New Age Music Reviews

New Age Instrumental/Meditation Review: Tom Grant-Sipping Beauty

Release Date: April 7, 2017

Label: Nu-Wrinkle

Tom Grant has over 40 years invested in making music. His latest upcoming release is titled Sipping Beauty. If you happen to be in the market for eclectic music, then this can be your ticket to ride. Taking a journey with music is the only way to travel. They key here is to sip the beauty and enjoy it and not take it all in with one swallow.

Those of you that have a propensity for piano based music will find a lot to appreciate on this recording.

“Feathers Falling Up” was one of my favorite tracks. I am sure I heard the distinctive bass playing of Michael Manring. Have you ever seen a feather go up instead of down (when there is no wind of course)? That would be magical just as the track would lead you to believe. Besides, what is music if it doesn’t have some magic and wonder around it to engage a listener and challenge the imagination?

Tom Grant’s pedigree is an impressive one, playing with some of the jazz greats over the years such as trumpeter Woody Shaw and sax players Joe Henderson and Charles Lloyd, are an indication of his abilities. And that just names a few. His experience in the jazz realm can be heard in his music. That is but one element that you will hear. There are touches of ambient, new age, world, well just about everything under the musical sun you could think of for instrumental forays on one album.

“Wrapped In Love” with whispers and steady breathy background vocals reminded me of the 10cc classic “I’m Not In Love.” I am sure it is coincidental the word love is in the title of the track and I happened to relate it to that one song. 10cc happens to be one of my favorites so it was easy for me to find something in common with the track. I do what everyone else does while listening, I relate it my own life experiences and the different music I have enjoyed since arriving on this planet.

“Arms Wide Open” was another one that got my attention and touched me. The piano is so elegant and inviting along with some strumming jazz guitar fills and some carefully placed acoustic guitar picking lines. The sounds are accented with the culture of Spain. The music comes flying off the fingertips of the creator crafting the sounds, lighting up the song like firefly’s in the night sky.

Even though you can classify this music as new age instrumental and meditation music it is far more than that. The different flavors and colors that interweaves into each song gives it a strong crossover appeal. If you’re a musical purist in any sense of the word you will not appreciate Sipping Beauty. However, if you go into this with your eyes and ears opened wide ready to receive a constant flow of change and transition, then you will absolutely love this album as much as I did. And remember if it doesn’t hit you right upon the first listen, try it again and sip it a little at a time, and you will then discover the beauty waiting for you inside the music.

When the student is ready the teacher will show up, just listen.

4/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

February 28, 2017

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Tracks:
01. Petrichor Perfume
02. Sun-Kissed Beings
03. Sipping Beauty
04. Feathers Falling UP
05. Wrapped In Love
06. Sighs n' Whispers
07. Arms Wide Open
08. Desire Unspoken
09. Moondrops
10. Where Time Disappears

Instrumental New Age-Classical-Jazz Fusion Review: Psychic Equalizer - The Lonely Traveller

Release Date: January 20, 2017
Label: Milvus
Website

Hugo Selles provides much of the instrumentation on The Lonely Traveller, from his Psychic Equalizer project. Along with a host of other musicians Selles performs on piano, keyboards, and synths; electric and classical guitar, drums, and vibraphone. He has also composed two movie soundtracks along his journey. Selles has been a student of music and has attained degrees and a wealth of practical experience.

This is expressionism to its fullest extent. The musical canvas provided is as diverse as the people on the cover of the album. Of course, this the whole point. There are no barriers creatively while creating a crossover sound that is bound touch many listeners. The music touches upon the spectrum of the human condition while growing up. The meaning, moods and atmospheres could easily reflect the many changes we go through in life.

The Lonely Traveller stirs the musical pot with new age, classical, jazz, and rock. I think it’s a wonderful thing that one man could add each layer of musical parts to each track and successfully create a cohesive entity.

A few of the tracks are workouts such as “Lovers Meet,” “Mezuz,” my favorite track and “An Ocean of Changes 1-1V,” which is literally filled with so many changes it is hard to keep track. Bordering on Acid Jazz/Rock, it is a wall of sounds. “An Ocean of Changes V-V1” is lot shorter and palpable for the average listener. Keep in mind however this is not music made for the “average” listener. This is a thought provoking mind expanding journey. A journey that I think you will find quite incredible knowing one man created it on his own.

The Lonely Traveller comes up in iTunes as Unknown Genre, now that is befitting what this music offers the listener looking for originality. I think any artist would take that as a compliment. The music cannot be categorized because it stands on its own as a work of art and sincere craftsmanship. There is true talent at work here and to think this is only the beginning for Mr. Hugo Selles.

4/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

February 22, 2017

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Tracks:
01. Mezuz
02. An Ocean of Changes (I-IV)
03. The Lonely Traveller
04. Lágrimas
05. Adrift
06. Peña Labra
07. Flying over the Caucasus
08. Lovers Meet
09. A Collection of Marbles
10. An Ocean of Changes (V-VI)
11. A Visit to Adelaide
12. Nørrebro
13. Never Lose Hope (Bonus Track

Instrumental New Age Reviews; Vin Downes-When The Sea Lets Go

Release Date: January 3, 2017

Label: Riverwide Records

Website

Vin Downes presents his own unique brand of acoustic guitar finger picking on When The Sea Lets Go. If you are guitar fan of any flavor or pace there is something to enjoy on this recording.

In my estimation being a talented musician is a god given gift that needs to be shared. And how lucky are we as music fans to be receiving that gift every day. Well, that is if we choose to accept it daily. I certainly do and being one of the more fortunate souls to have an abundance of it at my disposal, and quite a variety no less.

So, where am I going with this? It is artists like Vin Downes that can illustrate the simplicities and complexities of one acoustic instrument in one track. He does it consistently throughout except for “Dust and Drag” where he is accompanied by the sound of Michael Manring’s bass. You know it is him as soon as you hear it. And then there is “Streets of Sunday” where Tom Eaton joins in on the piano.

It was kismet that Vin ended up having the production team of Ackerman and Eaton on his recording. The first time he heard the finger picking style on Ackerman’s Windham Hill Records Sampler (which I used to discover new artists on all the time), he put down the electric guitar. We all benefited from that decision. After hearing When The Sea Lets Go it is quite likely you will agree.

This is scenic and deeply relaxing music that has a rhythmic flow and tone. It is a solid and consistently strong release that puts the spotlight not only on the creator but the style of guitar playing he presents. Vin Downes is a fine representative of this genre of music and style. He has so much respect from the music community and his peers that will be performing at the 2017 ZMR Music Award Concert in New Orleans on May 13th. This is a well-deserved honor and validation of his talent and presence he now commands in the recording industry.

Listening to When The Sea Lets Go is all the proof you will need however the accolades and honors will most certainly keep coming for an innovative and technically astute musician such as Vin Downes. This album is one example of many that you will hear in the years to come and I am willing to bet they all will be progressively different.

4/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

February 8, 2017

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Tracks:
01. Entwined and Lost
02. Evening in Berkeley
03. Morning Red
04. Dust and Drag
05. Just Before You Go
06. Everything Ahead
07. When the Sea Lets Go
08. Streets of Sunday
09. The Right Words Are Simple
10. All You Left Behind

Instrumental New Age Review: Jennifer DeFrayne-Sisu

Genre: Instrumental New Age

Release Date: March 3, 2017

Label: Palo Isle Music

Website

Jennifer DeFrayne’s new album Sisu is dedicated to her Finnish heritage. So, what is Sisu you may ask? Well I had the same question with immediate thoughts of what the album title meant.

As defined by Wikipedia: Sisu is a Finnish word which loosely means stoic determination, grit, bravery, resilience and hardiness. It is held by Finns themselves to express their national character. It is generally considered to not have a literal translation into English.

Sisu by my own definition is beauty, grace, strength, and the many colors of life intersecting within each song.

So, with great determination Ms. DeFrayne has released her second collection of tracks titled Sisu. She gets some assistance from the brightest and most talented people in the music business including Jeff Haynes, Premik Russell Tubbs, Michael Manring, Jill Haley, Sara Milonovich, Jeff Pearce, and Jeff Oster.

There is a lot of instrumental piano based music that I cover hence I have concerns that eventually it will start sounding redundant. That is my biggest challenge not only as a listener but the person that needs to conceptualize and or visualize what the artist is projecting in their music. This music never allowed me to wander off course or feel there was not enough variety to keep me interested or demand my attention.

Jennifer’s music uses her talents with the ivory keys as the foundation of every track and then it is accentuated by other sounds and textures to give it a worldlier crossover feel to it. The title is normally the centerpiece of the table that is set and this album is no exception. “Sisu” is bold yet tasteful like a cup of good strong coffee, the music lingers in the air once it is made and the aroma is still there afterwards. This is good way to explain what this music sounds like and how it will affect you.

Jeff Oster’s horn makes the most beautiful sounds and helps to make the track “Beyond” more exceptional with his contributions. I am sure it would be wonderful with just Jennifer’s key strokes but the addition of that soothing and inviting horn gives it another layer of contrast and beauty. That is but one example of what awaits the listener that wishes to explore and experience thought provoking and relaxing music.

In an artistic sense music is much like a painting in that it speaks to everyone in a different way, and everyone feels and sees something different through their own eyes and soul. Every color splashed on the canvas of the painting holds a different meaning and atmosphere. The picture comes shining brightly through the music in a shout or whisper, dependent on your mood and interpretation.

As my love for music becomes more important with each passing day, I become that much more appreciative of music from albums like Sisu. My respect and gratefulness I feel for people like Jennifer DeFrayne goes beyond words. Listen to the spellbinding sounds of this album and I am sure you will agree this is one recording that will be in regular rotation in your stereo this year.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

February 4, 2017

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Tracks:
01. Fire Island
02. Be Who You Are
03. Sisu
04. Beyond
05. Gathering
06. Palo Santo
07. Roots
08. Stepping Stones
09. Equanimity
10. Internal Light
11. Renew
12. Perseverance

Instrumental New Age/World Review: Al Conti-Mystic

Label: Shadowside Music
Release Date: October 7, 2016

Website

People that record new age music are a closely-knit family from around the world. If you do not know someone and you are involved in the genre in some fashion, you will come to know them eventually.

With that spirit of fellowship and a common bond, great music is then created.

Late last year, Al Conti released an extremely successful recording. Mystic arrived to the delight of people in the music business and fans alike.

The multitalented Mr. Conti and friends such as Jeff Pearce (electric guitar), Pamela Copus (harps), Charlee Brooks (vocals) and Ricky Kej (associate producer) add their magical talents to the mix.

The compositions feature chant, udu, hurdy gurdy, cittern, lutes, violins, and electric guitars. The cinematic tracks and their multitude of energies and sound sweep you away. Picture the wind that takes away the sands from the desert floor. And in a literal sense, as if you are somewhere in the Middle East taking a musical magic carpet ride through the beginning of time and civilization. Just listen and ride the waves of music that surround you and then you are instantly there.

The opening tittle track “Mystic” is a door opener into a different world and the anticipation of “Ritual” brings thoughts of ancient people paying tribute to their gods and idols as you await a ceremony in your mind’s eye.

If you happen to enjoy consistency in a thematic and musical sense and enjoy listening for those two elements colliding to form beauty, then listen closely. Mystic will excite you, soothe your soul and take on an adventure of your own design. The music makes all this unfold before you and then your mind, body and spirit indulge it to lead the way, and that it does.

Mystic is more than befitting its name, it is art and poetry in motion. The music cycles through your being and transports you far away from inside your own mind to a different spiritual plane. Music the great healer, is on awesome display on this recording. I loved every minute of it.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

January 30, 2017

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Tracks:
1. Mystic
2. Trance
3. Prayer
4. Visions
5. Pilgrimage
6. Contemplation
7. Ritual
8. Devotion
9. Anima Aeterna

Instrumental Solo Piano Review: Michele McLaughlin-Life

Release Date: February 10, 2017

Label: Michele McLaughlin Music

Website

Michele McLaughlin has been releasing recorded music for 17 years now. Each successive album has reinforced the belief that she is one of the most accomplished solo pianist in world. The topic of discussion is her latest recording Life. The album is due on February 10, 2017.

Prior to this review we got a sneak peak of what was in store on the Rate The Tracks site streaming “At Home.” Now it’s time to take a look at the entire offering Life.

Although we put music into a several different classifications and genres, there is some music the defies that thought process. Michele’s music is along those lines. With a combination of new age and classical she lets her fingers glide over the keys with ease. What she produces is significant and stunning. She weaves melodies and progressions of the keyboard like a magician casting a magic spell.

Life is simplistic yet far reaching, crossing over preconceived ideas of what category to put it in. It is contemporary and listenable at any time of day or night. Its ability to reach a listener regardless of tastes is the beauty and perfection of it. I am sure the intent of the artist is to reach a receptive audience and one that allows barriers to disappear knowing the enjoyment and relaxation that awaits.

The therapeutic value of music like this goes beyond just listening. Its straight forward clean production values featuring one instrument, allow a listener or potential listeners, an opportunity to get centered and focus.

The title track is without a doubt, for my ears, the most prolific composition. “Life” does have a certain flow to it- like a raging river, a clear running stream or stagnant pond. Life has its moments and time periods where things are moving at a rapid rate, evolving, changing or slowing down or staying the same. So, the parallel is drawn in the music presented here. Ms. McLaughlin’s soul is mirrored in the music and a listener can view their own truth by listening to it and looking inside. Music is the one thing that has the power to do that for us, it is a gift.

Human Life is complex however everything seems to get more simplified when you hear music like this. I appreciate the artist and the music showing us the way, providing an outlet that brings only peace and joy. I would suggest giving this recording a good listen, your Life will be better because of it.

4.5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

January 28, 2017

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Tracks:
01. The Gift
02. The Storm
03.At Home
04. Life
05. Belonging
06. A Deeper Understanding
07. Drifting Through a Dream
08. Heartbroken
09. Stronger
10. Precious Memories
11. Crossroads
12. Guilty Pleasures
13. Give It Time

Instrumental New Age Review: Jim Gabriel-Into Eternity

Release Date: November 12, 2016

Label: Independent

Website

Jim Gabriel has created another musical masterpiece titled Into Eternity.

Jim Gabriel, bearing the name of an angel, creates music that certainly is heavenly. I believe that music is the greatest gift of mankind and those that create it are the chosen ones to bring it to life. There is no such thing as coincidence in my world, everything has a purpose, place and reason to live on this plane of existence.

Some of us do more than just take up space and accept whatever comes our way and others find their own way and live a focused and fulfilling life. Jim Gabriel is meant to play the piano and bring us joy. And he does exactly that on Into Eternity.

Into Eternity is made up of 12 tracks of gorgeous melodies with the finishing touches of guitar and strings to complete the musical paintings this artist creates. I believe life is a canvas upon which we paint our lives. This is a painting of beauty and grace that gives each listener their own slice of personal heaven.

The one track that got my attention the most, and prolifically, was “Midnight.” It is his own interpretation of the song originally done by Coldplay on their sixth studio album Ghost Stories. You have the fortune of hearing that on the video provided with this review. For my ears and senses, it got my attention because of the melody and the changes throughout the track. There are moments of elation and then sadness, it was like the range of human emotions all wrapped into one singular purpose within the song.

That is but one example of that kind of story Mr. Gabriel weaves into each one of the 12 tracks presented on Into Eternity. His talented fingers let the ivory keys do all the talking and your eternity becomes a reality through what he creates.

I have always expressed that the beauty of music is the ability for each individual listener to decide what to do with it and how they interpret it. Personally I take the beauty of what is offered and internalize it so it brings me peace and therefore hits that switch in mind that says “OFF.” I hope all of you listeners out there and potentially new listeners, can find your own path through this incredible music like I have.

Into Eternity is perfect just the way it is and that in and of itself is the miracle of music.

5/5 Stars

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

January 23, 2017

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

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Tracks:
01. From the Rising of the Sun
02. Home
03. Winter
04. Into Eternity
05. First Light
06. Midnight
07. Un Momento Tenero
08. Americana
09. Goodbye for Now
10. Retrospection II
11. Distant Memories
12. Dreams of You

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