There is almost no improvisation in new age music today, even though the genre itself was created out of freeform jazz and Tony Scott’s legendary jam session – resulting in the groundbreaking album Music for Zen Meditation (1964). In the world of digital audio workstations (DAWs) and virtual synths, there is simply not much room for this, due to the way music is carefully constructed.

But in Harlan Mark Vale’s brand new album, The House of Many Mansions, there is plenty of space and room for improvisation. With a few mostly improvised notes, master pianist Vale fills all the rooms of the mansions with music, expression and colors. He shows that improvisation is the key to truly divine music.

I must admit that Vale’s previous solo piano effort, Bright Angel, is one of my all-time favorite titles. I make sure to always have it with me, on my iPod, living room CD-player, PDA and PCs. I love it for the way it creates a world of its own in sound while I listen to it – much like Tony Scott’s album mentioned above. This year’s release is a little warmer and brighter than…well… oddly enough (refering to the name), Bright Angel. 

It is always a good idea to listen to what an artist says about his or her album. Harlan Mark Vale says:

The House of Many Mansions was inspired by the metaphor that each ‘mansion’ is another aspect within the “dwelling places” of consciousness. These portraits of the infinite interior life are the sweet fragrances of the Divine Mystery embodied in us all.

I think it is wonderful to find an album that is so close to the artist’s intention. The opening track Doors of Surrender is like an album in itself; the 12min30sec long piece is like a walk into a dream mansion, where you go through a door and an enormous, beautifully decorated hall (in red and gold, like the cover), only to find a new door is waiting at the end of the hall. It is simply marvelous, an outstanding performance by a master at work. Since it is improvisation, that’s what it is; a performance just as much as it is a track on an album.  

Track two is the title track. It is highly melodious and positive, with a very nice, 7 minute long build-up. The best word to describe it would be “colorful”. Another simply amazing song is the enigmatically named Forgiveness – Allowing the Circling Planes to land – which is not surprisingly the most dramatic song on the album. And yes, the plane lands safely after some quite heavy turbulence.   

Harlan Mark Vale’s albums are never easy listening, and that is also the case with the House of Many Mansions. It is not background music, but demands active listening.

But it is worth it; this album has given this reviewer one of the most rewarding listening experiences ever. I find that there is this almost magical quality to Vale’s music that just captivates the listener. Even if you are not into solo piano music at all, you will experience that the House of Many Mansions is something quite different. Give it a go, and you’ll might get a glimpse of the Divine Mystery. Hearing truly IS believing.

Sample the album here. It is available in high quality FLAC or 320k mp3 (and other formats as well). Click here to visit Harlan Mark Vale’s homepage.