Instrumental New Age Review: Michael Kollwitz-Serenity II

Release Date: April 13, 2018

Label: Independent

Website

Michael Kollwitz is set to release Serenity II. I had a great pleasure last year of enjoying Serenity I.  This, of course, is a continuation of the first set of tracks. So, expect more of the same excellent relaxing music you heard before to be your experience this time around.

Kollwitz is one of the few masters of the Chapman Stick. Tony Levin comes to mind immediately when the subject of the stick arises. The instrument reminds me of the Sitar is some ways. It is a very versatile instrument that has the unique ability to combine the guitar and bass together to formulate one effective sound. Most impressive is the fact that the tracks for Serenity II were written, performed and produced by the artist.

The person that plays the stick must be extremely focused and versatile. Based on what I heard from the first Serenity album and what I am hearing on volume II, Michael is performing at a very high level.

The sixteen tracks offered on Serenity II are crisp and clear. They can melt away stress easily as the artist presents each of the tracks. The consistency is the key to the presentation on this recording. One track flows into the next seamlessly, like it was a force of nature, a normal occurrence. I found that kind of musical command is exceptional with this music.

Because of the way each track unites with the next I find difficult to pick anyone out in particular, they are all exceptional. This is more like one listen then a track by track experience. Although each composition may be dissimilar, the beauty and ease of the Chapman Stick allow such peacefulness with a listener that it becomes one piece of music. For my ears that is a powerful statement to make. It sets me at ease early on and maintains that hold on me until the music stops playing. 

Serenity II is a strong follow up to the first volume. I will be interested to see what direction Michael goes after this release. I would not expect a volume III, at least not without him releasing something that takes the listener in another direction. The thought of that alone peaks my interest. For now, I will kick back and let this music take over and let my worries of the day disappear.

4/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

April 8, 2018

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Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks: 
01. The Presence
02. Wrapped In Love 04:14   
03. Climbing The Mountain
04. Clear Passage
05. Live And Let Live
06. The Balance
07. Blue Skies
08. Pure Signal
09. Welcome Home
10. A Greater Purpose
11. One With Nature
12. Shaman's Cave
13. Easy Does It
14. Breaking Free
15. Beyond The Clouds
16. Way Of Knowledge
 

Chilean Prog Ensemble Aisles Premieres Third New Video "Still Alive"

Chilean Prog ensemble Aisles, South America's most acclaimed prog band of the last 10 years, is premiering the third video of their “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions, for the song “Still Alive”, which was originally released on their latest album “Hawaii”.

Watch Aisles new video for “Still Alive”:

Says Aisles guitarist, German Vergara, “ 'Still Alive' is one of the most representative songs, and maybe the saddest, on our latest album "Hawaii". Capturing that feeling of hopelessness was a challenge both for the band and for the director of the video, Bernardo Quesney. Sonically, it is different from the album version because it is much less processed. What you hear is Aisles organic live sound, just like you'd hear it at one of our concerts. Even the tempo of the song changed as a result of that search”.

The “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions started with the video for the song ‘Clouds Motion’, and it will continue with more videos coming soon.

With four studio albums and a career spanning twelve years, Aisles have become South America's most acclaimed prog act of the last decade. Their daring combination of rock, fusion, jazz and world music illustrates the band’s uniquely eclectic approach. The group has played in South America and Europe, and their albums have been released in Europe, the Americas, and Japan.

In 2009 their second album “In Sudden Walks” was nominated for Best Foreign Record in the Italian Prog Awards and the group was invited to open the 11th Progressive Rock Festival Crescendo in France. Their third album, “4:45 AM” (2013) was widely acclaimed worldwide and was chosen among the best albums of that year in a number of specialized publications. “Hawaii” (July, 2016), their fourth studio album was called a “masterpiece” and named one of the albums of the year by media outlets such as Prog (England), Neoprog (France), Raw Ramp (England) and Chile's premiere rock magazine, Rockaxis.

Aisles are:
Germán Vergara: guitar, vocals
Felipe Candia: drums, percussion
Sebastián Vergara: lead vocals
Rodrigo Sepúlveda: guitar, vocals
Daniel Concha: bass
Juan Pablo Gaete: keyboards

For more information:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6J59KdFHCHPSmiGhN5JoKb
Aisles official store: http://www.aislesproject.com/aisles/store/hawaii.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aislesproject
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aislesproject
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aislesproject/

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

Chilean Prog Ensemble Aisles Premieres Third New Video "Still Alive"

Chilean Prog ensemble Aisles, South America's most acclaimed prog band of the last 10 years, is premiering the third video of their “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions, for the song “Still Alive”, which was originally released on their latest album “Hawaii”.

Watch Aisles new video for “Still Alive”:

Says Aisles guitarist, German Vergara, “ 'Still Alive' is one of the most representative songs, and maybe the saddest, on our latest album "Hawaii". Capturing that feeling of hopelessness was a challenge both for the band and for the director of the video, Bernardo Quesney. Sonically, it is different from the album version because it is much less processed. What you hear is Aisles organic live sound, just like you'd hear it at one of our concerts. Even the tempo of the song changed as a result of that search”.

The “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions started with the video for the song ‘Clouds Motion’, and it will continue with more videos coming soon.

With four studio albums and a career spanning twelve years, Aisles have become South America's most acclaimed prog act of the last decade. Their daring combination of rock, fusion, jazz and world music illustrates the band’s uniquely eclectic approach. The group has played in South America and Europe, and their albums have been released in Europe, the Americas, and Japan.

In 2009 their second album “In Sudden Walks” was nominated for Best Foreign Record in the Italian Prog Awards and the group was invited to open the 11th Progressive Rock Festival Crescendo in France. Their third album, “4:45 AM” (2013) was widely acclaimed worldwide and was chosen among the best albums of that year in a number of specialized publications. “Hawaii” (July, 2016), their fourth studio album was called a “masterpiece” and named one of the albums of the year by media outlets such as Prog (England), Neoprog (France), Raw Ramp (England) and Chile's premiere rock magazine, Rockaxis.

Aisles are:
Germán Vergara: guitar, vocals
Felipe Candia: drums, percussion
Sebastián Vergara: lead vocals
Rodrigo Sepúlveda: guitar, vocals
Daniel Concha: bass
Juan Pablo Gaete: keyboards

For more information:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6J59KdFHCHPSmiGhN5JoKb
Aisles official store: http://www.aislesproject.com/aisles/store/hawaii.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aislesproject
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aislesproject
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aislesproject/

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

Chilean Prog Ensemble Aisles Premieres Third New Video "Still Alive"

Chilean Prog ensemble Aisles, South America's most acclaimed prog band of the last 10 years, is premiering the third video of their “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions, for the song “Still Alive”, which was originally released on their latest album “Hawaii”.

Watch Aisles new video for “Still Alive”:

Says Aisles guitarist, German Vergara, “ 'Still Alive' is one of the most representative songs, and maybe the saddest, on our latest album "Hawaii". Capturing that feeling of hopelessness was a challenge both for the band and for the director of the video, Bernardo Quesney. Sonically, it is different from the album version because it is much less processed. What you hear is Aisles organic live sound, just like you'd hear it at one of our concerts. Even the tempo of the song changed as a result of that search”.

The “Live from Estudio del Sur” sessions started with the video for the song ‘Clouds Motion’, and it will continue with more videos coming soon.

With four studio albums and a career spanning twelve years, Aisles have become South America's most acclaimed prog act of the last decade. Their daring combination of rock, fusion, jazz and world music illustrates the band’s uniquely eclectic approach. The group has played in South America and Europe, and their albums have been released in Europe, the Americas, and Japan.

In 2009 their second album “In Sudden Walks” was nominated for Best Foreign Record in the Italian Prog Awards and the group was invited to open the 11th Progressive Rock Festival Crescendo in France. Their third album, “4:45 AM” (2013) was widely acclaimed worldwide and was chosen among the best albums of that year in a number of specialized publications. “Hawaii” (July, 2016), their fourth studio album was called a “masterpiece” and named one of the albums of the year by media outlets such as Prog (England), Neoprog (France), Raw Ramp (England) and Chile's premiere rock magazine, Rockaxis.

Aisles are:
Germán Vergara: guitar, vocals
Felipe Candia: drums, percussion
Sebastián Vergara: lead vocals
Rodrigo Sepúlveda: guitar, vocals
Daniel Concha: bass
Juan Pablo Gaete: keyboards

For more information:
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/6J59KdFHCHPSmiGhN5JoKb
Aisles official store: http://www.aislesproject.com/aisles/store/hawaii.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aislesproject
Twitter: https://twitter.com/aislesproject
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aislesproject/

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

Flav Martin & Jerry Marotta Release Debut Album Soul Redemption

Peter Gabriel's rhythm section of his classic line-up, Jerry Marotta and Tony Levin, reunite for the backbone of this album!

Soul Redemption is the debut release from singer/song writer Flav Martin and drummer Jerry Marotta. The duo harmoniously blends modern adult rock with traditional world pop. Whether performed in a cafe in Italy or on the polo fields of Indio, these songs would feel comfortably at home in either environment.

Soul Redemption is a harmonious blend of modern adult rock and traditional world music.

Credited as one of the most innovative acoustic guitar players on the scene today, Flav Martin blends beautiful melodies with intricate technique, voicing, and a percussive style that leaves people saying “How does he do that?”. Throughout his career Flav has performed with David Crosby, Al Stewart, Suzanne Vega, Tommy Emmanuel and more. Flav’s many writing credits include Saturday Night Live, PBS, Canon Films. All but two of the songs on this album were written
by Flav.

World renowned drummer, touring and session musician/producer Jerry Marotta has left his mark on countless recordings by Paul McCartney, Hall & Oates, The Indigo Girls, Marc Cohn, Sarah MacLachlan, and John Mayer to name but a few. He first entered the music scene as the drummer for Orleans with the hit single “Still the One” followed by a decade of performing and recording with Peter Gabriel. His rhythmic drumming and world music inspired percussion complement the acoustic flavor of Flav’s guitar.

Fans of Peter Gabriel will delight as Jerry Marotta and Tony Levin, the rhythm section of his classic line-up, reunite for the backbone of this album. Also backing up the duo are their long time friends Peter Primamore (piano), Thor Jensen (guitar), Marc Shulman (guitar), and Gary Schreiner (harmonica/accordion).

Watch the official Soul Redemption video: 

Tracklist:
1) Soul Redemption
2) Please
3) Drinking You
4) I Knew It Was You
5) Tell Me To My Face
6) Rio De Janiero
7) Wild Moon
8) Coffee Song
9) How Could You Leave Me Now?

Produced by Jerry Marotta

For more information:
www.jerrymarotta.com ;
www.flavmartin.com ;

To purchase Flav Martin & Jerry Marotta's Soul Redemption:
Bandcamp: https://flavmartinjerrymarotta.bandcamp.com/releases
PledgeMusic: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/martin-marotta-soul-redemption
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/soul-redemption/1342410635
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Redemption-Martin-Jerry-Marotta/dp/B07B5THYL8/

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