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

While Virgin Music in 1989 wanted a follow up to Tubular Bells, something to take Mike’s fame to old heights, Mike decided to make a piece of music that could not be played on radio, and not be cut up and sold as singles. All because he was frustrated with Virgin music. The result is a strange but marvelous album, unlike anything else. In time it has almost become a research field in the world of music. On Tubular.net is an extensive analysis of the album. Every part is special.

What I like about the album is the feeling of movement. In the 60 minutes you get to hear a high number of melodies, and they all communicate different feelings and emotions. When the hour is up, you feel like you have experienced a lot. It is truly a world of sound, only paralleled by Tubular Bells.

Sample the album on Amazon.

The album I have selected today is to be found in our popular Island Music guide; Isle of Freedom by the Nexion Project. I simply cannot praise this album enough, and fell in love with it when I heard it last year. What makes Isle of Freedom into such a fantastic album is the light, uncomplicated atmosphere and the way the listener is taken on a musical day trip (morning to dawn) around the isle. You get to see both flowers and forests (track 3 and 6). The album has also some magnificent piano and guitar melodies, backed by a very enjoyable synth arrangement. Just check out track no. 2, The Hills over the Town, and listen for yourself.

This is not an album you want if you are looking for something complex and deep – but that is not matching with the sun&summer theme either. Isle of Freedom is an album that will give you a touch of summer even on a cold, winter day.

So yes, the Isle of Freedom do exist! Put on this album and you’ll be convinced too. 

Available on CDBaby.

Sample it here:

Track 3 – Flowers

Track 6 – Morning Forest

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.

Coburn Tuller had first conceived the idea for his one of a kind instrument during a nighttime walk in 1996. After hearing wind chimes lightly touching in a gentle breeze he discovered the random series of sound sparked his creative imagination. Coburn then determined that aluminum tubing of accurate length, diameter and dimension produced an original sound modulation when struck with a mallet. Coburn then devoted 15 years perfecting his unique instrument.

The Tones is a musical instrument that stands over 8 foot tall, and consists of 3 pyramid structures supporting 90 aluminum and brass tubes of various size and dimension, which range from 7 inches to over 6 foot in length. The sounds produced are like a new form of ambient music by the sound modulation which is totally unique, but one most likely considered a percussion instrument normally used in an orchestra like tubular bells. Regardless of how this instrument is classified the distinctive sounds, unlike drum beats, enable the creation of an independent melody.

Butterfly Tones is a relaxing album featuring 9 melodies which reveal this instrumental freedom of melodic expression. This natural resonating characteristic of bell tones becomes apparent on every piece, where multiple layers enhance a distinct harmony while Coburn ascends and descends through the scales using select octaves and tempos.

On the Butterfly Tones release you will notice every note produces a clear and precise harmony rather than a series of arbitrary sounds like you would hear on wind chimes. The natural tone reverberation on his instrument is apparent on every octave of the bells which ring true, and create a tonal echo which can linger for minutes during a song. This is the most exclusive characteristics of the instrument with the only exception being the ingenuity of the inventor.

Visit the butterflytonescd.com homepage and read what others are saying on Coburn’s reviews page. To sample or purchase or visit his CDBaby.com page or Amazon.com page. Below is the video Once Again from his Butterfly Tones release. Read our page dedicated to Coburn Tuller.

Rarely does an artist of any genre create an entirely new and unique sound identity they can claim entirely as their own. Butterfly Tones by Coburn Tuller, featuring 9 songs of melodic bell timbres is definitely one of the most exclusive musical arrangements I have ever heard. Coburn Tuller has not only created an innovative source of beautiful harmony for a broad multicultural audience, but his first contribution to the New Age music genre is by the same token, a new source of inspiration.

Only by looking at the first few titles on the album we can sense what Arkenstone has in store for us; Sunset Cruise, Enchanted Night and Midnight Moon. It is all about easy living and happiness. My favorite song on the album is track eight, Sandy Toes, where the steel drum sounds truly sweet together with the flute and guitar. A truly beautiful mix. All songs on the album are a little over 4 minutes long, which give the listener time to enjoy the melodic elements without rapid shifts.

Caribbean Nights is both chill out and new age music in style, simply perfect for those lazy summer days we all just love. Isn’t it great that there’s things in this world that are just sunny, laidback and positive? Caribbean Nights is simply the perfect summer soundtrack.

Sample the album on Amazon or buy it at Arkenstone’s own web page.

Coburn Tuller from the Springfield Missouri area, truly enjoys the best of both worlds. Not only does he live on the outskirts of a metropolitan area where annoying noise is at a minimum, but he also invented a musical instrument that produces peaceful and relaxing timbres any hour of the day or night he desires. The inherently unique musical creation he fabricated is named The Tones, and the relaxing qualities produced from this innovative instrument are the foundation for his first exclusive new release titled Butterfly Tones.

Coburn Tuller is first and foremost a talented musician, having reached a level of expertise on numerous instruments over the years including acoustic and electric guitar, dulcimer and piano. Coburn conceived the idea for his music innovation during walk around midnight back in 1996, when he heard wind chimes lightly touching in a gentle breeze.

While most of us are familiar with the sound of various wind chimes, and would think nothing further about this blend of manmade and natural ambience, the random series of sound fascinated him and sparked his imagination. Coburn then theorized this ambient sound could be taken to a whole new level, and determined that aluminum tubing of accurate length, diameter and dimension would produce an original sound modulation when struck with a mallet. He accepted the challenge and spent the next 15 years perfecting his one of a kind instrument – The Tones.

Butterfly Tones features 9 songs of melodic bell timbres that are without a doubt one of the more unique forms of music I have ever heard. The Tones itself is a musical instrument that stands over 8 foot tall, and consists of 3 pyramid structures supporting 90 aluminum and brass tubes of various size and dimension, which range from 7 inches to over 6 foot in length.

If one were to classify this musical invention, I would imagine it would most likely be categorized as a directly struck idiophone like tubular bells or a xylophone, both of which are percussion instruments most often used in an orchestra arrangement. But their distinctive sound also enables the creation of an independent melody.

The 9 songs on Butterfly Tones highlight this instrumental freedom of expression to create some beautiful pieces. During Coburn’s performance you will notice like I did that every note struck produces a clear and precise harmony rather than a series of arbitrary sounds. One of the most interesting effects is the natural tone reverberation in every octave of the bells which can linger for minutes during a song.

This natural resonating characteristic of bell tones is apparent on every piece, where multiple layers enhance a distinct harmony while Coburn ascends and descends through the scales using select octaves and tempos. I also noticed the array of notes struck in the bass range often transfer the background theme for each song in the treble range, but the delivery of treble notes likewise act as a counterbalance for bass notes during each arrangement. I would also say the vibrant resonating sound produced is either close to, or the equivalent of the same note intervals and harmonic pitch found on the diatonic scale. Regardless of which musical scale is used, the tones sound perfect in pitch on every octave and ring true.

Coburn Tuller has discovered a steadfast source of peaceful ambience whose finely balanced sound qualities are available day, night, or anytime the bell tolls. If you listen for yourself, I am sure you will agree this exclusive album presented on CD or MP3 has an elegant rhythm and symmetry for relaxation you can count on, just like clockwork.

Visit the butterflytonescd.com homepage and sample or purchase at Coburn’s CDBaby.com page or Amazon.com page.

Photos are courtesy butterflytonescd.com.

Medwyn Goodall – Earth Goddess (2007)
You know me – I’m usually not a man of few words when it comes to music. But listening to Medwyn Goodall’s Earth Goddess always leaves me speechless. In Medwyn’s massive discography (he is represented on iTunes with more than 100 titles!) there are so many excellent albums. But for me Earth Goddess is special. It has to do with my love for the sunny island theme, and the fact that I feel that it is here new age music is at its very best.

Palms, blue water, white beaches, waves, a hot wind blowing, holidays – all of this gives good, happy feelings that our genre so well communicates through music. And nowhere in the complete new age music discography – from Tony Scott till today – is this more present than in Medwyn Goodall’s Earth Goddess. It is simply a summer new age music tour de force!

The six track long album was released in the early summer of 2007. It starts with the ultra light Amulet. The lush pads, echoed pan flute, the bright sounding piano and – after a tasteful build-up – Medwyn’s masterful el-guitar, are all elements that makes this into an unforgettable start of an unforgettable album.

Simply put; Earth Goddess is one of the best albums in the new age music genre.

BT Fasmer

Sungrass, track no. 2, is as laid-back as the title implies. This is music for a sunny day in the grass. The song has the same ingredients as track 1, but here Medwyn’s el-guitar is perhaps even better – sounding a bit like The Shadows’ classical el-guitar songs.

The next song out, Totem, is a song to worship; close your eyes and the dream island will manifest itself. The song has some of the best build-up I have ever heard – the middle part, at around 4min50sec and later, is just so interesting, so deep without being complex. The flute ending is simply breathtaking; I could listen to it all day.

Simply put; Earth Goddess is one of the best albums in the new age music genre. Its warm sound and pleasant atmosphere makes it to a modern classic, a masterpiece for the future. Do yourself a favor and meet the Earth Goddess!

Sample the album on MGMusic.co.uk. Available on all major digital music outlets.

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.

Randy and Pamela Copus have just released an exceptional new 2002 album titled Damayanti so this is likewise a time of celebration for their loyal fans. It was nineteen years ago when 2002 first began producing music with their first album titled Wings. Since then, it’s as if their popular celestial melodies have stair stepped their way among the clouds in a skyward journey of their own.

Many would agree the New Age Billboard charting 2002 music duo Randy and Pamela Copus are one of the finest New Age groups producing music today. Their free-flowing arrangements and unhurried approach on every album they create has resulted in a made with pride product every time.

Their status as top artists is apparent by the number of times 2002 has been listed as a favorite musical group, having charted 9 times in the New Age Billboard Charts within the past 10 years. When combined this is equal to 270 weeks on the New Age charts. 2002 was likewise featured in the December 2003 Magazine issue of Year in Review at Billboard, and listed with other top New Age artists like Enya, George Winston, Jim Brickman, Manheim Steamroller and Yanni. This is a pretty good indication of their standing as a chosen favorite for many people.

Damayanti by 2002 was recently introduced on their Galactic Playground Music label. The album has 10 opulent songs revealing a wonderful change in tonal atmosphere which does make it stand out from earlier predecessors. While it is not an immense departure from earlier albums, the story based Damayanti is perhaps their best release yet, and I imagine it will be another big hit on the airwaves.

Damayanti was created in comparison like earlier 2002 albums by Randy Copus playing piano, electric cello, guitar and bass, while Pamela Copus played flutes, harp, keyboards and a WX5 wind instrument. Visit the 2002music.com homepage and then sample / purchase on their music page or go to their Amazon.com page. My album review quote, and Free to Fly song video from their A Word in the Wind DVD is shown below. Read my interview on our page for 2002.

Even now with their unending popularity and recognition, 2002 remains steadfast in their creative ambitions for producing quality orchestrations. Their close attention to instrumental and technical details on every album results in a complete reinvention of themselves every time which gives them another reason to pause, reflect, and to celebrate.

Sounds from the Circle 111 is the 2011 CD release from Circle members who submitted their New Age, and related sub genres music for consideration. Host and founder of the music circle, Suzanne Doucet then produced this rather special album which contains 40 songs and holds over 3 hours of music. It takes around 4 months to compile Sounds from the Circle albums and organize the songs for a smooth and uniform arrangement of the 40 quality songs offered in a variety of melodic themes. The CD can be played in mp3 compatible CD players or in computer CD-ROM drives, which will download into an iTunes player. The album can likewise be purchase and downloaded on iTunes.

Sounds from the Circle 1 & 11 are two earlier compilation albums in a similar format which became a popular playlist of songs for online radio stations, including the popular 365 Stars radio station friend and colleague B.T. Fasmer hosts. For the artists, Sounds from the Circle releases have distribution involving important music conferences and trade shows like INATS & MIDEM. Another nice feature for the fan is the cover insert that lists each artist’s name, track, album title and website which makes it easy to find out more about the artists of special interest to you.

Sounds from the Circle 111 features some great musicians, and is in fact a unique compilation album like no other you will find available today. Created in the universal atmosphere among friends who belong to the New Age Music Circle, the far reaching diversity of performing musicians on this international release becomes another integral quality that makes this release special.    John P. Olsen

During the past few years, John Olsen has featured six out of the forty musicians on this release by a review. Bill Wren begins with the first song En Mai from the One Day in a Life album. Kori Linae Carothers has her song Blue Ice from the Trillium album. Marc Enfroy has the song A Good Heart from Unconditional, and David Mauk has his title song from the Ground Swell album. Jeffery Fisher is another with Bird Dance from Satyagraha and then Suzanne Doucet completes the Sounds from the Circle CD with final song OM from her As it is Now release.

Visit Suzanne Doucet & members at NewAgeMusik.ning.com. Sample & purchase Sounds from the Circle 111 at iTunes. You can find more great music at NewAgeMusic.com & NewAgeUniverse.

Cover artwork courtesy Suzanne Doucet & The New Age Music Circle.

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.

Elysian Fields is Jon Richards’ first album on the MG Music label, and his third album total. This UK based artist has in the past released two albums on R Cat Record – named Pangea (2008) and Transmigration (2009). Jon is in many ways a perfect addition to MG Music, since he has “that gentle & warm sound” this label has become so famous for. Together with the skilled studio crew here I’m sure we have many Richards albums to look forward to.

The album’s opening is extremely strong; as a radio host I know that these first few songs are winners. I could play them all day long and not loose many listeners, and get many new ones too. Gates of the Sun is the first song, starting with a nice acoustic guitar and then larger-than-life strings. The melody is light and warm, inviting you into a comfortable dream world. All songs here are long, the shortest being the almost 7 minute album opener. In other words; you have plenty of time to discover this musical dream world. The second track is Asphodel Meadows, with its laid-back rhythm and wonderfully mystical atmosphere.

Elysian Fields is as magical and wonderful as the flying white horse on the CD cover.

BT Fasmer

I don’t know if Jon Richards composed Elysian Fields especially to MG Music, but the two part Tir Na Nog is very Medwyn Goodal-ish in its sound – à la Clan series or Druid – something that is sure to give Richards many new fans. It is highly melodic and the attention to details, like small songs within the song, is very well done. Part 2 is more dreamy and thoughtful.

The overall sound quality is very good, as one would expect from a sequenced album. Some of the main instruments are quite dated though, which perhaps will limit the albums success among some audiences, but for us analogue synth fans this is only positive.

Yes, this album sure is magical; just put on the 10 minute long Jade Emporer. It is fantasy storytelling in music. But the interesting part is that the album is dreamy without lulling the listener to sleep. It has quite fast rhythm and equally upbeat melodies, and its magic is all in the spellbinding atmospheres.

I can only say that Jon Richards has done an amazing job. Elysian Fields is one of this year’s finest releases. It is like magical treasure chest waiting for you to open it, again and again, filled with the most wonderful creatures your mind can create. Wow!

Sample the album om MG Music.

Photo copyright BigStockPhoto.com – Truelight

Randy and Pamela Copus are the husband and wife duo that is the complete heart and spirit of 2002. It was nineteen years ago when 2002 first began producing music with their first album titled Wings. From the beginning and throughout their careers, it’s as if their popular celestial melodies have soared in an ascending flight of their own.

The 2002 music duo Randy and Pamela Copus are without a doubt, one of the finest musical groups producing music today. Many would agree, and their popularity is pretty apparent by the number of times 2002 has been listed as a favorite musical group on the Billboard New Age Charts over the years, and constancy of producing fine releases.

Presently, Randy and Pamela are nearing a significant milestone in their music careers by an upcoming 20 year anniversary. Review publicist John Olsen has interviewed Randy and Pamela in which many topics were covered. NewAgeMusicWorld.com & NewAgeMusic.nu are pleased to present their conversation to all fans of 2002, and our site visitors.

John Olsen: I want to thank you both for taking time out of your schedule for our interview together. I have been a big fan of your music for years so our interview together is even more rewarding to me personally.

You are approaching a significant milestone by your upcoming 20 year anniversary as 2002. Given your ever-rising popularity as New Age music producers, have you had much time to reflect over your roles as musicians and many achievements during the past 20 years?

Randy: Wow, 20 years! It seems like just yesterday we were producing Wings, and watching the 2002 sound take on a life of its own. We don’t spend much time reflecting on our past because we’re always moving forward, constantly trying to improve our music and how we produce it.

John: I find it impressive that 2002 has made the charts 9 times at Billboard within the past 10 years with the long list of albums; Chrysalis, Land of Forever, River of Stars, Across an Ocean of Dreams, The Sacred Well, This Moment Now, The Emerald Way, Deep Still Blue, and Christmas Dreams. This is the equivalent of 270 weeks total on the Billboard New Age charts. I wondered if winning awards and making the Billboard chart is really that important to you, and whether you consider these achievements a true measurement of your success?

Pamela: It’s still important, though perhaps not as much as it used to be. In the past, it helped us know whether or not we were connecting with our audience. It validated hard work and helped us measure each album against its predecessors. However, the music industry is changing and there are plenty of new ways to measure those things now.

Randy: I still get excited when I see our music on the charts, and awards are wonderful, of course. These help give us confidence that we are moving in the right direction. However, when we create the music, we’re not setting out for those kinds of achievements. We have as a single goal to make the best album possible, regardless of reviews and accolades, and even charting.

John: You have a brand new release titled Damayanti, which I published a quite positive review about recently. When compared to earlier albums you have produced, do you feel Damayanti is your finest release to date, and have you received additional input from your fans or other review publicists about the high quality of your most current release?

Pamela: And thank you for that review John! Yes, each album has been special in its own way. It’s amazing how I can look back over the last 19 years and see reflections of our lives in our music and remember vividly what was going on during each album. Damayanti is no different. It’s a snapshot in time that freezes so many memories. We had a great number of setbacks while creating that album and we certainly had to work harder to get through all of that to bring it to the world. It has been a stellar release for us though and we have been overwhelmed with positive feedback from our fans, colleagues and reviewers.

Randy: The reviews have been really great for Damayanti, and some of our fans are saying it is the best release ever from us, but we have enough records out there now to make it difficult for me to determine which one is the “best”. My personal favorite changes almost daily!

John: What makes the melodies on Damayanti different from earlier albums?

Pamela: It’s a microcosm of the 2002 career. The many avenues we’ve explored over the past 19 years are all represented in this one release. It brings it all together.

Randy: Our music has always had great commonalities with film soundtracks. The new album takes this style to a new level for us. Many of the albums we’ve produced over the years, particularly the earlier works, have been centered on stories. We returned to this form with Damayanti. There are lush string orchestrations and those emotional “moments” in the music that are the hallmark of movie scores.

John: If it’s not a trade secret, would you provide some details about the instruments and equipment you use, along with the process in which you construct a 2002 album?

Pamela: I play a McKenna flute, specially made for me. My alto flute is a Jupiter. I also play a wind controller by Yamaha called a WX5 and a Thormahlen Swan 36 harp and miscellaneous keyboards.

Randy: We use Apple computers and MOTU Digital Performer software. We also prefer to use a real recording console, rather than to do everything in the computer. Our microphones, preamps, speakers and effect processors are all high-end, and are an important part of the trademark sound we produce. Several people have written and asked us what vocal mic we use for all of the vocal layering that is so much a part of our sound. That is a custom made Pearlman TM-1, made by our friend Dave Pearlman. It is a tube microphone, and we run that into a Groovetubes VIPRE preamp. We try to leave our performances as natural as possible, without relying too much on the software to perfect everything. Sometimes there will be a slight timing error or errant sound, or even a mistake that we will leave in because the performance was where it should be. It seems like so often, using technology to perfect a musical performance takes the life right out of it.

John: Did you begin playing music with the intention of becoming top New Age music artists, or did you find your music is best defined as Contemporary Instrumental or New Age music?

Pamela: Wow – well actually I started playing music when I was 4. My first instrument was piano, then violin, flute, bagpipes and oboe. Later, in college I moved on to piano. I joined various bands in a variety of styles and spent years playing live and touring. I played in bands performing everything from 60′s covers to industrial rock. I like all good music, regardless of genre.

Randy: We almost fell into the new age genre by accident. Years ago we were both at a point where we had left our respective rock bands, and some friends of ours suggested that we create a solo flute album to sell at the wellness seminars they were conducting. It sold well, so we made another solo flute recording, and then a third album that had more synthesizers and other instruments. All of this came to a head when we produced Wings in 1992, and the 2002 sound was born.

John: You have DVD/CD collector’s editions for the albums A Word in the Wind & Deep Still Blue, plus your music videos. The cinematic aspect of your music is very apparent when viewing your DVDs and music videos. Do you have more DVDs or music videos planned and how did producing your own music videos originate?

Pamela: Producing videos to accompany every song of an album is very time and labor intensive. It really increases the length of time it takes to complete a project. It was a great experience, but I don’t see us doing only that in the future.

Randy: After Deep Still Blue & A Word in the Wind, it was amazing to me how much easier it was to do a straight music album! I’m so glad we did those projects, though. They allowed us to stretch ourselves in new directions and discover what we were artistically capable of.

John: Last year you introduced your own Galactic Playground Music label. How has this changed the way you produce and market your music?

Pamela: We started our first record label in 1992 (Dreamtime Records). Later, as we evolved into producers we realized that we needed to extend our abilities and began Galactic Playground Music as our publishing arm. When we found ourselves free of outside record labels, we transformed our successful publishing company into a new label and re-released the 3 Gemini Sun Records albums as well as our 2 newest albums, Wings II – Return to Freedom & Damayanti.

Randy: It is great to be in control of our careers, but with that comes the responsibility of having to get everything done, and there are a million little things. It used to be we would get to the finish line of completing the album and then immediately turn our sights to what we would create next. Nowadays, finishing the record is only the beginning. There are promotions that must be done, deadlines that must be met, and decisions about where to spend money or not. Still, it’s very satisfying to take the reins and be in charge of our own destinies.

John: Both of you produced and performed on Marc Enfroy’s Unconditional album, which turned out to be an excellent album by the way. Is producing an album for another artist comparatively straightforward, or are there many challenges to creating a quality product everyone is happy with?

Randy: In the case of Marc’s album, Unconditional, we felt we had a good fit. We were able to bring the elements together with what he already had, to take it to another level. This is the prime consideration we have for producing another artist’s record – what can we bring to it to make it better? Marc had a very good collection of songs and wanted to make a more atmospheric, new age sound than in his previous works. I think it came together nicely, and in the end, everybody was happy with the result.

John: Let me be the first to publically congratulate you both on your approaching 20 year anniversary as 2002. B.T. Fasmer and I wish you both continued success! Before we close for now, is there anything you would like to mention that we haven’t talked about yet?

Randy & Pamela: Thank you so much John! I just want to let you both know how much we appreciate all you do for the music community. We are so grateful that there are people like you helping to get the word out!

Visit the 2002music.com to homepage and then sample / purchase at their music store or go to their Amazon.com page. Read more on our pages dedicated to 2002.

Photos courtesy 2002music.com.

The albums are The Angel of the West Window and The Gate of Saturn. According to the Eastgate Shop:

THE ANGEL OF THE WEST WINDOW

“THE ANGEL OF THE WEST WINDOW” is a novel written in 1927 by Gustav Meyrink, steeped in alchemical, hermetic, occult and mystical imagery and ideas interweaving the life of Elizabethan Magus Dr John Dee with that of a fictional modern descendant, Baron Mueller. Highly complex, often confusing but also highly atmospheric, The Angel Of The West Window could be described as an occult thriller, mixing melodrama and elements of higher spiritual elements with exploration of some of the deepest occult and esoteric mysteries of the human soul. The last novel Meyrink wrote before he died. The Angel Of The West Window, it is regarded as, if not his most famous work (a claim usually made for his novel THE GOLEM), certainly his most ambitious and multi-layered.” Tangerine Dream has set the atmosphere as well as the deeper meaning of this novel into an unforgettable soundscape.

THE GATE OF SATURN

“The Gate of Saturn” is a new production out of Eastgate’s CUPDISC SERIES. On the occassion of Tangerine Dream’s Manchester concert at The Lowry on May 28th, the TD fans will get some brand-new sounds and tunes – including the new track THE GATE OF SATURN – as well as the very popular composition “VERNAL RAPTURE”, a track which could be heard so far only by members of the TDOC (Tangerine Dream Online Club). There will be only about 1500 CD’s manufactured – so it is pretty obvious that this one will become a collector’s item very soon.

As always, we are amazed of the creativity in the TD project. It is incredible that the oldest group in our genre is still the most active. But if you rather want to listen to TD albums from the 70s, please feel free NOT to check out the new albums

The brand new CDs can be ordered at The Eastgate Shop

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.

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 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.

Keith Driskill has created an acoustic guitar album that gives one the impression of those lighthearted days by gentle guitar melodies of inspiration. His release A Time of Innocence is an acoustic guitar album that momentarily shuttles the listener to a relaxing state of mind by its peaceful down to earth purity.

Keith Driskill performs superbly on acoustic guitar using the fingerstyle technique, and as it turns out, he is well versed in articulating the emotional imagery of those carefree days, and does so with amazing clarity. Finding an early fascination in learning how to play the guitar at age 10, Keith began to explore and develop his own skills during the early years as a youngster growing up in Kentucky. This may have had something to do with the present day Utah resident’s abilities at expressing the more simplistic period of our youth, during a time when hopeful dreams of our future first originate.

A Time of Innocence is a New Age, Solo Guitar album with traditional Folk music elements. The 9 songs are best defined as serene and peaceful, yet there is a broader modulation of warmth and depth, which makes A Time of Innocence something rather unique and special. On the surface you will find light guitar rhythms comingle and reside in time with more complex tracings of depth and refinement which is a nice counterpart to the lighter more serene qualities.

The song Lover’s Farewell is the melody I felt best compliments this adaptation, in words I will phrase as refined serenity. The equally relaxing Moonlight Lullaby & Fireflies each convey an elevated atmosphere of inspiration. It may be less important how I word or phrase the description of Keith Driskill’s acoustic guitar music, just so long as my earlier viewpoint of wonderfully uplifting music is incorporated when summarizing his solo guitar endeavors.

While true none of us can return to the carefree days of our youth, Keith’s guitar melodies offers a moment to reminisce about those lighthearted days of our past that ironically turn out to be important to the majority of us during our adult years. It’s an easygoing acoustic expression about A Time of Innocence.

Visit the driskillmusic.com homepage and then sample / purchase on his music page or visit his amazon.com page.

Photos courtesy driskillmusic.com.