New Age World Instrumental Review: Erik Scott-Spirits

Release Date: 2014

Label: Indie

Website

Mr. Erik Scott has quite the resume. From playing with Alice Cooper and Flo & Eddie to releasing a string of successful new age world instrumental releases, his influences are dramatically different. And The Earth Bleeds was released in the spring of this year so I did not expect another album so soon.

Spirits is Scott’s second release this year so to say the man is in a groove would be an understatement. Groove being the operative word here considering he is a bass player. Violins, flutes, electric guitars, various keyboards and more make up this montage of audible delights.

I think diversity is the key to success in area of employment and never is it more evident than with Scott’s music. His bass is a magnificent tool that prompts all the other sounds to bubble to the surface in the most wonderful way. “Free (Instrumental)” is a Celtic influenced track that is modern and clean yet it takes something from years long past and carries on the tradition and legacy of that timeless sound. If you are not thinking of castles and horse drawn carriages while listening to this song you had better check for a pulse!

Scott’s bass is quite prolific throughout this recording; his prominence and importance to the overall presentation reminded me of the dominance of a Jaco Pastorius or Tony Levin. It is like the purity of a hot springs bubbling essence and the synchronicity of time meeting for a grand explosion of colors and sounds. It’s both beauty and wonder put together in one tightly wrapped package.

“Donnie and Sancho” takes you to yet another time and place, Scott’s bass rolls over your body like a warm summer breeze and you feel like you are on a private beach in Mexico dipping your toes into the ocean. Ambiance and the intermingling of genres create a dance as the sands of time stand still. His bass is powerful, beautiful and ambient at times. It is kind of hard to explain but you have to hear it and feel it to totally assimilate the entire presentation. I know that sounds complicated but it’s actually quite the opposite because it’s right as rain straight on through. “Weightless” has a way of making you feel that way and once again the picture is painted on the right canvas. You find as things move along that this artist has impeccable taste and knows exactly how to create emotion and a deep sense of being one with the music. 

“Run (Instrumental)” has a tribal world feel to it as many different instruments take part in the festivities. It makes you feel like you are in the wide open spaces with an ancient civilization during some kind of ceremony or ritual. It gives you timeless music and a space to fill it all in with the inner most thoughts one can create as you take it all in. And if all of that wasn’t enough he does his own unique version of The Beatles “Yesterday,” which is brilliant. In a word, this man does more with one bass than some bands do with multiple instruments at hand.

“Proper Son” is the penultimate track that takes the bass as a lead instrument to an entirely new level. The combination of Scott’s bobbing and weaving bass lines coupled with layers of various instrumentation, are so impressive. I can hear this track playing during a rather exciting scene in a movie, perhaps a pursuit of climbing the highest peak or a deep jungle adventure.        

The music keeps you focused and mesmerized, track after track it will immerse you and make your heart sing. An consuming musical experience is what everyone needs on occasion and if you give Spirits a chance it will make you whole and satisfied with who you are and your surroundings. That is the purpose of a great musical experience. The day and stresses melt away and there is nothing else to focus on but the music. To me this is heaven, the very Spirit of mankind in its essence and purity, unencumbered by distractions. 

Spirits is a masterstroke of divergence and a cultural musical stew of joy and absolute bliss. It would seem one could listen to this album and land just about anywhere in the world. This is indeed a job well done Mr. Scott! You are a very talented individual and I hope you continue on this path you are on and have some more joy to bring us again very soon.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Free (Instrumental), Donnie and Sancho, Proper Son

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder

November 7, 2014

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Track Stream: Marika Takeuchi-Rain In The Park

I was so taken with this beautiful track I had to post it right away. Without a word it sweeps you away and brings so much emotion. It nearly brought me to tears. There is solace and a slice of heaven in this woman's fingers.

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck
More About Marika Takeuchi:

http://www.marika-takeuchi.com

Composer and pianist Marika Takeuchi, a native of Japan, began studies in classical music at the age of three. In addition to the piano, she played violin and french horn for several years. She began studying composition and building career as a composer at the age of 18 at Shobi Music College in Tokyo. Her early career includes composing for Japanese national radio, a major TV series and Universal Music Japan. As well as being strongly influenced and fascinated by classical impressionism and film music, her passions have been also extended into new age music, as she truly believes that music has the profound power to heal and change people’s lives.

New Age Review: Peter Jennison-Coming Home

Release Date: October 1, 2014

Label: Independent

Website

Peter Jennison began his musical journey on an old lime green piano that had lost many of its keys. As a child he would escape into the world of music and as an adult music has been his companion through ups, downs and in between. A lawyer, composer, soldier, father and husband, Jennison used his time while deployed to write some of the most poignant music I have ever heard. His first album in the Songs of War collection was Longing for Home and was written while he was deployed for a year in Iraq. His newest album and the conclusion to the collection is Coming Home and it focuses on returning home to families, wives and in some cases, in a flag draped coffin. 

As I turned on this album, I went about my daily activities and didn’t realize what I was listening to. The songs were not in any particular order as sometimes happens when things are downloaded and many of the classical pieces were first. They made me pause and look to see the titles, but when it came to the piece “Remember Me” I sucked in my breath and had to investigate further.

I grew up on military bases. My step father was in the Navy and you dealt with long deployments and families being fractured. Coping was what you did. As I really began to listen to this album and understood what Peter Jennison was really writing about, the tears began to slide down my face. 

My brother was a Marine deployed to many of the same places and every time he was sent over, my heart lodged in my throat. The pride, the terror, the eventual homecoming and the birth of his child. It is all a coming home.

Peter Jennison along with some incredible folks from Imaginary Road have crafted an album that each and every person who has had someone in the military has to listen to. It brings voice to the emotion of both the soldier and the families that long for their return. The artists included in this album are: Charlie Bisharat (horn player), Jeff Oster (percussion), Jeff Haynes (Pat Metheny Group), cellist Eugene Friesen (Paul Winter Consort), Heather Rankin (vocalist), Will Ackerman (producer) and many others.

“Remember Me” is the first track on the album. Heather Rankin’s soulful voice joins the haunting backdrop of percussion and piano and the hair on my neck stood up. This song is for all who have lost a soldier to death, sealing them into the cold hard ground. For soldiers who have stood against great odds without fear only to give the greatest sacrifice a man or woman can give. Strength comes from home and home is where they return. This piece is the absolute highlight of the album and every time I play it, tears prickle in my eyes. 

“Farewell My Friend” is for all those lost in the wages of war. Classical in tone, with tender strains of piano and violin, it sears into your heart and reminds you of those who have passed on in the name of God and Country-to protect and serve us all. It is bitter. It is sweet. It is the sound of sacrifice and blood spilling into the ground.

“A New Day” is the coming home. It is the tender feeling of seeing normal again after the reality of battle. It is the poignant strain of the violin as you look into the eyes of your son or daughter or wife as they wrap their arms around you in homecoming. It is the beginning of change. Such a beautiful piece and so full of hope and wonderment. Home…

Peter Jennison captures the evocative emotion of a soldier deployed overseas longing to be with his family once more. Listening to this album brought every war to mind and loss that always follows. The sacrifice made and freely given by our soldiers every day is so seamlessly given voice in this album. It will break your heart and set it soaring all at the same time.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Remember Me, Farewell My Friend, a New Day

Tracks: 
1. Remember Me (Sgt. Mackenzie)
2. Waiting
3. The Journey to You
4. Taps
5. Farewell to a Friend
6. Reflection
7. The Moment
8. New Day
9. Coming Home

Dana Wright, Sr. Staff Writer

November 2, 2014

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews