6/02/2019

New Age Instrumental Review: Kathryn Kaye-Solace of Mountains and Clouds

Release Date: June 1, 2019
Label: Indie

Solace of Mountains and Clouds is the fifth release I am covering by the exquisite piano player Kathryn Kaye. It was like visiting an old friend when I gave this new recording my first listen. I received everything I have come to expect from an album created by this exceptional artist, top-notch musicianship, production, and sound.

If those three factors are in place consistently on your recordings there is a very good chance you will garner the praise you deserve and all the respect from your peers in the industry. You can tick off all the boxes in that category for Kathryn as well.

Solace of Mountains and Clouds is a direct reflection of the surroundings of the artist where she lives and creates all of her compositions. The inspiration of mother nature can be found in many different segments of the artistic communities. I must say after several years of listening to instrumental piano and new age music, that the images and music presented most definitely go hand in hand. The production elements are superb thanks to the Imaginary Road Studios and the fine stable of artists that contribute to this and many other recordings. The partnerships created are absolute bliss, with Kathryn’s recording being no exception.

A few of my favorites are “Slow Waltz at Summer's End” and “While The Mountain Sleeps.”  The track titles are as moving as the music. The images created by the titles and music are all at once prolific, calming, spiritual and rhythmic. There is an innate sense of musicality and tones emanating from those talented fingers that touch the ivory keys.

Solace of Mountains and Clouds is the soul of nature mirrored in the music and the colors, atmospheres, and vibrations of this wonderful music. It starts by touching all of your senses then it finds a way to your heart and soul. Any good instrumental music holds that magic but to do it so well and for so long is an incredible achievement and a gift to all that have the pleasure of hearing it.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
June 2, 2019
 
Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. Luna's Dream 3:57
02. For Love of Earth and Sky 5:12
03. We'll Be Home Tomorrow 4:13
04. Slow Waltz at Summer's End 4:24
05. Solace of Mountains and Clouds 6:06
06. Mountains Touching Sky 4:10
07. Finally Spring 5:16
08. Warm Sun, Gentle Rain 4:00
09. While the Mountain Sleeps 4:27
10. Stories Told by Trees 4:55


6/01/2019

Instrumental Acoustic Review: Raphael Groten-Star Lullaby

Release Date: June 1, 2019
Label: Indie

I first heard an album from Raphael Groten in 2015 covering Journey Home. So now with 4 years between albums, we have a double-disc set to make up for the lost time. The new release is titled Star Lullaby. 29 tracks comprise his latest recording. 

Star Lullaby on disc 1 is all original solo guitar music produced at Imaginary Road Studios with Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton. Disc 2 includes the same songs but with featured musicians Michael Manring, Eugene Friesen, Ron Korb, Charlie Bisharat, Jeff Haynes, Noah Wilding, and Will Ackerman.  This will provide each individual listener the opportunity to hear all tracks as they were meant to be heard with the guitar and then another opportunity to hear it all with instruments added. You will have the chance to compare and contrast each song, but most of all come to appreciate what a true artisan Raphael is with his six-string.

The picking and plucking of the acoustic guitar can create many soundscapes, textures, colors, and images. This is where the artist succeeds in seemingly effortless fashion. Certainly, it sounds very smooth as he transitions from one song to the next but surely this is not an easy thing to accomplish. Making your guitar the only instrument, then filling in all the spaces with the right tones and rhythms, must be a task. And then thinking of adding many other instruments and where to put them properly in a composition is another challenge. What you never have is a window into the process and obstacles one can run into on such an ambitious undertaking. That must have been more of a challenge from a production point than cutting the first disc with just guitar.

On the second disc, Raphael was very smart and made sure his guitar remained the main instrument. This does not take away from the added instrumentation. The artist commented: To be clear, the tracklist is the same for both discs, except Disc 2 which has a 15th track: “Star Lullaby” (vocals). (Which by the way, is very good).

Truly, my inspiration for the double CD came early on in production. As I began to overdub the featured musicians (which was thrilling!), I realized that while I expanded the sound for my fans, I also wanted to maintain their capacity to be able to listen to just the solo guitar

 I think that puts it all into proper perspective for the artist and for the listeners.

With that said, I found the additional instruments a benefit to the tracks, particularly with Michael Manring's distinctive bass style and tone.  The natural partnership of bass and six-string guitars are very evident when listening to these tracks. I also think because the guitar is acoustic, it allows the other instruments to shine and accompany Raphael in the most complimentary way possible. The beauty and simplicity of the first disc are very enjoyable and will be appreciated by guitar fans and those of easy listening or relaxation music. The same applies to the second disc but what you get is more layers of sound without any compromise from any one instrument, it all blends together beautifully.

There is just so much to enjoy on Star Lullaby that it would seem unfair to site any one track as a standout because they all are, it’s as simple as that. This is quite a treat for the ears and senses and the contrasts and variety are superb.


Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
June 1, 2019

Founder of:

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:

Disc 1: Solo Guitar
 
1.  dawn
2.  waking
3.  mindfulness
4.  guidance
5.  levity
6.  star lullaby
7.  gratitude
8.  meditation
9.  compassion
10. opening
11. fledgling
12. eclipse
13. trust
14. prayer


Disc 2: Featured Musicians
 
1.  dawn
2.  waking
3.  mindfulness
4.  guidance
5.  levity
6.  star lullaby
7.  gratitude
8.  meditation
9.  compassion
10. opening
11. fledgling
12. eclipse
13. trust
14. prayer
15. star lullaby (vocals)


 

5/30/2019

King Crimson's 2019 Tour Box 2CD Now Available For Pre-order


Available as a pre-order now, the 2019 tour box will be available for general purchase at the end of June, as well as all of the 50 King Crimson live shows this year. The popular 2CD set covers all era of King Crimson with extracts from rehearsals, new live recordings, elements from studio recordings, full tracks, alternate takes & finished recordings from 1969-2018, many of which make their first appearance on CD.

Pre-order link 
Inner Knot (US) https://shop.schizoidshop.com/king-crimson---the-elements-tour-box-2019-p1800.aspx

The Elements tour box was originally devised specifically as a one-off edition for the 2014 King Crimson tour but has since become an in-demand series with subsequent editions in 2015, 16 & 17 becoming firm sellers. The accompanying booklet features sleeve-notes by co-compiler Sid Smith, photos of memorabilia, full info about the current tour & a number of band & individual photos of the current King Crimson line-up.

Full track listing 

Disc 1

1 Wind [extract] 1969, Wessex Studios, London. In The Court Of The Crimson King recording sessions.
2 21st Century Schizoid Man [Instrumental] From In The Court Of The Crimson King recording sessions.
3 Cadence and Cascade [Four vocalists] (Fripp, Sinfield) Original recording 1970 Wessex
Studios, London with vocal by Gordon Haskell (1970), Greg Lake, (1970), Adrian Belew (1991) Jakko Jakszyk,
(2017) From KC50 download series www.dgmlive.com
4 Catfood [Keith Tippett, Piano] 1970 Wessex Studios, London. In The Wake Of Poseidon recording sessions.
From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
5 Pictures Of A City [Robert Fripp, guitars] In The Wake Of Poseidon recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com
6 Lizard Suite Live at Centre Videotron, Quebec City, July 7, 2017. From Lizard Blu-ray disc, Sailors’ Tales boxed set.
7 The Letters Live at State Theatre, Minneapolis, June 26, 2017. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.
8 The Talking Drum Live at the Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, October 1, 2014. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.
9 Fracture [mostly drums mix] January 1974 AIR Studios, London. From Starless And Bible Black recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
10 Starless [Mellotron extract] Red recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
11 Red Live at Falkoner, Copenhagen, September 23, 2016. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.
12 Indiscipline Live at Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City, July, 2017. From Meltdown: Live in Mexico.
13 Neurotica Live at Chicago Theater, Chicago, June 28, 2017. From Live in Chicago.
14 Three Of A Perfect Pair Live at Nokia Theater, New York, August 2008. Taken from Heaven & Earth boxed set.

Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 previously unreleased on CD

Disc 2

1 Inner Garden [complete] 1994, Real World, Bath. THRAK recording sessions. Taken from the JurassiKc THRAK CD in the THRAK boxed set.
ProjeKcts Suite:

2 4 ii 1[ProjeKct One] Live at the Jazz Cafe, London, December 4, 1997. Taken from Heaven & Earth boxed set.
3 VROOOM [ProjeKct Two] Live at Pearl Street, Northampton, July 1, 1998. From the Heaven & Earth boxed set ProjeKcts Vol.2 Blu-ray disc.
4 Seizure [ProjeKct Three] Live at Antone's, Austin, March 25, 1999. From the Heaven & Earth boxed set ProjeKcts Vol.1 Blu-ray disc.
5 ProjeKction [ProjeKct Four] Live at the Crystal Ballroom, Portland, October 30, 1998. From the Heaven & Earth boxed set ProjeKcts Vol.1 Blu-ray disc.

6 The ConstruKction Of Light Live at the Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, November 26, 2015. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.

Sus-Tayn-Z Suite:

7 Sus-Tayn-Z I
8 Sus-Tayn-Z II
9 Sus-Tayn-Z III
August 2002, The Tracking Room, Nashville. The Power To Believe recording sessions.
Taken from The Power To Believe Tour Box (2003).

10 The Light of Day (Jakszyk, Fripp, Collins) November 25, 2009 DGM Soundworld, Silesia
Sound. A Scarcity of Miracles recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
Radical Action Suite:

11 Radical Action I (Fripp) Live at Auditorium Cavea, Rome, July 22, 2018. From the forthcoming
Live in Rome album.
12 Radical Action III (Fripp) Live at Auditorium Cavea, Rome, July 22, 2018. From the forthcoming
Live in Rome album.
13 Level 5 (Belew, Fripp, Gunn, Mastelotto) Live at Auditorium Cavea, Rome, July 22, 2018.
From the forthcoming Live in Rome album.

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 previously unreleased on CD

For more information: www.dgmlive.com

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

Featured Track: Love Ghost-Quiet Voices


Love Ghost is back with their second track feature on Rate The Tracks. 

"Quiet Voices" is not so quiet really. The artwork is most certainly dark and demented, and the music is a good match to what they are trying to convey in the song.

I think what the message is here is that the "quiet" voices can be just as effective and dangerous as the ones that scream.

They pull out all the stops and make this a real alternative rock-punk juggernaut. The seemingly quiet voices from the lead singer turn into a more convincing and powerful one to go along with the crashing rhythm section and in your face guitar lines.

"Quiet Voices" is like an early morning wake-up call and a warning as to what is to come if you don't pay attention. They really do get your attention on this track in every way possible!


 Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck


Love Ghost Website: https://loveghost.com/


Love Ghost is an alternative rock band from Los Angeles. While young in age (two of them are seniors in high school), these musicians have a genuine and developed grunge rock sound. Their sound has been compared to Alice in Chains and Smashing Pumpkins, amongst other throwback rock greats...READ MORE...

King Crimson's 2019 Tour Box 2CD Now Available For Pre-order


Available as a pre-order now, the 2019 tour box will be available for general purchase at the end of June, as well as all of the 50 King Crimson live shows this year. The popular 2CD set covers all era of King Crimson with extracts from rehearsals, new live recordings, elements from studio recordings, full tracks, alternate takes & finished recordings from 1969-2018, many of which make their first appearance on CD.

Pre-order link 
Inner Knot (US) https://shop.schizoidshop.com/king-crimson---the-elements-tour-box-2019-p1800.aspx

The Elements tour box was originally devised specifically as a one-off edition for the 2014 King Crimson tour but has since become an in-demand series with subsequent editions in 2015, 16 & 17 becoming firm sellers. The accompanying booklet features sleeve-notes by co-compiler Sid Smith, photos of memorabilia, full info about the current tour & a number of band & individual photos of the current King Crimson line-up.

Full track listing 

Disc 1

1 Wind [extract] 1969, Wessex Studios, London. In The Court Of The Crimson King recording sessions.
2 21st Century Schizoid Man [Instrumental] From In The Court Of The Crimson King recording sessions.
3 Cadence and Cascade [Four vocalists] (Fripp, Sinfield) Original recording 1970 Wessex
Studios, London with vocal by Gordon Haskell (1970), Greg Lake, (1970), Adrian Belew (1991) Jakko Jakszyk,
(2017) From KC50 download series www.dgmlive.com
4 Catfood [Keith Tippett, Piano] 1970 Wessex Studios, London. In The Wake Of Poseidon recording sessions.
From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
5 Pictures Of A City [Robert Fripp, guitars] In The Wake Of Poseidon recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com
6 Lizard Suite Live at Centre Videotron, Quebec City, July 7, 2017. From Lizard Blu-ray disc, Sailors’ Tales boxed set.
7 The Letters Live at State Theatre, Minneapolis, June 26, 2017. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.
8 The Talking Drum Live at the Orpheum Theatre, Los Angeles, October 1, 2014. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.
9 Fracture [mostly drums mix] January 1974 AIR Studios, London. From Starless And Bible Black recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
10 Starless [Mellotron extract] Red recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
11 Red Live at Falkoner, Copenhagen, September 23, 2016. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.
12 Indiscipline Live at Teatro Metropolitan, Mexico City, July, 2017. From Meltdown: Live in Mexico.
13 Neurotica Live at Chicago Theater, Chicago, June 28, 2017. From Live in Chicago.
14 Three Of A Perfect Pair Live at Nokia Theater, New York, August 2008. Taken from Heaven & Earth boxed set.

Tracks 3, 4, 5, 6, 9, 10 previously unreleased on CD

Disc 2

1 Inner Garden [complete] 1994, Real World, Bath. THRAK recording sessions. Taken from the JurassiKc THRAK CD in the THRAK boxed set.
ProjeKcts Suite:

2 4 ii 1[ProjeKct One] Live at the Jazz Cafe, London, December 4, 1997. Taken from Heaven & Earth boxed set.
3 VROOOM [ProjeKct Two] Live at Pearl Street, Northampton, July 1, 1998. From the Heaven & Earth boxed set ProjeKcts Vol.2 Blu-ray disc.
4 Seizure [ProjeKct Three] Live at Antone's, Austin, March 25, 1999. From the Heaven & Earth boxed set ProjeKcts Vol.1 Blu-ray disc.
5 ProjeKction [ProjeKct Four] Live at the Crystal Ballroom, Portland, October 30, 1998. From the Heaven & Earth boxed set ProjeKcts Vol.1 Blu-ray disc.

6 The ConstruKction Of Light Live at the Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, November 26, 2015. Previously released on 2017 Royal Package CD set.

Sus-Tayn-Z Suite:

7 Sus-Tayn-Z I
8 Sus-Tayn-Z II
9 Sus-Tayn-Z III
August 2002, The Tracking Room, Nashville. The Power To Believe recording sessions.
Taken from The Power To Believe Tour Box (2003).

10 The Light of Day (Jakszyk, Fripp, Collins) November 25, 2009 DGM Soundworld, Silesia
Sound. A Scarcity of Miracles recording sessions. From www.dgmlive.com Stormy Monday Selection.
Radical Action Suite:

11 Radical Action I (Fripp) Live at Auditorium Cavea, Rome, July 22, 2018. From the forthcoming
Live in Rome album.
12 Radical Action III (Fripp) Live at Auditorium Cavea, Rome, July 22, 2018. From the forthcoming
Live in Rome album.
13 Level 5 (Belew, Fripp, Gunn, Mastelotto) Live at Auditorium Cavea, Rome, July 22, 2018.
From the forthcoming Live in Rome album.

Tracks 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, 12, 13 previously unreleased on CD

For more information: www.dgmlive.com

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