If
you look up Jonny Lipford on Spotify you will see quite a collection of album
releases. In fact, I was quite amazed at how much music this man has out there.
On May 1st Migration
will be available. Those who appreciate new age and world music with the flute
or a genuine combination of both will appreciate the nine tracks for your
listening pleasure.
You will hear Native American flute, Mojave flute, Mayan
harmony flute, Irish flute, Persian flute, and Bansuri. That is quite an array
of flutes giving each track an identity, sound, and texture that distinguishes
itself as a standalone artistic achievement. I do not know any other way to put
it.
For Jonny, this is a
Migration of sights and sounds from track to track. As the birds fly in
their patterns it shows nature taking its yearly course. In this instance, this
artist follows his instincts and creates something truly beautiful. I really
enjoyed the entire album but with the way it ended was what really just swept
me away. There is 9:13 minutes of amazing enchantment that awaits a prospective
audience. A nice touch is appropriately adding the chirping birds with about 2
minutes to go before it closes out.Poetry in motion through music, what a wonderful artistic expression.
The purity and earthy tones are what bring me into each
track and hold me. I am touched by the sincerity of the recordings and the
heart and soul that went into making such an impressive group of tracks. It was
like opening a book with an interesting cover then turning each page (or track)
and reading another story. That, my music loving friends is a great example of
the power of music, tones, vibrations and the honesty of an artist painting and
picture we can all step into and make our own.
For these ears Migration
was a journey to complete peace and happiness. Now only if I could hold that
feeling 24/7, now wouldn’t that be amazing to reach a level of spiritual
attainment like that? This music and other similar recordings could help us all
on our way to that level of existence.
Tracks: 01. Fly in Beauty 02. Hunt of the Nighthawk 03. Emerging Vision 04. Migration 05. Masked Ibis 06. At First Light 07. Wisdom in the Wing 08. Poet's Awakening 09. Peace Within
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 onerecipe that you will be reaching for more than once to chill and
let the day just melt away.
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
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
brightlywith 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.
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.
A
debut album can make you or break you in many ways. On the other side of that
black and white outlook, it can change your entire life path regardless of what
direction it takes you, change will prevail. Any way you look at it your music
effects each and every individual.
For Stephen Wallack April 1, 2019, was a pivotal moment in
his life.He released his first
recording Chapters. He looks at his
life as a story that has unfolded in different Chapters, and now his music reflects that outlook. Stephen, I can
tell you the right person is hearing everything you are saying in your
biography and in your music.
The spontaneity of a first listen launches my inspiration
to talk about music and with Stephen’s music, it was an easy task, a natural
flow of feelings. For this music fan, that is the very process that keeps the
blood pumping and my fingers moving to type these words you read. Music keeps
me alive 24/7 and at times makes me feel like I have already reached
heaven.
For instance, “Cooper’s Song” is about the passing of a
friend and you can feel the pain and sadness in the voice of the music. I also
got a chill knowing that person’s spirit lives on through Stephen’s music, what
a blessing to feel that and really hear the emotion of a song without words. It
is indeed a beautiful thing that anyone can experience with the right mindset
before you decide to hit “play.” There are many uplifting tracks on this
release, however I thought mentioning the pure emotion of “Coppers Song” was a
very good example of how powerful this music can be.
A lot of this instrumental piano-based music is thriving as
a sub-genre of new age. This is for a good reason; it is very spiritually based
music that touches the very soul of the listener. The individuality and on
purpose simplicity are the strengths from which each story is composed then
played through the fingers of an artist. In this case, it is Stephen Wallack
that brings us all to that place we love to go, another dimension, space,
feeling, emotion, or whatever you want to call it. This is what changes our
view of our surroundings and the people in our lives.
Stephen mentions hearing George Winston’s classic piano
instrumental album December when he
was 12.I happen to love that album and
after hearing it sought out more of the same. So right at the start of
listening to Stephen’s music, I felt a connection that helped me to instantly
bond to the sounds, vibrations, and colors he offered within the 10 tracks of Chapters.
Let Chapters into
your life and write your own story to the music. This is a great tool for
clearing the mind and to focus while de-stressing every second of the way.
The pictures I have
provided were snapped by me with my phone to give you an idea of the backdrop
to the music prior to the show. That screen changed with each song and it was
very trippy psychedelic colors and images that mirrored the timeframe of Jimi
in his prime. -Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
The Electric Church arrived in Albany, NY last night with
its all-star cast for the Experience Hendrix 2019 Tour.The music of Jimi Hendrix continues to thrive
and be embraced by fans worldwide. This is a tour I have been wanting to catch
for several years now and I finally made it, and so glad I did.
The best thing that could happen to this event is the
involvement of Billy Cox. Anyone familiar with Jimi’s music knows that they
were friends for a long time and Billy played bass on some of Jimi’s albums.
Also, with Janie Hendrix involved it makes everything legit. Also having a
powerhouse rhythm section like Chris Layton (drums) and Kevin McCormick (bass)
makes the entire gig more presentable and helps the other musicians blend into
the Hendrix songs.
What you will witness at one of these shows is quite a
display of musicianship, primarily guitar heroes having a really good time. The
music of Hendrix is timeless as is his legend and persona.With that thought in mind, how do all these
current artists interpret the music of this fabled performer?
The wide array of styles with the musicians tells the tale.
With Billy Cox, you have the living legend, the reigning high priest of The
Electric Church. He is the only one left and he has done a great job of playing
bass and singing in a live setting, as he did last evening. Having Billy as the
main cog in the wheel for this presentation is key to its success.
One of my favorites, Eric Johnson, kicked off the night with
Dweezil Zappa. This was the segment of the show I enjoyed the most.Actually, anytime Eric took the stage it was
enjoyable. Eric’s sound is instantly recognizable, as it is with most
high-level players. One has to remember that Dweezil is excellent as well, the
fact alone that he mastered father Frank’s music is an incredible feat.One of the more consistent presences on stage
was Mato Nanji.Not a name that is as
well known as some of the others but he was part of the act at least 75% of the
time and he was consistently excellent emulating Jimi’s music.
Another treat was The Slide Brothers. Calvin Cooke and Chuck
Campbell. Man did those to wail away at every opportunity! The added a
dimension to the music that made it all more as close to the original sound as possible.
They were the X factor of the night.
One of the many high points of the evening was Johnny Lang
with his powerful vocals and guitar playing. I thought his vocals were the
strong point in regards to the songs covered. He is more of a straight-ahead
bluesman with no tricks or fluff.Sometimes that is just what the doctor ordered and he is a good fit for
Jimi’s music. And I cannot forget the vocals of Henri Brown, who brought the
sold-out crowd to its feet towards the end of the night.
Then Dave Mustaine of Megadeth came out and played. He did
an admirable job with his flying V guitar. And towards the end of the show was
the Three Amigos, Joe Satriani (guitar), Doug Pinnick (bass) and Kenny Aronoff
(drums). Now, this was a picture I could not forget as all three do not have
one hair follicle to show, if they painted themselves blue, they could pass for
that other group we all know. All of that aside, this was the highlight of the
evening I would think for most guitar fans.
Kenny was a madman on those skins, he is so fast and so
powerful after all these years, age has not affected him one bit. Pinnick with
has bass hanging nearly to his ankles, and he can still reach it, by the way,
sounded a lot like Jimi when he sang. For me, Satriani has been a favorite
since his first release back in the 80s. This night however I did not
appreciate him as much. The idea here I would think is to play Jimi’s music but
in your own way and still keeping with the original sound as much as possible.
Joe likes to use that whammy bar and make squealing sounds and such. I am not a
fan of that so much. So, from my point of view, I wanted to see Joe that
masterful guitar player, crank out the music of Hendrix minus all of the extra
effects. He needs to save all that flashy technical playing for his own shows.
This is a matter of personal taste and opinion and I am sure plenty of fans
enjoyed that part of the show.
And lastly, I need to give the nod to blues legend Taj
Mahal. The man is getting on in years but can still belt out the blues and play
that six-string.That is a lot of talent
to witness in one concert and it is a night I never will forget.
The bottom line is respecting and celebrating the music of
the greatest guitar player that walked this earth. That is the reason for the
Experience Hendrix Tour. They do succeed with an amazing show that runs for 2.5
hours. It is a must-see affair. So, are you experienced?
I
heardThe Sad Waltzin 2017 and was very impressed
with the talents and musical output of Christopher James. Two years on and my
anticipation is mounting to hear the next offering titled Grace From Persistence.
From my perspective, it always helps to know the meaning
and messages in the music. It makes my listening experience richer and fuller.
Christopher took the title track and gave it some thought. The Native
Americans’ belief about the Saguaro cactus came to mind. That album title is a
perspective that each of these sacred Saguaros is considered to be a unique
individual, surviving on its own despite nature’s extremes. This relates
directly to mankind and how resilient we can be as well. It also makes you
think about living things like trees and how important they are to our
survival.
Christopher set out to continue his explorations into the
more complex compositions and that is what he accomplishes on Grace From Persistence. I had to call it
contemporary instrumental because of the diverse instruments that accompany the
piano of the main artist. I got lost in this music so much that before I
realized it, track 7 was playing and it was getting near the end of this
musical excursion.
Christopher definitely achieves his own Grace From Persistence by continuing
down the path of musical intricacies. Music like this you simply cannot
pigeonhole. If the entire album was like “Cul-De-Sac” for instance, then you
could classify it as jazz. Which by the way is a big step away from the
previous tracks, and it is that kind of change done so well that makes this
recording a special and an important contribution in 2019.
I am consistently in awe of musicians that can take one
main instrument, like the piano, and build these incredible musical stories. As
I always say, music without words presents more of a challenge to convey a
mood, atmosphere, ambiance, or message if you will. When I feel the impact of
the music strongly like I did with Grace
From Persistence it sets the bar higher for the next artist that is attempting
to accomplish the same thing with their music.
All of these thoughts point in a positive direction because
we need each other for inspiration and to set goals. Your interpretation of
this music will be based on your own life situation and overall feelings and
thoughts the moment you listen. I think it’s important to keep one thing in
mind, and that is to listen to this music at different points in the day to see
what it can do for you. It’s a wonderful listening experience that heals and
brings joy. The musicianship is beyond reproach and every track will get and
keep your attention.
Tracks: 01. Awakening 02. Get on with It 03. Mother Russia (Fantasy Based on a Theme from Scriabin) 04. Where's Frederick? 05. Beyond the Stars 06. Grace from Persistence 07. Yes and No 08. Weimar Blues (1929) 09. Cul-De-Sac 10. Neitherworld
What We Hold Dearis the first time I heard Timothy Wenzel’s music in
2017. What seems like a blink of an eye, 2 years have passed and now Timothy
has released Running Away.
I have to say that I was enchanted right from the beginning with the new
album. The 12 tracks kept me consistently interested and fascinated. That
pretty much says it all for any type of listener I would think.
Running
Away is very
cinematic and it intends to be. Every track moves along at a good pace and
offers a little something different and many times several different changes
take place. It is mentioned on the artist site that some folks have said
Timothy’s music is good for traveling, it changes so much it can fit the
different scenes one sees on a trip. His music is like an ongoing journey and each
song is like watching it through your own private looking glass.
I really appreciate the mixture of genres and even though I tag it as new
age instrumental, there is so much more. New age is a generic term these days,
with so much talent recording in the genre and mixing and creating their own
sub-genres, makes it all quite fascinating from where I sit. Timothy does a
phenomenal job with a combination of keyboards, synthesizers, compositions, and
production. Friends Josie Quick (violin), Jeff Haynes (percussion) and Jill
Haley (English horn and oboe) make their mark on the compositions as well. As
Timothy lays down the foundation to build the musical castle the others join in
to complete the construction, then the drawbridge opens up and all the
wonderful sounds come flowing and rushing at your senses, making you feel alive
and energized.
I would find it difficult to criticize anything about Running Away. At times it can be
spectacular, colorful, relaxing, and down to earth. And then again, all those
elements can come into play within one track. It was a great recording with a
lot to offer a listener in one sitting. I think this is the kind of music you
will reach for more than once, there is just too much going on within each
track to get it all in one listen. I am sure it would be a challenge. I know I
heard enough that I would highly recommend the recording to anyone interested
in any sort of instrumental music.
Colorswas
my introduction to John Otott in 2014. So, 4 plus years have flown by since I
had the pleasure of hearing the rhythm of this man’s soul via the ivory keys.
Now we have Unspoken.
Sometimes words are not necessary and, in this case, it
definitely applies to the music of John Otott. Unspoken is a collection of nine tracks that were recorded at Will
Ackerman’s Imaginary Road Studios. You know if that happens you get an all-star
cast contributing to your album.
The piano is the core instrument that drives the music and
all the other instruments add a certain tasteful ambiance. The violin can be a
prolific piece when added to the piano. “Meraki” is a great example of that
marriage and how wonderful it can be. It is quite simply, sublime.
My favorite track is “Unbreakable.” The mixture of John’s
piano, the violin, fluegelhorn, trumpet, bass, and percussion simmers then an
overflow with magic and pure musical emotion engages you further. Who needs
vocals when instrumental music can be so prolific and moving? Not an artist as
talented as John and his accompaniment that is for certain.
For my ears, the mark of a great recording is how fast it
goes by while I am enjoying every second. In the end, I am disappointed that it
had to stop. That is a good sign as far as I am concerned, and it means I will
be spinning it again real soon.
Unspoken is an
excellent recording that creates a wall of sound that will grace your body,
mind, and soul. The compositions are strong a quite diverse making this a very
attention-getting listen. It will help you to relax, smile inside and then the
weight of your world will just melt away. That is the perfect scenario for any
hard-working man or woman at the end of the day, it is the Unspoken that says it all.
Tracks: 1. A Beautiful Night 2. Sunrise In Avalon 3. The Dance 4. Pieces of Eight 5. Soliloquy 6. Unbreakable 7. Emerald Bay 8. As Now, As Then 9. Meraki
This
is my introduction to Larisa Stow & Shakti Tribe. After a seven-year wait,
we have There Is A Light That Will Remain.
I am not familiar with the back catalog of this artist but judging from this
album, it is likely I would enjoy exploring it.
This may be one of the few new age albums I have ever heard
that rocks. It is very rare but it does happen on occasion. It is not an album
for rockers though, the term in this light has an entirely different meaning.
Let me say it is unique and nothing like I have ever heard before. When you
listen to “Maha Mantra” you will come to understand what I am trying to say.
Larisa Stow has a very powerful voice, one that would be
well suited for a rock band actually. But I do not want to misguide all the
readers, this is definitely a new age world recording that is very spiritual
and uplifting. It is actually what I love about music and a recording in the
new age genre. There is an entire list of all the positives I could go through.
There are many tracks that stood out. “Aham Prema” is a
highly energetic and colorful track that typifies what you will hear on this
album. The track that just lifted me right out my chair was “There Is A Field,”
which is the poetry of Rumi. It is like hearing all the best of the new age,
world and rock weaved into one track.
I know it is early in the year but There Is A Light That Will Remain is one of the most exciting
releases I have heard this year and honestly, do not expect to hear anything
like it again. It is that unique and exceptional. A recording like this I would
hesitate to put into any category per se, it is like they create their own
genre, which is quite impressive.
Fair warning, you will have waves of complete joy and
satisfaction while listening to There Is
A Light That Will Remain. Not only will the light remain, but the music
will also leave an indelible mark upon your soul. I do think that is the
intention of the artist, it is about being whole, spiritual and evolving into
the being you were meant to be. We all cannot do that without being true to
ourselves, pure and spiritual in our hearts. This music is a guiding tool to
help you get there or enhance where you are or where you are going. If that
makes any sense to those of you on any kind of spiritual journey, then great, I
have made my point.
I can imagine there are several tracks that would be a
great kick off songs on playlists and radios shows around the world. If you
have a beating heart and a soul you will love There Is A Light That Will Remain.
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews Tracks: 01. Ong Namo Guru Dev 02. Aham Prema 03. Broken Temple 04. There Is A Field 05. Interlude: Longing For Light 06. Adonai 07. Jeanie’s Song (I Am Everything) 08. Maha Mantra 09. Waves Of Yemaya 10. Soliloquy Of R.H.
