New Age-Contemporary Review: Darlene Koldenhoven-Traveling the Blissful Highway

Release Date: October 14, 2022

Label:  ‎TimeArt Productions

Website

Darlene Koldenhoven’s instrumental new-age world release Traveling the Blissful Highway, will be another significant achievement to add to her impressive catalog of releases. 

There are several instruments utilized to create the tracks. Darlene is the producer, engineer, composer, and instrumental-vocal arranger. She played keyboards, provided background vocalese and spoken word, added quartz singing bowls, rainstick, shaker, and native drum, and did all the synth programming. It would take a considerable amount of space to list all the rest of the instruments provided by contributors' names that may be familiar to you in the genre, including Charlie Bisharat, Ron Korb, and Joanne Lazzaro to name a few. There are many more as well. I cannot understate the importance of collaboration with so many different instruments coming together in the tracks. Steve Shepherd provided the mixing and mastering, and his work shines from beginning to end.

It is some of the most relaxing and dreamy music you will have the pleasure of enjoying. The first single of the album, "Cheerful Mohana," sets the tone and atmosphere perfectly. The Mohana (Urdu: موہانہ), sometimes referred to as Mohanoمهانو, are Sindhi Mohana tribes called Mohano Mallah Mirbahar Mirani in the province of Punjab. 

I liked the play on the words "Dot Calm," it is a great way to take something that can be stressful or frustrating when things are not working right and flip it to the positive. The internet or dot.com space is a wonderful tool for millions of people. It takes that word and changes everything you think about cyberspace. That is the point here, I believe.

Even the title suggests a change of thought patterns when referring to the highway. The morning or evening commute can be a nightmare. The artwork would mean something entirely different with a view of beauty and colors. That kind of scenery is possible; however, I think you would get the idea here for those looking for another "road." Life can be bumpy and full of unforeseen potholes. This road is in your mind by following the music's power of suggestion. Music so peaceful and a slice of heaven has a way of changing you from the inside out. It starts with audio and vibrations, then adjusts your brain waves, which changes you physically. That is the healing power of music.

"Osmium Glow" (Osmium is a shiny, silver metal that resists corrosion) is one of the most serene and inviting tracks. The combination of instruments is superb (as they are on every track). Lovely piano, synth, violin, and some vocalese towards the end are the perfect complement to one of the more exciting songs. The world elements give it a flavor and spice all its own. If you are in the mood for Celtic influences, then "Highland Mist" will deliver with some alluring flute.

Traveling the Blissful Highway can become a daily trip to your paradise. This music exists to change you on so many levels. Ultimately it will succeed in doing so if you allow it. The key to enjoying any music is letting it envelop you, to be a place where you feel safe and loved, and most importantly, a place you can always go to get reintroduced to some well-needed rest. As always, music can lead us there. 

Darlene Koldenhoven is very talented, and every album I have heard and reviewed is entirely different. It is the fifth release to add to my collection and has already become one of my favorites. 

Being eclectic and using all the tools at your disposal is the way to record such a great album. With the addition of talented friends into the mix, this artist has found everything she needs to continue recording great music for years to come.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

August 6, 2022

Tracks:

01. Cheerful Mohana

02. Time Traveler

03. Jade Dreams

04. Gentle Soul

05. Birds in Paradise

06. Dot Calm

07. Tropical Chill

08. Sweet Peace

09. Osmium Glow

10. Native Star

11. Highland Mist

12. Blissful Highway

New Age Instrumental Review: Peter Kater-Soul Story

Release Date: August 25, 2022

Label:  Independent

Website

Part of being a recording artist and remaining successful is to move forward in developing a signature sound. In some cases, it is a matter of trying something entirely different. Or what I like to call “thinking out of the box,” which happens to be one of the things I want to do myself. It keeps things fresh and feels like an adventure.

Soul Story is one of those exciting turns in the road that Peter Kater took while playing for people. He would sit down and talk to folks then they would lie underneath his piano while listening to the melodies created while recalling their stories. So then, piano readings were born. The experiences are recorded and given to the folks with the reading. From my point of view, this is innovation and using your instrument to provide people with their Soul Story.

The dance of the solo piano is one of my favorite things to enjoy. I find it one of the best relaxing and contemplative types of music to enjoy. In the case of this album, it holds a special meaning for many different souls. They are also segments of some of Peter’s favorites. In fact, this should make it much more special for the recipients of his piano readings. I would be immensely grateful to have had the opportunity, as I am sure all those people are.

The beauty and simplicity of these tracks are what make them so listenable. When I am feeling stressed and exhausted from the day, the evening arrives, and I can listen to music from artists like Peter Kater to help me feel rejuvenated and hopeful for a new day. I can always count on it to be there for me. Music is timeless; it fills the void of space around us and changes the feeling and atmosphere of an entire room. The power of music goes far beyond what words can say. In this case, it is expertly performed solo instrumental piano played in a very contemporary way with the foundation of new age ideology, the driving force to create it.

The title track I found very moving. It is 4:39 minutes of pure emotion and thought. It is a very effective track; you can feel and process the emotions as Peter’s piano ebbs and tides throughout, connecting you with it every step. Music like that touches your soul, and you realize what a miracle it is that one may convey so much with one instrument and no words. Every track will leave a lasting effect on you. However, I found that one the most moving for me.

Soul Story and its depictive artwork do indeed tell a story, many of them. It will be one of the most beautiful and meaningful recordings in 2022. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself listening to it quite regularly to finish out your day.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

July 25, 2022

Tracks:

1.  Starry Night

2.  Touch of Rain

3.  The Path is Clear

4.  Spiral Outward

5.  Find Me

6.  Soul Story

7.  Majesty Falling

8.  Full Circle

9.  United

Instrumental Ambient Chill Review: David Helping-In

Release Date: April 15, 2022

Label:  ‎Spotted Peccary

Website

When I interviewed (included here) David Helping to discuss IN, I knew I would have to wait for the vinyl to arrive. That was over three months ago. The wait was long, but worth it to hear this release in glorious vinyl. After talking with David, I knew this would be a fantastic listening experience.

IN was filled with ambient and chill textures transcending time and space.

I absorbed each track as something new and fresh musically as I made my way through the two LPs. The LPs come housed in gatefold sleeves with all the track listings and credits. Also included was a sheet with the names of the contributors and David’s tribute to each one.

Side A starts with “Waves Dream of Breaking,” and it serves as a grand opener to set the tone. This beautiful and exciting mixture of color and sound was just the beginning but a great start that filled a listener with anticipation for what could be next.

“This Burning Sky” includes wordless chant-like vocals from Nidhi Bhatmuley. It gave the track a world flavor while maintaining its core ambient foundation. “Only What’s Been Taken” is dreamy, layered synths with an interesting backbeat that transitions to a quieter interlude and then back again. Side A closes out.

Side B begins with “Here All Along” which features some nice rhythms, and you find yourself relaxing on a smooth wave of sounds. “Still As Stone” has tinkling bells with echoing notes from the keys layered upon soft synths. Perhaps the mesmerizing effect would make you as still as the track title would indicate. The side closes with “The Bliss You’ve Always Carried” featuring Benjy Wertheimer on the Esraj, a stringed Indian instrument. It looks similar to a sitar but sounds entirely different. It gives the track a uniqueness that others do not have. It runs for 8:01 minutes, allowing the instrument to provide you with a taste of its capabilities and different ranges of sound, which is then enhanced by synths, ambient guitar, and other instruments. Side B closes out.

Side C opens with “Slipping” featuring Miriam Stockley’s wordless vocalizations. This one also runs for 8:01 minutes. It is silky smooth from start to finish with Miriam’s addition. “The Cold Distance Between” could indicate many things; however, the one thing it accomplishes is hypnotic spacey sounds with a sense of drama bubbling underneath. “You Already Are” features Matthew Schoening’s electric cello. A flair for the classical is arrived at with his instrument while adding a feeling of warmth. Side C closes.

Side D begins with my favorite track, “Bending Towards the Night.” It clocks in at 8:21 and resembles a prog rock magnum opus. Eclectic sounds abound and delight straight through every second. It has a purposeful pace bringing me back to the thought that time has no relevance in the space of this music. The track continues to build with color, light, and frequencies that engage the listener. It takes the concept of the day and bends you towards the night. 

The track reminded me fondly of Tangerine Dream (a reference I often make if the music is good enough within this genre). The built-for- soundtrack-music and energy come with “In Waves of Fire.” The curtain closes on this ambient chill journey with “I Too Am Coming Home.” The track has elegance and beauty reserved for prolific instrumental music. In addition, the angelic vocals of Miriam Stockley accompany the music, making an appropriate ending to a marvelous listen.

You will be totally IN the music once you start listening. It will capture your consciousness and revitalize your spirit. The outstanding musicianship and production values make this one of the best recordings I have heard on vinyl this year.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

July 18, 2022

Tracks:

Side A:

01. Waves Dream of Breaking 07:32

02. This Burning Sky (Featuring Nidhi Bhatmuley) 07:20

03. Only What’s Been Taken 06:26

Side B:

04. Here All Along 06:24

05. Still As Stone 06:11

06. The Bliss You’ve Always Carried (Featuring Benjy Wertheimer) 08:00

Side C:

07. Slipping (Featuring Miriam Stockley) 08:00

08. The Cold Distance Between 05:55

09. You Already Are (Featuring Matthew Schoening) 06:42

10. Following the Lines 05:30

Side D:

11. Bending Towards the Night 08:21

12. In Waves of Fire 05:49

13. I Too Am Coming Home (Featuring Miriam Stockley) 06:44

New Age World Instrumental Review: Vito Gregoli & Ricky Kej-Wild Monsoon

Release Date: June 28, 2022

Label:  Independent

Website: https://www.vitogregolimusic.com/

https://www.rickykej.com/

Vito Gregoli & Ricky Kej combine their diverse talents on Wild Monsoon. This recording comes at you bursting with a world new age color and dynamic that will lift you right off the ground.

Vito has been a multi-instrumentalist for many years, and Ricky Kej is a composer who has made his mark globally. The recording is another incredible album and partnership that will derive plenty of attention from the music community and listeners.

Ten tracks will engage all your senses, and I mean that in a literal sense of the word. The Indian influences are strong; however, the background and music foundation from which both artists are from merge splendidly. It is an East meets West amalgamation that is stunning. Here is an idea of how good this music is. I am listening to it on little speakers attached to my laptop; the sounds fill the room. That says it all about an all-encompassing experience of sound and effect. It would be amazing to think about how this would sound on vinyl or a mobile fidelity audiophile vinyl release. I hope at some point that is a consideration.

Two consecutive tracks just blew me away, "Vana (Forest) 6:41" and "Jharna (Waterfall) 6:09." Note all the references to our environment, from the title to the tracks and the artwork on the cover. It is intrinsic to the music you will enjoy. Ricky is an advocate for the environment and uses all the platforms within his influence to get the message out that we need to heal the planet. The healing must come from within us all for change to begin first. Let's not look to our political leaders and complicated legislation. It will take forever to accomplish and will be watered down with concessions to favor big corporate money and greed. Yes, that is a very political statement, but in my mind and observations, I believe it to be accurate and the one factor that has stopped any progress.

We have the singularity of music to step away from the politics of things, which unfortunately seems to creep into everything these days. All its power, grace, spirituality, and tremendous energy can be absorbed with one listen. From that point of reference, you can propel into a different attitude and use music as your voice. Vito and Ricky are doing that with Wild Monsoon. 

If you consider production values, they are extraordinary. The complexities and nuances of everything that goes into just one track are mind-boggling. Listening to "Badra (Rain) featuring Kimberly Haynes on vocals, is an excellent example. I got chills hearing all the music and her singing so poignantly of returning to nature. Such a prolific statement to make in such an uncertain time we live gives you the energy and hope of that message, and the words and music carry it with a clarity and certainty that I am sure made Ricky smile.

"Baadal (Clouds) 7:56" is the longest track on the recording and one of the most gorgeous and affecting pieces of music I have heard closing out an album. The entire album is the perfect blend of new age and world and sets the standard for consistency and taste.

It is a Wild Monsoon of music that will excite the mind, body, and soul, get the blood flowing, and inspire those who listen on every corner of the globe. It will make us reevaluate who we are and how vital mother earth is to our survival and think about honoring how all living things are connected and deserve our respect. Thank you, Vito and Ricky, for a beautiful message in such incredible music.

Vito Gregoli & Ricky Kej have set the bar extremely high for all releases in the new age world genre that are forthcoming for the rest of the year. I see another Grammy nomination and a possible win for Ricky to add to his collection.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

June 29, 2022

Tracks:

01. Greesham (Summer) 7:04

02. Sheeth (Winter) 6:50

03. Vasant (Spring) 6:36

04. Sharad (Autumn) 6:03  vocals: Kimberly Haynes

05. Mahatma (Vito Remix) 5:35  flute: Wouter Kellerman, sitar:  Paul Livingstone

06. Vana (Forest)  6:41

07. Jharna (Waterfall)  6:09

08. Nadi (River) 6:55

09. Badra  (Rain) feat Kimberly Haynes  6:12  vocals: Kimberly Haynes

10. Baadal (Clouds) 7:56

New Age Instrumental Review: Paul Adams and Elizabeth Geyer-Sanctuary

Release Date: July 1, 2022

Label:  Independent

Websites: https://pauladams.org/home

https://elizabethgeyer.com/

I have familiarity with Paul Adams and Elizabeth Geyer. I had the pleasure of covering Imaginings, Deeper Imaginings, and Elizabeth's The Bridge. With July 1st right around the corner, Sanctuary continues the successful partnership.

 

There is always a story behind the music. One day, Elizabeth was suffering from a migraine and heard Paul practicing the Native American flute on the floor below. Something about the flow of the music, with its low gentle phrases and a breeze that grounded her. The migraine started to subside.

 

I love hearing about music's healing powers and how it genuinely helps people who suffer. We all need some help to relax and heal; this type of music will undoubtedly lead you down that path. I could use it daily myself, as I am sure many people would echo that statement. 

 

We have more stressors today than ever with many social issues because of the media and the social platforms, war all over the world, inflation, and the list can go on and on. It gets to be a bit much. I have decided to stop watching the news because it stresses me out and makes me negative about everything. I get glimpses of headlines from cell phones and even my laptops. It appears we cannot escape it anymore. Unless I move to the mountains and have no electronic devices, that would make me feel alone with no awareness. So, what is the answer? 

 

For my sanity, I need music, as you will hear on Sanctuary. For instance, in "Nothing Is Really Lost," the track begins with the sound of water running down a stream, and Paul introduces his flute as Elizabeth's piano comes in. It is one of the more beautiful and engaging tracks on this release. It is 5:05 minutes of new-age bliss that you can count on for meditation or simple relaxation. If you like to meditate, I suggest putting this on a loop to maintain that state of consciousness. Honestly, the entire album is well suited for meditation or deep relaxation.

 

"Graceful Waters" is another getting back to your root's tracks. With 6:00 minutes of the sound of water (from whence all life came) and that beckoning sitar and the dreamy flute sounds, it brings you into that state of consciousness you need to heal. It will get you in touch with our connectivity with mother earth and all living things.

 

Something about the Native American Flute's tones and more specifically the breathy Anasazi, vibrations, and overall feeling instantly set you at ease. The addition of various other textured layers of sounds like Elizabeth's wordless background vocalizations, electric sitar, chimes, etc., make for a completely immersive experience.

 

This music can be your Sanctuary. The outstanding production values will allow you to feel the water moving in the music and hear Paul's breathing as he plays the flutes. It is an exceptional addition to an already impressive catalog of music.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

July 1, 2022

Tracks:

1.Sanctuary 7:00

2. A Forest’s Embrace 7:50

3. Through The Tree Tops 6:50

4. An Evening’s Caress 7:30

5. Nothing Is Really Lost 5:05

6. Forest Light 7:00

7. Graceful Waters 6:00

8. An Endless Summer’s Evening 6:00

9. By The Water’s Edge 7:30

Contemporary Classical Instrumental/New Age Review: Tim Neumark-24 Improvs

Release Date: June 24, 2022

Label: Independent

Website

(The cover photo for 24 Improvs is licensed by akg-images. The original photo is the property of the National Museum - Czech Museum of Music and can be seen on display at the Antonin Dvorak Museum in Prague.)

Tim Neumark is an exceptional musician and piano player. I have heard a lot of his music over the years. 24 Improvs is the sixth album in his comprehensive catalog that I enjoy listening to and covering for review. In essence a double album. If it were on vinyl, it would be at the very least 3 LPs. So, a lot of music!

To single out any track of this music is challenging for several reasons; it's all good, all instrumental, and most importantly, each one offers the variances of improvisations that showcase this artist's capabilities. If there were vocals on half the tracks, there would be a defining line. There is no separation between the type of music, but you must know this is all excellent and tremendous piano virtuosity.

Tim embodies solo piano performances with a solid classical base and a steady undercurrent of a new age to enhance it. The music sets you at ease, removes all barriers in the subconscious mind, and allows a listener to feel the flow of the music. Without the distraction of neurons firing away inside your head after a busy day, you get the opportunity to let it calm down and appreciate everything you are hearing.

About halfway through, you are surprised how quickly it all passed. You understand why it seems so fleeting if you absorb the music as I do. It all comes about due to an intense feeling of enjoyment, healing, and any range of emotions that flips that internal switch. The time factor is essentially meaningless as the music fills your soul. All good music accomplishes this. However, when you hear piano alone, you can listen to all the different parts of the composition differently, basically unencumbered by any other instruments or sounds that can populate a more complex new-age instrumental album. Not to take away from the other more involved projects I have covered and enjoyed. The main point here is that this is a clinic on how to present various improvisations on a piano. 

24 Improvs is precisely that and much more if you can listen to it all at face value. If you are looking for the brilliance of simplicity brought to you by the ivory keys, this will be your bliss.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

June 26, 2022

Tracks:

01. Improv in C Major (Gentle Stream)

02. Improv in C Minor

03. Improv in G Major

04. Improv in G Minor

05. Improv in D Major

06. Improv in D Minor

07. Improv in A Major

08. Improv in A Minor (An Interlude)

09. Improv in E Major

10. Improv in E Minor

11. Improv Over One Chord (Social Distancing in B Major)

12. Improv in B Minor

13. November Improv

14. Improv in F-Sharp Minor

15. Improv in D-Flat Major

16. Improv in C-Sharp Minor (Numb)

17. Improv in A-Flat Major (The End of the Road)

18. Improv in G-Sharp Minor (Isolation)

19. Improv in E-Flat Major (Stay Here With Me)

20. Improv in E-Flat Minor

21. Eternity (Improv in B-Flat Major)

22. Improv in B-Flat Minor

23. Improv in F Major (Sunday Evening)

24. Improv in F Minor

Contemporary/Classical Instrumental Review: Tim Neumark-Opus 8

Release Date: March 14, 2022

Label:  Independent

Website

Tim Neumark's Opus 8 album includes original compositions that Tim released as singles between 2018 and 2021, two additional solo piano tracks created just for this album, and his orchestral arrangement of Michele McLaughlin's "Hope" from her solo piano album Sketches.

While memories of the pandemic are lingering and affecting our lives in one way or another, we still have the music to shake us out of those doldrums. Opus 8 reflects the time when the pandemic was raging. When you look at this album cover, you will notice different pictures and wonder what it all means. They are intended to illustrate moments in life, the simple things that bring such joy. All those little things, and perhaps much of what we took for granted before the last few years, became more magnified. It was a wake-up call to be grateful that you are still here to enjoy those moments that bring a smile to your heart.

While Opus 8 is melancholy, the sheer beauty of Tim's playing is still good for the soul. It greets you with flowing rhythms with colorful bursts of energy. "Shining Through" is befitting the title, with some exciting playing from start to finish. At the halfway mark of the album, it was as if Tim wanted to say something that lifted your spirits. And with one listen, it most certainly accomplishes that. "The Ghost" was another favorite of mine. It all rang so genuinely and prolific when matching the music to the track title. That is a general idea, especially for any instrumental collection.

Tim Neumark's playing is a lot of things, including prolific ("Escape"), uplifting ("Shining Through"), reflective ("Lockdown"), and serving as a reminder ("The Ghost") of what was and finally to give us all something we need with the curtain closer "Hope." Perhaps, more importantly, the all-encompassing message of gratitude, joy, and all the things that make your life what it is.

The range of emotions you can feel on Opus 8 is truly remarkable. There is always something beyond the music that an artist attempts to project to the listeners. Tim Neumark accomplishes that with ease.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

June 13, 2022

Tracks:

01. Lockdown

02. February Moonlight

03. Bows in the Mirror

04. The Ghost

05. Non sequitur

06. Shining Through

07. My Love

08. Still

09. Conundrum

10. Yearning

11. Escape

12. Earth, Paused

13. Hope (An Arrangement for Orchestra)

New Age-World Review: Sharon Fendrich-Sapphire Oak

Release Date: June 10, 2022

Label:  ‎Independent

Website

Red Sky Prairie is the last album I heard in 2019 by Sharon Fendrich. I can enjoy the gorgeous soundscapes that this talented composer creates on Sapphire Oak nearly three years later.

The title track, “Sapphire Oak,” is a mesmerizing combination of word and song. The chorus is sung in Ta’ek, a language devised by Sharon as follows…

Ge klad dokh ya rade (My song is your compass)

Um yi red a kha ya size (Let it lead you to your calm)

Tzafir dokh mes mosh ta (Sapphire is the color of love)

Ek dokh stu’ah (Oak is strength) 

Tzafir ta, kmo Ek stu’ah (Sapphire is love, and Oak, strength)

The devised language is a mixture of sounds based on nordic languages, and a bit of Hebrew. I think it’s brilliant that she discovered a language of her own making. That is an excellent example of creativity functioning on an entirely different level than adding all the music to it to make it complete. To me, that is amazing. I have listed all the credits and acknowledgments for your interest. I think it is essential regarding this project.

The use of natural sounds and the interconnectivity of life are evident in this music. Suggesting the strength of an oak, and if you listen to the words, she says it can be your compass to where you need to go in that moment.

The music, separate from any vocal attributes, is very cinematic. It is full of beauty and emotion. As you listen to the ebb and tide of the music, you may think of the past and the promise of the future in your life. Tracks like “The Oaken Door” gave me chills and injected energy into my being. 

“Of Badges and Crowns” has a world Celtic flavor. I love that kind of mixture; it stands so tall and proud. I found not only the picturesque elements of cinema and emotion evident, but it was also like a reach back to times long ago when we did not have technology. A bell tolling in the background, the wind blowing softly on your face, all those feelings are present and come alive within you. This is powerful music that will quickly paint the intended picture of the artist.

At this moment, as I write, I needed to hear, feel, and absorb everything about this recording. Seek, and ye shall find, or in some cases, it will find me. Sharon Fendrich, composer, producer, and arranger, gave herself 100 percent. The instrumentation is superb, including the violin, cello, harp, Irish whistle, and the lush phrases of the Symphonic Recording of the orchestra connects all the dots and creates another musical work of art. I also need to cite the vocal prowess of Sharon and Talia Valdez, with many of the tracks adding a special touch that make it soar and envelop you.

Music always gives me what I need, and Sapphire Oak appeared at just the right time, thank you, Sharon.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-MuzikMan.net Founder

June 10, 2022

Tracks:

01. Sea of Oaks (5:33)

02. Leaves of Glory (3:40)

03. The Grove at Dodona (3:55)

04. Runic Roots (4:15)

05. Call of the Ruins (5:37)

06. The Oaken Door (3;30)

07. Dryad's Rejoice (5:10)

08. Of Badges and Crowns (4:41)

09. Under Her Canopy (5:47)

10. Sapphire Oak (3:55)

11. Carry the Oak (5:35)

Credits and Acknowledgments:

Composer, Producer, Arranger: Sharon Fendrich

Orchestration, Contractor: Joaquin Garcia

Recording Engineer: Katharina Nuttall

Mixing Engineer: Linus Andersson

Mastering Engineer: Bruce Maddocks

Orchestra: Symphonica Recording

Conductor: Vladimir Martinka

Vocals: Sharon Fendrich, Talia Valdez

Violin: Lisa Rydberg

Cello: Klara Källström

Harp: Stina Hellberg Agback

Irish Whistle and Uilleann Pipes:: Ian Harpe

New Age Instrumental Review: Rick Sparks-Speak Peace

Release Date: June 4, 2022

Label:  Independent

Website

Rick Sparks just released Speak Peace, an album for our times. We need artists like him in a world of unrest, war, ecological disasters, and many other things that cause discomfort and stress.

As his warm pictorial of the sun rising on a large field of poppies on the album cover indicates, you will find immediate serenity from the image and hopefully the same with the music. As the world turns and our lives are forever changing, the one constant we can depend on is music.

Music that soothes the soul is something everyone needs; whether you realize it or not, it is for the taking. As Rick's keyboard journeys in the eleven tracks on this album will attest, this is just what the doctor ordered. Stress will melt away, and the world's worries and the day will fade to the background. The time taken to listen to this music can make a difference in your life; that is why you listen.

The title track sets up the rest of the recording by introducing a gentle invitation to join in and hear the voices of angels accompanying Rick on the keys. This combination is an effective method to find a meditative state that you may seek; otherwise, if you are looking for a relief valve to relax, there is also a path to that found in this music.

The beauty of "Little Princess" may remind you of the innocence of a child or bring fond memories back from long ago. If you have a daughter, you may be able to relate to that; I certainly do and find myself looking back and wondering how our daughter is now a grown woman thousands of miles away. I have tears running down my cheeks right now thinking of it. It seems like another lifetime ago, come and gone in a blink. Such is the power and magnificence of music and the emotions it can stir inside you. It makes me wonder how something you are hearing is beautiful yet sad.

"Prayer For Ukraine" is an ode to that war-ravaged country being destroyed a bit at a time while taking lives and changing the world of millions. We all feel it in more ways than one. Rick's piano solo is healing personified, and the positive message of prayers will go out tenfold with each listen. The track was released as a single with all the funds sent to the relief fund for the country. 

Music makes a statement, and you will hear it in every corner of the earth. Its reach and magnitude have no limits. Listening to Speak Peace will open the door to your soul.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

June 7, 2022

Tracks:

01. Speak Peace

02. Harvest Moon

03. Little Princess

04. Dragonfly Dance

05. Lass of Inverness

06. 1912 Waltz

07. A Love That Lasts

08. Prayer for Ukraine

09. End of Day

10. We Wait Upon the King

11. Auld Lang Syne

Instrumental New Age-World Review: Joseph L Young-Into The Unknown

Release Date: July 8, 2022

Label:  Independent

Website

When I listen to Joseph L Young’s new release, Into The Unknown, I think of the color of the music. Joseph’s eclectic range and instrumentation on the flute, saxophone, and keyboards make a full-bodied presentation of tracks for the potential listener. It is a new age-world experience you will find enjoyable without fail.

Journeying Into The Unknown can be a frightening process. Having some help to ease you into that plane of existence is always the preferred route for most of us. It also depends on your end goal, what you seek, and, more importantly, what will you do when you get there?

This music is a tool, a doorway to another frame of reference, thought process, and an opportunity to shift to a relaxing meditative state to recharge those internal batteries you have drained during the day. I have been working 11-12 days for over twenty years. I can use some help in that area of my life. If you are like me or have similar days, you will surely appreciate the tracks offered on this release.

Here is a way to look at all this based on the track titles; if you are using this music to get into a fully relaxed and or meditative state and find yourself “Between Worlds,” you can look “Beyond The Horizon” of that state and find your own “Transcendence” within the music. That sounds like a logical progression, even though it’s a play on words. I can see that path before me from where I process the tracks, and I hope you can put that together for your benefit while listening.

Then, of course, there are the more experimental and spacey tracks befittingly titled “Into The Unknown.” That is quite a step away from all the other music; however, I did appreciate it, and it served as a point where you can stop and reassess where you are at in the process for your own needs. I find it interesting that it was the title track where all this reached beyond the norm to find a different sound, with all the texture and colors layered to create a different effect and result than the previous tracks.

The beauty of the music always wins the day. The compositions and production are quintessential to providing the complexities of sounds and nuances on a platform to let them shine. I think Joseph L Young has created a new age world masterpiece this year.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

June 2, 2022

Tracks:

01. Into the Unknown

02. Remembrance of Time

03. Enchanted

04. Secrets of Stone

05. Beyond the Horizon

06. Between Worlds (remix)

07. Transcendence

08. The Forgotten

09. Eclipsed

10. Windswayed

11. Ancestral Crossings

Contemporary Instrumental Review: Pam Asberry-Unraveling

Release Date: April 15, 2022

Label:  Independent

Website

The last album I heard from Pam Asberry was the 2017 release Seashells In My Pocket. The Unraveling is now on for my listening pleasure. You look at time differently with each passing year. It is a concept, a segment of our lives. Life is concise in the grand scheme of things, and then we are stardust once again.

Everyone has a different perception of the virus that changed our lives forever. It is year three, and we still are getting infected. Musical artists have been depicting this time in their music, and Pam Asberry took advantage of the time to create another exceptional recording. All music was composed and performed by the artist.

You have a story told through music, one creator, and one instrument. The solo piano work of the artist is moving and compelling for many moods. While you feel the “Storm Clouds Gather” and the “Unraveling” begins, you can go to “Dark Places.” That was reality for us all in different measures. While you hold the absolute music of Pam’s talented fingers via the keys of her piano, you can feel the emotion flowing. There were times when Pam found time to do things while waiting for renewal, and then the stress and uncertainty of the pandemic would creep in. She went into the “Dark Places” and the “Unraveling” of our lives, and hers hit hard. Then the bright spots were more poignant when the time was allowed to find sweet things from the past like “Tattered Lace” from passed members of her family.

Listening felt different because Pam gave me a look behind the music. It makes an enormous difference following along with the storyline when listening. With tracks like “Polaris”, I heard optimism and the promise of light on another path to renewal. Thinking about that momentarily gave me pause to reflect upon the present and glance back at the past. One foot in front of the other is the goal here, and we only have today; we do not know what tomorrow will bring. I am ok with that these days and grateful for life and ready for what it brings. 

Unraveling keeps it real for all us listeners. I always manage to find my true self in this music. Part of the reason that happens is that it is all instrumental; thus, you focus more on thoughts than any words, and in turn, the music provides the terms formulated inside me. I believe this is paramount with any relaxation or meditative music. 

There are different packages offered for this recording for many music lovers, such as a companion sheet music book for all you piano players. Thanks for allowing us listeners to hear your story set to music, Pam. It may have been an Unraveling, but you sure made it all so beautiful with your music in the sad, dark, and uplifting parts of the story; it all folded together nicely. Once again, behind the clouds is the sun shining brightly, and the music reveals it.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

May 23, 2022

Tracks:

01. Storm Clouds Gather (3:23)

02. Unraveling (3:49)

03. Bluebird (3:08)

04. Tattered Lace (2:51)

05. Dark Places (3:47)

06. Goodbye Again (2:50)

07. Labyrinth (2:43)

08. Saudade (2:35)

09. Polaris (2:50)

10. This Time with You (3:14)

11. Metamorphosis (3:42)

New Age - Ambient Instrumental: Meg Bowles-Pilgrimage

Release Date: May 20, 2022

Label:  Independent

Website

Meg Bowles's newest release, Pilgrimage, is her eighth proper solo album. She explores her talents in a more cinematic ambient-orchestral style than previous releases.  

Some of the instruments used to create this project were Pigments 3 (Arturia), Omnisphere 2 (Spectrasonics), Bioscape (Luftrum), Pharlight (Native Instruments), and Stratus (Olafur Arnalds/Spitfire Audio). Meg said, "Bioscape was particularly interesting to work with. It is a library-based upon field recordings and other found sounds, which can be heavily manipulated and layered, creating these dimensional, other-worldly environments and spaces. The second track, "Cave of Secrets," begins with Bioscape, with a combination of drones, drips, and wind—all suggestive of a dark, subterranean space." This was some exciting information to attain from the artist, and I am sure all the tech-heads will love it.

I did a Google search on the term or concept of a Pilgrimage:

A pilgrimage is a devotional practice consisting of a long journey toward a specific destination of significance, often undertaken on foot or horseback. It is an inherently transient experience, removing the participant from their home environment and identity.

You are putting that train of thought into an experiential musical way. It can be considered several different things by each listener. My perception and belief are where the artist is coming from with this music are within my words. How I heard it is the music fills up space and time so that the audio frequencies and ambient nature of the sounds come together and remove the earthly attachments or physical being from the current area, pushing you gently to another plane of existence. A meditative and relaxed state of mind changes your surroundings' concepts in more simple terms. You then go inside your mind into a different frame of reference and go inward to explore your feelings and emotions and find a path to heal and renew your spirit, thus giving you more energy physically.

I know that may sound complex, but it is not; it's simple. I relate it conceptually to how I listen and process the music. If one thinks about that for a while, you could explain things in the same way with a different set of words. Music that gets your attention can compel you to understand why it was created and finding out something about the artist is a good start. Understanding the release's title and feeling what the cover's image says, then you are well on your way to a journey of expectant color, ambiance, relaxation, focus, and a sense of well-being you cannot seem to find anywhere else.

There is not one track under six minutes, and the magnum opus, which could serve as one meditation session, is "Mountains Reaching for Stars," which clocks in at 12:44. I find myself melting into this music with tracks like that as I absorb it while putting together my thoughts and translating them to words. Time is a factor, hence why each track runs for the longer time span. It gives you the time to get comfortable and let yourself be guided by the sounds, clear your mind and hopefully internalize the good vibrations.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

May 20, 2022

Track List:

1. Ancient Paths

2. Cave of Secrets

3. Cloudburst Over a Parched Land

4. Mountains Reaching for Stars

5. Luminous Garden of Repose

6. Source of Enduring Light