4/14/2019

Instrumental Ambient/New Age Review: Stephen Peppos-Deep Listen

Release Date: January 15, 2019
Label: Sonic Bear Music

Atmospheric and ambient music can be used as a tool for any type of focus or mindset.  It takes a talented artist like Stephen Peppos to create music that allows that process to happen. I got a good taste of his capabilities two years ago on Leaving Terra Firma. With a title like that it would certainly indicate that the music allows you to leave the earth, you stand on. The music backs that thought with conviction.

Deep Listen is another foray into the ether that will satisfy anyone that is looking to meditate and have a spiritual and perhaps an out of body experience. This music is very spacey but smooth and relaxing at the same time. Its calming effect works well on a tired soul, bringing solace with synth and keyboard sounds, and at times, the sound of the ocean waves hitting the shoreline. That is exactly what you will find on “Aural Mists.” 

The track is a solid 9:07 minutes of music meets natures blissfulness. The sound of waves alone is a wonderful thing however if you add the right sounds with your music, a beautiful marriage is consummated and you the listener are the recipient.  It is like a blossoming flower feeling the first rays of the new day sun.
I really like the title of the CD because what you take is a “deep dive” right into a Deep Listen. The cover is very inviting and the colors are immediately soothing to the eye. It unconsciously connects with your mind to set you up for the musical journey. Fans of Tangerine Dream, Kraftwerk, and Jean Michel Jarre will love this album. I personally enjoy all of that music so it was easy for me to get swept away by this recording and find a meaning that made sense and felt just right.

The masterwork is “Algorithm” which runs for 12:56. By definition, an “Algorithm” is a process or set of rules to be followed in calculations or other problem-solving operations, especially by a computer. Our brain functions like a computer when necessary so why can’t this music be something to process and calculate? In a sense that is what I am expressing with my words. And it just made me think in those terms by saying the word.

Right away the title implies something scientific and hi-tech. Is it thinking man’s music? I guess it depends on who you are what your interest is and what exactly challenges your mind. I do not feel challenged listening to this track in particular, it has the same purpose and effect on me like all the others. I think something needs to be said for taking a track and spreading out the composition with some diversity in sounds and textures. This is the mark of a true artisan, a craftsman of his trade. Stephen is able to make this a real masterpiece of ambient nuances that weave together and make it whole.

In the end, Deep Listen lives up to its name and gives the listener 1 hour and 18 minutes of musical chicken soup for the soul. It is one recipe that you will be reaching for more than once to chill and let the day just melt away.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
April 14, 2019

Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. Twilight
02. Break of Dawn
03. Tonality  
04. Aural Mists
05. Wide Open
06. Awake
07. Transmogrify
08. Vivid
09. Algorithm
10. Breathe




4/13/2019

British Post-Punk Veterans 1919 Return With A Brand New Masterpiece Of Darkly Melodic Goth Rock, FUTURECIDE!


Los Angeles, CA - Like the mythic phoenix rising from the ashes, British post-punk band 1919 have gone through Hell and back over the course of their harrowing career, but they keep returning stronger than ever! Founded in 1980, the band released its debut album Machine in 1983 and one EP a year later before calling it quits. However, the band reformed in 2014 to great acclaim, performing numerous tours and at festivals across Europe. Then, tragedy struck as the band’s founding guitarist Mark Tighe was diagnosed with cancer in 2016 and succumbed to the disease in January 2017. Tighe insisted that the band should carry on without him, which they have done in finest form with their newest effort Futurecide. The album, which will be officially released on April 12 via Cleopatra Records, features brand new compositions and includes special guest performances by Tighe as well as former member Steve Madden, who also passed away this year. The first single, “Anxiety,” was released at the end of 2018 when it debuted on Post-Punk.com (https://www.post-punk.com/british-post-punk-veterans-1919-premiere-their-video-for-anxiety/).

The newly revamped and reinvigorated 1919 will be touring extensively in support of this release kicking off with shows in Mexico City and Costa Rica. Difficulties with visas caused their US tour in April to be delayed until September but several dates in the UK and Europe are still planned. This comes at a time when international travel has become ever more difficult due to the isolationist policies of both the US and British governments, an issue that band itself tackles head on in the song “Isolation,” whose chorus states “I hope your flag keeps you warm. You’d be a lucky man. Enjoy your isolation.”

Watch 1919's new video for “Isolation”:
https://www.side-line.com/side-line-exclusive-uk-post-punk-band-1919-premieres-new-video-and-album/

See here for a complete list of upcoming shows: https://1919.co.uk/live

Futurecide Album AVAILABLE NOW ON:
iTunes / Spotify / Deezer / Bandcamp / Cleopatra Records
https://www.deezer.com/album/90429802
https://itunes.apple.com/album/id1456322210
https://1919official.bandcamp.com/album/futurecide
https://open.spotify.com/album/46VImn7DGJzgk7bstwyzKK

Track List:
1. Anxiety
2. Isolation
3. Futurecide
4. Radicals
5. Dali Alarma
6. Speak Now
7. Aurora
8. Man, Myth, And The Curse Of The Immortal
9. Stop The World
10. Where Are You Now?

Connect with 1919
https://1919.co.uk/
https://www.facebook.com/1919official
https://twitter.com/1919official
https://www.instagram.com/1919official/

Press inquiries: 
Glass Onyon PR
Billy James
PH: 828-350-8158
glassonyonpr@gmail.com


CLEOPATRA RECORDS, Inc.
11041 Santa Monica Blvd #703
Los Angeles CA 90025
www.CleopatraRecords.com
Facebook @Cleopatrarecords
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https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCopQ0616Fpfrq8Gt0N-0zOQ
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https://soundcloud.com/cleopatra-recs
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https://www.dailymotion.com/CleopatraRecords
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Spotify  @cleopatra_recs
https://open.spotify.com/user/cleopatra_recs
Linkedin @cleopatra-records
https://www.linkedin.com/company/cleopatra-records

New Age World Vocal Review: Juliet Lyons-The Light Within

Release Date: May 10, 2019
Label: Mystic Voyager Music

Juliet Lyons looks like quite the diverse performer based on the discography listed on her website. I did not need to see that to be impressed with her music and vocals. As soon as the first track started, I was spellbound.  

The Light Within is a collection of ten tracks with Ms. Lyons’ gorgeous vocalizations accompanying all the music, which ranges from New Age and Meditation to World and a mixture of all three. The combinations are very effective and soothing and her angelic voice leads the way as the various instruments are introduced throughout each track. 

The songs come as advertised on the album cover songs for Yoga, Healing and Inner Peace. Juliet wrote all the songs and performed on the Native Flute and Piano. Ricky Kej contributed keyboards and programming on the opening track “Lokah Samastah” and Ron Korb made a guest appearance on the recording as well, playing flute on “Eternal Now.” Both of those tracks are excellent.  The opening track is fantastic, full of positive energy and light. It serves as the perfect introduction to a very consistent listen. “Eternal Now” is also exceptional, I found it inspiring and uplifting.

Juliet has a very flexible vocal style that could probably fit into any genre actually. The music is quite amazing throughout the run of this album, in fact it serves as the perfect complement to that gifted voice from the heavens that you will learn to love very quickly. You just can’t have one without the other, its kismet, a marriage of sound and voice that will give you happiness deep within your soul.

Let The Light Within shine brightly with a little help from the recordings of Juliet Lyons. I found it a natural course of events listening to this music and all the wonderful feelings and peace I felt. Music is a powerful tool, and it’s refreshing to see it being used in such a positive manner. The tools and gifts of god were put in good hands when Juliet Lyons found her path. Once you hear this music you will be thankful as well.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
April 13, 2019
 
Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. Lokah Samastah (ft. Rupesh Menon)
02. Om Shanti
03. Flow
04. Calm
05. Dawning Equilibrium (instrumental)
06. Stillness (ft. Judy Kang)
07. Eternal Now (ft. Ron Korb)
08. Heal You
09. The Light Within (ft. Judy Kang)(instrumental)
10. Shine

4/11/2019

America "Archives" Limited Edition 180 Gram Red Vinyl Now Available For Pre-order!


Limited edition of 100 units, hand numbered, pressed on 180 gram red vinyl and personally signed!

London -The Strictly Limited Edition Vinyl Company is releasing America “Archives” on limited edition180 gram red vinyl. This is a strict edition of 100 units, all hand numbered and personally signed by founding band members Dewey and Gerry.

“America Archives” consists of early recordings, demos, rehearsals spanning 1970 to 1975. These recently unearthed tracks provide the listener with a you are there / fly on the wall experience of the working out of soon to be classic hits such as: “Horse With No Name,” “I Need You,” “Ventura Highway,” “Green Monkey,” and “Sister Golden Hair.” Also included are unreleased and alternate takes of some of the more deep cuts in the catalogue.



TRACKLIST
FACE A
1. Ventura Highway (Alternate Mix – The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA, 1972)
2. Daisy Jane (Rehearsal – The Record Plant, Sausalito, CA, 1975)
3. It’s Life (Alternate Mix – The Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA, 1973)
4. Rainbow Song (Demo – Buzz Studios, King’s Road, Los Angeles, CA, 1973)
5. I Need You (Alternate Mix – Trident Studios, London, 1971)

FACE B
1. Horse with No Name (Alternate Early Mix – Morgan Studios, London, 1971)
2. Sister Golden Hair (Demo – Buzz Studios, King’s Road, Los Angeles, CA, 1973)
3. Only in Your Heart (Demo – Buzz Studios, King’s Road, Los Angeles, CA, 1972)
4. Green Monkey (Demo – Buzz Studios, King’s Road, Los Angeles, CA, 1973)
5. Look Up, Look Down (Unreleased Song) (Demo – Buzz Studio, King’s Road, Los Angeles, 1973) / swap w/"Story of a Teenager" from Record Plant
6. Riverside (Live in Studio – 1971)

Pressing: 100 Copies
Estimated delivery date: August 2019

For more information: https://www.diggersfactory.com/vinyl/226803/america-archives

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (US), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

4/10/2019

Instrumental New Age Review: Robert Linton-Adrift in Wonder

Release Date: April 5, 2019
Label: October Moon Records

My introduction to Robert Linton’s acoustic guitar music was three years ago on Beyond The Clearing.  Adrift In Wonder is the newest offering from the talented guitarist.

The recording was mixed and mastered by Corin Nelsen of SycroSonic Productions. If you are familiar with the new age genre you will recognize some of the people that contributed to Adrift In Wonder and come to an understanding of why it is such a pleasing listen.

The violin (Sara Milonovich), English Horn (Jill Haley), Cello (Eugene Friesen), Electronic Wind Instrument and Alto Flute (Premik Russell Tubbs) add an exceptional layer of sounds to Robert’s acoustic six-string journeys.
The collaborative spirit they have in the new age culture is very effective for all involved. These are busy musicians contributing to so many of the releases that come out, with responsibilities of their own recordings as well. It is an “everyone gets a slice of the pie” mentality that anyone in a business should be taking a good look at.

Listening to this music really does have the Adrift In Wonder effect on you. It is the perfect music for simple relaxation or meditation. Robert’s approach is consistent and he sustains the warmth of his guitar throughout the recording, which I naturally appreciated. I work in a highly stressful day job and this music takes the edge off and sets my soul at ease, and gives me a renewed sense of hope and strength I cannot find anywhere else.

The importance of music to our world goes beyond words and music without the words most certainly can say a lot and have an impact. It is artists like Robert Linton taking one instrument then bringing in other equally talented artists that know how to present their music. This is a spiritual path for the artist creating the music and very special listening experience for his audience. 

I really appreciate guitar-based albums and in particular acoustic undertakings that have to work harder to get your attention. Adrift In Wonder opens a pathway to a “Gentle Descent” as you are “Weaving Through the Waves” of sound and beauty presented. I highly recommend this album to those seeking tranquility and regeneration of energy and spirit. Synchronicity with the music can be accomplished quite quickly, all you have to do is pay attention to what you are hearing.

A+ musicianship and production set Robert Linton apart from those aspirant folks looking to complete the same experience with the gratifying results that all listeners and he will surely enjoy.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
April 10, 2019

Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews


Tracks:

1. Gliding the Current
Robert Linton(Guitar), Sara Milonovich (Violin), Jill Haley(English Horn)

2. Weaving Through the Waves
Robert Linton(Guitar), Premik Russell Tubbs(EWI.. (Electronic Wind Instrument)

3. Traces of Reflection
Robert Linton(Guitar), Eugene Friesen(Cello)

4. Gentle Descent
Robert Linton(Guitar), Sara Milonovich(Violin)

5. Sifting Through Daydreams
Robert Linton(Guitar), Premik Russell Tubbs( Alto Flute), (EWI.. (Electronic Wind Instrument)

6. Casting in the Afterglow
Robert Linton(Guitar), Eugene Friesen(Cello), Jill Haley (English Horn)

7. Murmur of Chimes
Robert Linton(Guitar), Premik Russell Tubbs (EWI.. (Electronic Wind Instrument)

8. Adrift in Wonder
Robert Linton(Guitar), Eugene Friesen(Cello)

9. Hovering in the Sun Rays
Robert Linton(Guitar), Sara Milonovich(Violin)