Showing posts with label MzuikMan.net. Show all posts
Showing posts with label MzuikMan.net. Show all posts

2/08/2019

New Age-World Review: Grayhawk-Voice of the Ancestors

Release Date: February 1, 2019
Label: Deep Space Music

Grayhawk (David Gibney) recently released Voice of the Ancestors, the third and final album in a Shamanic Trilogy.

He is a man that has been healing from the tragedy of losing his toddler son. He has transitioned from that pain and loss and transformed his life with more purpose to help those that have special needs. Also created is a foundation in honor of his son to help those with neuroblastoma, a catastrophic pediatric cancer of the sympathetic nervous system that took his life.

Obviously, his music holds many meanings but the primary goal is to ascend to a higher place, heal the soul, and in essence become reborn with new life and purpose.

Voice of the Ancestors features the usual lineup of stars from the New Age genre that find their way on to most of the releases I have the honor of hearing. Grayhawk plays the synthesizers as a base instrument then there is so much more that contributes to the overall sound and textures of this release. To say it is World music is correct but with a New Age concept and approach. The ancients held many traditions and ceremonies all over the world. What this recording captures is the very spirit and color of that diversity and beauty.

There are native flutes, worldbeat percussions, viola, ambient guitar lines, and gorgeous vocalizations, particularly on “Peace Prayer.” The track runs over 10 minutes and takes 160 tracks of invocation of English, Hebrew, Farsi, and Arabic. There is also the shorter version, a little over 5 minutes for the internet streaming stations to play. Honestly, I have heard similar tracks but nothing like this before. The blend of all the languages balances with the English word, which is still heard so you can listen to the translations at the same time, amazing. This is the kind of track that deserves worldwide attention and should be heard on every inch of the globe. 

Grayhawk has created a work of genius that encompasses music, words and a powerful spiritual message. This is a brilliant example of a man taking his personal tragedy and using it to give back to the universe his love and healing. I can hear this playing in the background of a cinematic tribute to the different peoples of the world and how they worship and provide music for their people. 

Voice of the Ancestors is an incredible gift for all to enjoy. Listen closely, you may hear the whispers of your own ancestors in this music.

February 8, 2019
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
1. Transcendent Soul 3:12
2. The Banteay Srei Temple 4:57
3. Guardians of Goddess Thien Hau 6:08
4. Voice of the Ancestors 8:40
5. Peace Prayer A’ Cappella 1:50
6. Peace Prayer 10:11
7. Ambient Meditation 8:08
8. Peace Prayer (short version) 5:06



11/24/2016

Holiday Vinyl LP Review: Elvis Presley-Merry Christmas Baby - RSD Exclusive

Genre:  Holiday/Blues
Release Date: November 25, 2016
Label: RCA/Legacy

With the Holidays upon us once again we have an opportunity to hear some new music and old standards. And some artists should never give it a thought to release an album of Christmas songs. It reminds me of the year the Metal God Rob Halford released one just because he always wanted to. The results were horrific, it probably should have been released as a Halloween joke to all metal heads. At this point I regress... 

Well there are artists, or legends I should say, that have some great recordings that they have released over their long and productive careers, and in this case, we are talking about the iconic Elvis Presley.

RCA/Legacy dug into the archives to release a special Record Store Day limited edition of Merry Christmas Baby in random red and green vinyl. Mine came in green and it is beautiful vinyl with fantastic music and select tracks from the king.

Vinyl is growing exponentially, and along with that, record players have come into vogue once again. Also, stores like Newbury Comics who used to carry thousands of CDs, has pulled them out of their stores and replaced them with vinyl and other swag and memorabilia. I was shocked to see this happen but it makes sense on a business level - you must stock what sells. If I want a CD I get it on eBay, it’s as simple as that.

So, the state of music today has many variables however availability for special issue vinyl LPs and the demand for them has soared. I am thankful for that. What I have found interesting is that all along I thought the sound of CDs was as good as it would ever get, I was wrong. I hear things on vinyl now I never would have noticed before on a CD. 

You get 17 tracks, which is a handful for a standard LP and each one stands on its own as Elvis at his best. The best thing about this release besides the color and format is the fact that the king covers some holiday classics infused with some heavy blues influence. It’s not the sugar and spice and everything nice kiddy stuff that you hear blaring at Wal Mart this time of year, oh no.  This is flat out rockin’ blues based music adapted to Christmas classics. At one point Elvis hollers out “Play it Scotty,” calling out his guitar man Scotty Moore to cut loose. 

I don’t think music fans or Elvis fans could ask for more this Holiday season. You get the King getting down and dirty with a crackerjack band and his voice is full of emotion and grit. I enjoyed this LP immensely and plan to make it a yearly spin this time of year from this day forward.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: ALL

Featured Tracks:

Disc: 1

1. Santa Claus Is Back In Town
2. Blue Christmas
3. Winter Wonderland
4. White Christmas
5. I'll Be Home for Christmas
6. Holly Leaves and Christmas Trees
7. Here Comes Santa Claus (Right Down Santa Claus Lane)
8. It Won't Seem Like Christmas (Without You)
9. O Come, All Ye Faithful
10. Silent Night


Disc: 2

1. Merry Christmas Baby
2. If Every Day Was Like Christmas
3. Santa Bring My Baby Back (To Me)
4. O Little Town of Bethlehem
5. The Wonderful World of Christmas
6. On a Snowy Christmas Night
7. I'll Be Home On Christmas
Day
 
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
November 24, 2016
Founder of:

Review Provided By Write A Music Reviews

11/15/2016

Instrumental Jazz/World Review: Pablo Embon-Funky Side of The Road

Release Date: December 19, 2016
Label: Independent

The last album I heard from Pablo Embon was The World Within back in March. It rapidly became the most read review and remains at #1 on my Write A Music Review site. So, at this point my expectations are already set, I expect more of same…great music, quality sound and a good mixture of genres. So now we have the arrival of Funky Side of The Road coming out in December. It lived up to my expectations in every way possible.

Some of the tracks serve as a good jam session and others have more middle of the road run times. The mixture of jazz, rock and world is very enticing to a listener seeking a variety of sounds or all of them combined. Pablo keeps it fresh and moving from start to finish on this recording.
There is a lot to take in amongst the 12 instrumental tracks on Funky Side of The Road. The operative phrase that is best suited to encapsulate this project is “variety is the spice of life.” Pablo puts ample amounts of spice in his music to give it a life all its own.

“Midnight Blues” reminded of me of a favorite album from the Al Di Meola Project titled Soaring Through A Dream. That was also the year I saw him in San Francisco playing cuts from that album. The track is atmospheric and landing right in the middle of jazz and blues. They are in the same family traveling the same road but take different exits if you will. There is nothing more powerful in a listening experience than validation and familiarity with other favorite artists. It is like being in the here and now and looking back to the past all at the same time.

The tastefully done “Misfortune” has a late night smoky club vibe to it. Delicate and pronounced keyboards make their entrance and pull you away into dreamland. Not quite the funky side until the next track starts. 

The playful and provocative “Naughty Lucy” sounds a little Steely Dan goes to the carnival and never gets off the ride. Or better yet, you the listener has a free pass to stay on and you decide to get off (when the track ends!). The carefree playful mood of the track puts a smile in your heart and gets your feet tapping or doing an outright dance on floor, whatever comes first, it works on you and gets you up and out of your seat.

“Our Last Dance” seems like it would be a fitting way to close out the album because of the track name alone. However, this is not the case here, Pablo keeps you guessing and more importantly entertained throughout the run of this album. This one is more of a traditional jazz number that is as smooth and pristine as a shiny new car on the showroom floor. It hollers out to you and invites you to sit down and take a test drive.

Funky Side of The Road is indie music at its very best. A multitude of talent is presented and you get a front row seat to some tastefully done tracks, some have a slower pleasing pace while others grab you and take you for jog around the block and keep you energized. When all is said and done you just heard a very solid and entertaining album full of instrumental jazz and world music.
I took more than a test drive I was there at the starting gate and went to the finish line listening to a fine group of tracks presented by one multi-talented artist.

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Midnight Blues, Naughty Lucy, Our Last Dance

Tracks: 
01. Is that You?
02. Golden Peak
03. 2222
O4. Wedding Day
O5. Green Lizard
O6. Our Last Dance
07. The Time Has Come
08. Naughty Lucy
09. Misfortune
10. One Day Left
11. Midnight Blues
12. Fools Game (Unplugged)
 
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
November 15, 2016
Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews