Contemporary Instrumental Review: Ed Bazel-The London Sessions – Reflections From Studio 2

Release Date: October 7, 2022

Label:  ‎Independent

Website

Ed Bazel's The London Sessions – Reflections From Studio 2 is eleven romantic melodies recorded and mastered in June 2022 at Abbey Road Studio 2. 

With November peeking through the doorway and the subsequent winter months ahead in the Northeast, this type of music is comforting, relaxing, and reassuring. The music does warm my soul and heart.

 

I hold music dear to my heart and with great respect and gratitude. Ed Bazel is a fine pianist. I had the opportunity to enjoy Homecoming nearly three years ago. It was a wonderful experience, and just as the first track, "Morning Glory," began, I knew it would be a similar journey. This is where my reference of reassurance applies once again. Familiar feelings of audio pleasures bring me great joy. The therapy of instrumental piano music with the elegance of strings and some percussion can do wonders for your attitude and well-being. 

 

This music holds the simplicity of one instrument and its effectiveness to significant effect in every track. Although this is considered a romantic collage, the album art would also hint that the culture of England brings it all full circle when looking at the entire project and absorbing all its elements.

 

One of my favorites was "After The Rain," and of course, the Beatle's classics "In My Life" and "Yesterday," which are emotional tracks for me. If you are older and your children are gone, and many relatives and loved one's have passed, it hits home. I sang the words to myself as Ed's piano played them perfectly.

 

I heard some sadness in the piano's keys and then a flow and splendor that gave me moments to pause and find the colorful notes filled with pleasure and hence a surrender to its magnificence. It is like the silver lining in the clouds, they are always there, but you must see them and recognize the importance of the entire picture being painted right before you. You don't have to look too far to see this happening; it is rather apparent quite quickly if you feel the music's mellow approach giving hints of sadness and reflection. It is like a quiet "Evening Stroll" through your mind's eye. The music helps you paint the images within and process them all internally and externally.

 

Ed Bazel has painted a musical masterpiece that is both timeless and memorable. At times the simple things in life are the medicine we so desperately need in this complex, unforgiving world we live in these days. Moments to pause, reflect, and take stock of what to be grateful for can be a positive experience that will affect you and everyone around you. 

 

This is a must-have if you enjoy beautiful instrumental music with exceptional production values! To romanticize in the music framework is commonplace; it is another thing to make it into something extraordinary, and Ed Bazel accomplishes that.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

October 27, 2022

Tracks:

01. Morning Glory 2:18

02. Mountain Serenity 3:22

03. In My Life 3:48

04. Old Friends 3:02

05. After The Rain 2:39

06. Soaring 3:24

07. Mountain Joy 2:59

08. Daydream 2:41

09. Evening Stroll 2:42

10. Passages 3:21

11. I Will Think Of You 2:38

12. Yesterday 2:39

Contemporary Instrumental Review: Doug Hammer-Melancholia

Release Date: October 28, 2022

Label:  ‎Independent

Website

The definition of Melancholia is severe depression characterized especially by profound sadness and despair. This is the title of Doug Hammer's latest release. Don't let that definition give you the wrong idea about what you will hear; there is more to that.

 

Doug has released many recordings over the years (14), and I have enjoyed my share dating back to the 2015 release Christmas Lights. I have never heard anything like this artist's 13 tracks on Melancholia.

 

The title is very descriptive, and the cover depiction is interesting. Looking at the lilies bursting out, the two wilted against the backdrop of a clock indicates the message transmitted. Does this suggest that your happiness can fade like a flower without water (as a matter of reference) over time? Or are we subject to reacting to the events that surround us daily, which include our personal lives and the influx of communications from various electronic means, whether you ask for them or not? I like to think all of the above apply, but that is a personal interpretation.

 

Doug Hammer's thoughts and feelings regarding this subject matter relating to being melancholy come through the keys of his piano. When you look at the track titles, they also tell a story. The opener, "Darkness Falls," is more than the disappearance of light; it purposefully sets the right tone going forward. There are two other tracks concerning the night as well. "Missing You," "Empty Chair," and "Farewell" also have a significant meaning and impact on the perception of a prospective listener. And that is the way this is intended. Although life has its beautiful times and memories that we can relive in our minds, we all fall upon darkness more than once in this life.

 

I don't think the intent here is not to depress anyone; it is about feelings I am sure we all have felt over the last three years due to the pandemic, inflation, and an ongoing war in Ukraine. Some, I am sure, have been overwhelmed and distraught. We all feel it in different ways. 

 

This music is simplistic yet effective in gently asking you to reflect, look inward at your soul, and be honest with how you feel. Once you take that step forward, the process begins. That process can vary, again, depending on who you are. For me, any of this kind of process is like healing. The music beckons me to listen, letting it take me away. That is as simple as it gets, for me, anyway.

 

Let me put this into perspective from where I sit. When you are "Winding Down," and it's "Almost Midnight," it is time to say "Farewell." My point here is that words and music, used correctly, can be so powerful and have meaning for so many people. In the case of Doug Hammer and his contemporary instrumental tracks from Melancholia, that very idea and journey are lived through each of us. This is soothing and thoughtful music to listen to at any time. That fact alone should tell you how sound this recording is.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

October 24, 2022

Tracks:

01. Darkness Falls 4:08 

02. The Long Night 3:17 

03. Long Ago 2:29 

04. Just A Memory 3:14 

05. Laika 2:29 

06. Monsieur Barre’s Carousel 1:58 

07. Empty Chair 2:32 

08. Missing You 2:53 

09. Dancing Alone 3:01 

10. Letting Go 4:10 

11. Winding Down 2:23 

12. Almost Midnight 2:56 

13. Farewell 2:41

New Age Ambient Instrumental Review: Liquid Mind XIV-Simplicity

Release Date: October 17, 2022

Label:  Independent‎

Website

How important is it for you to rest, relax, and recharge? Or find something you can ease into a meditative state? If you answered yes to these questions, then you are likely aware of the healing powers of music. The advances made over the years in science to find the many different uses have become more than an art form. 

 

People like Chuck Wild, the creator of Liquid Mind, are the artisans who create this music. While he does not claim that this will be your cure or work for you and help you with your struggles, research suggests that this type of music can help you. The soft synths and textures in his most recent offering, Simplicity, will have you floating away in minutes.

 

When I stop to think about how many issues we have around us that have the potential to stress us out, well, that seems to be growing every passing year. Computers and programs can do that when they don’t work, pushing my blood pressure up. I need this music. It relieves all those distractions, empties my mind, and puts me into an entirely different frame of reference to move on to.

 

The benefits provided in Simplicity are immeasurable, and every track is long enough, so it stands alone as one guided meditation if you choose to use it that way. It all depends on your need now. Sometimes, subconsciously, just having it play in the background while doing something else will work its magic. For me, that is the power and positivity of this project from top to bottom.

 

The sound values are significant enough that it can either fill your entire room or serve as a soft audio delight turned down just enough to enhance your current space. The title says it all; Simplicity is the key to making your life easier and more manageable, not to mention enriching your mental health. Make sure you give this recording a chance to change your life.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

October 11, 2022

Tracks:

1. Transcendence 10:50

2. From My Heart to Yours 8:09

3. Simplicity 7:34

4. The Child in Me 12:09

5. In The Moment 8:03

6. Hymn for Peace 7:14

7. A Gentle Rain In My Soul 9:56

Instrumental Classical Review: Christopher Jessup-Self-Titled EP

Release Date: June 29, 2022

Label:  ‎Independent

Website

After last year’s The First Movements, Christopher Jessup follows that with a self-titled EP with five tracks. 

 

If you are a fan of the instrumental piano with arrangements from legendary masters such as Debussy, Greig, Haydn, Ravel, and Mozart, then you are in for a treat.

 

Christopher’s artistry stands firm as he makes his way through each composition. His confidence and abilities are evident as you listen to him play each track in the most fluid and natural way possible. These are complex tracks to present. 

This young man is incredibly talented, and while I heard that in every track, never was it more evident than on “Haydn: Sonata in B Minor, Hob. XVI:32 (I. Allegro moderato).” The fact that it is played solo on piano brings out all the subtleties and color with grace and poignancy.

 

If covering the masters was not enough proof of the pure talent in this man’s fingers, he presents his composition live off the floor, “Jessup: Le Revenant (original composition).” It runs for 7:01 and is pensive, transient, and leaves you wondering where you will go within that allotted period. That fact makes it more interesting and exciting. It made me think of an earlier type of movie thriller, like an Alfred Hitchcock classic.

 

By this time, you are convinced you are listening to a seasoned artist on the world circuit performing in symphonies. Christopher closes the curtain on another live performance, clocking in at 7:47, titled “Mozart: Concerto No. 19 in F Major, K. 459 (III. Allegro assai), Ben Rhee (conductor) & Camerata Artists Orchestra.” It is a marvelous display of skill, respect for classical music, and the right way to present in a live setting.

 

Listening to performers like Christopher Jessup gives one pause to reflect on the importance of classical music and its beauty and perfection. It may be an EP; however, it certainly is ample in time for each track, and it will fill your room and soul with the most beautiful sounds created by people hundreds of years ago. How one person is still enchanted with the genre and what can be accomplished is a credit to its ongoing legacy.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

October 8, 2022

Track List:

1. Debussy: Minstrels, No. 12 from Préludes, Book 1, L. 117

2. Grieg: Sonata in E Minor, op. 7 (II. Andante molto)

3. Haydn: Sonata in B Minor, Hob. XVI:32 (I. Allegro moderato)

4. Ravel: Sonatine, M. 40 (I. Modéré)

5. Jessup: Le Revenant (original composition)

6. Mozart: Concerto No. 19 in F Major, K. 459 (III. Allegro assai), Ben Rhee (conductor) & Camerata Artists Orchestra

New Age Contemporary Instrumental Review: Kurt Reiman-A Glimpse of Grace

Release Date: September 22, 2022

Label:  ‎Independent

Website

Kurt Reiman’s North Maple Road was released in 2018, and I had the opportunity to hear that debut. For people working full-time in an entirely different profession, it is more difficult to record an entire album, hence the wait for his sophomore release, A Glimpse of Grace.

When world events like the pandemic happen (can you believe we are in the third year of this pandemic?), it closes some doors and opens others, depending on who you are. 

 

Many recording artists over the last few years have used this time to focus and record some prolific releases, of which I have heard many. The result and whatever prompted them to record came about for different reasons. Mainly it was because of healing we all needed, some more desperately than others. And in the process, they found healing in the creation of their music.

 

Kurt Reiman had quite the team assembled for this project. Charlie Bisharat (violin), Tom Eaton (bass), Eugene Friesen (cello), Jill Haley (English horn), Jeff Oster (flugelhorn), Premik Russell Tubbs (saxophone), Noah Wilding (vocals), and produced by Will Ackerman and with executive producer Michael Whalen. All names are well known in the new age community and collaborators on many recordings. This tight-knit community is all on the same page with what and how to present their recorded music. The benefit is the leading artist on piano Kurt Reiman and the many listeners that will find solace, healing, and A Glimpse of Grace.

 

Kurt’s piano playing is fluid and rhythmic. Those two elements are always crucial in presenting sixteen tracks of primarily instrumental music. Instrumental music demands a particular strength and flexibility that other types of music do not. If you are accustomed to listening to this kind of music and how it can be a tool for growth, you will love this album. If this is new to you, expect to be amazed at how beautiful this will sound and affect you. I am continually in awe of these musicians, and I find it natural to listen, absorb, and understand the message without words.

 

Kurt’s piano weaves many colors and textures while the additional instruments complete each pattern unfolding within the compositions. What happens is that a musical patchwork quilt within each track comes alive for you to cover your senses. Sounds lovely. It is, and every time I heard the piano accompanied by the violin or cello, I felt a sense of sadness that the pandemic brought us all. It leaves you feeling melancholy; however, there is a lot of healing. I believe that was the intent of this music. 

 

Whether that can happen for each listener is based on a decision you make before listening for the first time. It is as simple as that, and you will not be disappointed once you let this music take you away from everything for a while. We all need that relief and focus for a short time. After being bombarded daily by all the forms of media, it becomes more challenging to concentrate on any one thing. Our attention spans have disappeared gradually over time. 

 

It is now time for you, each listener, to get A Glimpse of Grace. Trust me, and you need this. You may not know that yet, or it may be painfully obvious; either way, listen and let it heal you. I am sure that you will find this to be a new age-contemporary instrumental gem.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

October 1, 2022

Tracks:

01. Dawn to Dusk (4:31)

02. Quiet Confidence (3:38)

03. Goodbye for Now (5:06)

04. Blessings (2:55)

05. Dreams of My Return (4:07)

06. Set Free (3:37)

07. Triumph (3:32)

08. The Way Home (3:14)

09. Pathways (4:20)

10. River’s Edge (2:39)

11. Elegy for Justice (3:50)

12. A Glimpse of Grace (4:01)

13. Joyous (3:52)

14. With Every Step (3:20)

15. This Dance (3:06)

16. Dawn to Dusk (Reprise) (4:32)

Contemporary Instrumental Review: Stephen Wallack-Wondering

Release Date: October 14, 2022

Label:  ‎Independent

Website

I covered Stephen Wallack’s Chapters and the Colors albums which gave me that feeling of familiarity. Although that does not necessarily mean the music will be what I would expect to hear. Wondering is an all-instrumental solo piano recording, which I would have anticipated. It does not always work out that way; in this case, I am glad it did. I was ready to hear this music in its entirety and knew that I would enjoy it.

 

The ten tracks on Wondering are contemporary instrumentals that will definitively brighten your outlook and spirit, which other types of music cannot.

 

“Beyond” starts things off with a very positive vibe with solid rhythms and a pace that immediately gets your attention and appreciation. “Castles” follows with a different style that prompts introspection. “Deep” has the same vibe with hints of seriousness, reminiscing, and sadness. As you progress through the recording, you discover different moods and pathways to seek answers to questions that may have been troubling you. Our solutions are within; music is a tool that will assist us in getting on the right path. There are no distractions, just the purity and undeniable honesty of the music.

 

The guiding force behind this music is for you to listen and find the answers you seek. We are living in very uncertain times now with many problems worldwide. When you stop and think about everything, it can be overwhelming and scary, leaving you with a sense of uncomfortableness and helplessness. Music is the ultimate universal healer and communicator for anyone from wherever you are on the planet. You can realize fulfillment through the sounds, colors, and vibrations provided through one instrument. Music without words needs no translating; it speaks to you regardless of your language. That is the beauty and the poignancy of instrumental music.

 

I found “Remember” to be so beautiful, healing, and filled with hope. If we could connect all over the earth one day at the same time, play just one song and pray for a positive change, think of how powerful that would be. I think a piece like this would be ideal. There are many tracks on this album that could serve that purpose. The continuity and consistency are so strong that you will find appreciation in every composition.

 

The singularity of one artist playing one instrument with grace and purpose sends a message and one that Stephen felt compelled to complete. The piano is universal in sound and presentation. With the gift of learning music by ear and the ability to create compositions readily, Stephen Wallack now presents his fifth studio album, Wondering, with a message we can all understand.

 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

September 27, 2022

Tracks:

01. Beyond 4:44

02. Castles 5:22

03. Deep 6:29

04. Remember 5:23

05. Sorry 4:26

06. Bridges 4:59

07. Games 3:55

08. Royals 4:24

09. Wolves 4:34

10. Goodbye 2:54

Instrumental New Age Review: Shambhu-Life Passage

Release Date: September 29, 2022

Label:  ‎Sacred Love Music

Website

Life Passage will be my fifth journey into the world of Shambhu (pronounced 'SHOHM-boo') and his gorgeous acoustic guitar compositions. What strikes me right away is the significance of the recording's title and the cover image. With that already creating an immediate impact, I found it easy, as usual, to melt into this music.

The artist's website states: Shambhu transforms stillness and silence into calming sounds. That statement puts his music in a proper point of view. He is a respected guitarist that emanates magic from those fingers. 

As you find yourself floating on the clouds while listening to Life Passage, it goes by very quickly, as life itself does (total correlation). Five tracks would be considered an EP by industry standards. Although true, it will be irrelevant because of the simple beauty offered throughout these tracks. The timeline of each composition is from 3:47 to 6:24, so what you get is everything that this artist can give. Once the music stops playing, you will realize that it is accurate and find great joy and satisfaction while listening.

"Mars Dawn" has a mesmerizing effect. It is a soundscape you want to hear multiple times, and if there is one track that hits the mark more than any, it's this one. It is beauty and compassion personified that transforms into a spiritual journey.

The title track is a lovely tribute to the late Chick Corea. It is nice to see so many artists remembering him and his importance to music and the legacy he left behind. And I must mention the lead-off track "Because of You," featuring the amazing Michael Manring on bass. His sound is so significant, and you recognize him when he is on any track. He is one of the greats and reminds me fondly of Erik Scott (rest his soul), whom I had the pleasure of knowing and enjoying for many years. 

"Gentle Flower" starts with a nice piano, and then that fantastic acoustic guitar arrives; as the piano continues to accompany the guitar, you feel that musical nirvana has come again. Then his name, "Shambhu," is the title of the track that concludes another exceptional release. It has a definitive world sound featuring Indian percussion and flute. It is the perfect way to end the album.

Life Passage is a superb example of acoustic guitar playing with suitable mixtures of other instruments to support the primary device of joy and light and accentuate how lovely it can be if appropriately presented. As always, Shambhu does not disappoint.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

September 29, 2022

Tracks:

1. Because of You (featuring Michael Manring) 6:24

2. Gentle Flower 4:02

3. Life Passage (dedicated to Chick Corea) 3:47

4. Mars Dawn 5:33

5. Shambhu 5:51