MuzikMan's Reviews And News

3/29/2017

New Age-Classical Review: Nancy Shoop-Wu-Rainbow Road

Release Date: January 13, 2017

Label: Nancy Shoop-Wu, Lei Hoku

Nancy Shoop-Wu shows you the way to Rainbow Road, the title of her most recent recording. If you follow the road that leads to the rainbow you will discover a wealth of beautiful music.

Nancy takes her violin and turns it into a magic wand with a combination of new age and classical instrumental tracks (except for track 8). She calls Hawaii her home, the island of rainbows. Her inspiration is derived from her home and the driving force is the memory of her father, whom she lost at the young age of 12. There is nothing like a deep enduring love to give you the courage and energy to strive forward regardless of any road blocks.

On Rainbow Road Nancy creates a masterstroke of violin music accompanied by some well-placed piano parts and other instruments. The other instruments are the desserts after the full course meal. Her playing is graceful and moving as it could possibly be for a violin taking the lead on a song.

Every track is like a rainbow of colors and as picturesque as the island she lives on. This is “make you feel good all over music.” Although this is primarily an instrumental recording Nancy exercises her voice on “Carry Me Home.” I must say that her vocals are as gorgeous as her violin playing. The title of the song and the words are a strong statement from a voice that cannot be ignored and the same can be said for the music itself.

New age and classical are not strange bedfellows they are intrinsically linked, taking the same foundation to build a tower of sound and delight for any one that appreciates music. Additionally, music that is spiritual in nature and relaxes and soothes the soul is something everyone needs every day, whether they realize it or not. It has helped me for years; it makes me appreciative of the arts and all the joy they bring to us all. Music is a gift from the heavens I have no doubt and Nancy Shoop-Wu is one of the angels that is delivering it on Rainbow Road. She is “Lele Noa” (English translation is Flying Free) on this excellent recording!

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

March 29, 2017

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. Rainbow Road
02. Pulelehua (Mountain Butterfly)
03. Lei Hoku (Star of Love)
04. Sunrise over Haleiwa
05. Always in My Heart
06. Lullaby
07. Waimanalo
08. Carry Me Home
09. Beautiful Mana'o
10. In Your Eyes
11. Ma'noa Rain
12. Lele Noa (Flying Free)

3/26/2017

Instrumental Meditation Review: Anaamaly-Urban Metta Vol. 1

Release Date: April 21, 2017

Label: RS Promotions/Heart Dance Records

Website

Phil Strickland is a Phoenix-based recording artist who records under the pseudonym, Anaamaly. In the video provided the artist introduces his new album Urban Metta Vol. 1. He came from a different genre as indicated by the title however what he does is take all of his knowledge and influences from a different world and creates another.

His desire to make music that was beautiful and a backdrop to his wife’s yoga classes became a reality once Urban Metta Vol. 1 was completed.

I was watching a documentary on musical artist Sheryl Crow and she said that music changes the molecules in your body. I believe this to be true, otherwise how else could you explain the waves of good feelings and emotions a person can have when music is played? It also can change your brain waves, and most certainly the music of Anaamaly does that. Another point of interest is the fact that you do not have to be familiar with the sounds to have a reaction. It works that way for me, particularly with any kind of instrumental music created to connect you to a higher level of consciousness. In addition, it surely can bring you there if you are in an unbalanced state of being.

I do not think there are a lot of us on this plane of existence walking around on higher level of consciousness. There is too much noise and interference to allow that to happen on a large scale. If I ever figure out a way to change that I will be sure to share it readily with my brothers and sisters that enjoy this kind of music. Something prolific must happen on a global scale spiritually for things to change. Music can help or literally lead the cause.

Urban Metta Vol. 1 is recorded by what you would call a non-traditional musician and Anaamaly is the first person to tell you that in the provided video. He comes from a world that is high tech, utilizing beats and electronic sounds that are computer generated. This is very common however for one person to take many sounds created in a digital world and to make it all a work of art is another mountain to climb. This process takes a lot of talent and artistry and cannot be underestimated.

I appreciate the value and presentation of this recording. All the mystical sounds and whirling and whooshing of the synths that take you away, it is like being swept off the ground and floating away on a cloud of relaxation. There is simplicity in the purpose yet the music is a complex combination of emotions and textures packaged into one bundle for you to unfold and absorb.

Every listener has a different vibration and aura thus the music will take on colors that only that individual can see and feel. That is the beauty and gift of instrumental music meant for meditation or for the background for a yoga class. When a group of people must concentrate, and go inward to attain a level of the spirit to achieve a physical and mental balance that yoga requires, music can be a great tool.

Regardless of what you want to do with the music it does offer a healing process that is either conscious or on a subconscious level and for this listener that is wonderful thing.

4/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

March 26, 2017

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:

01. I Stand in My Own Power
02. I Walk Through the Fire
03. I Live in the Current Moment
04. I Embrace All Wisdom
05. I Love Unconditionally
06. I Am Grateful For...
07. I Am Lighthearted
08. I Am Perfect Either Way
09. I Am Awakened
10. I Am Surrounded by Abundance
11. I Am Healed on All Levels

3/24/2017

The Doors Guitar Legend Robby Krieger To Play Select US Dates

The Doors guitar legend Robby Krieger will be playing select US dates beginning in April! A Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee (with The Doors), Krieger wrote or co-wrote many of the Doors' songs, including the hits “Light My Fire”, “Love Me Two Times”, “Touch Me”, and “Love Her Madly”. After the Doors disbanded, Krieger continued his performing and recording career with other musicians including former Doors band mates John Densmore and Ray Manzarek. Robby is listed by Rolling Stone as one of the greatest guitarists of all time!

Tour dates:

April 7, 2017 - Pasadena, CA - The Rose
April 8, 2017 - Ojai, CA - Ojai Libbey Bowl
April 16, 2017 - New York, NY - City Winery New York
April 19, 2017 - Shirley, MA - Bull Run
April 21, 2017 - Greensburg, PA - Palace Theatre
April 22, 2017 - Newton, NJ - Newton Theatre
April 23, 2017 - Ardmore, PA - Ardmore Music Hall
May 5, 2017 - Grand Rapids, MI - 20 Monroe Live
May 6, 2017 - Detroit, MI - The Filmore Detroit
May 7, 2017 - Indianapolis, IN - Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
May 27, 2017 - Simi Valley, CA - Rancho Santa Susana Community

Robert Alan Krieger, born January 8, 1946, in Los Angeles, is a musical performer and The Doors guitarist. He attended UCLA. “The first music I heard that I liked was Peter and the Wolf. I accidentally sat and broke the record (I was about seven). Then I listened to rock ‘n’ roll – I listened to the radio a lot – Fats Domino, Elvis, The Platters.

“There was lots of classical music in my house. My father liked march music. There was a piano at home. I studied trumpet at ten, but nothing came of it. Then I started playing blues on the piano? no lessons though. When I was fifteen, I started playing guitar. I used my friend’s guitar. I didn’t get my own until I was sixteen. It was a Mexican flamenco guitar. I took flamenco lessons for a few months. I switched around from folk to flamenco to blues to rock ‘n’ roll.

“Records got me into the blues. Some of the newer rock ‘n’ roll, such as the Paul Butterfield Blues Band. If it hadn’t been for Butterfield going electric, I probably wouldn’t have gone rock ‘n’ roll.

I didn’t plan on rock ‘n’ roll. I wanted to learn jazz; I got to know some people doing rock ‘n’ roll with jazz, and I thought I could make money playing music. In rock ‘n’ roll you can realize anything that you can in jazz or anything. There’s no limitation other than the beat. You have more freedom than you do in anything except jazz.

“In The Doors we have both musicians and poets, and both know of each other’s art, so we can effect a synthesis. In the case of Tim Buckley or Dylan you have one man’s ideas. Most groups today aren’t groups. In a true group all the members create the arrangements among themselves.”

For more info: http://robbykrieger.com/

Robby Krieger - In Session:
Buy the CD here:
https://cleorecs.com/store/shop/robby-krieger-in-sessions-cd/
Buy the digital version here:
https://geo.itunes.apple.com/us/album/in-session/id1194804130?app=itunes&at=1000lt9k

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

(photo by Jill Jarrett)

Britain’s Got Talent Semi-Finalist Rosie O’ Sullivan Returns With New Soul EP

Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalistRosie O’Sullivan is back, after losing 16.5 stone in weight, with a new soul inspired collection of tracks. The soul songstress writes and sings from the heart with a fullness of passion, which has nurtured and helped shape her own individual musical imagination. Having performed at Birmingham Pride, Big Festival and The Brummie Awards, worked alongside Martha Reeves, Shalamarand The Real Thing and received amazing feedback from the BGT judges, O’Sullivan is back and better than ever.

Stream the EP here:

Gaining influences from her family and relationships, Rosie found her own experiences in life inspire her music most. The album is based around relationships and experiences in her life that have happened over the past few years but ‘No One’ follows the story of true love between Rosie’s mum and dad that she is lucky to see every day.

Brought up with the rousing sounds of Motown, soul and the vibrant style of the sixties, Rosie immersed herself in the unique energy of the music, which has naturally lingered into her own. By the age of eleven Rosie could play both the piano and saxophone and continued to blossom as an artist. She began singing alongside The National Youth Choirs of Great Britain in the 2011 and 2012 BBC Proms and then gained a Bachelor of Music Performance Degree at the London College of Music.

Links:

https://soundcloud.com/rosie-osullivan

https://www.facebook.com/rosieosullivanmusic

https://twitter.com/rosieosullivan

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAh8bWfq9q0o2n4L5gnIiCw

www.rosieosullivan.co.uk

Upcoming Girlband The Truebelles Release Mister Nobody

Britain’s Next Top Model’s Tallulah Bluebell revives modern feminist pop with all girl group The Truebelles. The Brit-school attendee joined Lorenna and Grace to form the power trio and share their passion for Women’s rights in latest single ‘Mister Nobody’.

Watch the music video for ‘Mister Nobody’ here:

The collective is made up of three entirely different, strong personalities that are all songwriters in their own right so The Truebelles choose to alternate lead vocals on each track. Although Tallulah is a successful model that made it into the last 12 of Britain’s Next Top Model, the trio strongly believe they must provide the right messages to young girls and it doesn’t matter if you’re not stereotypically ‘pretty’.

Tallulah’s wild personality isn’t just portrayed through The Truebelles’ music as she finds her urban exploration can’t always be controlled, leading to her breaking into derelict buildings to sketch and take photos. Her quirky character is also represented through her artwork, where she finds a muse and becomes obsessed until she has painted them.

Tallulah’s eccentric nature alongside Lorenna’s performing background and Grace’s musical history forms the most unique girl band of 2017. The trio have worked alongside major names, such as Lorenna doing additional voicing for Margot Robbie in the latest Tarzan film and Grace making music with Stevie Wonder’s bass player Nate Watts.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/The-Truebelles-920344594701415/

https://twitter.com/ttruebelles

http://thetruebelles.com/