New Age-World-Electronic-Meditation Review: Rigzin-PROTECTION ~ A Ceremony of Protector Prayers

Release Date: November 9, 2018

Label: Rigzin Music

Website

I had strong feelings that I was about to embark on a music spiritual that I would never forget before listening to the recent Rigzin release PROTECTION ~ A Ceremony of Protector Prayers.

I received a gift last Christmas, a book titled 365 Dali Lama Daily Advice From The Heart. I have faithfully read these passages every day and it most certainly has piqued my interest and changed my outlook on life. This is the path I have been on seeking spiritual enlightenment through New Age music. I have had some amazing music to listen to over the last three years and it just got more interesting when I received the third release in a sacred trilogy from Rigzin. If anything, it has increased my knowledge and curiosity about the practice of Buddhism.

Rigzin has dedicated her life to the practices of Tibetan Buddhism. She had trained intensively to sing the prayers of elaborate ceremonies, during her traditional 3-year retreat, which now stands at more than 30 years ago.

So where do I begin with such a unique artist and the messages she is imparting upon the human race? This is not a simple task but then again what good is a listen if it does not present a challenge and time to reflect?

This work of musical art can be described as new age, world, meditation and electronic. Each track delivers all of those elements in a most prolific and thought-provoking way. One of the lines I heard loud and clear was “Love will defeat hate.” I like that line and I believe it holds true and will be the world’s saving grace if we only take heed. 

There is so much going on with this recording, at times you just cannot put it into words. There is chanting and worldly sounds and electronic textures and above all, a rhythm flowing through this music that is inherently spiritual and pure. That is something I find very appealing and can find some guidance from within. This music will speak to your soul. If you are a spiritual individual you will find great value in this music. I really enjoyed the complexity and all of the tools used to make something ancient and trusted into a more relatable, listenable, and then freshly interpreted, for a person of today. You could call it a spiritual morphing.

The tracks that had the most impact on my mind, body, and soul (through the ears) were “Bodhicitta,” “Prophecy” and “Wrathful Guru.” These tracks are epic translations of spirituality driven by the tenets of Tibetan Buddhism. The messages are clear and concise and they will make you rethink everything, I can promise you that. You may already agree and be aligned with these thoughts and beliefs and came to a realization long ago about where you stand spiritually. Even so, this will still call out to you to reaffirm and possibly bring to light more of what you need. 

The music of PROTECTION ~ A Ceremony of Protector Prayers drives and steers the words and feelings straight to your heart, even if you do not understand the language of chants, somehow it all it works and very well at that.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

November 21, 2018

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Tracks: 
01. Call to Awaken 01:16  
02. Buddha 00:53  
03. Red Lotus Dakini 03:46
04. Prophecy 03:12
05. Wrathful Guru 03:30
06. Protection 06:11  
07. Vajrasattva 08:15  
08. Kilaya 06:42
09. Protectors of the Land 10:40
10. Heart of the Lotus 07:28  
11. Bodhicitta 04:58
 

New Age-Meditation-Chill Review: Valerie Romanoff-Healing Music Volume 2

Release Date: October 10, 2017

Label: Valrock Music

Website

There is a lot to know about Valerie Romanoff. The multi-instrumentalist has been involved in music since she was a child. Valerie was also the co-founder of the group Starlight Orchestras in 1998. Her resume is impressive and as I was soon to find out, so is her recorded music.

This is what Valerie has to say about music:

“Music has the power to heal, transform, evoke emotion, underscore and enhance our lives. By consciously aligning with elements of music, we can affect deep changes in our world.” -Valerie Romanoff

I completely agree with her and have been advocating the healing abilities of music for many years in my reviews. 

After playing several different instruments, Valerie fell in love with the guitar. On Healing Music Volume 2 she plays the guitars, piano, synth and provides the chanting. Stevin McNamara adds a most beautiful sitar to give the music a distinct worldly feel. Tom Rossi adds the flute, kora, percussion and chanting as well. The entire album was produced and composed by Valerie.

I fell right into this album like it was a natural thing to do. All the instruments that are intermingled into each track give it a nice rhythm and vibe. I found it very relaxing and pleasing, so much so, it felt like I was smiling from the inside out. Now that feels really good! 

I found this recording an instrumental wonder, the combination of instruments is very complex. It is mixed to perfection and the production is top notch from start to finish.  Keep in mind this is two-disc set so there is a lot of music offered. With 17 tracks in total and only a few under 5 minutes in length. With that thought in mind, it raises the bar for keeping you focused on the music, all of it. This is why I found it amazing how appealing all of it was. The main reason is that it was done in the most diverse way possible. The entertainment factor is in place, then comes all the other pleasantries available while listening.

Most notably, the guitar gives it all a modern chill feel to it and the other instruments support that with layers of percussion, sitar, flute and at times chanting. For my listening tastes it is the guitar lines that give it that extra soft but effective edge and energy that takes my interest to another level entirely. One of the best examples is track 4 “Dawn of Tao.” It runs for 17 minutes and 42 seconds. It is like a magnum opus of instrumental, new age, meditation, chill, and rock all brought together into one tight package. It held my interest all the way through and when it ended, I knew that I wanted to hear more. I also need to hear Volume 1 now. Nobody wants to start with 2 but in this case, I am glad that I had the opportunity and became aware of this fantastic music.

If there is such a thing as meditation that knows how to rock (softly) then this is it. If you were in search of that sort of diversity then look no further than Healing Music Volume 2.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

February 20, 2018

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Tracks: 
01. Pink Skies Over Still Water
02. Pink Skies Over Waves
03. Beyond the Bend
04. Dawn of Tao
05. Backdrop
06. Moving Glass    
07. OM Shanti Shalom
08.  Prelude Went Beyond The Bend
09. Pink Skies Over Still Water
10. Pink Skies Over Waves    
11. Beyond The Bend
12. Dawn of Tao
13. The Bend
14. Backdrop
15. Moving Glass 
16. OM Shanti Shalom
17. Prelude Went Beyond
 

Instrumental New Age Reviews: Robin Spielberg-On the Edge of a Dream - Music for Dreaming, Relaxation, Contemplation, Meditation, Medical

Release Date: March 2, 2018

Label: playMountain Music

Website

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On the Edge of a Dream - Music for Dreaming, Relaxation, Contemplation, Meditation, Medical Therapies is Robin Spielberg’s 18th album. That is a lot of recorded music! Piano-based music requires an imaginative mindset in order to give a potential listener some variety. A lot of this type of music seamlessly flows into each other making it sound like one piece of music. I find in most cases I feel that way because of my own tastes and interpretations, this could be entirely different for each listener.

Sometimes things come to you in your life at just the right time. For me it always comes with purpose, a good reason whether it is positive or negative. That is the way life is, however, it is all how you look at what is happening. This is where dreams come into it for me. This album is all about the dream state. Most recently I have had some amazing clear dreams and last year I started keeping a journal. This is exactly what Robin does and she wanted to share her dreams through the music of the piano. The other purpose in my estimation is that this music could help you to not only relax but get to a point where you are ready to enter the dream state or possibly all the way to REM stage. All of this I have found fascinating. I also believe that dreams are a window into your soul and we can learn lessons or be warned through them. It clarifies things and opens the door to change.

There is no doubt that science has a fascination with the different stages of dreaming. What I have learned through my own research has opened the door to an entirely different attitude about the subject. So how does music, particularly Robin’s new release, come in to play? I think this music is perfect for the dreaming experience before, during and after. So, during those three stages, you can utilize this beautiful music. Of course, there are more useful ways to use the music as a tool - for simple relaxation, contemplation or meditation. As I mentioned earlier, certainly the music can guide you beyond the meditative state into dreaming, particularly if you are listening with a good pair of headphones or earbuds (Bose makes a terrific set of earbuds that are reasonably priced on eBay).

On the Edge of a Dream is another example of how music can integrate with your daily life. The workspace I am in daily allows us at times to put on music like this recording. It can help you to de-stress as you continue with your multitude of tasks. If you are in an office setting you should try it, it really helps!

 

Another bonus offered for your experiences with this music is a dream journal, which can be purchased separately or as a companion item with the CD. I highly recommend getting both. It starts with the 14 tracks on the CD, then writing down what happened in your dreams. This process will allow a lot of insight you previously did not have. It is all part of a spiritual growth you can initiate if you choose.

I am grateful that artists like Robin Spielberg are willing to share their blessings with us, and shed some light on a human process that many folks are not looking at enough. On the Edge of a Dream could be the start of a new beginning. You can begin as a casual listener then evolve to meditation then dream interpretation. A tremendous wealth of information about your life and the future days ahead is at your disposal (there is a lot of info out there). And who would have thought one recording could lead to so much personal development? I highly recommend this path for those who are already aware and for those seeking more awareness.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

February 18, 2018

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Tracks: 
01. On the Edge of A Dream  
02. We Meet Again
03. Drifting
04. Spellbound  
05. Nightfall
06. The Secret Path  
07. Stargazing
09. Illusion
10. Into The Night  
11. Safe and Sound  
12. Meeting Monet
1.  We Meet Again (Recurring Dream)
14. Blue Moon Rising

New Age/Meditation Review: Silvia Nakkach- Liminal

Release Date: March 25, 2016

Label: Vox Mundi Records

Website

Grammy nominated artist Silvia Nakkach has been delighting audiences with her unique blend of soul healing music for more than 30 years. A skilled composer, teacher, author, instrumentalist, performer and vocalist, she is renowned all over the world for her ability to twist many genres and make them her own, giving them a unique twist. Liminal, her fourteenth album is just that. Splashes of color on the canvas of human emotion, this album draws its breath from classical, New Age, Indian Ragas (Hindustani music) and World Music spinning magic with each well-defined track. Credits for this album include Todd Boston (producer), David Darling (cello), Jeff Oster (flugelhorn), Val Serrant (percussion, voice) and of course, the extremely talented Silvia Nakkach.

If I tried to pick a word to define this album it would have to be masterful. Each track, from the first to the last has its own unique flavor and story to tell. The vastness of space in all of its forms seems to be a theme in Liminal, but one that is handled very well. How does one perform the intricacy of a ray of light or a dust mote? You listen to this album and Nakkach will show you. Every note. Every harmony.

The first piece, "Liminal Clouds" is an auditory journey through the reaches of time and space. Close your eyes and feel the electronica whispers as they blend with the mounting tension of voice and the multi-layered instrumentation. Ambient music, sacred chanting and a blur of sound flows over you as the vast echoes of time and space drift in a journey that never ends.

"Liminal Glow" is a spell that weaves over you. Whispery voices chant and coax you to the edge of your seat and ambient waves and the sounds of bells and birds float through the air. Percussive elements add to the tension. Just a glimpse for the listener into the wild unknown with promises of enchantment bursting from tender moments of sound and substance. This track is one of my favorite ones on the album. Colors whirl and electric energy fans out around you with sacred fire and glittery moments of secret dreams held tight in your hand. Never let it go.

"Liminal Moon" is the final track on the album. Whispered voices and the gorgeous sound of the flugelhorn pervade the sacred spaces of this amazing composition. The moon gazes down on the workings of the world, ever watching. Staid and solid in a world on fire. Humanity drifts like the currents beneath the all-knowing luminous presence. I didn't want it to end.

Silvia Nakkach is a Grammy nominee and it is easy to see why. Her compositions shoot straight to the heart of the human condition, bringing Eastern and Western sound and multiple genres to spin and weave the pattern the Fates have created for us all. There is an elemental beauty in each well-honed composition. Each contributing artist has proven their merit by this exquisite work. I highly recommend it.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Luminal Clouds, Liminal Glow, Liminal Moon

Tracks: 
1.Liminal Clouds 05:20   
2.Liminal Beauty 08:46
3.Liminal Motion 06:16
4.Liminal Space 06:52   
5.Liminal Light 05:50   
6.Liminal Rays 03:11   
7.Liminal Glow 05:45   
8.Liminal Dream 06:11   
9.Liminal Moon 05:10
 

Dana Wright, Sr. Staff Writer

May 9, 2016

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

New Age Instrumental/Neo Classical Review: Kerani-Equilibrium

Release Date: May 18, 2015

Label: Indie

Website

Kerani was influenced and inspired by some of my favorite artists such as Jean-Michel Jarre, Vangelis, Kraftwerk, Electric Light Orchestra and Mike Oldfield. It came as no surprise that I immediately identified with her music. 

Equilibrium is dedicated to women and their role in this world and how the artist wants to see a fundamental change, a balance shift or equilibrium transfer to equality between men and women. Turning back the clock to the way things were when the human race began is going to be quite a task but there is hope. Perhaps if we all get on the same frequency with the help of music like Kerani creates we once again can unite so all human beings walk on equal ground.

Kerani played piano and synthesizers on the recording, handled all the female vocal parts, and also arranged, orchestrated and produced. Artist such as this have my admiration and respect and they always have. Then when a work of art is created...something that touches your soul, then it all becomes special.

The elemental force that inspires the creation of this music is a thing of beauty and then translated and discovered within each track. The title track which was featured on our Rate The Tracks site is a fine way to open the curtain to this wondrous music. There is new age, classical and world all mixed together on this strong release. 

“O, Aeterne Deus” is a medieval chant by Hildegard Von Bingen. I found this track to be quite beautiful and moving. It is most definitely a slice of heaven on earth and serves the purpose of the original intent to heal.

There is so much about this recording to enjoy. I do not think it is a prerequisite to be a fan of new age music to find something to integrate into your life with this music. I did not hear one track that I did not absolutely love. This music transforms me, it’s magical, and all of my worries and stress just evaporate like a drop of water in the hot sun. 

“Ladys Grace” is significant because of the title however the music is elegant and moving and it envelops you in its movement and spirituality. All of the right instruments are utilized to make this one of the most outstanding tracks on the album. 

I think the goal was reached on this project and the message Kerani is delivering will be received. This is a lovely representation of new age and classical music that should not be missed.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Equilibrium, O, Aeterne Deus, Ladys Grace

Tracks: 
1. Equilibrium
2. Fragrant Mountain
3. Anchoress
4. Bouddica, Heart On Fire
5. Hypatia's Universe
6. O, Aeterne Deus
7. Lady's Grace
8. Avane
9. The Wyse Wytch

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

July 30, 2015

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Sista ‘O’ And D’Vine Praize Prove Their Faith With Meditation

Sacramento, CA - October 28, 2008- Melding classic traditions with pop sensibility, Sista ‘O’ and D’Vine Praize find salvation through music with their debut release Meditation. The album deftly mixes jazz, soul, and gospel to convey hopeful messages of faith and worship, succeeding musically while staying true to the word of God...READ MORE...