Sounds from the Circle 111
The New Age Music Circle is an online community forum founded by international composer, producer, and music circle host Suzanne Doucet. Having a membership roster well over a thousand members from around the world, the Circle forum is the leading discussion platform where top New Age artists, industry professionals, and music fans alike can share music, videos, post information about events and participate in forum discussions on a wide variety of topics.
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.
Successful Transmission
According to one definition art is “the creation of beautiful or significant things”. A new age music album that is both beautiful and significant is Transmission by Suzanne Doucet and Christian Buehner. The album was recorded in 1983, and stands as a cornerstone in the new age music discography. It is a true masterpiece that sounds just as powerful today as it did back in the golden new age music era of the early 80s.
When it comes to meditative music, more is usually less. Transmission has a minimalistic approach that is very soothing to the ears. The Jupiter 8 synth, which we have heard used by artists such as Jan Hammer and Tangerine Dream (and many more), creates a quite spacey soundscape. The synth has an amazing analogue sound bank, and it is being used to perfection on Transmission.
Transmission is one of two projects by the Doucet/Buehner duo (the first being the wonderful Transformation, which I will write another review about). Transmission was recorded at the Daylight Studio in Munich in 1983 – the 4 week production started on Good Friday, hence the name of the album’s first track. Good Friday is without a doubt one of the finest songs in new age music. What makes it stand above the crowd is the unique atmosphere. I have trouble describing it, you just have to experience it for yourself - but the magic seems to be in the combination of female and male vocals, the gently flowing rhythm, the ultra sharp Jupiter sounds and elements from other genres; the vocals makes me think of the 1960s for some reason. And wow, the guitars! Notice how the songs fades away gently – sounding truly divine.
Transmission is a true masterpiece that sounds just as powerful today as it did back in the golden new age music era of the early 1980s.
Track two, Shiva’s Dance, is a quite fast song. It reminds me of Brian Eno’s In Dark Trees from his masterwork Another Green World (1975), but with a more meditative atmosphere. Shiva’s is, by the way, also dancing on the wonderful cover artwork. The song Moonlight continues where Good Friday left off. It has a romantic feel with just a touch of melancholy. The Jupiter strings are marvelous (at least to analogue synth fans).
The last track, the over 12 minute long Transmission, is a like an album in itself. It is a voyage in sound that is just not to be missed; The sound effects, with dripping water and echo, is like walking into a mystical cave. It is a gentle song, perfect for meditation and relaxation.
Transmission is a true new age music classic. It is one of those few albums that I always return to – and it lifts my spirit up every time. It makes me wonder too; who ever said that new age music was one-dimensional and uninspired? They surely never got this transission…
Transmission is beautiful and significant. It is art.
The new remastered version is available on CDBaby and all other major digital music outlets.
500 members milestone for New Age Music Circle
Suzanne Doucet’s New Age Circle Forum on Ning has just passed 500 members – and the forum opened in February this year! It has quickly become the place for artists and fans alike, both for discussion and private conversations about the genre we all love.
But is is not only an active forum – it also has a very nice music player, loaded with great songs. And remember, this music is by the Circle’s members, so you can actually interact with the artists who created it! Be also sure to check out the inspiring pictures.
I have recently been active in the NewAgeReporter name change debate. If you have any opinion on this, please let your voice be heard.
The best answer to ”What is New Age Music”
The question “What is new age music” is often asked – though it is hard to give a precise answer. But the next time anyone asks me this question I will give them the link to the below video with Suzanne Doucet, filmed in France by Torben Thoger, who also composed the accompanying music. New age music is a very diverse genre, but Suzanne gives in my opinion something close to the definitive answer to the above question. This is simply a very good overview. Enjoy!
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