Showing posts with label New Age Contemporary Instrumental Reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label New Age Contemporary Instrumental Reviews. Show all posts

1/24/2020

New Age/Contemporary Instrumental Review: Doug Hammer- piano2

Release Date: December 31, 2019
Label: Dreamworld Productions

Previous to Doug Hammer’s 13th proper studio recording piano2, I had the distinct pleasure to cover two entirely different releases. Christmas Lights in 2015 and Americana in 2016. The titles are self-explanatory however this title leaves you thinking what could be coming out of your speakers.

What I can say with unequivocal joy is that piano2 is as diverse musically as the last two I heard and reviewed. Doug likes to mix it up and play many different styles, touching upon a multitude of genres. 

There is new age, contemporary classical, like “A Rainy Night with You” or some jazz-inflected honky-tonk like on “Chasin’ Possum.” Or one of my favorites that I added to my New Age Music Review Spotify Playlist, “The Sunshine in You.” That one sounds as bright and energetic as the title implies. If the shoe fits wear it right? I believe that applies to all of this music, titles of the tracks are a lead into what you will hear. Everyone will hear something different but the one commonality is that if there is a love for instrumental piano music. The consequence of that is piano2 will be your cup of tea straight away.

The changes can be dramatic from one track to the next and that is exactly what makes it such a great listen. It will hold your attention from beginning to end. 

One thing that always fascinates me is the process an artist goes through creating a recording from scratch. This what Doug said about his process with piano2:

 “I would work on an accompaniment first and then listen to that and record melodic ideas on another track. Then, I would go back and refine the accompaniment and then again go back and refine the melody.”

So, the very beginning steps then turns into refinement on different levels of production. What you get after all that passionate piano playing and structuring of compositions is nothing but beauty. To be more specific, this is musical bliss that anyone could enjoy and or appreciate. 

My entire being is touched by music like this because I do not have to think about any lyrics, I just let the music take me to another mindset, a place where I love to go time and time again. I am giving thanks to Doug Hammer and every artist out there that has given me that gift. If you are looking for something like I am, then give piano2 a spin or stream it with the player provided right now.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
January 16, 2020
 
Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:

 01. Shimmer in Disaster
02. You're the One
03. The Sunshine in You
04. Across the Plains  
05. Reaching for the Moon    
06. Strut Your Stuff  
07. Chasin' Possum
08. A Rainy Night with You     
09. The Uncertainty Principle
10. Round and Round      
11. Fanfare      
12. Celtic Heart
13. Walking with You
14. Shine Bright  
15. The Last Goodbye  
 



1/07/2020

New Age/Contemporary Instrumental Reviews: Passions- Force For Good-Music That Makes A Difference

Release Date: February 1, 2020
Label: Sprout Recordings

Jonathan Sprout and Joe Mennonna is the Force For Good-Music That Makes A Difference and their maiden voyage is Passions.

When you go to the website you are met with these inspirational words:
“Let’s join in creating a bold, visionary world that is not driven by fear but inspired by hope.” — Jonathan Sprout, Founder 

The music presented on this sixteen-track CD is a new age flavored contemporary instrumental with the keyboards as the base instrument. Jonathan plays the acoustic 12-string guitar while Multi-instrumentalist Joe Mennonna played all keyboards, woodwinds and brass instruments, and performed midi programming including cello and bass viol, percussion, and strings, and in addition to all of that, he did all the engineering. Leslie Chew also provides electric guitar on five of the tracks.

Keyboard or piano centered music is very flexible with the amount of instrumentation that can be added to every track. This is the kind of project that illustrates that kind of mix beautifully. What you will find with this project is how the intent is to add imagery to the music via other media such as videos, like “Harmony” which I have added to this review for your enjoyment.

The CD case is a nice tri-fold cardboard presentation with many messages in the images and how it all fits with the music. If you look at all the titles of each track, they most certainly carry a positive message.
 
There has been a lot of negativity in the world for many years now, and projects such as this offer an olive branch to the people of the world. As another decade ushers in, we are all hopeful for change and the healing of mother earth and her inhabitants. All kinds of lifeforms are in danger now and we must unite to change that course. We all know this and it helps to see projects like this form and carry a message through beautiful music and images that everyone can understand regardless of race, religion, creed or culture. In the end, we are all the same and anyone can appreciate beautiful music.

Passions is perfect for films, videos or soundtracks for many types of documentaries. The multitude of purposes for this music makes it consumable on so many levels. The project evolved after the music was created then Jonathan started adding videos for the tracks. It pushed the entire project out over a 2-year period to sync all of the media into one amazing presentation.


I think it was important to point out the meaning of this project besides the music, which relaxes you and focuses you on the deeper meanings of every track. That it is how it worked for me and hopefully it will for those of you that wish to support this endeavor by purchasing the CD and subscribing to the You Tube Channel now. 

This is gorgeous instrumental music that will carry you through many emotions and thoughts. Any good music has the power to do that. Thank you, Jonathan, Joe, and Leslie, for creating such beautiful healing sounds with an incredibly important message to the world!

Another release is expected in February of 2021.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
January 7, 2020

Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

TRACKS:
01. Force
02. Safe
03. Ice
04. Community
05. Refuge
06. Happiness
07. Exceptional
08. For
09. Organic
10. Solar
11. Harmony
12. Mountains
13. Courage
14. Hope
15. Grace
16. Good


10/11/2018

New Age Contemporary Instrumental Review: Acoustic Ocean-Blue Moon Rising

Release Date: September 9, 2018
Label: Natural Health Source Publishing, Natural Health Source, Inc

Acoustic Ocean is the collaboration of two veteran musicians and recording artists, Peggy Morgan and Bette Phelan. The music of Acoustic Ocean reflects the musical and healing arts backgrounds of the artists as well as the beauty of the Hawaiian Islands, which helped to inspire the music. After a successful touring career that spanned 20-years, Morgan and Phelan relocated to Hawaii to pursue careers in the healing arts. (Past Tense Excerpt from Artist Website). 

Blue Moon Rising is the most recent release and the first since the passing of Peggy. The album is dedicated to the memory of Peggy Morgan, Bette’s music partner of 40 years, and to Nancy Phelan, her mother.

Bette is joined on Blue Moon Rising by Kay Aldrich, on cello. Additional instruments, played by Bette, augment all the arrangements. The music is very earthy and pure. The acoustic instruments are wonderful and used with just the right instances within each track. The use of the ocean hitting the shore adds to the natural sounds that are presented.

The acoustic guitar is the primary instrument. It is played flawlessly and with the addition of the cello, you get a new age world classical sound that will please anyone’s musical palette. If you are into relaxing meditative music you will love Blue Moon Rising. The layers of guitar work are exquisite.

One look at the cover of this recording sets you at ease and gives you the thought of inner light, spirituality and the connection we have with mother earth. The ocean is the most prolific thing to human life because that is where all of life came from. And purposely the name Acoustic Ocean falls in line with that thought process not mention that is exactly what you will hear on Blue Moon Rising. There is an ocean of acoustic sounds all melded together to create a musical nirvana for the soul. The eleven tracks offered the listener, flow together seamlessly and hit you gently like an ocean wave on a warm summer day.

What is there not to like about any of this? I appreciate what has been presented here and the meaning of the music along with the heartfelt dedication from the artist. It all goes hand in hand.

Here is a passage from the artist website that ends this review in a thoughtful and spiritual way:

The moon is associated with women’s mysteries, intuition, and the divine aspects of the sacred feminine. Some modern magical traditions associate the Blue Moon with the growth of knowledge and wisdom within the phases of a woman’s life.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
October 11, 2018

Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. A Hui Hou (Until We Meet Again)
02. Blue Moon Rising
03. Recalling Beauty
04. Deep Grace / Scarborough Fair
05. Spirit Awakening
06. Lotus Petals Falling on the Pacific
07. Love Is a Force Field
08. The Silent Storm
09. Sweet Mana from Heaven
10. Shadow Dancers
11. All Things Made New

1/10/2018

New Age/Contemporary Instrumental Review: Terry Lee Nichols and Rebekah Eden-We Have Only Come To Dream

Release Date: January 1, 2018
Label: Soundscape Productions

We Have Only Come To Dream is a stunning release from Terry Lee Nichols and Rebekah Eden. The collaboration is literally a match made in heaven. Once you hear this recording you will think you just arrived at the pearly gates. The premise of the album is not about the heavens above but how we have come to treasure the land below.

This cinematic journey is a tribute to our National Parks in the U.S. and the early explorers of the Americas. The music contained here is the most colorful and moving journey one listener could experience in one sitting. The orchestration, sounds of nature like water in stream, birds singing and horses and wagons moving along a trail, are all part of this presentation. You even hear the sounds of the piano from an early Western saloon and a patron asking for a “stiff one.” 

The poetry of Phillip Spevak is included in the informative and entertaining CD booklet. This gives the music more life and a feeling of the times that are emulated in each song. This is all top of the line instrumental music just perfect for the big screen. I can think of some of the Western films I watched with my father as a child and the music that would accompany it. Those sweet carefree memories were relived in this music. My love of nature and the need to protect it also was enhanced by listening.

We Have Only Come To Dream is the complete package - history, a storyline, and the most lush and gorgeous music you could possibly imagine. From the opener “Phantasmagorical Voyage,” which is so powerful and picturesque, to the relaxing tempo changing curtain closer “Canyon Sunset,” this a very impressive release.  

We Have Only Come To Dream is destined to receive awards this year for the music and production values that are A+ from start to finish. And what a way to kick off the new year for Terry and Rebekah, they could not have been more concise and impactful than this amazing group of tracks. I would expect this recording to be considered into the Library of Congress or the Smithsonian Institute at some point, and hopefully as soon as possible as it deserves inclusion into one of our American Institutions.

If there is one album to make sure you get this year it is We Have Only Come To Dream. Anyone that enjoys instrumental music that immerses you in a soundscape and the atmospheres of days long past, this is the recording to listen to!

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
January 10, 2018

Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

9/12/2017

New Age/Contemporary Instrumental Review: Erik Scott-In The Company of Clouds

Release Date: November 1, 2016
Label: Independent
I covered Erik Scott’s Spiritstwo years ago and I was very impressed with it. Anyone with the experience of Scott can accomplish some breathtaking jaw dropping sounds. And it all starts with his bass.

After a long period of illness and his eventual recovery he found the true meaning of faith and resiliency. His music has that kind of warmth and resilience as well. In The Company of Clouds gives you a hint what this music is all about.

The title of the first track puts it into perspective if you did not know what he went through on a physical, spiritual and emotional level. “Nine Lives” squeezes out as much emotion and god given talent the man has. He makes his bass an all purpose tool to create ambient and contemporary instrumental music. In other words, new age with some spice to keep it sharp and focused. The track serves as an introduction to what is coming next and it certainly warmed my soul. It is significant because of the title and meaning it holds for the artist but the music is poignant as well.

“Seven Veils” is another incredible track. I featured it on Rate The Tracks. Erik’s bass is hypnotic and Jaco-like. Yes this man is one of the very best bass players you will ever have the pleasure to hear. The spiritual connotations are evident by the track name. Once the masterful Scott takes the bass and becomes one with the music he begins transferring his heart and soul into the sounds he creates.

“Women of Avalon” (the longest track coming in at 5:45) is another stroke from the master on the canvas of your life. With the great Steve Hunter on guitar and Scott leading the way with his finely tuned instrument, it is an unbeatable combination of talents. When I say tuned in I mean more than just a guitar tuning, I mean dialed in, laser focused and purposeful use of his chosen instrument. 

So three tracks in and I am feeling as light as a feather, my energy level rises and my faith in the process of life is once again restored. There should be a genre called contemporary restoration music. As the music continues it does not waiver for a millisecond, it just keeps offering you more tastefully well done instrumentation. The effect is like the high tide of an ocean pulling you out and you are willing to go along for the ride. The tracks are dissimilar and that is what keeps you tuned in to all the wonderful sounds and feeling this fine release can offer.

You it did again Erik, you are a star among stars, your light will never dim it will just keep getting brighter with each successive release. Perhaps now that he is back full strength we can look forward to another album next year, I hope so because In The Company of Clouds was another chance for me to get to know the artist via the music. This is a superb rendering of contemporary instrumental music.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Nine Lives, Seven Veils, Women of Avalon

Tracks: 
1. Nine Lives
2. Seven Veils
3. Women of Avalon
4. Breathing Room
5. Victory
6. Open Door
7. First Cup
8. Waves
9. The Long View
 
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
October 29, 2016
Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

10/30/2016

New Age/Contemporary Instrumental Review: Erik Scott-In The Company of Clouds

Release Date: November 1, 2016
Label: Independent
I covered Erik Scott’s Spirits two years ago and I was very impressed with it. Anyone with the experience of Scott can accomplish some breathtaking jaw dropping sounds. And it all starts with his bass.

After a long period of illness and his eventual recovery he found the true meaning of faith and resiliency. His music has that kind of warmth and resilience as well. In The Company of Clouds gives you a hint what this music is all about.

The title of the first track puts it into perspective if you did not know what he went through on a physical, spiritual and emotional level. “Nine Lives” squeezes out as much emotion and god given talent the man has. He makes his bass an all purpose tool to create ambient and contemporary instrumental music. In other words, new age with some spice to keep it sharp and focused. The track serves as an introduction to what is coming next and it certainly warmed my soul. It is significant because of the title and meaning it holds for the artist but the music is poignant as well.

“Seven Veils” is another incredible track. I featured it on Rate The Tracks. Erik’s bass is hypnotic and Jaco-like. Yes this man is one of the very best bass players you will ever have the pleasure to hear. The spiritual connotations are evident by the track name. Once the masterful Scott takes the bass and becomes one with the music he begins transferring his heart and soul into the sounds he creates.

“Women of Avalon” (the longest track coming in at 5:45) is another stroke from the master on the canvas of your life. With the great Steve Hunter on guitar and Scott leading the way with his finely tuned instrument, it is an unbeatable combination of talents. When I say tuned in I mean more than just a guitar tuning, I mean dialed in, laser focused and purposeful use of his chosen instrument. 

So three tracks in and I am feeling as light as a feather, my energy level rises and my faith in the process of life is once again restored. There should be a genre called contemporary restoration music. As the music continues it does not waiver for a millisecond, it just keeps offering you more tastefully well done instrumentation. The effect is like the high tide of an ocean pulling you out and you are willing to go along for the ride. The tracks are dissimilar and that is what keeps you tuned in to all the wonderful sounds and feeling this fine release can offer.

You it did again Erik, you are a star among stars, your light will never dim it will just keep getting brighter with each successive release. Perhaps now that he is back full strength we can look forward to another album next year, I hope so because In The Company of Clouds was another chance for me to get to know the artist via the music. This is a superb rendering of contemporary instrumental music.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Nine Lives, Seven Veils, Women of Avalon

Tracks: 
1. Nine Lives
2. Seven Veils
3. Women of Avalon
4. Breathing Room
5. Victory
6. Open Door
7. First Cup
8. Waves
9. The Long View
 
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
October 29, 2016
Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews