear today. Helmut Graebe is a principal member with spirited piano and organ rhythms and on Provence, Hecks and Graebe each had an equal hand in composing their parts, along with the instrumental compositions of talents Bino Dola on rhythm guitar, Clemens Paskert on bass, percussions, and added keyboards. Juan & Carolina provided some vocals and guest musician Uwe Gronau is featured on two songs playing organ and accordion.
First song Driving sets the contemporary surroundings in motion for this pretty as a postcard destination in Nouveau Flamenco music and where everyone will be able to perceive their picturesque connection to the region of Provence during the first few measures. Colorful in every way, Driving like each of the 12 songs are unique by their united but singular identity.
Gipsy & Francoise exemplify this changing diversity since each have passionate melodies and charismatic rhythms which vary noticeably but interblend conclusively from song to song, representing one of many progressive attributes of this album in entirety. Mistral has a fascinating groove based melody with organ and keyboards exhibiting many fine upbeat runs in parallel time with exciting acoustic guitar rhythms.
Café has a tantalizing setting by trumpet and accordion refrains among progressive guitar and piano melodies which introduce an alluring arrangement to the surroundings. Sunset & La Maison Bleue likewise have great instrumentals plus the dynamic percussion rhythms heard on every song do more than merely lay the timing foundation for band members to build their melodies upon, so it is quite noticeable the percussion contributions are a lively component into the complete note by note Nouveau Flamenco atmosphere.
Crème Brulee is an inviting song given the serene impression and one that resembles Siesta, where moderately timed guitar melodies with piano accompaniment establish a comfortable mood of relaxation while conveying a fine impression akin to white tablecloth elegance and the accordion composition in Camargue introduces an elevated amount of European ambience by the intriguing sentiment.
Rosé is a song named after the house wine regularly served with the cuisine at local cafés and proportionate to the regional vineyards and fields of lavender, Rosé is an aromatic song for the senses too and while presented in more moderate time, the guitar and piano melodies fluently bring a fragrant bouquet of light ambience to the table.
Cote d’Azur is a majestic song finely poised by graceful half step guitar chords and piano counter melody which paint a romanticized picture of the French Riviera, concluding this song with the sound of coastal waters moving across the Mediterranean seashore, and with everything considered I wonder if anyone could ask for anything more.
Provence by Luna Blanca is an exciting new release, where admirable guitar and keyboard melodies express an anytime occasion for celebration. Together in unison, every member gives a brilliant performance and the spirited festive theme this new release portrays has the perfect entertainment setting. Casual and inviting by an open air sensibility, the members of Luna Blanca deserve every glass to be raised high in a toast of salutation. Cheers !
Visit lunablancamusic.com to sample / purchase. You can also visit their CDBaby.com page or Amazon.com page.
Cover art copyright Anke Baugatz – Picture Copyright BigStockPhoto – klenova
Sample the album here:
Inspiring Music of Heart Strings by Steven C
Steven C is an acclaimed composing pianist recognized by many for his inspirational piano and orchestral music having a graceful vibrancy that gently touches the inner spirit in a mindful way, and while music in all forms reaches out for some level of emotional response in each and every one of us, music that inspires while moving the inner spirit is perhaps the greatest of all.
Heart Strings is the current release by Steven C. Anderson and one highly regarded in the music industry as the greatest of every release he has produced so far. After listening to Heart Strings for myself, I felt you too will find this refined beauty a classic portrayal of popular music in harmony with finely tuned orchestrations a moving and inspiring one. In fact there is a good chance many of you have already heard and felt the majestic scores of Steven C in television programing.
The true sincerity of his efforts as a musician happens to be a matter of record since the recordings and live performances of this St. Paul Minnesota resident have already been presented on The Today Show and Oprah Winfrey, along with PBS, QVC, and the Discovery Channel, so chances are everyone will have another opportunity to hear his television productions again in the near future.
With over 2 million units sold, Steven C has also performed with top artists Mannheim Steamroller and his presence on digital music programming and broad radio audience includes Music Choice, in addition to over 150 radio stations worldwide. Another source of recognition is the earlier Solo Piano release Signature which made a number 2 debut on the ZMR New Age Charts in 2008.
Heart Strings has several fundamental components which nicely enhance the energetic structuring and vibrant resonance behind this unique project having the sustenance to brighten your spirits every single day. One being the original 15 piano melodies composed and performed by Steven C on a Bosendorfer Grand Piano was combined with the prestigious London Symphony Strings Orchestra with additional strings provided by Brigid McCarthy and Michelle Kinney.
If the admirable inclusion of the classic London Symphony Strings Orchestra is not enough assurance to inspire and warm your heart, there are the dynamic elements of Grammy Award winning arranger, orchestral conductor, and Mannheim Steamroller band member Arnie Roth, with additional contributions from Andrea Bocelli, Charlotte Church, and Mannheim Steamroller founding leader Chip Davis.
In another fact of distinction, the piano and orchestrations in Heart Strings were recorded in London England at the renowned Abbey Road Studios, where a countless number of beloved musical greats like Cliff Richard, Pink Floyd & The Beatles have performed their cherished classics in studio. Just like the music icons before him, the same innovative recording techniques were used to enhance and achieve the noticeable audio refinements on this uplifting instrumental classic by Steven C.
Heart Strings is an extraordinary project given the instrumental enchantment it conveys. Moving by expressing a highly sought after level of emotional content for the listener, this vibrant album has the power to transport the inner spirit onward for a multitude of people, effectively inspiring each and every individual response along the way.
Visit the stevencmusic.com website and then sample / purchase on his albums page or visit his CDBaby.com page. Steven C also offers the unique services of personalized custom piano music for your wedding, anniversary, or special occasion. Find the details on his custom music page.
Picture copyright BigStockPhoto.com – jgroup
New World Music of Gaia
Planet Earth from the beginning was destined to be one of our greatest mysteries, where every life form and those yet to be discovered remain more dependent on our mysterious world rather than this blue planet would ever depend on us. Simply put, we know Earth can survive without us and in fact our present day endeavors to save the world is a statement equivalent to saying hey everyone, let’s save ourselves !
Michael Brant DeMaria, PH.D, is a clinical psychologist, lecturer, and award winning musician from Florida with a revitalizing new concept album honoring our shared heritage with the Earth by the World influences in Gaia, an innovative and exceptional brand new release in his widely acclaimed Ontos Healing Sound Project.
Gaia is essentially the achievement of over 25 years in personal and professional research by Michael into the fundamental principles of auditory healing techniques. His New Age Ambient release The River began the first origins of the Ontos Project while leading to the Healing & Meditation release Ocean, which remained at number 1 for 3 months on the charts then ended the year 2009 with ZMR’s Best Ambient & Best Relaxation Album Awards.
Ocean and was first conceived to help hurricane survivors begin anew and return to a more peaceful existence, but then after the 2010 Gulf Oil Disaster, Ocean became a second symbol of recovery since Michael donated his time performing concerts around the Gulf Coast Region, along with donating a portion of sales proceeds for the still ongoing wildlife recovery. I was pleased to learn Ocean is currently under consideration for a Grammy Nomination in the New Age category.
Gaia is a serene excursion into the Ontos Healing Sound Project by the directive of Michael Brant DeMaria. Therapeutic by a graceful vibrancy that effectively renews the inner spirit akin to The River & Ocean; the innovative World inspirations found in Gaia heighten these emotive sensations of calm and well-being while ascertaining our undeniable relationship with planet Earth.
Siyotanka is the story based narrative and soundtrack score that secured a Native American Music Award ( NAMA ) in the Native Heart category, and then lead to his Grammy Nomination for Best Native American Music Album, along with winning the Best Native American Album at year ending ZMR Music Awards for 2009.
Gaia has every hallmark for success since nearly every album produced by Michael Brant DeMaria has earned awards and respect from those in the music industry, and rightly so. Michael’s music, books, art, and poetry have acquired recognition in the U.S. along with international acceptance in Australia, Europe, and Russia, having touched many lives with his universal message.
Third in the Ontos Healing Sound Project Gaia is based in part on the Greek Goddess Gaia, along with esteemed Earth Scientist Dr. James Lovelock’s Gaia Hypothesis, whose research studies in planetary exploration while at NASA led to his famous Gaia Hypothesis theory which interprets the Earth we share as one cohesive, single living organism.
Gaia ( Title Song ) is the musical genesis of 14 tonal poetries and sound prayers traversing many nations and cultures, opening with a lighter piano melody, where World and Native American wood flutes in amended resonance on every song begin their ethnic exploration and develops into a wonderful first prelude to the ever changing stages in this moving expedition. Anima Mundi tells of an emergent period and where Michael uses his voice as a human instrument to speak for the ancestors of our past. The surreal Alchera features Australian ( didgeridoo ) wood flute instrumentals and vocal exhalations to denote the Earth as a single living entity of magnificent beauty.
Asase Yaa, with qualities of African rhythms and Amazonia, with South America textures are together moderate in rhythm, having various world flute instruments and percussions unifying each melody, even during the deep mystical atmosphere of Ja’neba . The silk road to China is traversed by highly symbolic gong strikes in Xiaolin, along with Chinese flute ( Xiao ) in akin song Kuan Yin with traditional (Yueqin ) strings instrument dramatizing the orient with vibrancy.
Gentle imprints of Japan are represented by bamboo flute ( Shakuhachi ) and the gentle breeziness of wind chimes leave fine impressions in Zazen & Tarani, likewise revealing Michael’s fine transition in World music personified on Gaia, along with the notion that our enduring heritage of dependency we share with planet Earth will always be just a simple fact of life.
Visit ontos.org to sample / purchase or visit his CDBaby.com page or major music outlets. You can visit his michaeldemaria.com blog and there is a recent interview with Michael and I along with my reviews of his award winning albums on our pages dedicated to Michael Brant DeMaria.
Picture copyright Big Stock Photo – Shutter
Bill Leslie finds Simple Beauty
Bill Leslie has a sensational new release that is truly a refreshing experience for the senses and one new release I feel certain people of all ages will enjoy listening to. Simple Beauty is the name Bill Leslie gave his personified current album and just as assuring like the title suggests, a natural attraction of refined beauty is the harmonious ingredient everyone will find within.
While Bill Leslie is easily recognized as a composing musician and leader of his traditional and Celtic fusion music group Lorica, he is also a 5 time Emmy Award winning journalist and newscaster for WRAL television network and a multiple Journalist of the Year awards recipient in North Carolina. In addition he composes traditional and Celtic fusion music as soloist and in concert appearances with his band Lorica.
In fact Bill Leslie was an early roommate and helpful mentor to popular musician, radio, television, and Entertainment Tonight Show host John Tesh. These good friends have recently had the opportunity to perform together again during a September 2010 concert at Meymandi Hall in the Progress Energy Center for the Performing Arts located in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Simple Beauty is the 2010 all instrumental album now charting in the number 1 position for the month of September at ZMR and reflects the inspirational countryside of The Carolinas, along with a personal improvised structuring Bill had conceived after his studies with renowned Irish musician Michael O’Domhnaill and his Celtic influences.
On the Simple Beauty release Bill composed 10 original songs patterned in accordance with 4 traditional ancient Irish melodies so the composition in entirety results in a highly melodic blend of Instrumental New Age with a Celtic alliance that is harmoniously arranged with a done just right perfection.
Like his early debut Peaceful Journey, which received a number 1 ranking on ZMR World Music charts, Bill’s current has all the hallmarks of reaching equal success. Christmas in Carolina was named Best Holiday Album and I am a River charted number 2 and also contain some wonderful instrumentals.
Blue Ridge Reunion had also secured a number 1 position with Zone Music Reporter charts, along with year ending honors of being named Best Acoustic Instrumental Album of the Year in 2008.
An instrumentalist at heart, Bill Leslie performs acoustic guitar, piano, bass, whistles and keyboards. The musicians in accompaniment on this album are Bill Covington on Grand Piano, Brent Cotton on Acoustic Guitar, Jennifer Curtis on Violin, Nancy Green on cello, Will Leslie on percussion and Linda Metz on flute.
Simple Beauty is an appropriately titled work of harmony whose scenic wonder and peaceful surroundings emerge by the truly great instrumentals, making this current natural and wholesome new release a sensational find for everyone.
Visit billleslie.com to sample / purchase or visit his CDBaby.com page. You can find out the very latest at Bill Leslie’s What’s New page.
Cover photo by Bill Leslie
Visit New Age Music World
- New Music – Family Values by Craig Karolus
- Marc Enfroy – Dreams of the Forest
- Cinematic Piano Music by Marc Enfroy
- Sounds from the Circle – New for 2012
- What is New Age Music ?
- Mysterium Tremendum by Mickey Hart Band
- Gandalf & Steve Hackett Live Album – Gallery of Dreams
- Gandalf & Steve Hackett – Live Concert
- Mickey Hart Band – Concert Tour 2012
- Yanni Concert Review – Live at El Morro