Genre: Instrumental New Age
Release Date: March
3, 2017
Label: Palo Isle Music
Jennifer
DeFrayne’s new album Sisu is dedicated
to her Finnish heritage. So, what is Sisu you may ask? Well I had the same
question with immediate thoughts of what the album title meant.
As defined by Wikipedia: Sisu is a Finnish word which
loosely means stoic determination, grit, bravery, resilience and hardiness. It
is held by Finns themselves to express their national character. It is
generally considered to not have a literal translation into English.
Sisu by my
own definition is beauty, grace, strength, and the many colors of life
intersecting within each song.
So, with great determination Ms. DeFrayne has released her
second collection of tracks titled Sisu.
She gets some assistance from the brightest and most talented people in the
music business including Jeff Haynes, Premik Russell Tubbs, Michael Manring, Jill
Haley, Sara Milonovich, Jeff Pearce, and Jeff Oster.
There is a lot of instrumental piano based music that I
cover hence I have concerns that eventually it will start sounding redundant.
That is my biggest challenge not only as a listener but the person that needs
to conceptualize and or visualize what the artist is projecting in their music.
This music never allowed me to wander off course or feel there was not enough
variety to keep me interested or demand my attention.
Jennifer’s music uses her talents with the ivory keys as
the foundation of every track and then it is accentuated by other sounds and
textures to give it a worldlier crossover feel to it. The title is normally the
centerpiece of the table that is set and this album is no exception. “Sisu” is
bold yet tasteful like a cup of good strong coffee, the music lingers in the
air once it is made and the aroma is still there afterwards. This is good way
to explain what this music sounds like and how it will affect you.
Jeff Oster’s horn makes the most beautiful sounds and helps
to make the track “Beyond” more exceptional with his contributions. I am sure
it would be wonderful with just Jennifer’s key strokes but the addition of that
soothing and inviting horn gives it another layer of contrast and beauty. That
is but one example of what awaits the listener that wishes to explore and
experience thought provoking and relaxing music.
In an artistic sense music is much like a painting in that
it speaks to everyone in a different way, and everyone feels and sees something
different through their own eyes and soul. Every color splashed on the canvas
of the painting holds a different meaning and atmosphere. The picture comes
shining brightly through the music in a shout or whisper, dependent on your
mood and interpretation.
As my love for music becomes more important with each
passing day, I become that much more appreciative of music from albums like Sisu. My respect and gratefulness I feel
for people like Jennifer DeFrayne goes beyond words. Listen to the spellbinding
sounds of this album and I am sure you will agree this is one recording that
will be in regular rotation in your stereo this year.
5/5
Stars
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
February 4, 2017
Founder of:
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
Tracks:
01. Fire Island
02. Be Who You Are
03. Sisu
04. Beyond
05. Gathering
06. Palo Santo
07. Roots
08. Stepping Stones
09. Equanimity
10. Internal Light
11. Renew
12. Perseverance
"Harmony of Contrast" is the latest musical seed flowering and blooming to perfection for The Song Gardeners. Their music and positive vibes picks up where the last single track release left off.All
of the beautiful lead and backing vocals of Mary Gospe and the backing
vocals of Corrie Dunn (piano) give their sound a warm invitation to any
listener. David
Scheibner steps in to provide the guitars on this outing. 
