Instrumental Piano/New Age Review: Matthew Mayer-Beautiful You

Release Date: August 31, 2018

Label: Independent

Website

Close to the end of summer days, Matthew Mayer will help you enjoy what time we have left before the leaves start turning again. 

Beautiful You is similar to the changing of seasons, the cyclical synchronization of nature. This music is simply piano and a man playing it from his heart and soul, in sync with his feelings and imparting that through the ivory keys. What a gift to be able to share.

The cover of the album seems a bit whimsical, like a Disney film or something similar. I think the tones and colors used with artwork are meant to have a calming effect and the images immediately set you at ease. This sets you up nicely for the music. Keep in mind this is interpreted through my eyes and thoughts. Every listener will develop their own thoughts and images as the 12 tracks play.

Instrumental piano music will always hold a place in my heart. When I hear music like this it transforms my day and evening. I do usually listen at night, however, as the day rolls off my shoulders and any stress or care I may just melts away, like the sun melts away the snow. I find myself in touch with who I really am because the anxiety is gone and there is nothing clouding my thoughts and feelings, it acts as a cleansing of sorts.

You may ask, how does music do that? When the music is presented thoughtfully, with purpose and elegance like this, the Beautiful You can then come out.  Think about that for a moment, give this music a listen and see what happens.

I can only comment on music this way if it moves me. Beautiful You was able to do all the things I have mentioned and once again, the music reminded me of my humanity and why I am here. My gift is my words, but I don’t have that without the music to help express what I feel. It’s so simple, and I am grateful every time I am able to write about another person’s art, this music is no exception. 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

July 12, 2018

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Tracks:
01. Raindrops of Amor
02. Fly Little Bird
03. You Are Enough
04. A Modern Introspection
05. Beautiful You
06. Of Haunt and Hope
07. Broken Mirror
08. 8Bill Next Door
09. Tranquility
10. Ordinary Way   
11. Dreams VII   
12. In Spirit
 

Featured Track: Alexi Musnitsky-Dream Catcher

Alexi Musnitsky's debut album Zia features many memorable piano based tracks. "Dream Catcher" is one track, which is the closer for the album, that runs for over seven minutes.

His grace and flow on the keys are focused and determined on the track. It is a perfect example of how one instrument can pull you into another dimension. 

 I had the pleasure of covering the entire album however it is interesting to zone in on one track to recognize the talent of an artist. Alexi has a bright future ahead. Have a listen to "Dream Catcher" now.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck



More About Alexi:

http://www.aleximusnitsky.com 

Alexi was born in New Mexico and spent most of his life in Paris, France. He has been playing piano since the age of 4, trained as a classical pianist in the Russian style by Marina Ravor and won a first prize at the Flame International Piano Competition. Playing for others started as a young child in Paris, Catalonia and Amsterdam. Alexi began composing his own music in 2013.

Featured Stream: Tim Neumark-You Are Here

Tim Neumark's Moments-Solo Piano Op.7 is another collection of instrumental piano tracks.

I would have to say that Tim is rapidly becoming one of my favorite artist to listen to. His music is serene and at the same time uplifting and full of positive energy.

"You Are Here" is the focus track and it is a beautiful sojourn into a billowing cloud of sound that lets you float away with it.

The key to Tim's music is the rhythm and ever changing tones and colors that make it interesting from start to finish. 

"You Are Here" is another fine example of his abilities to deliver excellence through the keyboard. Listen once and you will become a fan forever.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

More About Tim:

https://timneumark.com 

Tim was born and raised in the Mid-Atlantic, spending much of his youth in Frostburg, Maryland. In his childhood and early adulthood his foremost passion was athletics, and he participated in baseball, basketball, tennis, soccer, and track. He also developed a taste for classical and new age music in his teenage years, but it wasn't until his later high school years that he discovered his talent for the piano.

For years, Tim travelled the country for work, frequently playing his own compositions in hotel lobbies. At the urging of his wife and others, he finally released his debut CD in 2007.
Tim currently lives with his wife and two daughters in the Washington, DC area.

About Tim's Music:

Tim composes solo piano music that is "emotional, beautiful music that tells a story." Featuring a combination of classical and new age styles, he has released six solo piano albums.

His 2014 album Storm was named Best Solo Piano Album of 2014 by One World Music. In addition, Storm was named one of the best CDs of 2014 by Audiosyncracy, received two Hollywood Music in Media Award (HMMA) nominations, and was nominated for Enlightened Piano Radio's 2014 Album of the Year award. His 2013 album Opus Four was nominated by SoloPiano.com for Classical/Neo-Classical album of the year and received two HMMA nominations. 

Tim's music can be heard on the following internet radio broadcasts (Note that these links open a new tab.)

• Pandora Internet Radio
• Whisperings Solo Piano Radio
• Shoutcast.com
• Sky.fm's Solo Piano Channel
• Enlightened Piano Radio

Moments (2015)

Moments is Tim's seventh CD, released in October 2015. 

The best moments and memories aren't necessarily the weddings, graduations, and births, but the smaller events in your life: your child dancing, pets greeting you at the door, a touching book or piece of music. A happier, shorter, more major-key album, Moments tells the story about some moments in Tim's life while giving the listeners time to reflect on their own personal moments. For the full background about this album and its tracks, see Moments: Behind the music.
Download the CD liner notes in PDF, or visit the store to buy the CD and sheet music.

Track Evaluation: Fiona Joy-Invisible Train

Fiona Joy has enjoyed tremendous success as a pianist and producer. She joins forces with renowned  producer/engineer Cookie Marenco for her first solo piano album, Signature – Solo, originally recorded in hi-resolution for the audiophile market and one track is presented here in MP3 format for the masses to enjoy.

"Invisible Train" is one of the tracks on the new release. The piano dances and swirls around you and it becomes easy to picture a sleek train rolling down the tracks of your mind. The key is that it's visible only to you, it is what the music can create for only you.

Fiona's fingers bring joy, wonder and the mystery of heaven all at the same time. One listen to "Invisible Train" and you know that she has once again created some magic!

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck Rating 5/5


More About Fiona Joy:

http://www.fionajoy.com

About the Album: Signature – Solo

With this new album, Fiona Joy explores the idea of maintaining magic in our lives, even when life itself gets in the way. Her wistful vocals and passionate piano sing to that small place in everyone’s heart, the place where fairytales linger, and where we find the strength to meet reality with grace. From the delicacy of “Little Star”, the complex rhythms of “'Ceremony”, the sophistication of the title track “Signature” to the deeply emotive solo version of “Grace”, Fiona's writing has been called a cross between George Winston's simple melodies and Ludovico Einaudi's musical sophistication. A solo piano album for the discerning listener, performed on an impeccably-refurbished Steinway from the 1800s and produced by Cookie Marenco for Tiny Island Music (a division of the Blue Coast Music Group).

Featured Track: John Otott-Tesoro

John Otott, instrumental new age artist, has just released his new album titled Colors. One of the tracks that I felt stood out was "Tesoro." Its elegance and beauty will take frazzled nerves and tried spirits and change those feelings to peace and joy.

Otott's excellence with the ivory keys will deliver a slice of heaven to your ears. With music like this it's not so much about the journey but about the destination - where it can take you.

"Tesoro" and many other tracks on the new album will provide instant stress relief. Find out for your self and listen to the stream provided.

MuzikMan Rating 5/5

More About John Otott: 

http://www.johnotott.com

A multi-instrumentalist and composer, John started playing piano at a young age. Taking up the bass guitar in high school, John went on to play in a series of rock bands and regularly performed at such Hollywood hot spots as The Whiskey A Go-Go, the Troubadour and the Roxy. He then transitioned into an instrumental jazz/rock band that performed with such artists as Lyle Mays (of Pat Metheny fame), Latin star Tania Maria, Grammy award winning sax player Gato Barbieri and Thelonious Monk Jr. However, he always maintained his love for piano music composition.

COLORS is John’s latest release (November 2014). The CD contains a collection of piano-based instrumentals interwoven with emotional and often dramatic string and keyboard arrangements. Many of the songs are inspired by his life events, conveying a true sense of meaning through music.

John is a voting member of the Recording Academy, the organization that, in addition to producing The Grammy Awards, supports music industry professionals through advocacy, outreach programs and student initiatives.

Track Evaluation: John Otott-Tesoro

John Otott, instrumental new age artist, has just released his new album titled Colors. One of the tracks that I felt stood out was "Tesoro." Its elegance and beauty will take frazzled nerves and tried spirits and change those feelings to peace and joy.

Otott's excellence with the ivory keys will deliver a slice of heaven to your ears. With music like this it's not so much about the journey but about the destination - where it can take you.

"Tesoro" and many other tracks on the new album will provide instant stress relief. Find out for your self and listen to the stream provided.

MuzikMan Rating 5/5

More About John Otott: 

http://www.johnotott.com

A multi-instrumentalist and composer, John started playing piano at a young age. Taking up the bass guitar in high school, John went on to play in a series of rock bands and regularly performed at such Hollywood hot spots as The Whiskey A Go-Go, the Troubadour and the Roxy. He then transitioned into an instrumental jazz/rock band that performed with such artists as Lyle Mays (of Pat Metheny fame), Latin star Tania Maria, Grammy award winning sax player Gato Barbieri and Thelonious Monk Jr. However, he always maintained his love for piano music composition.

COLORS is John’s latest release (November 2014). The CD contains a collection of piano-based instrumentals interwoven with emotional and often dramatic string and keyboard arrangements. Many of the songs are inspired by his life events, conveying a true sense of meaning through music.

John is a voting member of the Recording Academy, the organization that, in addition to producing The Grammy Awards, supports music industry professionals through advocacy, outreach programs and student initiatives.