New Age Music Reviews

Instrumental New Age Review: Steve Rivera-Dividing The Darkness

Release Date: October 12, 2015

Label: Steve Rivera Music

Music without limitations or barriers will be successful. This kind of approach and mindset is very positive and it garners the attention of those within range. I am glad to be one of those listeners.

Steve Rivera is one such artist that has earned his place in the genre of new age contemporary music. He accomplished that with his first release titled Dividing The Darkness.

Steve likes to call his music restrained simplicity that is emotionally moving. I don’t think I could have come up with a better phrase to explain what this music is.

The piano playing of Mr. Rivera is superlative and his accompaniment with a violin interspersed and weaved so delicately in the tracks gives it another layer grace and outright beauty.

Everyone needs to find their way home in some fashion, whether it be a long road trip, a walk in the woods or simply a reference to a soul that needs comfort and a place to feel wanted. Thinking in another way would be when our lives come to an end on this earth and how we need to find our way home. It can mean many different things dependent on who you are and where you are in life’s path. So, it is rather appropriate that the album opens up along those lines with “My Way Home (feat. Charlie Bisharat).” The lead off track is crucial in setting a precedence for the entire album and that is certainly accomplished with this lovely instrumental.

“Skyward” caught my ear and engaged my senses. The rhythm of the piano is one of consistency and a constant unraveling varying degrees of the human condition found in the music. The changing tempos and the additional violin and background vocals makes it sound as if it was delivered right from heaven’s gate. The music gave me a much-needed pause and touched my soul while initiating a healing I desperately needed. Tracks like this flip a switch in me and I can hear and feel the joy and sadness of what the music is saying. This music is so beautiful it was like a transference of consciousness, taking what the artist offered me while listening.

“The Ancient Road” set my mind wandering about the history of mankind and what would happen if there was such a road that led to a path where all things live in complete harmony and joy. The piano leads you down a path that becomes your own reality via the music. This is a process I have enjoyed through music my entire life however when it is instrumental music it makes that much more my own. This is one of the longer tracks on the album and I appreciated the layers of sounds, like it a woven tapestry just for me.

I find it no coincidence that I preferred the longer tracks. This music is so pleasant that you don’t want it to stop. The prolific fingers of the artist are charged with all sorts of energy and emotion that can be truly appreciated by anyone wishing an auditory therapeutic process.

Dividing The Darkness is just that, if there is any darkness around you either on physical or spiritual plane then this music will divide it and separate it with its everlasting light of hope and faith. Once again it felt like a spiritual experience that I needed to have and it was delivered so thank you Steve Rivera.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: My Way Home, Skyward, The Ancient Road

Tracks:
1. My Way Home (feat. Charlie Bisharat)
2. This Ancient Road
3. Help Me to Listen
4. Skyward
5. Beautiful Years
6. So Quickly Gone (feat. Will Ackerman)
7. Delicate Force
8. Valley of Light
9. Skyward Coda

Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck

October 31, 2016

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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New Age/Contemporary Instrumental Review: Erik Scott-In The Company of Clouds

Release Date: November 1, 2016

Label: Independent

Website

I covered Erik Scott’s Spirits two years ago and I was very impressed with it. Anyone with the experience of Scott can accomplish some breathtaking jaw dropping sounds. And it all starts with his bass.

After a long period of illness and his eventual recovery he found the true meaning of faith and resiliency. His music has that kind of warmth and resilience as well. In The Company of Clouds gives you a hint what this music is all about.

The title of the first track puts it into perspective if you did not know what he went through on a physical, spiritual and emotional level. “Nine Lives” squeezes out as much emotion and god given talent the man has. He makes his bass an all purpose tool to create ambient and contemporary instrumental music. In other words, new age with some spice to keep it sharp and focused. The track serves as an introduction to what is coming next and it certainly warmed my soul. It is significant because of the title and meaning it holds for the artist but the music is poignant as well.

“Seven Veils” is another incredible track. I featured it on Rate The Tracks. Erik’s bass is hypnotic and Jaco-like. Yes this man is one of the very best bass players you will ever have the pleasure to hear. The spiritual connotations are evident by the track name. Once the masterful Scott takes the bass and becomes one with the music he begins transferring his heart and soul into the sounds he creates.

“Women of Avalon” (the longest track coming in at 5:45) is another stroke from the master on the canvas of your life. With the great Steve Hunter on guitar and Scott leading the way with his finely tuned instrument, it is an unbeatable combination of talents. When I say tuned in I mean more than just a guitar tuning, I mean dialed in, laser focused and purposeful use of his chosen instrument.

So three tracks in and I am feeling as light as a feather, my energy level rises and my faith in the process of life is once again restored. There should be a genre called contemporary restoration music. As the music continues it does not waiver for a millisecond, it just keeps offering you more tastefully well done instrumentation. The effect is like the high tide of an ocean pulling you out and you are willing to go along for the ride. The tracks are dissimilar and that is what keeps you tuned in to all the wonderful sounds and feeling this fine release can offer.

You it did again Erik, you are a star among stars, your light will never dim it will just keep getting brighter with each successive release. Perhaps now that he is back full strength we can look forward to another album next year, I hope so because In The Company of Clouds was another chance for me to get to know the artist via the music. This is a superb rendering of contemporary instrumental music.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Nine Lives, Seven Veils, Women of Avalon

Tracks:
1. Nine Lives
2. Seven Veils
3. Women of Avalon
4. Breathing Room
5. Victory
6. Open Door
7. First Cup
8. Waves
9. The Long View

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

October 29, 2016

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Contemporary Instrumental Review: Kelly Andrew - Rendezvous

Release Date: October 28, 2016

Label: Journey Music Entertainment

Website

Kelly Andrew is a composer, pianist and producer with an innate talent to create picturesque music without the need for vocals. His new album Rendezvous is due to release on October 28, 2016.

The opening and track “Chasing Twilight,” has very pleasing guitar lines combined with Kelly’s ivory keys. The track gets you in the right mood, rhythm and in sync with what the artist is trying accomplish through the music. I loved the way this recording opens the door to a journey of musical pleasures.

I think the value of this album is its ability to gain your undivided attention in short order. Kelly succeeds by offering something different with each successive song. For instance, after a certain pace and mood is set with the opener it changes entirely on the following track “Hand in Hand” by using different instruments to create a worldlier feel than a contemporary instrumental could offer. Although the foundation of this music by and large is contemporary steeped in classical, the artist has the talent to add his own melodies and transitions to give it a life and energy all its own. It flows with continuity and grows as the album progresses.

As I mentioned on our featured track “Rendezvous” on Rate The Tracks, the combination of piano and sax in the track brings a nice mixture of classical, new age and jazz that will delight all kinds of music lovers. And I stand by that. With that thought in mind the appealing and good mood of “Awake in a Dream,” had a similar effect on me. The sound is soothing and serves as some nice chill music - smooth jazz mixed in with ethereal new age piano makes for a great partnership. The title of the track alone is thought provoking and a perfect soundscape for a movie or TV special. Or it can be a soundtrack for your start of the day to focus and center or on the other side at end of the day to unwind. The music is what you make it and this kind of music lets you shape it into something just for you, it is friendly to the spirit and rectifies you like all good music should.

As the album spins along a web of intricacies are formed and you are captured into that web of calm and satisfaction. Music like this makes me grateful, at peace and recharges my supply of energy. Sometimes we all feel like a train going off the tracks, allowing circumstances or other people to push us off course. This music will keep your train on the tracks or at the very least restart the engines that got you there in the first place.

I thought the succession of tracks was interesting and made sense too in regards to the human condition otherwise known as the roller coaster of life at times. The last three tracks being the most prolific.

“Promise,” “Lonely Road” and “Hope” intersect and “Hope” closes out the album offering a positive transition from thoughts that may be clouding your consciousness and keeping you from moving forward. Promise and hope can be a lonely road without the right support and the music initiates those good feelings and thoughts to help you bring you into the light.

Kelly Andrew has taken the canvas of human emotion and painted a picture that turns into a Rembrandt of musical interpretation that you will want to experience more than once. Set up your Rendezvous with Kelly as soon as you can.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Chasing Twilight, Rendezvous

Tracks:
01. Chasing Twilight
02. Hand in Hand
03. Painted Butterfly
04. Awake In A Dream
05. Rendezvous
06. Serenade of the Night Sky
07. Looking Back
08. Promise
09. Lonely Road
10. Hope

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

October 13, 2016

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Instrumental New Age Piano Review: Dan Chadburn-Beyond Words

Release Date: September 1, 2016

Label: Dan Chadburn Music

Website

Last year just before the fall I was introduced to the music of Dan Chadburn through the album Keys of Light. Now over a year later I have another set of tracks to enjoy. The most recent release to his catalog is Beyond Words.

Any good instrumental album could use that title but you better be able to back it up with exceptional music. Beyond Words does that with certain key elements I always look for in a piano based instrumental album.

First the piano as a standalone instrument provides more than enough entertainment, this I know to be a fact. I hear this type of music on a regular basis so it has to be extraordinary, and it is. Secondly the pace, rhythm and objective must be clear, again in this case Dan gets all the boxes checked off.

His emotion, particularly on this album, is filled with the path of his life over the last 30 years. So how does a man take 30 years of living and interpret it over 14 songs? A good question indeed, so we get back to the three hot spots - pace, rhythms and objectives. His intent is clear, convey a different emotion in each track (just look at the titles), hence the pace is ever changing from start to finish. The rhythm and timing of every track is exceptional. The flow is easy and natural because all the important pieces fall together perfectly. It is like throwing a 50-piece puzzle in the air and then it lands on the floor complete with no missing pieces.

This is like the sequel to Keys of Light, he picks up where he left off. All 14 tracks are like a river of music flowing into each other with no end, with exception of you the listener being the recipient (as if you were the ocean the river is going to). I cannot help hearing the similarities between the last two releases in many ways. Last year I was feeling sadness because my daughter had left for college at this time however I am facing different challenges now. The music always helps and provides healing and positive energy.

So once again it is difficult to say any one track was a key to the listening experience they are all superb and link with each other. It is the entire album as one moving piece of art, a living breathing entity for you to embrace and allow to transport you to a better place. I think of a stress free space in my mind, heart and soul, one we shall all reach once we leave this earth and enter a different reality but that can be accomplished while we are here with a little help. That belief is for me and whatever you feel is your truth. Take what can give you the most hope, I suggest you make that your focus point and let this beautiful piano instrumental music take you there.

The title of the album will hit home once you start playing this music through. It can go so much further than the music, it is quintessentially Beyond Words. The music forms the words of Dan Chadburn and he is successful once again in putting together some great pieces that pay tribute to his talent and inner being, which is reflected in every track. This is music for any time of day or night, it soothes and clears your consciousness of any clutter, which makes it a true tool for general relaxation or meditation.

4.5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: ALL

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

October 6, 2016

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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New Age/Classical/World Review: Rebekah Eden-Rowing in Eden

Release Date: March 28, 2016

Label: Path of Gold Records

Website

Rebekah Eden’s release this year is a made for movie soundtrack. Rowing in Eden is 12 tracks of new age music backed with classical vocals. There are also some elements of world influences in her music that make it that much more compelling.

Her tracks were being considered for The Hobbit movies however they never made it to the final production. After hearing what she has to offer I must say it is a shame they did not follow through. Her voice is the most powerful instrument on the recording and everything else, to coin an old phrase, serves as the cherry on top of the ice cream. There is a gorgeous addition of a 41-piece Czech Orchestra to her amazing voice as well. Not to take anything away from other critical parts of this music that makes it complete, I am just amazed how clear and stunning her vocal talents are.

“A Message From The Stars” is superb way to open the curtain and eventually close it with a different version of the song. I like the transitions in the track with both songs and the second version, the impactful closer, is a heavenly melding of many voices. It will give you a greater appreciation for the ultimate instrument, the vox humana.

Rebekah recognizes her influences and shows that in the most prolific way with covering Led Zeppelin’s “Ramble’ On” (from Zeppelin II) and more specifically Robert Plant’s strong influence. She does this song in her own way and I have to say I found it quite fascinating. This one would have been perfect for one of The Hobbit movies. Her operatic vocal style just soars over the music and every note as if the song was written especially for her. That pretty much says it all considering it is a cover.

“Light of Destiny’ is a very stirring track. Rebekah’s vocals are angelic, rhythmic, and it gave me a chill, the good kind that makes you realize you are feeling something spiritual and special. These are the moments I cherish when listening to music.

More and more I am hearing a fantastic combination of instruments found in new age, classical and world music. The amalgamation is spectacular and all three genres are so closely related it sounds like everything comes to together to form one powerful style that cannot be denied. Artists like Rebekah Eden are leading the way, blazing a path for others to follow. Rowing in Eden is one of the better examples I have heard of genre mergers this year, predominantly one that included vocals.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Ramble On, Light of Destiny, A Message From The Stars (Virtual Choir)

Tracks:
01. A Message From The Stars
02. Iachtach / Prince Caspian's Prayer
03. The Wind
04. Ramble On
05. There And Back Again
06. Light of Destiny
07. The Two Trees
08. A King's Farewell
09. In The Days
10. Wild Nights
11. A Message From The Stars (Virtual Choir)

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

October 5, 2016

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Instrumental New Age/Jazz/World Review: Lawrence Blatt-Longitudes & Latitudes

Release Date: August 9, 2016

Label: LMB Music

Website

When I saw that Lawrence Blatt’s latest release Longitudes & Latitudes was produced by Will Ackerman it totally made sense. Ackerman is a great acoustic guitar player that I have enjoyed over the years particularly when he was running his Windham Hill label.

Right from the outset of this album I could hear Ackerman’s influence however now he is more of an influence on the production side of the house. Tom Eaton is the engineer on the album as well, a consistent partner of Ackerman.

As stated on his website Lawrence often plays in an open tuning to create a nice rhythm then adds the other instruments. It is a very effective combination. He plays electric and acoustic guitars and synthesizer (and like any good musician has many to choose from). Many of the guests appearing on the album help to make this journey complete including Ackerman and the marvelous brass of Jeff Oster. Because of the diversity offered on the album it is clearly an instrumental foray into new age, jazz and world.

The percussive elements on the track “Ima” along with various earthy tones, switch the albums path to a worldlier flavor when prior tracks were bubbling over with a definite new age/jazz flavor and inspiration. The beauty of many of the recordings I have heard this year pay tribute to Mother Earth and that is the route Lawrence took as well on several tracks. With 15 tracks there is plenty to process and it’s a beautiful thing.

“Upon Griffy Lake” carries a gorgeous melody with the equally attractive female vocals of Noah Wilding. The lady seems to call out to you from beyond as the music lets you float to your destination via the acoustic and electric guitar lines of Lawrence. He uses a intriguing and impactful combination of acoustic and electric instruments with the young lady’s voice serving as an instrument as well. It is one my favorite tracks. So much beauty and gracefulness packed into one song is hard for the mind, body and spirit to miss.

The other component I recognized on this album is the excellent restraint exercised when needed to accentuate each instrument allowing for the best compliment to each. Each track moves from strength to strength.

“Noches de Barcelona” is full of the embodiment that is Spain and the video with the track is beautiful. It was featured on our Rate The Tracks site and is provided here as well. We have also included a preview of the album with a video and a Soundcloud stream so you can get a good idea of what this talented artist can offer.

This is 5-star recording session that is both relaxing and exciting at the same time, not an easy task to pull off. It is all done extremely well and the tastes of genres is most appealing including the mixture of them all in one single track.

Add Longitudes & Latitudes to your list one of the very best instrumental recordings of 2016. It’s not hard to do if you appreciate new age, jazz or world or all three combined, the choice is obvious so give it a good listen!

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Ima, Upon Griffy Lake, Noches de Barcelona

Tracks:
01. Two Shades of Sunshine
02. Longitudes and Latitudes
03. A Place in Your Heart
04. Hyde Park Bench
05. Open Fields and Running Water
06. Two Steps Down the Line
07. I.M.A.
08. Morning in Beerse
09. Upon Griffy Lake
10. The Places Left Behind
11. Park Lane
12. Noches De Barcelona
13. Flying over Ellis Island
14. Slow Walk Past the Bank
15. Over the Rainbow

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

September 30, 2016

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Audio Fidelity Inks Licensing Deal With Will Ackerman's West River Records

Ackerman's Grammy winning "Returning" coming on 180g vinyl for the 1st time!

Camarillo, CA - Marshall Blonstein, president of Audio Fidelity is pleased to announce an agreement with Will Ackerman and his West River Records. The agreement calls for Audio Fidelity, in conjunction with West River Records, to release the first 180g vinyl pressing of Ackerman's 2005 Grammy award winning recording, "Returning: Pieces for Guitar 1970-2004." Ackerman is universally recognized as the preeminent pioneer in the new age music movement, and the founder of Windham Hill Records.

In 2004, after years of growth and introspection, Ackerman re-recorded an album of his best-known songs. A greatest hits collection of all new performances. The playing and recording of these New Age instrumentals are sharper now than on those original Windham Hill classics and Ackerman's most popular compositions have rarely sounded as poignant.

Blonstein felt one of the elements of working with Will Ackerman that would have great appeal to Audio Fidelity's music fans were simple words Will spoke at the time of the recording about why he wanted to make the album. "Today I'm recording in my own Imaginary Road Studios in Windham County, Vermont on utterly state of the art digital equipment. It all brings me closer to what I hear as I sit alone and play; touching the sound as it literally moves through my body as well as my ears. I guess I am trying to find a sound that lets you hear what I hear."

Will's goal was to take a series of 11 favorite songs and record them for posterity in a way that reflects the emotional nuances, precision, and maturing beauty they've picked up along the road. He includes the graceful and lushly melodic "The Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter," the sweet and melancholy "Anne's Song", and two peaceful early gems from 1970, "Pictures" and "Barbara's Song." Some were written as celebrations ("Unconditional"), others as elegies ("The Impending Death of the Virgin Spirit"), but all are intricate snapshots of a vastly influential musical life that keeps inventive to this day.

ALBUM TRACKS:

SIDE 1
Bricklayer's Beautiful Daughter
Anne's Song
The Impending Death of the Virgin Spirit
Pictures
Hawk Circle

Side 2
Barbara's Song
Unconditional
Visiting
Processional
In a Region of Clouds
Last Day at the Beach

Will Ackerman official website: http://www.williamackerman.com/

For more information: www.audiofidelity.net

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158, glassonyonpr@gmail.com

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