Posts Tagged ‘Phoenix Rising’

A frequent criticism of the relaxation music genre is that it is soulless and without a true artistic approach. But even the most anti-relaxation music reviewer would think differently of the genre after listening to Phoenix Rising’s magnificent album Ascension, the follow up to the group’s popular debut album Whispers (2005). Ascension’s relaxing qualities is not in its simplicity, like so many albums in this genre, but in its creative sound design. Put it on, and you are taken into a world of music that is as interesting and complex as it is relaxing.

Phoenix Rising is a duo consisting of Wendy Loomis (piano) and Monica Williams (flute). Other artists perform on the album as well, like Jennifer Lim (playing the Chinese harp guzheng ), Debra Podjed (Indian table) and Jessica Styler (Swiss hang drum), among others. As you can see it is a truly international album. According to the cover, Phoenix Rising wanted to create a CD that had the power to help people relax, de-stress, and energize with positive vibrations. And from the first few harp notes you can feel that they have indeed succeeded in this.

There are 7 tracks on the album. The number 7 has a special meaning here too:

7 is a lucky and inspiring number that is threaded through ASCENSION: there are 7 tones in a scale, the compositions are in 7 different key signatures, the music is played on 7 primary instruments, Monica was born in ’77, and this is the 7th CD of Wendy’s music.

The first track, Seed, is a wonderful song inspired of the Far East. It is actually based on the Plum Blossom melodies written in 1490. The harp, piano and flute are a combination that is impossible not to like. Your mind drifts away to a bonsai garden far away.

My favorite track on the album is Creation. It is perfect in every way; it has a great melody with an atmosphere that is like creation itself, filled with both light and darkness.

All the songs are quite long, between 5 to 7 minutes. The track Nourishment has very interesting use of the hang drum. When this instrument is used it tends to be the lead instrument (or the only instrument), but here it is just a drum while the piano takes the lead. Or, a hang drum is never just a drum. It is so filled with life and energy.  But you get the point; it is a creative use of the hang drum. You’ll love it!

Several new instruments are introduced; first the cello (played by Suellen Primost) on Heartstrings, and guitar (Karen Segal) on Insight.

The title track is the last one out. It is a laid back and gentle song, like the soundtrack to a beautiful dream.

So far Ascension has done very well on the charts, and I guess this is only the beginning. It got a 7th place on New Age Reporter Radio Charts for the month of February and 9th place on Soundscapes Music Choice for March. It is also nominated for best acoustic album of the year by L.A. Music Awards. And, while we are at it, the fact that it is an acoustic album makes it even better. Even a synth junkie like me is not missing ethnic samples or dreamy pads. Ascension is perfect for relaxation, but don’t expect to venture  far into dreamland while listening to it. After all, phoenix is rising, not falling asleep. 

Sample Ascension on CDBaby. The album also has wonderful cover art by Clancy Cavnar.