New Age-Jazz-World Instrumental Review: Todd Mosby-On Eagle Mountain

Release Date: April, 1, 2016

Label: Mosby Music Group
Website

As an introduction to this artist I had the pleasure of focusing in on one track on our Rate The Tracks site. “Spirit Dancer” is a multicultural brew of new age with some infusion of smooth jazz topped off by hints of world to make it a distinct crossover flight. 

As with many of the recordings at Will Ackerman’s Imaginary Road Studios, some familiar names are part of the equation. The incomparable Tony Levin and several others including Michael Manring, Jill Halley and Tom Eaton combined with the astute guidance of Ackerman make for an unbeatable team. They all draw out the very best from each other during a recording session.

“Eagle Mountain” in all its beauty and splendor pictured on the cover of this recording gets a proper introduction through the delicate and tasteful guitar playing of Mr. Mosby. The bass section is amazing as well and it all jells into auditory perfection.

The great outdoors can inspire and refresh when embraced and surely Todd is one such person. After listening to this music that one thought becomes reality. “Falling Light” dances and sings and turns into one of my favorites very quickly. It is nearly six minutes of musical enchantment. It builds and builds until you hear percussion, violin, guitar and bass all intersecting at the same point. I really enjoyed the way the track started with a simple foundation then built a towering monument of sound. As the sun rises over the mountain peak it falls onto the trees, animals, vegetation and people below. This is a beautiful thought process that becomes totally engaging once transferred to music.

I think the artist really gets in touch with his surroundings while recording this music and obviously could envision the places he held dear in his mind and heart. Instruments like the ewi, bells, singing bowls and English horn, cello and other elements make their presence known and are part of the final product.

Perhaps the deciding factor that made this entire listening experience coalesce for my ears and spirit was how Todd took his guitar and added all the other instruments to make On Eagle Mountain a delight to fall into, like your favorite comfy chair. This recording was like a culinary delight taking every ingredient and then measuring it properly to flesh out the sound for each individual track. Interesting enough the titles go very well with the music.

On Eagle Mountain took me down a road that made me feel alive and free just like the open sky and mountains ranges that adorn our land. Music that is that powerful needs recognition and validation. It was my pleasure to be one of the fortunate people to give all the credit to the creators of this superb release.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Spirit Dancer, Eagle Mountain, Falling Light

Tracks:

01. SPIRIT OF THE MOUNTAIN

02. SOARING 

03. EAGLE MOUNTAIN 

04. FALLING LIGHT 

05. COLORADO, MISSOURI 

06. JACK’S FORK 

07. SPIRIT DANCER 

08. ODE TO JOE

09. MOON SONG 

10. MOUNTAIN LULLABY

11. STAR SONG
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder

February 11, 2016

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Contemporary New Age Instrumental Review: Michael Dulin-My Beloved

Release Date: January 20, 2015

Label: Indie

Website

Michael Dulin has released several recordings over the years but never one as personal as My Beloved. It is his special ode to his wife.

Dulin’s style is flowing and purposeful and it always has been on all of his releases. He is an extremely talented pianist that is adept at translating his feelings through the ivory keys.

Each track focuses on an enduring love and the beauty and passion that it can bring in a couple’s life. Relationships are a work in progress and too many people run away at the onset of difficulties. This is a testament to his commitment to marriage and his wife.

“Beloved” is the most poignant and meaningful to the artist and as a listener I can understand why. Its sheer beauty and magnificence transcends all barriers and time becomes merely a concept to ponder.

“Devotion” has a title alone that supports the meaning of holy matrimony. It is the perfect follow up to “Beloved.” It goes hand in hand with the meaning and purpose of this recording.

The album closer “Rhapsody” exudes clarity and beauty with a definite accent on the different colors a musician such as Dulin can create within the music. The pace creates joy and peace but it maintains an energy and buoyancy that closes out the album with strength and definition.

Michael Dulin has produced a brilliant palette of tasteful instrumentals that brings one instrument to the forefront without a single distraction. The only focus is the piano and I found it very enjoyable and quite amazing how one remarkable instrument can convey so many emotions and a lifetime of love and devotion.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Beloved, Devotion, Rhapsody

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

December 14, 2014

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Featured Track: Michael Dulin-My Beloved

Michael Dulin's new album My Beloved is set for release in January of 2015. The title track is most impressive and puts the album into proper perspective while delivering the intended message.

Dulin's piano expertise brings forth images of what commitment and love should be. Without words you would think that would be difficult to express however he gets it done through his nimble fingers.

Sit and back and listen to "My Beloved" now.

MuzikMan Rating-5/5



More About Michael Dulin:

 http://www.michaeldulin.com

Michael Dulin is a native of Brookside, Alabama. From the age of two, it was apparent that he had an exceptional gift for music. After attending Alabama School of Fine Arts, he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance at Birmingham-Southern College, where he was twice awarded the Alys Robinson Stephens Piano Prize. He completed his musical studies at The Juilliard School in New York, working with master teacher and concert pianist Adele Marcus.

He was a finalist in the Carnegie Hall International Piano Competition, and was awarded the Silver Medal in the Second Annual International Audio-Video Competition in New York. In addition to performing his original music throughout the United States, Michael appears both solo and with orchestra in performances of classical music. He has also toured as keyboardist with the legendary Motown group, the Temptations.

Michael’s albums of original music have twice been awarded the prestigious Lifestyle Music Award. Three of his albums have reached the #1 spot on NAR World Airplay Charts. His music has been licensed for release in South America, Korea, Japan and Malaysia.

Dulin and business partner Daniel Whiteside own and operate PSI Studios, a digital recording facility in Birmingham, Alabama. Michael is president of Equity Digital and Equity Digital Music. In addition to being an award-winning composer of music for radio, television, theater and film, he is in demand as session musician and producer.

Michael Dulin is a Christian, and is happily married to the woman of his dreams, with whom he shares a spoiled chocolate Lab named Riley. His hobbies are languages, hiking, travel, and tennis.

Track Evaluation: Michael Dulin-My Beloved

Michael Dulin's new album My Beloved is set for release in January of 2015. The title track is most impressive and puts the album into proper perspective while delivering the intended message.

Dulin's piano expertise brings forth images of what commitment and love should be. Without words you would think that would be difficult to express however he gets it done through his nimble fingers.

Sit and back and listen to "My Beloved" now.

MuzikMan Rating-5/5



More About Michael Dulin:

 http://www.michaeldulin.com

Michael Dulin is a native of Brookside, Alabama. From the age of two, it was apparent that he had an exceptional gift for music. After attending Alabama School of Fine Arts, he earned a Bachelor of Music degree in piano performance at Birmingham-Southern College, where he was twice awarded the Alys Robinson Stephens Piano Prize. He completed his musical studies at The Juilliard School in New York, working with master teacher and concert pianist Adele Marcus.

He was a finalist in the Carnegie Hall International Piano Competition, and was awarded the Silver Medal in the Second Annual International Audio-Video Competition in New York. In addition to performing his original music throughout the United States, Michael appears both solo and with orchestra in performances of classical music. He has also toured as keyboardist with the legendary Motown group, the Temptations.

Michael’s albums of original music have twice been awarded the prestigious Lifestyle Music Award. Three of his albums have reached the #1 spot on NAR World Airplay Charts. His music has been licensed for release in South America, Korea, Japan and Malaysia.

Dulin and business partner Daniel Whiteside own and operate PSI Studios, a digital recording facility in Birmingham, Alabama. Michael is president of Equity Digital and Equity Digital Music. In addition to being an award-winning composer of music for radio, television, theater and film, he is in demand as session musician and producer.

Michael Dulin is a Christian, and is happily married to the woman of his dreams, with whom he shares a spoiled chocolate Lab named Riley. His hobbies are languages, hiking, travel, and tennis.

Instrumental Review: Bob Ardern-Craftsman

Release Date:March 2014

Label: Independent

Website

Bob Ardern is a guitar master whose music reaches across many genres. If you listen, you can hear a sampling of roots music with a dash of Celtic, Jazz and Americana thrown in for good measure. His unique sound arose from English folk music and the finger style guitar playing has stayed with him. In Craftsman we see a lot of old style instrumentation blended with the best of modern technology. Guest musicians include Alyssa Wright (cello), Don Bray (engineer), Dave Findlay and Kev Corbett (percussion, bass). The vast arrays of instruments used are: guitar, cello, trumpet, Glockenspiel, bodhran, pipe organ, Celesta, Spider Capo, Dragon’s Breath, bells, Synth pad, percussion and bass. The album features a special bonus track of “Paso Doble Solo Guitar” that is sure to whet any Classical guitar aficionado’s appetite.

“Tiddlywinks” is the opening track for the album and features Kev on percussion and Dave on the Hi Hat. It is a merry little tune, filled with elements of acoustic guitar that bumps along happily to a different sort of beat. The piece makes me think of walking along a path with butterflies popping along on a spring afternoon. Happiness and joyful play are the central feelings here. The music is festive and leads you into the open air of springtime.

“Back to Basics” Percussion, bass, piano and Dragon’s Breath synth pad are featured on this fun little composition. Playful, it is running on the beach and kicking sand into the air. It is splashing through small waves as they rush upon the shore. Finding joy in the simple things, remembering the happiness of discovery-of the realization that the best things in life are at times unexpected. Rattles of percussion intertwine with acoustic guitar and bass to create an evocative piece filled with emotion and awakening.

“Keep It Simple” begins with elegant guitar work that twists and winds its way along a textured path of artful instrumentation and composition. The melodies that flow from this piece are restful and if you close your eyes, you can see the colors burst inside of your imagination. If this song were a drink, it would be a velvety white chocolate mocha going down to warm your soul. Every finger movement is captured in minute detail, allowing the listener to fall into the music and just be.

“Paso Doble Solo Guitar” is the bonus track on the album. Deliberate and fluid, the fingering of this piece is a landscape of melody with an acoustic guitar gone solo. Whereas the original piece had the synth pad, bass, percussion and trumpet, this piece is solely guitar. You know the saying, less is more? I can’t think of a better example. (I loved the first version too, but this one was wonderful.) The pure sound churning out with every pluck and strum is like manna from Heaven. This track is pure bliss for the acoustic lover’s soul. 

Bob Ardern’s classic finger picking guitar style is epic. This Canadian artist has gathered some of the best guest musicians and producers together to craft an album worthy of spending time with. Seven capos and six strings brings us twelve tracks of instrumental guitar with flavors of Jazz, roots music, Americana, Classical and a bit of Celtic to mix things up a bit. Craftsman was exactly what the name of the album suggests. Each track was wrought with skill and intent to bring out the best of each instrument and artist performing. You won’t want to miss this one. Bob Ardern has made my must listen list and I look forward to his next album. 

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Tiddlywinks, Back to Basics, Keep It Simple, Paso Doble Solo Guitar

Dana Wright

March 22, 2014

Review Provided By Write a Music Review

Tracks:
01.Tiddlywinks
02.Pipe Dream
03.Capo Breton Lullaby
04.Schrödinger's Cat
05.Keep It Simple
06.Nova Scotia New Age Blues
07.Back To Basics
08.Bellringers
09.Still Waiting
10.Winding Down
11.Paso Doble
12.Paso Doble Solo Guitar