Instrumental Piano Review: Renee Michele-The Space Within

Release Date: January 1, 2019

Label: Independent

Website

I  think one of the best things about an artist recording their album in Will Ackerman’s Imaginary Road Studios is all the standout musicians involved. 

On Renee Michele’s The Space Within she is afforded the expert assistance of Ackerman and Tom Eaton. For the musical contributors, there is Eugene Friesen (cello), Jeff Oster (flugelhorn), Jill Haley (English horn), Charlie Bisharat (violin), and Eaton (bass) and Ackerman (guitar, Hopi drum) respectively.

That kind of position is like going from strength to strength, and one any instrumentalist would like to be in. Although Renee’s piano is standout, the mixture of the additional instruments just enhances the entire recording. Renee is not short on confidence mind you, you can get the album with just the piano tracks if you wish. That says it all for an artist in total control of her own destiny. Just the realization of seeing an artist so empowered gives me a chill. It is a beautiful thing, and believe me, it all comes flowing through like a river that knows exactly where it’s going.

I really appreciate the input Renee provides on the inside cover of the CD. What I found most amazing is how grounded and grateful she is for her creativity and an audience. When she describes the title track and how she could feel like the musician and the audience at the same time, now that is to me is very spiritual. Renee is so unassuming and driven just by the music, which is so refreshing to hear. The combination of an artist like Renee and all the guest musicians makes for a powerful recipe for success.

Each track holds an essential meaning to the artist as if she dug deep down into her soul and let only her innermost spirit and thoughts find a way to speak through her fingers into the ivory keys. I am in awe of that kind of talent and connection one person can have with a higher sense of being. I think it is something all people should strive for, in this case, I think the level is attained with a purpose.

The Space Within or the space you want to change can be arranged by listening to these tracks, all 10, like the commandments written in stone, the music gives you the opportunity to step forward and never look back. Music from an enlightened spirit like Renee Michelle will surely capture your attention.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

January 8, 2019

Founder of:

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MuzikMan Productions

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Tracks: 
01. My Angel
02. In the Mist
03. The Space Within
04. Tabula Rasa
05. Aspire
06. Life As a Cloud
07. Montana Breeze
08. The Road Less Traveled
09. Trees of Vermont
10. Communion
 

Music Industry Veteran Rick Levy To Release New Memoir High in the Mid-'60s: How to Have a Fabulous Life in Music without Being Famous on Crossroad Press

“There's a wealth of wisdom, honesty, fun, sharp observations, great stories and good advice in these pages…a must read for top 40 era music lovers…” - Dick Barley, nationally syndicated radio personality.

St. Augustine, FL - High in the Mid-'60s: How to Have a Fabulous Life in Music without Being Famous first started as Rick Levy's journal where he wrote about discovering his roots and what turned out to be a lifelong passion realized. Readers will discover High in the Mid '60s is a memoir, rock and roll everyman story, spiritual discovery, survival manual and an anecdotal treasure chest of life on the road. Rick went from being a member of The Limits, a garage band, to having a failed major label recording contract, to running an indie label, then going on to become one of the top managers and bandleaders in the '60s genre.

Divided into chronological sections, starting with his childhood, Rick shows that one can have a successful career in the music industry and still avoid the chaos that often comes with fame. One could say that this passion for music all started with Rick's “Uncle” Elliot who presented him with the first Elvis Presley album, then not much later, a record player and tape recorder. Inspiration abounded, and Levy went on to work with notable pop rock artists, including the Herman's Hermits, Tommy Roe, Freddy Cannon, Jay & the Techniques, The Tokens and Bo Diddley. He is currently the manager and guitarist with Memphis legends, The Box Tops.

Anyone wanting to know more about the business, especially with the music explosion that the '60s brought, will devour this entertaining memoir. Larry Klein, executive producer of Dick Clark Productions, American Music Awards and more says, “Rick is one of those lucky people who has made his love his life…and his vocation…and it shows in the way he performs and respects the artists and music. And, he does it damn good!”

Now Rick can add author to his repertoire.

More words of Praise:

“Yes, yes, yes, you are a real rocker…you play guitar like it's supposed to be played.” - Freddy cannon, rock and roll singer.

“Rick always works hard to make my shows sound 'top notch.' He knows and loves the music…a true pro…one of the best!” - Brian Beirne, concert promoter, legendary Los Angeles radio personality (KRTH)



About the Author: 

Rick Levy is an internationally known musician, manager and tour manager. His career began in early 1960s in Allentown, PA with The Limits. He went on to receive a BA in sociology from University of Pennsylvania and an elementary education certification from Moravian College. From 1985 until the present, he has been manager and/or bandleader. Levy is also a trained transcendental meditation teacher, yogi, and professional ceramic artist with his own “Glazed and Confused” pottery studio in St. Augustine, Florida where he resides. His son, Jonah, is a sought after special effects makeup artist based in Atlanta, Georgia and co-owner of Blue Whale Studios. You may find out more at www.ricklevy.com . Photos included. Rick is available for interview.

To Purchase: 
https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=high+in+the+mid+60s+rick+levy
or ricklevy.com

For more information:
http://www.ricklevy.com
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1493893264090763/

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

Avant-Jazz Group The Oddyssey Quartet To Release Sophomore Album "We Are All Branches of the Same Tree" - January 19, 2019

Following up their debut of composed music “Suite for the End of the Earth,” “We Are All Branches of the Same Tree” is the second release from avant-jazz group the Oddyssey Quartet,  featuring twelve improvised pieces from four musicians who have only played together a handful of times but who share the common ancient language of music, bringing them together in a cohesion of intuitive conversation, and demonstrating in real time that we all really are branches of the same tree. Featuring former Albert Ayler Quintet bassist Bill Folwell, and former Sam Rivers Rivbea Orchestra saxophonist David Pate, with Jose Cochez on drums, and Rex Shepherd on guitar and prepared guitar.

“After recording 'Suite for the End of the Earth,' which consisted of composed music, and having only played together as a group a few times, we wanted to see what we would get playing totally free. There was such a good vibe in the room with the four of us that it made playing so easy, the ideas flowed, I could respond to the sounds around me and the natural ebb and flow of conversational music happened. For me it is a spiritual thing, experiencing a wordless connection to others, when the music comes together and reveals the common thread in all of us.” - Rex Shepherd



Tracks
1. Surculus
2. Osier
3. Telgo
4. Spray
5. Switch
6. Ramus
7. Seten
8. Bough 
9. Vimen 
10. Shrag 
11. Stofn 
12. Withie 

Release Date January 19, 2019

To purchase: https://rexshepherd.bandcamp.com/album/we-are-all-branches-of-the-same-tree

For more information: 
https://rexshep.com
https://www.facebook.com/musicpagerexshepherd/
Contact: jazzman465@yahoo.com

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

New Age Instrumental-Chamber: Nathan Speir-Searching for Nepsis

Release Date: February 1, 2019

Label: Neptic Music

Website

Nathan Speir is a working man’s artist. He works during the day as an Electrician and makes music when he is not on that job. I personally can relate to that as I have been in the same type of lifestyle for over twenty years now. It is a choice and one that I have found to reap many benefits that I would otherwise never had.

I am talking about the music of course. So, besides the respect I have for indie artists, I can appreciate the whole picture. In other words, I get it. I understand how difficult it is to get balance with two livelihoods and also pay attention to your loved ones.

Nathan has a lot of music out there and Searching for Nepsis will be released in less than a month. The information I received put the entire project in proper perspective: Searching for Nepsis is an acoustic-electric album of ambient chamber music filled with cellos, violin, piano, singing bowls, electric bass, acoustic guitar, some synthesizers, a duduk, and cajon. 

The music is considered to be new age chamber. So, you definitely will hear the strong classical influence that is made up of many small instruments accompanied by the piano. I would not hesitate to add world to the overall genre of this recording, considering the array instruments like singing bowls, duduk, and cajon.

There is a steady drone that is created by the cello on this album in many of the tracks. I think that was brilliantly executed throughout. I actually thought it may be the duduk (which is on one track), which is an ancient double-reed woodwind instrument made of apricot wood. It reminded me of a recent album I heard that had Indian music. The drone sound is a point of concentration, like when you meditate, however you are able to hear all the other instrumentation. 

If you enjoy a lot of different instrumentation and some beautiful piano that leads the way then Searching for Nepsis will be a very satisfying listen. “Song Cycle for Creators” is a wonderful example of Nathan’s artistry. It is flourishing with emotions, colors and the grace of the heavens. It comes together in one track like the movement of the planets around the sun, it is a meeting of time and space with a specific reason.

Nepsis is the art of being watchful, and that can come in many forms.  As with any frame of reference, it all depends on you, the one listening to this music. As always, each individual has their own interpretation of what they hear, the artist that presents the music does have a goal in mind.  I would think the main function of this relaxing and contemplative set of tracks would be for you to focus, relax, center yourself and find peace within This can be a significant space in time that pertains to the title of the recording. 

Nathan Speir is an incredibly talented individual that creates amazing music for hungry souls to ingest and assimilate. For this listener, the end result is always positive and energizing. Get your ticket now for the journey.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

January 5, 2019

Founder of:

TheFinalonVinyl

MuzikMan Productions

MuzikMan Reviews

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Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
1. As the Sun Set 
2. Into the Night 
3. Forest Lights 
4. Warming Up the Heart 
5. Searching for Nepsis 
6. Stars Float in Shadows of Glory 
7. Song Cycle for Creators 
8. Morning Twilight
 

Mike Oldfield's "The Killing Fields" Soundtrack & DVD Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set Now Available For Pre-order!

London - Mike Oldfield's “The Killing Fields” Soundtrack & DVD Limited Edition Deluxe Box Set is now available for pre-order. “The Killing Fields” is a 1984 British biographical drama film about the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, which is based on the experiences of two journalists: Cambodian Dith Pran and American Sydney Schanberg. It was directed by Roland Joffé and produced by David Puttnam for his company Goldcrest Films. Sam Waterston stars as Schanberg, Haing S. Ngor as Pran, Julian Sands as Jon Swain, and John Malkovich as Al Rockoff. The adaptation for the screen was written by Bruce Robinson; the musical score was written by Mike Oldfield and orchestrated by David Bedford.

The film was a success at the box office as well as being an instant hit with critics. At the 57th Academy Awards it received seven Oscar nominations, including Best Picture; it won three, most notably Best Supporting Actor for Haing S. Ngor, who had had no previous acting experience. At the 38th British Academy Film Awards, it won eight BAFTAs, including Best Film and Best Actor in a Leading Role for Ngor.

In 1999 the British Film Institute voted “The Killing Fields” the 100th greatest British film of the 20th century. In 2016 British film magazine Empire ranked it number 86 in their list of the 100 best British films.

“The Killing Fields” is the 10th record album by Mike Oldfield, originally released in 1984 on Virgin Records. It is the only full-length film score written by Mike Oldfield with the music was orchestrated by David Bedford.

Though Oldfield’s music had been used in films before (see “The Exorcist” and “The Space Movie”), this was the first time he had written specifically for film, and so far the only time. Oldfield composed the album on a Fairlight CMI.

Like many movies, the album is not a comprehensive record of all the Oldfield soundtrack music used in the film. Most notably, the music accompanying the darkroom sequence does not feature on the album.

Oldfield's work on the score was partially instigated by Virgin boss Richard Branson when he took Oldfield to see David Puttnam, a producer on the film, which then secured him the role. Oldfield spent six months working on the score for “The Killing Fields” before going on tour, but when Oldfield returned, the producers of the film asked for more music to be written, prompting Oldfield to ask for the use of an orchestra and a choir; three months later the score was finished.

Tracklisting

“Pran's Theme”
“Requiem for a City”
“Evacuation”
“Pran's Theme 2”
“Capture”
“Execution”
“Bad News”
“Pran's Departure”
“Worksite”
“The Year Zero”
“Blood Sucking”
“The Year Zero 2”
“Pra'’s Escape” / “The Killing Fields”
“The Trek”
“The Boy's Burial” / “Pran Sees the Red Cross”
“Good News”
“Étude”
“Evacuation (Single edit)” (Bonus track)
“Étude (Single edit)” (Bonus track)

Personnel

Mike Oldfield – guitars (Gibson Les Paul Junior and SG Junior), synthesizers (including Sequential Circuits Prophet 5, Oberheim OB-Xa, DMX and Roland VP 330), Fairlight computer, producer, engineer.
Preston Heyman – oriental percussion
Morris Pert – percussion
Eberhard Schoener – conductor
Bavarian State Orchestra
Tölzer Boys Choir

This deluxe box set brings together both the soundtrack CD and the film DVD for the first time, along with reproduction memorabilia from the film and a numbered certificate. This edition is bound to be a collector’s item for both fans of Mike Oldfield and of the movie alike!

Box Set comprises of:

DVD
CD
Numbered certificate
With reproductions of:
Lobby cards,
A3 poster,
Press Pack (In English),
German Press Book
10″ × 8″ black and white promotional photos

For more information: www.pledgemusic.com/mikeoldfield

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