New Age Instrumental: Marika Takeuchi-Impressions

Release Date: September 10, 2013

Label: MRG Recordings

Website

When you begin studying classical music at the age of three there is a good chance that by the time you are an adult that you could be making your own adaptations of classical scores or creating your own. In the case of Marika Takeuchi she came via Japan to Boston to study film scoring at the esteemed Berklee College of Music in 2009. Since then she has released two albums, Impressions being her second with a third release coming this fall.

The release clocks in just over 26 minutes however it does make its mark in a prolific manner. Through 10 tracks Marika paints a canvas of beauty and elegance with the ivory keys. Truthfully all the lady needs to do is sit on the piano stool and play. The end result of what she creates is absolutely gorgeous and serene melodies that would relax the most frazzled human.

This is a soundtrack made in heaven; it makes you feel relaxed, spiritual and whole. I agree with the artist, music is healing. It has helped me my entire life, it makes laugh, cry, reminisce, and get in touch with my inner being like nothing else can. Marika has the magic touch with her fingers, almost as if she is channeling an entity that that comes from a higher plane of consciousness. I know for certain her music will allow you to reach that level of existence.

Although it’s a rather short journey the tracks blend into each other, each taking you one step closer to that spiritual plane that allows complete clarity and peace. Music such as this can have many valuable assets and for this listener there were a multitude of things to appreciate. Some albums are boring if one song follows another too closely; with this recording it was more of synchronicity and flow that made everything just perfect. I normally like to choose three key tracks but in this case I felt there was not one track that stood out amongst the rest, it was rather the entire recording as a complete body of work that impressed me. 

Marika Takeuchi is an incredibly gifted and talented musical visionary that has an amazing future ahead if she continues on her path of creativity and enlightenment.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: ALL

Tracks:
01.Spring Awakening
02. Horizons       
03. Sparkle
04.Milky Way
05.Cliff
06.Morning Mist   
07.Reunion
08.Far Away
09.Daybreak
10. Peace
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder

July 2, 2014

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

New Age Instrumental Review: Steven Chesne and the Luminous World Orchestra-Moments from the Life Stories of Strangers - Pt. 1

Release Date: 2013
Label: Independent

Website

Steven Chesne and the Luminous World Orchestra have emerged from four years of silence with a new album titled Moments from the Life Stories of Strangers - Pt. 1. Chesne has a reputation for creating scores for TV series and to date has contributed over 300 episodes of various prime time network shows. The list is long and impressive and his music is as well.

Chesne is not the easiest artist to put in a category as he touches upon several genres with elements of symphonic, world and overall difficult to describe ethereal music that is both relaxing and challenging at the same time. To be more specific coming from the challenging point of view, I mean in regards to enlightening or an awakening within for a perhaps the tired and dulled spirit one may have after a difficult time in life or just a hard day at the office. The music is beautiful, serene and picturesque and you as the listener write the story to all the instrumental tracks.

The lead off track “Invocation” sets the tone for the entire recording. It runs over 5 minutes and brings a sense of calm to the soul. I can see after listening to just one track why Chesne is so adept at creating various soundtracks for any mood or occasion. The symphonic and orchestral movements found on this release are truly a slice of heaven that you can assimilate easily through your speakers. There is a lot going on in each and every song and they somehow are able to mesh all the sounds into one living breathing entity that just sweeps you away to another place, perhaps a spiritual plane you have struggled to reach in the past. It becomes a one way non-stop trip with all the benefits awaiting your mind, body and spirit to renew.

While “Invocation” initiates the sequence of events about to unfold before you, tracks like “Flicker of the Glistening” take a journey through the clouds and beyond the stratosphere and then lets you down easy before the next track begins. “Lumiere Du Soleil” closes out this spiritual journey with a different twist allowing some nice acoustic guitar to lead the way. As Steven’s guitar takes you down yet another path of soul searching and bliss, many other instruments become part of the mix to make it all complete. Actually the only thing that is decidedly different in this track is the prominent acoustic guitar, which is just as beautiful as everything else that was presented prior on the recording.

They say beauty is in the eyes of the beholder, while that is true; in this case it is the ears followed by the mind to the inner spirit that becomes the all-inclusive keys to the kingdom. If you are into practicing Yoga or just like to meditate or relax Moments from the Life Stories of Strangers - Pt. 1 will get you there in a matter of minutes. As a listener and lover of music I could appreciate all the time and effort that went into making such a complex project. I do not think it would be any different than creating a movie score or writing a full scale opera. All the elements and most important factors are in place to make this a new age release that will be appreciated for years to come. This is ear candy that transforms into chicken soup for the soul.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Invocation, Flicker of the Glistening, Lumiere Du Soleil

Tracks: 
1. Invocation        
2. For When the Love Will Rain Down Upon You   
3. Yorkietown        
4. Flicker of the Glistening        
5. Glory Story #2        
6. Coaxed to Grow        
7. Morning Hocket        
8. Change, Your Oldest Friend        
9. Lumiere Du Soleil
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

June 29, 2014

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Physical Distribution of Your Music

Last week I discussed an overview of distributing your music online. This week’s article is a discussion about the physical distribution of your music.

Today, physical music is more than just the CD.  The packaging that goes with your music conveys your style and the style of your music.  Make it eye catching, add some images from a stock library, add some effects to the images, and then layer them one on top of the other.

I use these three main software programs to do the graphics on my CD cases.

·         Adobe Illustrator

·         Adobe Photoshop

·         Perfect Photo Suite

·         A variety of effects from Photomorphis

I usually use a photo that I take of myself, and then add a bunch of effects to it, add some text like my name and the album title, and then convert that to a PDF or JPEG for printing.  You can do that for the cover jacket, the back jacket,  and the inside cover. Don’t forget the image for the CD itself. Try something that matches the album cover so that they all tie in together.

Don’t forget liner notes as a possible addition.  These printed pages could engage your listener by telling your story, and you can include your lyrics.  You may even consider a nice 8 x 10 glossy of your face for someone’s wall!

You could distribute physical copies of your music by putting it on a CD and selling it at performances, or you could sell it though Amazon’s warehouse, and a host of other similar warehouse-stores willing to store and ship your CD.

I mentioned CD’s above, but you could also press your music to vinyl.  The record players that are out there today are portable and gorgeous.  Vinyl could be a good way to find a niche audience for your music.

And talking about niche audiences, you could even rip your music to cassette tape or 8-track.

Now that’s cool!

Music Distribution: A Look From The Inside Through The Eyes of An Artist

By Russ Suereth

This week’s article is a discussion about online music distribution.

There are dozens of ways to distribute your music online.  The tough part is figuring out which is the best one for you.

Your music can be sold online a number of ways including your own website, Facebook, online radio, satellite radio, terrestrial radio, and online stores like iTunes, Amazon, or CD Baby.

Two of the main companies out there for music distribution are TuneCore and CD Baby.  These two basically have the same features. The main difference seems to be that TuneCore has a yearly fee, and CD Baby takes a small percentage of your sales. Some people will argue that they are very different but I don’t see that.

I used TuneCore on my first EP, and now I’m using CD Baby on my new CD.  I changed just to try out CD Baby, and they both seem the same to me.  Although I do like the CD Baby player that I can put on my web site, I would definitely recommend either one of these two distributors.

I’ve also had my music played on college radio stations, though I never really felt that it allows me to establish a connection with my listeners.  I always felt that my music went into a black void.

I also have used Radio Airplay quite a bit, but I don’t any longer.  I started using it because it looked like I could connect to listeners who liked my music.  Radio Airplay does allow you to know who liked your songs.  But your communication back to them, even something simple like, “Thanks for listening,” goes to an area of Airplay that users never pay attention to.

So that takes me to my website, where at least I can set up a newsletter or some form of communication with listeners who want to provide their email address.  And that’s a topic for another day.  Actually it’s several topics because there’s a lot to discuss.

New Age Music Review: Denise Young-Passionata

Release Date: February 17, 2014

Label: Dancing Horses Music

Website

In 2012 Denise Young began the journey that would lead her back to Imaginary Road Studios and the Steinway piano awaiting her gifted fingers. Passionata is a tapestry of artful melodies and drifting majesty that will seduce the listener in the first piece. It is a discovery and rediscovery of love that dwells in the hearts of us all. It may fade and die, but will rise again like the budding of new leaves.

Written and composed by Denise Young, she also performed piano on all tracks. Guest musicians include Eugene Friesen, cello on “Above the Clouds,” “Starlight Melody,” “There,” and “Awakened,” Noah Wilding, vocals on “There,” Tom Eaton, bass on “There,” “Starlight Melody,” and “Desire” and Jeff Haynes, percussion on “Awakened,” “Desire,” “Starlight Melody” and “There.” The album was recorded, mixed, and mastered by Tom Eaton at Imaginary Road Studios and was produced by Will Ackerman Grammy Award winner, and Tom Eaton.

“Passionata” is the opening track on the album. Tentative piano strokes awaken. The rustling of sheets as the morning sun creeps over the horizon and the first kiss of a lover’s lips as the day breaks. Love blossoms in the heart, a spiraling drift of skirts as they spin out on a dance floor. Notes of music wrap around you like silken gauze. Loving and warm. The purity of passion. The truth of love’s everlasting bounty.

“Above the Clouds” crafts a rhythm within the keystrokes that snares the listener without even trying. Floating piano movements entwine with the elegance of the cello. Steady and filled with flight, this piece takes you away as the cello ramps up amidst the gentle rhythm of the piano strokes. The two marry well, bringing the listener to a place of peace and hope.

“Awakened” is another piece that bears the mark of the cello. Percussive elements, piano and the graceful string movement of the cello blend in artful form and function. Eyes open to the dawn of possibilities. The music speaks and the song spins out, a dancer on point, reaching for the sky, twirling amidst the sparkle of sound.

Passionata is an album filled with artful song and elegant movements. Will Ackerman has produced another staggering work of genius. Denise Young is an artist with vision and her devotion to the Steinway piano shows with every stroke of a finger. Tom Eaton’s mix mastery is well renowned and he didn’t miss a beat with Passionata. This album is a keeper in my music library.

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Passionata, Above the Clouds, Awakened

Tracks: 
01 . Passionata
02. Above the Clouds
03. Moon Song
04. The Way
05. Starlight Melody
06.There
07. Cobblestones in the Rain
08. Awakened
09. Desire
10. Figure 8
11. Secrets

DanaWright, Sr. Staff Writer

June 16, 2014

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

New Age Music Feature: Ricky Kej and Wouter Kellerman-Winds of Samsara

Beautiful sounds and music to soothe and heal the soul. Your inner being will be smiling!

Adult Contemporary Rock/New Age Review: Russell Suereth-Going Down the Highway

Release Date: April 7, 2014

Label: Independent

Website

Russell Suereth’s Going Down the Highway is a conglomeration of adult contemporary rock and new age. The songs range from mid tempo to a faster paced soft rock that immediately sets you at ease and forces you to listen to the introspective lyrics. Suereth has an inviting vocal style that keeps it all real throughout this enjoyable release.

The fact is, if you happen to be Going Down the Highway this album may be your best friend particularly if you are stuck in after work traffic on the freeway. The opening track bears the album title and it is a great way to kick off the album. It gives you a sense of freedom and joy and instantly gets you in the right frame of mind to take in what is to come in the following tracks.

Suereth is rock solid on this release providing all the vocals, instrumentation and production. Certainly this must be a difficult task to go it alone without another set of ears to provide feedback and insight during the recording process. Regardless of those against all odds factors this man has produced a fine recording. The balance of his vocals and the instrumentation are perfectly placed through the entire run of this 10 track journey. What I heard was crystal clear vocals and suitable musical accompaniment consistently. I think that about covers it for the ears and when you start getting into the overall lyrical concepts I think the titles are clever and the words follow suit.

“So Different” was the most enjoyable track. Musically it stands tall as the artist pulls out all the stops musically and adds layers of instrumentation without sacrificing the level of his vocals. That can be a tricky thing but Suereth pulls it all off and ultimately has success. In fact this is done on most of the tracks however this was the one that really rose above the rest. 

“Mister Dumpty (Dinosaur)” is a quirky number and it sounds a bit cynical but I suppose it could hold a lot of different meanings depending on who you are and how your life has unfolded. Some lyrics come with a message that is certain and straight forward, for example this passage nails it on the head:

You sit there on your faded laurels
So highbrow
The paper and esteem it spells
Must reek by now

That is some pretty heavy stuff for this type of music and it sounds like it may fit the profile of some stuffed shirt on Capitol Hill but who knows, take it for what it’s worth and see how it fits your life. That is what music is for right?

If you happen to be interested in exploring more of Russell’s lyrics you can on his website here http://www.russellsuereth.com/original-lyrics/.

I am the type of listener that is attracted to all sorts of genres and to be perfectly honest this is not the kind of music that would be my first choice while rolling down the highway but Suereth exposed me to another thought process and listening experience that I would be eager to hear again. To take someone that is not normally interested in hearing this type of music and to make them pay attention and actually enjoy the experience is quite an accomplishment in my estimation.

Going Down the Highway is a good album worth more than just one listen. There is a lot more here besides the music that will get your interest. Have a listen for yourself with the provided media player.

4/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Going Down the Highway, So Different, Mister Dumpty (Dinosaur)

Tracks:
01. Going Down the Highway        
02. Now It's Time        
03. I Can See You        
04. So Different        
05. Bottlenose        
06. Portraits from Living        
07. Mister Dumpty (Dinosaur)        
08. Spread Your Wings        
09. I Wonder            
10. Talking to You
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-Write A Music Review Founder

June 11, 2014

Review Provided By Write A Music