The Dark Side of New Age Music
People think that new age music is all soft, low-key and harmless. And that is, for the most part, true. I admit that. This is a quality in new age music we all love and cherish.
But the genre has a darker, more complex side too, which often can be found in the movie/soundtrack department. These titles show that new age music can be just as hard hitting, just as powerful as gangster rap.
Don’t you believe me? Well, think of Mike Oldfield’s Exorcist theme and you’ll know what I am referring to. That first minute with gentle piano sounds on Tubular Bells has scared movie viewers for over 30 years. Another soundtrack that is both dark and violent, is Jan Hammer’s soundtrack to the documentary about the so called Cocaine Cowboys. Hammer’s synth soundtrack fits perfectly into the blood-dripping story – that is actually based on true events.
Cocaine Cowboys (2006) is directed by Billy Corben (IMDB link). It gives a firsthand perspective of the Miami drug war of the 1970s and early 80s. The documentary is now airing on Showtime and on various channels all over the world. See it if you have the chance – because this is the story that inspired the creators of both Scarface and Miami Vice (the last title had, as you know, a song by Hammer as theme).
Jan Hammer’s soundtrack to Cocaine Cowboys was released as an EP in 2008. The EP is not even 20 minutes long, but what’s there is truly explosive stuff. The first song, Big Bust, contains Jan Hammer’s analogue synth trademark. The 80s sound and the guitar riffs are simply perfect, and is used extensively in the documentary. It gives energy to the story. But it is the title track that takes you on a trip like no other. Around 1 minute into the song a very powerful synth segment is heard. Also the songs Shipment Stolen and Dadeland are awesome in a dark, destructive way.
No, new age music is not all soft, low-key and harmless. So blow out those lavender-scented candles and get rid of that spa feeling; put on Cocaine Cowboys and start inhaling.
It will not be a healing experience. But, wow, what a ride!
Samle the EP on CDbaby.
Written by BT Fasmer.
Avatar Soundtrack
There is a thin line between movie soundtracks and new age music – and artists such as Vangelis and Kitaro have in the past made that line almost non-existent. Now master pianist Edward Weiss has a very interesting comment on James Horner’s soundtrack to the popular movie Avatar. On Allaboutjazz.com mr. Weiss writes:
It used to be the stuff of the ’60s and ’70s. A magical mystery tour express, where rock stars and alternate religion advocates converged on the same track New Age Music. Today, the once famous Age of Aquarius is now simply known as New Age. And instead of being on the fringes of society, its in the mainstream as evidenced by James Cameron’s blockbuster movie Avatar.
I disagree. I think that it is a stretch to say that the Avatar soundtrack is new age, since most of the tracks used in the movie are large scale orchestral music. But some of the tracks clearly have what we can call a new age music atmosphere, which obviously fits nicely into the movie.
So which tracks on Avatar are Edward Weiss pointing at? Well it is hard to say; I find that track 5, Becoming one of the people Becoming One With Neytiri, has a new age-ish atmosphere. Track 6, Jake’s first flight, too has “it” (especially in the use of ethnic samples and voices).
The title of Weiss’ article is “Avatar Soundtrack Ushers in Return of New Age Music!” Hopefully that is the case, but James Horner’s Avatrar is well within the “movie soundtrack” genre.
So if you are looking for a soundtrack that is truly new age, you have to go back in time… That is a magical mystery tour express.
Sample the Avatar soundtrack on Amazon. And, if you haven’t seen it, here is the movie trailer.
Movie Music from Liquid Mind
The song Breathe in Me by Liquid Mind (aka Chuck Wild) from his 8th album entitled Sleep can be heard in the newly released feature film Away We Go, directed by Sam Mendes. The song is in the film’s intro.
According to IMDb, this is a film about a couple who is expecting their first child and travel around the U.S. in order to find a perfect place to start their family. Along the way, they have misadventures and find fresh connections with an assortment of relatives and old friends who just might help them discover “home” on their own terms for the first time.
Away We Go currently has an impressive 7.9 rating by the users on IMDb.
The song is doing well on some international charts as well. Current International ITunes charting: Luxembourg (#7) and Portugal (#5) iTunes
Liquid Mind’s music is, as we all know, incredible relaxing. My hope is that the audience doesn’t fall asleep while listening to the beautiful intro music 
You can sample the album here.
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