New Age-Meditation Review: Sangeeta Kaur-Ascension - Niguma Vol. 2 The Mantra Project

Release Date: September 22, 2017

Label: Sangeeta Kaur Music

Website

Sangeeta Kaur’s recent album has a lot to say and the complexity of the title certainly makes sense. It is only the beginning if you choose to do some exploring.

Ascension - Niguma Vol. 2 The Mantra Project is one of the more interesting and compelling music projects I have had the opportunity to hear this year. 

An excerpt from the artist website reads:

Who is Lady Niguma and in these modern times, why should we care? With grace and powered by an awe-inspiring production, Sangeeta and her company of yogi & yogini artists extraordinarily provide an answer of inspiration.

This will give the potential listeners some insight into what this music is about. If you want to learn all the details I highly recommend visiting the artist website. Based on what I garnered from the CD booklet there is quite a musical production that accompanies this music and it looks fantastic.

In most cases I do not favor music in any other language than English because I really want to understand what the artist is singing about. I did my due diligence and got a better idea while listening and after the music stopped. This was a different perspective I fell into and instantly while taking in this recording. I was pleasantly surprised with how it made me feel.

Sangeeta has a gorgeous angelic voice that melts into your soul and hangs on tight. This album was so different and refreshing that I sincerely enjoyed every track. Some of the music is prolific and larger than life. The resounding drum beats and layers of instruments intertwine into an audible journey of divinity. This women’s voice ranges from silky smooth to operatic dependent on the pace and movements in each track. There is never a time where I felt disinterested, it was quite the opposite actually. I was wondering what was coming next.

If focus brought on by the light of the human spirit is what you seek you shall find it on this recording. If you happen to enjoy it as much as I did, it will be over before you know. This is comparable to doing a task you love and time becomes irrelevant. And it should be in this case because what you receive from Ascension - Niguma Vol. 2 The Mantra Project, is a new focal point filled with positive vibrations. This music will soothe your soul and clear your mind. I say that with conviction. I can see now how this music was set to the stage with all the dance, yoga movements and the colors brought to life.  An audience would simply be mesmerized. This is beauty in motion with words and music ...

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

November 3, 2017

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Tracks:  
01. All Space And Time (Intro)
02. Niguma, I Bow To You
03 .Dream Tunnel
04. This Beautiful World (Featuring Kassé Mady Diabaté)
05. Summer's Dance
06. Lascia Ch'io Pianga (Full Orchestra Version)
07. Samsara's Tango
08. Ascension (Featuring Tahir Qawwal)
09. Deum De Deo (Featuring The Hungarian Studio Choir)
10. Ardas Bhaee (Full Orchestra Version)
 

Effervescent Prog-Rock Ensemble Fischer's Flicker Releases New Album "Open 28 Hours"

Chicago - The musical mind of native Chicagoan Scott Fischer has been described as a colorfully symphonic amusement park. Whether it's a song-length concept piece, a full album, a rock opera or something else entirely, big bright melodies and ambitious composition always take center stage. As a contributor to Zappacast (the official Frank Zappa podcast), a performer in The Rod Stewart Experience with the legendary Carmine Appice and now on his seventh album, it's no wonder this latest release is titled “Open 28 Hours”: Whatever you're expecting from Fischer's Flicker, you're going to end up with more.

“Open 28 Hours” revisits the humor and camp of Fischer's previous musical bodies of work, and also maintains a musically mature songwriting style and Fischer's signature elastic vocals. Part prog, part power pop, part funk, part piano magic, part 80's extravagance and all at once endlessly intriguing, “Open 28 Hours” plays like a diverse mixtape from another planet. Diversity is not only this band's strong suit, but its card to play in an industry where singular genres seemingly come hardwired in these days. Instead, Fischer's Flicker has something for everyone without kowtowing to trends or passing whims. Good songs are universal, and this is a record that's full of them.

Anchored by odd time signatures filled with sweeping arpeggios played in unison, “Spiders” still could find a home on rock radio thanks to its harmonious structure, while the obscure Kinks cover “No More Looking Back” honors its muse in keen Fischer-esque fashion. Album starter “The In-Betweener” rides high on a soul-rock groove, and although closing number “Zen” is far and away the album's most serene track, it does so in a way that still packs a punch.

Lyrically, relationships play a huge part in Fischer's storytelling, whether it's the acceptation of a fraught back-and-forth, a realization of being a victim to circumstance or an urge to run and hide, Fischer puts all on display in a way that's both vulnerable and brave. Mid-album cut “Smoke Signals,” Fischer's most autobiographical tune in the bunch, comes from an awakening that “no matter how many times in your life that you feel things have finally settled down or that have achieved some type of state of consistency, and then see just how many people have passed in and out of your life,” he states. “You wonder which of your friends will betray you further down the road. You wonder if someone is there to help you or hinder you or take advantage. And then the realization is that it's OK to have change. That starting over allows you the chance to learn from mistakes and create new memories.”

This is all without mentioning the nearly 10-minute epic “Mother of a Ship,” where an existential crises leads to a chance meeting with an alien who offers the protagonist all he can dream of in exchange for fellow humans who are taking up space. It's a premise that leads to discussion and questions on the listener's end, sprawled over a blissful, enormously enjoyable funk/prog backdrop.

Granted, Fischer's ideas are big and the delivery is equally so, but the ideas presented are mainly about the little things we can all do to stay happy (or at least, retreat from the darkness). More so than the length of time given, the first word in the album's title is key: These songs are open, in every sense. Taking it all in, like any great piece of art, is a process and if given the time, this seventh album pays off for the listener in spades.

To purchase Fischer's Flicker “Open 28 Hours”: https://goo.gl/eLg2eu

For more information:
www.fischersflicker.com
www.facebook.com/fischersflicker

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

Effervescent Prog-Rock Ensemble Fischer's Flicker Releases New Album "Open 28 Hours"

Chicago - The musical mind of native Chicagoan Scott Fischer has been described as a colorfully symphonic amusement park. Whether it's a song-length concept piece, a full album, a rock opera or something else entirely, big bright melodies and ambitious composition always take center stage. As a contributor to Zappacast (the official Frank Zappa podcast), a performer in The Rod Stewart Experience with the legendary Carmine Appice and now on his seventh album, it's no wonder this latest release is titled “Open 28 Hours”: Whatever you're expecting from Fischer's Flicker, you're going to end up with more.

“Open 28 Hours” revisits the humor and camp of Fischer's previous musical bodies of work, and also maintains a musically mature songwriting style and Fischer's signature elastic vocals. Part prog, part power pop, part funk, part piano magic, part 80's extravagance and all at once endlessly intriguing, “Open 28 Hours” plays like a diverse mixtape from another planet. Diversity is not only this band's strong suit, but its card to play in an industry where singular genres seemingly come hardwired in these days. Instead, Fischer's Flicker has something for everyone without kowtowing to trends or passing whims. Good songs are universal, and this is a record that's full of them.

Anchored by odd time signatures filled with sweeping arpeggios played in unison, “Spiders” still could find a home on rock radio thanks to its harmonious structure, while the obscure Kinks cover “No More Looking Back” honors its muse in keen Fischer-esque fashion. Album starter “The In-Betweener” rides high on a soul-rock groove, and although closing number “Zen” is far and away the album's most serene track, it does so in a way that still packs a punch.

Lyrically, relationships play a huge part in Fischer's storytelling, whether it's the acceptation of a fraught back-and-forth, a realization of being a victim to circumstance or an urge to run and hide, Fischer puts all on display in a way that's both vulnerable and brave. Mid-album cut “Smoke Signals,” Fischer's most autobiographical tune in the bunch, comes from an awakening that “no matter how many times in your life that you feel things have finally settled down or that have achieved some type of state of consistency, and then see just how many people have passed in and out of your life,” he states. “You wonder which of your friends will betray you further down the road. You wonder if someone is there to help you or hinder you or take advantage. And then the realization is that it's OK to have change. That starting over allows you the chance to learn from mistakes and create new memories.”

This is all without mentioning the nearly 10-minute epic “Mother of a Ship,” where an existential crises leads to a chance meeting with an alien who offers the protagonist all he can dream of in exchange for fellow humans who are taking up space. It's a premise that leads to discussion and questions on the listener's end, sprawled over a blissful, enormously enjoyable funk/prog backdrop.

Granted, Fischer's ideas are big and the delivery is equally so, but the ideas presented are mainly about the little things we can all do to stay happy (or at least, retreat from the darkness). More so than the length of time given, the first word in the album's title is key: These songs are open, in every sense. Taking it all in, like any great piece of art, is a process and if given the time, this seventh album pays off for the listener in spades.

To purchase Fischer's Flicker “Open 28 Hours”: https://goo.gl/eLg2eu

For more information:
www.fischersflicker.com
www.facebook.com/fischersflicker

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

Prog Rock Review: RTFACT-Life Is Good

Release Date: CD Release Date - September 30, 2017/LP Release Date - November 23, 2017

Label: AFL Music

Facebook Page

It is a beautiful thing this progressive rock, and what some artists are releasing these days is amazing. The prog community is very special to this music fan. When you get a chance to hear a project with a overabundance of artists joining forces to record an album it is even more exciting and special.

So now we have RTFACT with their album Life Is Good. This band is fresh from their recording sessions and ready to get this music out to the masses ASAP!

Life Is Good is a boundless combination of prog and classic rock. One of the great things about this album besides all of stellar musicianship, are the vocals of Jeff Scott Soto. He is an outstanding vocalist and I believe underrated by people in the music business. The people that really count, the listeners, know who he is and his capabilities.

Nad Sylvan provides vocals as well and notably Oz Noy rips off a few stellar guitar lines to polish and perfect the experience.  So, what you get is a few of the more recognizable names in the industry joining forces with names you may have been ever exposed to. What does this tell me? There is a lot of unfound talent out there to be discovered and am I ever glad I discovered this band. Thanks go out to Yuri Volodarsky,of AFL Music for making this opportunity possible.

These players know how to have some fun as well. After the superb “(I Got) Money In My Pocket” and “Hail To The Winner Part I” then comes the entertaining instrumental “Hail To The Winner Part II Tarantella.” It starts off like a soundtrack to one of the old 60s TV Shows like Mr. Ed for instance. Then it launches into a full-on rock attack with scorching leads from the six-string. After that workout a true to form prog rock approach is taken, with all the quick changes that blow your mind on “Gotika.” Again, my interest peaked and I was compelled to turn up the volume. It was like listening to ELP on steroids. This is prog rock at its very best as far as I am concerned.

I think the description of the band on the Bandcamp website paints the proper picture of what this music is with the following statement:

An archaeological trove of musical nuggets, with soaring vocals, Hammond B3 wizardry, muscular guitar solos, and a supple rhythm section that grooves as hard as it rocks.

It so true! Usually these statements are a blown out of proportion, a gaggle of words, but in the case every bit of it is right as rain. This is a great sound from start to finish with crankin’ guitar solos, pumping organ and synth parts, and a killer rhythm section. It all comes together to create a prog rock masterpiece. “Life Is Good (Remix)” calls it day with a very Yes like sound and layered vocals. A fitting touch for the closer with a wink and nod to an outstanding musical journey to prog nirvana.

Yes, indeed Life Is Good thanks to prog rock.

Tracks:
1. Life Is Good
2. Artifact
3. (I Got) Money In My Pocket
4. Hail To The Winner. Part I
5. Hail To The Winner. Part II. Tarantella
6. Gotika
7. The King, The Master, And The Timekeeper
8. Hollywood Walk Of Fame
9. Life Is Good (Remix)
 

Line Up:

Jeff Scott Soto - vocals

Nad Sylvan - vocals

Will Champlin - vocals

Oz Noy - solo guitar

Jeff Kollman - solo guitar

Rafael Moreira - guitar

Josh Smith - guitar

Gary Meek - flute, sax

Edward Tsiselsky - keyboards

Dmitry Ilugdin - synthesizers

Eugene Sharikov - bass

Joel Taylor – drums

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

October 31, 2017

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

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Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk

Prog Rock Review: RTFACT-Life Is Good

Release Date: CD Release Date - September 30, 2017/LP Release Date - November 23, 2017

Label: AFL Music

Facebook Page

It is a beautiful thing this progressive rock, and what some artists are releasing these days is amazing. The prog community is very special to this music fan. When you get a chance to hear a project with a overabundance of artists joining forces to record an album it is even more exciting and special.

So now we have RTFACT with their album Life Is Good. This band is fresh from their recording sessions and ready to get this music out to the masses ASAP!

Life Is Good is a boundless combination of prog and classic rock. One of the great things about this album besides all of stellar musicianship, are the vocals of Jeff Scott Soto. He is an outstanding vocalist and I believe underrated by people in the music business. The people that really count, the listeners, know who he is and his capabilities.

Nad Sylvan provides vocals as well and notably Oz Noy rips off a few stellar guitar lines to polish and perfect the experience.  So, what you get is a few of the more recognizable names in the industry joining forces with names you may have been ever exposed to. What does this tell me? There is a lot of unfound talent out there to be discovered and am I ever glad I discovered this band. Thanks go out to Yuri Volodarsky,of AFL Music for making this opportunity possible.

These players know how to have some fun as well. After the superb “(I Got) Money In My Pocket” and “Hail To The Winner Part I” then comes the entertaining instrumental “Hail To The Winner Part II Tarantella.” It starts off like a soundtrack to one of the old 60s TV Shows like Mr. Ed for instance. Then it launches into a full-on rock attack with scorching leads from the six-string. After that workout a true to form prog rock approach is taken, with all the quick changes that blow your mind on “Gotika.” Again, my interest peaked and I was compelled to turn up the volume. It was like listening to ELP on steroids. This is prog rock at its very best as far as I am concerned.

I think the description of the band on the Bandcamp website paints the proper picture of what this music is with the following statement:

An archaeological trove of musical nuggets, with soaring vocals, Hammond B3 wizardry, muscular guitar solos, and a supple rhythm section that grooves as hard as it rocks.

It so true! Usually these statements are a blown out of proportion, a gaggle of words, but in the case every bit of it is right as rain. This is a great sound from start to finish with crankin’ guitar solos, pumping organ and synth parts, and a killer rhythm section. It all comes together to create a prog rock masterpiece. “Life Is Good (Remix)” calls it day with a very Yes like sound and layered vocals. A fitting touch for the closer with a wink and nod to an outstanding musical journey to prog nirvana.

Yes, indeed Life Is Good thanks to prog rock.

Tracks:
1. Life Is Good
2. Artifact
3. (I Got) Money In My Pocket
4. Hail To The Winner. Part I
5. Hail To The Winner. Part II. Tarantella
6. Gotika
7. The King, The Master, And The Timekeeper
8. Hollywood Walk Of Fame
9. Life Is Good (Remix)
 

Line Up:

Jeff Scott Soto - vocals

Nad Sylvan - vocals

Will Champlin - vocals

Oz Noy - solo guitar

Jeff Kollman - solo guitar

Rafael Moreira - guitar

Josh Smith - guitar

Gary Meek - flute, sax

Edward Tsiselsky - keyboards

Dmitry Ilugdin - synthesizers

Eugene Sharikov - bass

Joel Taylor – drums

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

October 31, 2017

Founder of:

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

Write A Music Review

Prog Rock Music Talk

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

Review Provided By Prog Rock Music Talk