MuzikMan's Reviews And News: Shambhu

2/28/2019

Acoustic Instrumental Guitar Review: Shambhu-Lilac Skies

Release Date: April 12, 2019

Label: Acoustic Shine

Shambhu is a word that has many different meanings. In this case, we have to lean towards the spiritual essence of things. This Shambhu is a musician that creates some incredibly good music.

On April 12, 2019, he will release Lilac Skies. The title also holds meaning for the artist, which is infinite love. One look at the cover and you can feel the warmth, beauty, and the lovely smell of that flower when it blooms. It actually has always been one of my favorites, especially the purple ones!

You can call this music new age if you like but for me, it is much too eclectic to put it into just one category. Lilac Skies is acoustic six-string bliss and much more. All the music was composed, arranged and produced by Shambhu. This is a credit to his multitude of talents. And the final touch, mastered by Tom Eaton at Imaginary Road Studios. That is the icing on the proverbial new age cake.

You will hear new age, yes, but also some jazz and blues. “Open Your Heart Sky” was one of my favorites. It has many different elements and instruments intersecting to give it that “Quiet Storm” jazz vibe. “Inspired by The Night” has a similar feel to it with a great backbeat and rhythm and some nice electric guitar lines followed by a beautiful keyboard section, then if that wasn’t enough some excellent bass (think Jaco). The total run is 7:35 of excellence and every second is used with purpose. I think that is one crossover jazz track they will be streaming everywhere.

Honestly, I loved this entire recording. Lilac Skies offered everything I enjoy in one nice package, seriously good musicianship, some cool jazz, blues, and just enough new age for a kick back and relaxing time, with a definitive groove though. So, get ready for a special treat when you spin this one, it was a complete joy to listen to and it will be again

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

February 28, 2019

Founder of:

TheFinalonVinyl

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. Lilac Skies
02. Unspoken Words
03. Blue Whispers
04. Dochas
05. Pondering When
06. Open Your Heart Sky
07. Dream Walk
08. Basis of It All
09. Inspired by the Night
10. Seeing You Again

12/11/2016

Contemporary/New Age/ Instrumental-Jazz Review: Shambhu-Soothe

Release Date: February 1, 2017

Label: Acoustic Shine

Website

Shambhu has a new recording arriving on the first day of 2017 titled Soothe. For this listener, I think it is a great way to kick off the beginning of another day of life that quickly turns into another in the books.

Soothe most certainly lives up to the title. Shambhu takes parts of jazz, new age and contemporary music and stirs the pot until it is simmering with the most wonderful aroma. He creates a mood of calm that is initiated then sustained throughout the recording.

Soothe features many instruments including electric and acoustic guitars, acoustic primarily, percussion, English horn and soprano sax, keyboards, the incredibly talented Michael Manring on bass and a host of other very talented contributors that make this album everything it could possibly be.

The more I listen to a fully realized recording like this it makes me think that mentioning some key tracks is the wrong road to take. Looking at this album as one continuous thought flow and creative process is the best way to enjoy it. If you are writing a review or just kicking back for a listen, I feel it needs to be processed as such (but as I do most of the time will mention a few “key” tracks).

The acoustic guitar is the focus on Soothe then everything else that joins in just lifts that instrument to new levels and that includes some lovely vocals provided by Kristin Hoffmann. “Gaia Sweet Divine” is a blend of new age or spiritually oriented music wrapped as a special gift for those who are centered and connected with some higher power other than themselves. If you want to hear something that aligns your soul (or chakras which is one in the same in my world) with the heavens above this track would be it.

The title track brings the recording to an apex of satisfaction with more positive energy that flows like a river through your ears to your inner being with ease and purpose. The entire recording felt that way to me.

The jazz elements are very important to the fabric that weaves the cloth of this album together. It is like the quiet storm meets its spiritual brother and they merge and explode into a burst of light and energy and take you away. It is the ideal way to let music consume you and Soothe you.

5/5 Angels for the Holidays and Your New Year!

Key Tracks: Gaia Sweet Divine, Soothe

Tracks:
1. Knowingness
2. Time Travel
3. Days Like Falling Stars
4. Devotion Tears
5. Prelude 2
6. Through New Eyes
7. Gaia Sweet Divine 05:08
8. Soothe
9. Walking Through a Dream