When searching by computer for talented artists in your favorite genre, a couple of simple search terms might quickly get you good results.  If not, you can try searching the many recording labels to help you find talented artists, or at least point you in the right direction.

Lisa Downing is one name to search for, and Vision Quest Entertainment is another search term you can try.  With either result, Lisa Downing’s name will appear since this business was originally her own record label and now a combined talent agency doing business as Vision Quest Entertainment, representing over 1200 musicians in Colorado.

Now that we know Lisa Downing as a businesswoman, let me tell you about her busy career as composer, recording artists, and concert pianist.  Lisa performs in many concert venues including corporate and private events, along with conducting workshops and concerts with Liz Story and Joseph Akins, among many additional reputable artists.

Teaching piano along with her academic studies, Lisa attended the University of Colorado at Denver and Metropolitan State College to study music and piano performance.  Graduating with a degree in Traditional and Nontraditional Music with Keyboard Emphasis in 1982, her educational pursuits appear to be nicely balanced too.

A Delicate Balance is her 2010 Solo Piano, New Age, Neo Classical release, in an album title that is pretty well equal to her business and creative endeavors as a Solo Pianist.  What’s interesting about the inside cover of this CD is the special written diary about the thoughts behind each song’s composition which uniquely portrays Lisa’s intimate expressions during some rather personal moments in her life. 

I did enjoy reading her diary of songs while listening and preparing for this review of A Delicate Balance since it meticulously brought her personal recounting for each composition into the picture, giving her piano melodies a conclusively heartfelt and well spoken reflection.

Without giving away all of the diary secrets, many songs like The Gift, reflect a wonderful positive expression by the classical phrasing leading to the uplifting feel given by full register piano runs.  This song aligned in a moderate tempo made me think of the intrinsic treasures a gift giver feels and the unexpected joyful surprises a recipient receives.

The song Lost nicely portrays the first quiet moments in piano composition before well placed notes makes one realize that someone dear has lost their way, leading to deeper moments of pause and curiosity by her intonation.  After bolder dynamic chords suggest a winding road of lost hope, an upbeat conclusive ending happily points to a more familiar direction, ending with a more moderate calming tone of security.

Indecision is a faster moving piece where treble runs are shown like racing thoughts of indecisiveness, where lower register chords lean towards equal balance in an affirmative way, reflecting the decisive moments in life that are pretty much universal to everyone.

No Matter What I Do involves a special dedication and meaning to Lisa and does reflect this by quieter phrases giving way to pause, leading to a wider path, where positive chords suggest a new resolve in this scenario, ending in a more relaxed contemplation.   

Lisa’s prior albums Think On These Things is much like her current personal melodies with well timed moments of reflection, and her Holiday CD Christmas for Two are traditional holiday arrangements you will easily recognize and are easy to find CDs.

A Delicate Balance is a fine Solo Piano album with the personal Lisa Downing expressive touch.  Reading her song diary while listening to her latest musical gift about finding many delicate lines during the search for perfect balance is sure to please everyone, provided they take the time to search and then find this talented artist for themselves.

Visit this Vision Quest Entertainment artist at LisaDowning.com to sample / purchase or visit her CDBaby.com page here.

Picture copyright Bigstockphoto – og-vision

The title of the new Karunesh compilation is Path Of Compassion. It will be released on 20 April on the Real Music label, and contains 11 songs – including two new tracks (see the track listing here).

The new songs are Oasis Moon and Inner Journey.  

And while we are talking about Karunesh;

make sure to visit his great website for samples from all his many albums.

To be lying in a lush, green field looking up at light clouds on a sunny day is for many the very idea of relaxation. When looking up you are experiencing a powerful atonement while the troubles of everyday seem unimportant and small. Many will also have fond memories of such carefree cloud gazing from their early childhood.  

But sadly there are not many times in grown-up life you are able to throw everything aside and just stretch out in a field and do nothing but looking up. Even in your holidays you will find yourself constantly on the move, even when the idea was to stay still and relax.

This is where Michele Ippolito’s new album In The Clouds has something profound to offer. This one hour long album successfully recreates the very atmosphere of looking up and imagining actually being in and among the clouds. Ippolito’s second album (first being Mystic Moods from 2005) strikes a perfect balance of lightness and vastness; it is not too bright and it is not too cold either.

Simplicity is a keyword here. I find Michele Ippolito’s arrangement to be tasteful and very well done. I must admit that I am a fan of analogue synths, and Ippolito’s is using some fine choir and string synth banks – but it must be said that some listeners might find the sound to be a bit dated. But even if you fall under this category, give it a chance because the album’s true quality lies in the gentle ambient melodies. Michele Ippolito is classically trained on piano and this can easily be heard in the flute, harp and string melodies, which for some reason reminds me of classical music.

In The Clouds strikes a perfect balance of lightness and vastness; it is not too bright and it is not too cold either.

BT Fasmer

The atmosphere is very much the same throughout the album, but on some parts have a more detached and cold feel, while other parts are considerably brighter – just like a day in the field. After all, the sky is constantly changing. It is hard for me to select one or two favorite tracks because they are all connected, but I absolutely love the colorful second track On Skylark’s Wings. 

Other reviewers have compared Ippolito to Chuck Wild’s massively popular Liquid Mind project. I think that is a good comparison, and Wild’s fans will feel right at home here. But Ippolito has managed to create an album that just might be a little lighter and less complex – all in a good way.

For this In The Clouds has been nominated for the 2009 Zone Music Reporter Awards in two categories. After all, looking at the clouds is perhaps the most relaxing thing you can do.

In The Clouds is simply a perfect album if you need something from a 5 minute to a 1 hour timeout. If you give yourself just a small dose of this before a stressful business meeting or a large family gathering, you will for sure find back to that priceless inner calm you felt as a child when you were cloud gazing in a green field. Anything that can give such an effect must be considered a gift to the listener.

What a wonderful and remarkable album!!!

Sample In The Clouds on CDBaby - where you can also find Michele Ippolito’s previous album.

Picture Copyright Bigstockphoto – hjalmeida

It is rare that a new age music title become a part of mainstream culture. One such title is of course Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells (1973). Another is Enya’s Shepherd Moons (1991).

A more recent album released under the new age music umbrella to reach such heights is Hypnotica’s The Sphinx of Imagination (2003). It has been on the very top of CD Baby’s New Age Music chart for years and has received more enthusiastic 5 star reviews than any other title in the genre.

Even celebrity Neil Strauss of the New York Times has commented the Sphinx phenomenon:

So what is it? It is a 51 minute 50 second CD called ”The Sphinx of Imagination” which comes emblazoned with the warning, ”Do not listen to while operating any type of machinery.” Intended to be heard in its entirety on headphones, the CD uses music and words to speak to the unconscious of the listener. Its intent is to do a little rewiring and expand listeners’ perceptions, open their minds and allow them to change themselves, sort of like a Grateful Dead concert without the band or the drugs.

To describe The Sphinx of Imagination accurately is actually very hard. On one level it is a story told by Hypnotica that takes you on an imaginary voyage. One another level it is deeply relaxing music and sounds. It truly is a multi-layered story.  Through the power of suggestion, Hypnotica leads you through landscapes and images of your own creation. No two people will experience the same journey – and every time you listen to The Sphinx of Imagination, your own experience changes.

Hypnotica used six years to design and develop the albm. With a background in linguistics and the study of the human mind, he carefully crafted the story – and worked closely with sound designer Denver Clay to blend together impact words with just the right musical sounds and frequencies.

The Sphinx of Imagination is one of those albums that actually are more than the hype surrounding it. It is very much a world of its own, that you get to explore and enjoy when you get this album. It is some of the most interesting music this reviewer has ever heard, and it changes every time I listen to it. It is a proof that the ears are the doorways to the mind.

And if you don’t believe me, New York Times or the 1000s of positive reviews posted – you can always try a 20 minute free sample at Hypnotica’s web page. This album will become everything you want it to be.

Go to CD Baby.

Steve Roach’s new, massive album Live at Grace Cathedral has now been released. This double CD contains over 110 minutes of music. The album as, as the title implies, recorded live at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral. Steve says:

Because this recording utilizes microphones in the space, along with a small blend of the sound board mix, the audience is sometimes heard, as it’s all a part of the living breathing space created that evening. I made the choice to not include any audience response or applause at the conclusion of the concert, since outside the live context, ending the recording into the deeper silence felt more appropriate.

Disc one is called Embracing the Space and disc two Merging with Grace. This is truly epic music that transforms a gray day into something larger-than-life; listening to it feels a bit like embracing space and eternity.  

If you buy the album from Steve’s shop, he will autograph his CD’ by request at no extra charge – and they are sent you from Steve’s house in the Sonoran desert!

Sample it on steveroach.com

Have you ever visited Suzanne Ciani’s wonderful webpage?

It has not been updated much recently, but what’s there is excellent: here you get a nice presentation of her long and impressive career (like the picture to the right), see information about her concerts and you can also visit her dedicated sample page – where you can sample every track released by this 5-time Grammy nominee. There is just so much here to see and listen to.

So do yourself a favor and visit Suzanne Ciani. You will not regret it.

Just like an orchestra conductor standing on a podium, one New Age artist first held his raised baton in hand, and began to cue the first downbeat gesture for his debut album. What emerged after the final cutoff gesture was made, led to an upbeat direction for his first album’s achievements, and proclaimed admiration for this relatively new artist.

David Wahler is the musician orchestrating Antiquus in a like manner, where his time signature expertly directed a unique phrasing in tempo, dynamics, and articulation, leading to welcoming salutations of praise during the final reception at the end of his first orchestration.

Antiquus is a greatly applauded 2009 album surprising many by the paramount success granted to such a relative newcomer in the New Age music industry. The consistent airplay and high ranking in Zone Music Reporters charts is widely recognized, along with pending nominations for 2009 in 4 categories, yet to be decided. Likewise you will find Antiquus is held in high regard with our own NewAgeMusic.nu Best Albums of 2009 Awards, so these merits do speak quite clearly.

Music itself is not new to David since he began playing piano by ear at age 7, then formal music studies in college academics before directing several theater directing productions, performing with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra & New American Theatre, while also teaching music appreciation to disadvantaged and handicapped children.

David again steps onto the conductor’s podium for a second time. With all eyes watching, and with several decisive taps of the hand baton, he confidently cues in his current 2010 release A Star Dances, in an encore performance notably holding great expectations.

Composed, performed, and arranged solely by David Wahler, this album represents a heartfelt narration surrounding his family circle past and present, where resolution of personal life challenges are reflected as a unique source of inspiration for his music’s identity, lovingly embraced by his close family heritage.

A Star Danced is New Age, Contemporary, Electronic, Ambient, Neo Classical, and Orchestration, nicely displayed by his directing hands, where it becomes apparent this second release sharply manifests a sweeping one and two and timing, in relation to the precision delivery of his already admired discography.

The song Quest is the Epic alpha and omega heralding in 14 classics of A Star Danced, and perhaps a fine talking point of those like myself giving their own conclusions about his second release. To me, this sensational wonder is a revelation to behold, given the heavenly virtuoso trumpet intonation with pronounced percussion taps unveiling moderate rhythms while keyboard and tenor vocals gently mesmerize. Having these bold dynamics and a contrasting sheer ambience of lightly drawn out vibrato notes, it could be telling of a more calming and peaceful resolution made during some of our most challenging moments.

The atmosphere in the Title Song by soft soprano and tenor vocals echo nicely behind droplet-like keystrokes and percussion rhythms blending into one relaxing starlit entity. The Seeds of Time are generously sown by guitar soloist Brent Gunter, where his evolving impressions are backed by moderate keyboards and celestial choir.

Come Gentle Night has a light sway led by beautiful keyboard bell tones similar to Peaseblossom & Reverie. Sigh Away Sunday & Vespera are new images holding a conforming poise from the well conducted Antiquus album, giving fresh ambient patterns to the ensemble of songs.

Yvonne is a heartfelt rendition where harp and piano melody embrace to portray a most positive affirmation, and where keys changes bravely touch on an optimistic melodic tone.

It is in this song where piano, strings, and harp join in a tribute to a special person, and where the significance of someone very dear to David is personified.

Missing You is first composed in singular piano notes where a solemn melody gives a peaceful and serene placement of solitude in the earliest moments while nicely responding with a graceful tribute. Piano notes resolve in a most dignified phasing, giving rise by a reverent conclusion, where ordained notes of respect and solidarity become intertwined in the loving arms of melancholy.

Quest ( Reprise ) makes a return odyssey to the dynamic opening impressions, becoming the concluding exodus to again reveal the bold aesthetic testimonial of David’s second album. Devoted to his unique signature which retains your interest and imagination from the first cue to the final cutoff note, I do expect honorable recognition will be given to David Wahler & A Star Danced, pending this album’s overall final reception.

Visit davidwahler.com to sample and purchase or at his CDBaby.com page. You may read our own NewAgeMusic.nu Best Albums of 2009 Awards and my review of Antiquus on our pages dedicated to David Wahler.

Picture copyright Bigstockphoto – pressmaster

Now this is something quite different; Mike Oldfield fan page Tubular.net has something remarkable to share:

On board the Oldfield’s boat Sea Dragon, moored off St Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, Fanny Oldfield has been exploring her husband’s music and writing a diary about her experiences.

The diary contains Fanny Oldfield’s personal view of her husband’s music. One thing is certain though; she has not been his biggest fan in the past. In fact, she hasn’t heard that much of his music at all. Only a few albums and some selected tracks. So the diary of her voyage through his music starts with his most recent album Music of the Spheres. She writes:

Music of the Spheres is an album that I do know and have listened to many times. I heard Michael working on it. One of my pleasures was to make dinner and if Michael left the studio door open I could hear, from the kitchen, what he was working on in the studio. That is how I heard the sounds of this beautiful album for the first time. The actual first time I heard it properly was in a mastering studio in London. Wow, it was just fantastic… The music took me on a journey away from London, England, Earth!

Read it on Tubular.net - where it has got a lot of attention from MO’s fans. 

What an interesting project! Also be sure to check out Fanny Oldfield’s nice photo art.

The title of Lewellyn’s upcoming album is Reiki Starlight with the subtitle Music for Distant healing. 

Apparently Llewellyn’s many fans will in the near future get some first class distant healing…

The album will be released on the Paradise Music label.

New Earth Records hosts a very nice and inspiring blog. This month’s topic is meditation.

And, while you are at it, take a look at the nice free mp3s from New Earth Records’ magnificent collection of recordings.

Eric Mouquet, the Deep Forest veteran, has posted a 5 minute long prelisten to his upcoming album Deep Africa. It has now been made available on Deep-Projects.com.  

From what I can hear the album will be closer to the World genre than new age music – with plenty of African singing (and not just samples as in the classical Deep Forest albums). But, as with Deep Brasil, there are segments that are obviously very true to the old Deep Forest sound too – so new age music fans have a lot to look forward to here.

As always, Eric Mouquet is expected to give his fans a treasure chest of ethnical sounds – just like he has on his previous albums.

Be sure to visit mr. Mouquet’s Facebook page too.

Peter Buffet’s book Life Is What You Make It, with the sub title: Find Your Own Path to Fulfillment will be released on April 27th. An audiobook version will also be released, read by the author himself!

Members of Peter Buffet’s Ning forum can now see an exclusive interview with Peter while he is recording the book. About the recording process he says:

Recording the audio book was very different from writing it! It was a lot more strenuous than I anticipated and a very interesting process to attempt to bring the words on the page to life.

MG Music has a lot of exciting titles this spring. Simon Lovelock is back, and so is Clifford White, Runestone and Midori!

Read all about the titles here.

One of this year’s most anticipated albums, Clifford White’s ASCENSION II – The Healing Touch has now been released!

Here is a description from MG Music:

Clifford brings us ASCENSION II – The Healing Touch, the sequel to the huge hit that launched his career. Quite possibly his best album ever, Cliff surpasses himself and leaves us mesmerised. Whereas Gods of Olympus had great themes and historic power. A beautiful and sublime release and sequel to the hit ‘Ascension’ which started Clifford’s career 25 years ago. The music has a grace, divinity, subtle, gentle, and perfect for anyone in need of refreshment, healing and cleansing. The production is superb with shimmering sounds and themes that build and flow together as effortlessly as ripples on a pond.

Sample it here. What beautiful music!!!

Today’s computer enhanced technology is amazing, and when skillful composing is combined with live performers and instrumentals, the resulting musical outcome can become a creation of natural beauty.

Timothy Crane is an artist title using a creative touch with the music technology of today by composing piano music, then adding key instrumentals along with orchestra effects that become full structured works of music he and his close friends enjoy creating. 

Dragonfly is the second release where Timothy plays a leading role as pianist and co-producer of his second album, along with Jason Rowsell who also played bass and mixing.  Friends Rick Henly performs on guitar and percussion effects, while Ryan Day engineered and mixed the album.  Having one last credit I don’t want to miss, Jason Rowsell’s young daughter has a cameo role by quietly laughing on cue during the beginning of song, A Child’s Goodnight. 

The Other Life I Dream is the first album I enjoyed equally from this talented group.  When asking Timothy what was the primary objective on this current release, and what set Dragonfly apart from the first album.  Here is his reply :

With Dragonfly, my focus was more on composition.  Each piece reflects an attempt to craft an instrumental tune that is memorable, unique to the overall album, and noticeably piano-driven, produced by independent musicians who want nothing more than to continue to create and play music.     Timothy Crane

Dragonfly is where I discovered more natural forms of instrumentation become closely acquainted with an animated entity in 11 song classics.  A few songs carry the rhythmic tones that might remind some of a highly recognized female artist at first glance, but I soon found each song is composed with a singular structuring in each melody belonging in a modern New Age, Piano, Instrumental, Cinematic theme.

Dragonfly indeed takes flight with first song  2×2.  In a graceful piano based dance of the keys, a real beauty of a melody greatly captures your attention by the upper tempo modern rhythms.  Well placed staccato notes from strings carry this steady motion while wonderful orchestration carries the appropriate rhythms that lead to a natural form of musical attraction.

Sylvan Grove holds much of the same beauty by piano leading in an upbeat theme while horns and strings inscribe a smooth blend into another most positive melody.  Higher octave piano notes in Star Cross Moon are the first gentle indications of a nice correlation in melodic shades, and when numerous major to minor key changes make a full emotional presence felt during refrains, the result is gratifying.

A Child’s Goodnight is a playful theme that soon matures in a full chord and heartfelt movement, while Salish Sunset in again, a more moderate tempo, along with light recollections in piano phrasing, join with oboe to impart warm tones to the overall picture.

Theft in Eb Major is more of a classic thought in composition with major and minor chords extending vibrant hues while building momentum.  Woodwinds warm breezy notes blend with background choral vocals to instill a more celestial feel with this song.

Theme of Rachel Scott is another focal point where medium range keystrokes give way to lower chords feel of depth and richness, blending nicely with orchestration to become one beautiful entity.  Vasilissa the Beautiful entertains a most peaceful beginning only to be suddenly interrupted by an enthralling performance from piano, choir, and deep thunderous percussion, quickly taking flight as if suddenly startled from a comfortable resting place.

Title song Dragonfly is an impassioned piano solo signaling the finale of this lightly animated album, in a conclusion where I felt every colorful detail was closely examined while producing this incorporated album, becoming the right choice for many people desiring popular music creations having a natural attraction.

Visit timothycrane.com website to sample / purchase, or at his CDBaby.com page.

Picture Copyright Bigstockphoto – FOTOCROMO

Singapore magazine Todayonline.com has an interview with Kitaro entitled simply New Age Dude. Which is an ok title, since he is the Asian New Age Dude. In this interview you get to know things about Kitaro you probably didn’t know.

Although he’s best known as a musician, Kitaro is involved with many spheres outside of music. For instance, he has a fireworks group which performs at festivals in Japan.

“We use the traditional bamboo fireworks,” he said, adding that they carry them like upright bazookas. “It’s very dangerous and my wife and managers have told me not to do that. But I like to do that. It’s a man thing.”

Let’s hope he doesn’t blow up!

Read the interview here. There are 4 nice pictures of Kitaro too.

Now you have the chance to visit the members of 2002 (Pamela and Randy Copus) at the Wellness Expo in Fort Worth, Texas – today and tomorrow – February 27-28.

On The Wellness Expo  you can buy essential oils, candles, chimes and unique jewelry and then top it all off with reflexology treatment for your feet. Featuring 70 wellness/metaphysical vendors and 24 lectures. If you have any CDs you’d like autographed by 2002, please bring them along. There will also be CDs available for purchase.

We recently told you about the band Fadalack , who did their version of Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells. Another interesting project that is soon out on the road is Daniel Holdsworth and Aidan Roberts’ Tubular Bells for two. Their two-man version of the classic comes to life utilizing acoustic and electric guitars, two pianos, three synthesizers, two drum kits, bass guitar, mandolin, glockenspiel, and of course, tubular bells!

So if you are in Australia on the 13^th of March you have the chance to experience a rare and special Tubular Bells performance. Read all about it here.             Source: Tubular.net

It is true. They can. Connecticut newspaper TheDay.com has this interesting comment:

The first time I ever heard whale music — which became sorta popular at the dawn of the New Age phenomenon — I literally thought it was a joke. But, no. People literally recorded the mournful cries of whales and either released them as “solo” works or put gentle, peace-inducing backing tracks comprised of lush strings or oboes or flutes or even the sound of incense sticks smoldering into a microphone.

And more:

Think about this in light of the latest killer whale/human tragedy at amusement parks. Maybe the whale’s music was a sort of primitive Siren’s Song — designed to lull us into trust and comfort so they could turn on us and shred us like sides of mutton tossed into a hay thresher!

Or perhaps killer whales have their own music distinct from the New Agey peace-shrieks of the other whales. And the killer whale music sounds like Norwegian Satan Metal, only with a slight, effervescent bubbly tone because, after all, it’s underwater.

As a Norwegian I can only say; this is very likely. Very likely indeed. I will make sure to check iTunes often for this new Satan Metal/whale music crossover. 

Read the whole article here.

Be sure to read the responses from people who attended Constance Demby’s recent music event. Here is one of them:

From everything I am, I deeply thank you for the wonder, the magic, the love, the radiance. You are a divine gift to this world and all of
Creation! Thank you for being here and sharing your beauty, your love, your vastness.

Constance Demby’s music is truly magical. You can check it out on Amazon if you don’t believe me – or the concert response above.

This is to our Australian friends; next week you have the chance to experience Terry Oldfield and his wife Soraya and their wonderful Sound Journeys. They weave a rich tapestry of healing sound and music with flute, crystal bowls, strings, symphonic gongs, percussion and voice. Terry is well known for his nature recordings, which always give the listener a profound sense of connection to Mother Earth. The seminar’s goal is to transport the audience to a space of deep relaxation and peace. It is in this space spontaneous healing can occur.

Terry writes:

Throughout history the power of sound through music has been used to move people to states of inspiration, joy, meditation, wellness, grief, war and stillness. Sound bypasses the intellectual mind and goes straight to the feelings center. Music can make us dance, laugh and cry; music is ever present in every celebration of life from birth to marriage and finally death.

Read more on TerryOldfield.com

On PRWEB.com is an interview with Seay, who music critic Michael Debbage choose to be on his “Top 30” albums of the decade 2000-2010. It was her album A Winter Blessing that made the list.

Speaking from her Franklin, TN-based Tuscan Sun Studios by phone, Seay (pronounced “say”) explains her delight at receiving the honor, saying “I was shocked and humbled to be included in such an amazing list. There were many artists in that list I’ve respected over the years, like 2002, Secret Garden and Christian artist Michael W. Smith. “Migration” by Peter Kater and Carlos Nakai is one of my all time favorite New Age Albums, so just to be in the same category with all of these musicians was a huge surprise!”

See the whole presentation here.

George Winston is not only rising fast on the new age music Billboard Chart with his new album Love Will Come, he is also out on the road – holding concerts and meeting fans.

Webpage AccessAtlanta.com has an interview with the popular pianist:

Driving a Hertz rental car, George Winston has traveled through many landscapes on his way to Tuesday night’s first performance of Decatur’s Eddie & Agnes concert series at Agnes Scott’s Presser Hall. As a composer and solo piano player strongly influenced by setting and seasons, he finds driving a useful way to travel.

Q: How’s the drive?

A: I’ve always liked driving. I get inspiration from various landscapes and places on Earth, from the different sites and energies and the gradual changing of the topography. Sometimes being taken off the beaten path is good.

Q: We know you don’t want microphones at this show in Decatur. What else can audiences expect from the performance? Will you perform in your socks?

A: Yes, shoes make too much noise on the floor. And I don’t like the sound of a miked piano. I’ll be playing fall and winter songs. Some Vince Guaraldi, folk and melodic piano, New Orleans R&B. I’m sure the drive over will inspire something, too. I have yet to make it to the Great Plains, Tennessee and Alabama. I want [the journey] to affect what I play. We’re all influenced by the seasons whether we think about it or not.

Read the complete interview here

There is almost no improvisation in new age music today, even though the genre itself was created out of freeform jazz and Tony Scott’s legendary jam session – resulting in the groundbreaking album Music for Zen Meditation (1964). In the world of digital audio workstations (DAWs) and virtual synths, there is simply not much room for this, due to the way music is carefully constructed.

But in Harlan Mark Vale’s brand new album, The House of Many Mansions, there is plenty of space and room for improvisation. With a few mostly improvised notes, master pianist Vale fills all the rooms of the mansions with music, expression and colors. He shows that improvisation is the key to truly divine music.

I must admit that Vale’s previous solo piano effort, Bright Angel, is one of my all-time favorite titles. I make sure to always have it with me, on my iPod, living room CD-player, PDA and PCs. I love it for the way it creates a world of its own in sound while I listen to it – much like Tony Scott’s album mentioned above. This year’s release is a little warmer and brighter than…well… oddly enough (refering to the name), Bright Angel. 

It is always a good idea to listen to what an artist says about his or her album. Harlan Mark Vale says:

The House of Many Mansions was inspired by the metaphor that each ‘mansion’ is another aspect within the “dwelling places” of consciousness. These portraits of the infinite interior life are the sweet fragrances of the Divine Mystery embodied in us all.

I think it is wonderful to find an album that is so close to the artist’s intention. The opening track Doors of Surrender is like an album in itself; the 12min30sec long piece is like a walk into a dream mansion, where you go through a door and an enormous, beautifully decorated hall (in red and gold, like the cover), only to find a new door is waiting at the end of the hall. It is simply marvelous, an outstanding performance by a master at work. Since it is improvisation, that’s what it is; a performance just as much as it is a track on an album.  

Track two is the title track. It is highly melodious and positive, with a very nice, 7 minute long build-up. The best word to describe it would be “colorful”. Another simply amazing song is the enigmatically named Forgiveness – Allowing the Circling Planes to land – which is not surprisingly the most dramatic song on the album. And yes, the plane lands safely after some quite heavy turbulence.   

Harlan Mark Vale’s albums are never easy listening, and that is also the case with the House of Many Mansions. It is not background music, but demands active listening.

But it is worth it; this album has given this reviewer one of the most rewarding listening experiences ever. I find that there is this almost magical quality to Vale’s music that just captivates the listener. Even if you are not into solo piano music at all, you will experience that the House of Many Mansions is something quite different. Give it a go, and you’ll might get a glimpse of the Divine Mystery. Hearing truly IS believing.

Sample the album here. It is available in high quality FLAC or 320k mp3 (and other formats as well). Click here to visit Harlan Mark Vale’s homepage.

Recently John and I  have made the decision to revise our Music Submission Policies due to the increasing amount of e mails we both receive for album reviews from artists.

While we both enjoy writing comprehensive reviews about many musicians and their latest release for our individual websites, we have both been spending too much time just responding to e mails requesting reviews.  Some e mails we receive have also gone unanswered and we do want to emphasize that this is not a reflection on your music.

We regret not being able to reply to every e mail and want nothing more than to be able to write about everyone, but unfortunately this simply is not possible and ask for your understanding.

Our individual Music Submission Policies vary slightly now, and artists may read the revised NewAgeMusic.nu / Stars Radio submission policy right here.  The revised policy for NewAgeMusicWorld.Com can be read here.

All albums received by NewAgeMusic.nu over the laste couple of months will be reviewed as promised.  

Again, Thank You for your understanding.  John & B.T.

One of the best new age music albums of the recent years is Jillian Aversa’s Origins. Songs like Hajime and The Winds of Change have almost become modern classics on online channels like New Age Stars. And now Jillian has this exciting news to all her fans:

My next solo album – yessss!  I have kept this under wraps for a while because the concept was still in development, but I have happily (and enthusiastically) settled now.  What is the big inspiration, you ask?  Atlantis.  An ancient civilization lost under the sea in a single day… it is a legend that has captivated so many cultures for centuries, and I can’t wait to explore it. 

And more:

I am really psyched about this project, and hope to have it finished this coming Winter, if all goes well.

We here at .nu are BIG Jillian fans – and are psyched about this project too! Atlantis is as always a nice theme for a new age music album – atlantis music it is like a sub genre of its own. I’m thinking of albums such as Andrew Brel’s Golden Atlantis and William Zeitler’s Elegy for Atlantis.

Follow the project on Jillian’s homepage – where you can subscribe to her newsletter.

Peter Buffet has teamed up with UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and Grammy award-winning musician Angélique Kidjo, to release “A Song For Everyone” single. 100% of proceeds from the sale of the song will benefit the Batonga Foundation, an organization founded by Angelique to advance education for girls in Africa. Here is a discription of the song:

Fans of Peter’s pop/rock and new age-influenced music can expect to be pleasantly surprised by the new dimension that Angelique’s signature worldly sound brings to the single. Writing in their respective native tongues, the uplifting, vibrant song has lyrics in both English and Yoruba.

You can sample and buy it here.

It is always interesting to see how new age music is being presented in main stream media. One thing is certain; it always means something, at least more that “rock” or “pop”. See the below quote from NYdailynews.com’s interview with Gov. David Paterson’s wife, Michelle.

First Lady Michelle Paterson says it won’t be the end of the world if voters toss her husband out of office this fall.

“Not at all,” said Paterson in an interview with the Daily News, as soothing New Age music played in the background of her midtown office. “We never thought we would be in this spot. Not too many people get to be here.

New age music here illustrates the calm, relaxing atmosphere. Where there’s this kind of music, there is no rush, no worries. Even in the world of politics.

Read the interview here.

Michael Brant DeMaria, PH.D, is a recent Grammy Nominee making the news lately.  Likewise, our recent interview together gave many people an in-depth look into the life of a clinical psychologist, composing musician, poet, author, and dedicator of his Healing Sound Series.

Knowing Michael better now, it’s clear to me his music is an instrumental model in itself, much like his art, books, and poetry, all of which have acquired U.S. recognition, along with international acceptance in Australia, Europe, Russia, and other parts of the world.

In his psychotherapy practice, Dr. DeMaria created ONTOS ( Greek for Being ) to help people live more meaningful and effective lives by ambient music interwoven as relaxation therapy.  I feel The Series can be perceived much like a form of cognitive conditioning, becoming an audible portion of his personal inner message by design, helping one acquire a new perspective and begin a refreshing journey on a path to wellness through calming music. 

The River  first began the Healing Sound Series, with  Ocean  his second project based on over  25  years of personal and professional research in the fundamental principals of sonic healing techniques.  Ocean was conceived to help hurricane survivors much like himself, begin anew and return to a more peaceful existence.

Where our rivers are a beginning source during their natural paths across the landscape, The River by Michael Brant DeMaria is like a template to discover a new direction, if even for a single day.  In addition, while help customarily arrives in the form of understanding words from this highly educated man during his medical practice, Michael’s healing music has a similar philosophy.  It is where gentle curves in The River now become the stimulus equivalent for discovering a natural direction in which to travel.        John P. Olsen

Siyotanka is the third story based narrative that won a Native American Music Award in the Native Heart category, and placed him on the Grammy ballot for Best Native American Music Album, also retaining the # 1 position on ZMR Top 100 charts in December 2009.

“The River is an album dedicated to all who listen from the heart” are words Michael used to analyze this first in series.  More than familiar with his music, I find this a realistic concept. 

Descriptive song titles likewise assist in what you will hear on The River, which relies on Native American Flutes, keyboards, piano, and indigenous percussion to form the reservoir, rising momentum, and infiltrating sunbeams heard in beginning ambient songs First Light, The River & Sunlight.  

Journeying is one of the more intriguing songs to me, having a rhythmic percussion and keyboard enhanced xylophone effect, when left to the imagination, places one in a forest habitat, residing right beside gently lapping water’s edge in a restful moment of singular, peaceful solitude.

The Rain features an indigenous flute solo while a thunderstorm’s echoing claps can be heard in the distance as if releasing every negative thought from afar, along with dispersing light water droplets that transform to create a colorful sunset at dusk, leading into piano and woodwinds calming sounds in a quiet Night Fall.

Moderate keyboard sequences, along with single touches on the piano keys treble octaves make positive reflections in Moonlight & Stillness lightly glow by their conforming ambient phrasing, while indigenous woodwinds direct a more solemn indication to denote the threshold hour of Midnight.

The River’s 10 song origins instinctively find a natural pathway to The Sea where most rivers lead.  In comparison to seas partially confined and bound by land, Michael’s directive of these rivers hope to point towards a new concept releasing everyone’s unlimited potential, in relation to the vast open horizons observed in our five greater oceans.

Visit ontos.org here and then sample / purchase on his music page, or CDBaby.com page.  Read our interview on our page dedicated to Michael.

Picture copyright Bigstockphoto.com – WizData

Some pieces of music will live forever. One such title is without a doubt Mike Oldfield’s Tubular Bells. I am sure this groundbreaking album will be played 50, 100 or 500 years from now.

A sure sign of the quality of TB is that it is being played live by other artists too. Below is the group Fadalack at a concert in Alicante, Spain, performing TB live. Here are more pictures and a presentation of the band in Spanish.

What a great performance! Still, one can’t avoid being impressed too by the very young Mike Oldfield who composed this and played most of the instruments himself… Source: Tubular.net

New age piano instructor Edward Weiss asks: Why are there so many unplayed pianos in the United States? On AllAboutJazz.com he gives this answer:

The way I see it is that adults purchase pianos thinking they’ll go the classical route, and then give up because it’s just not satisfying. With electronic keyboards, they’re either given as gifts or aspiring young musicians soon lose interest.

And more:

The New Age style is perfect for anyone just wanting to have fun and make beautiful music. In fact, I can whole-heartedly promise this: With my methods, I can have anyone both playing and composing their own piano music in less than 30 days.

The program is called Quiescencemusic.com

George Winston’s Love Will Come – The Music of Vince Guaraldi, Volume 2, has been climbing fast on the Billboard Chart for new age music over the last two weeks. As of now, Winston has only Enya’s new “Best of” album in front of him!

In 1996 George Winston recorded a tribute album to jazz pianist Vince Guaraldi (1928-1976), a musician beloved by generations for the compositions he recorded for various Charlie Brown television specials and for his standard Cast Your Fate to the Wind. The 1996 album was Linus & Lucy-The Music of Vince Guaraldi, and this year Winston revisits his musical hero a second time.

Sample the album on Amazon or iTunes.

Niall’s new album, called Native American Nights, will soon be released on the Paradise Music label. All fans of Niall know that his music is as relaxing as it is beautiful. Native American Nights seems to be a perfect title for Niall – which is a master flutist – and Paradise Music has delivered yet another stunning cover!

You can sample the new album on Niall’s homepage.

See previous Niall albums here. Notice the great gift cards this label offers. A nice present to someone who has everything perhaps?

New age music blog updates; We just want to thank Patroux, Mark Hill and Mark Pinkus who has been signing our guestbook lately. Thank you for the kind words

As a music fan I simply adore artists that are just there, producing the best music imaginable – year out and year in – and not making any fuss about it. Artists that are simply doing their thing. The best example is of course Tangerine Dream, who has been around since 1967 and still is the most creative and active group out there. Another artist that can be mentioned in the same breath as TD (I am sure Edgar Froese would agree), is Davol. His brand new album is called Good Sign. And yes, it is a very good sign indeed!

Davol (pronounced duh-VOL) was born in Hollywood, CA in 1961, and currently lives in Denver. He obtained his Ph.D. in 1989 in Microbiology. In the same year he debuted as a new age music artist with the album Mystic Waves. His songs Appaloosa and Hand in mine are among the most popular and highest rated songs on New Age Stars radio. Now in February he has released his sixth album Good Sign. So this is not an artist that releases albums every second month; no, every synth note is carefully placed.

Good Sign is a 8 track long album. One of the songs, the surprisingly political Truth 2010, has been released before as a single (but this is a new mix, hence the 2010 in the name). The ingredients that made Davol’s previous releases so great are all here; the carefully crafted synth melodies and the positive, upbeat atmosphere. This is Davol’s trademark, no one out there does it better. My favorite track is track 3, Going there. But also Stay and Goodnight are new Davol classics.

The only bad thing I can point at is the cover. Davol has in the past had some magnificent covers, like the Open Book cover, but the one to the left is not nice. That was not a good sign… But hey, don’t judge a book by its cover, right? Open it!

Sample the album on CDBaby.

 Mariner (1998) by Tony o’Connor is a modern classic in the new age music genre – both for its obvious quality and for its massive sales. So far 1,5 million copies are sold. The mix of ocean waves, seagulls, ships bells and calming melodies are incredible relaxing. The main tracks on the album are Voyage (12 minutes long) and Ghost Ships (11 minutes), which are a true find for anyone who is into music guided meditation.

Yes, there are 1000s of meditation albums on the market. What makes Mariner stand out from the crowd is how the different parts fit together. It is simply world class sound design. Mariner is like being on a ship, relaxing on the deck with all the time in the world and not a cloud in sight. Readers have told me that they first bought this album on tape, but had to replace the tape with a CD because the cassette has been worn out! Many people use this album as a sleeping aid, drifting into sleep while the captain – Tony o’Connor – steers the vessel into dreamland.

Mariner is Tony o’Connor most successful album so far. This album is a ship that will take you wherever you would like to go; your mind is the wind in the sails. This album is simply magnificent. But don’t take my word for it – try the album!

You can sample it at Tony o’Connor homepage or on iTunes.

Ambient Visions has posted a very nice interview with Fiona Joy Hawkins.  

And while you are at it, why not check out John P. Olsen’s reviews of Fiona Joy Hawkins’ two most recent albums on NewAgeMusicWorld.com?

After some downtime and work behind the scenes, the new homepage of Deep Projects is now completed and ready for the release of the Deep Africa album in April. Eric Mouquet, the Deep Forest veteran, has done the design himself. On the page he gives his fans an exclusive presentation of his many musical projects, the last being the song Namba le Ndamba with singers from Cameroon (which, by the way, is not a part of the Deep Africa album).

One song is now available from the upcoming Deep China album, the “Won’t last long” track, with the Chinese singer Sa Dingding. It truly is a wonderful song.

In other news, Eric Mouquet will be performing live in Paris with South African singer songwriter Johnny Clegg. Mr. Clegg has been a record artist for over thirty years, and will this spring be releasing a new album on the Universal label. One of the topics for the concert is Eric’s short film project : “Soccer made in Africa”. Tickets for the concert is now available.  

So do visit Deep-projects.com

It is always interesting to see how new age music is being reviewed in main stream media. Since many so called “serious” music critics don’t think highly of our genre, it is not a very good way to measure what people generally think – but it is of course an indication.

Steven Halpern recently released an album called Drive Time Rx which contains especially composed music to help drivers get through the motoring mayhem and thereby reduce road rage. And where in the world right now would be a better place to find heavy traffic than in the Olympic town of Vancouver?

Music reviewer Keith Morgan in the Vancouver Sun writes:

Not looking forward to facing the Olympic traffic? Maybe this album can help you make it through the trip. According to a press release from musician’s publicist “Halpern’s Auto(matic) Audio Additive is series of suggestions that are encoded so softly in the music that the listener can’t hear them, but their subconscious mind does, and responds automatically.” Examples of the embedded messages include “I am relaxed and alert at all times … I check my rear view mirror frequently … I am in control of my emotional response to considerate actions of other drivers.”

And more:

Surely, the drive would be plain sailing and I would have no need of Halpern’s calming chords. Wrong. By 41st. I had been given the finger twice for sticking to the speed limit, in a Porsche no less. The nerve. Maybe the embedded messages were truly having an impression on my subconscious as I mentally brushed off the abuse.

Read the whole review here - and sample the album on Steven Halpern’s homepage.

Andru Donalds, the Enigma vocalist, has been invited to give an exclusive concert in Estonia (Pärnu) on 6th March, dedicated to the International Women’s Day.

Andru Donalds with the band will perform his solo worldwide hits; “Mishale”, “All Out of Love” & the others LIVE, as well as the brand new songs from his upcoming new album to be released in the summer of 2010. And Andru is also preparing a special surprise to Enigma fans!

See more on Andru’s Facebook page. Source: Enigmamusic.com

It’s pretty easy to get sidetracked from doing what we really want to do everyday, and a 25 year departure from songwriting was longer than what this musician had in mind, but his migration back to composing have many people moving to new heights. 

Bill Wren is often referred to as the Rare Texas Songbird, in a declaration I thought appropriate having the surname Wren, yet it uniquely describes his musical aspirations and return flight to perfection.  First playing bass in a Rock band, Bill realized after one stellar show in front of a crowd gone wild audience, music was his final destination. 

One day in a Life is his release already gathering attention, having many songs winding up #1 or in the Top 10 at SoundClick.com & Broadjam.com, with songwriting awards in Indie & International Song Writing Contests. Reading everything I could on Bill Wren, I also learned that lifelong friends played a major role leading to an early formation of his musical biography that endures even to this day.

One day in a Life is like a beautiful bird of paradise and where Bill Wren excels the most, in heartfelt compositions that exhibit the very essence for each characteristic style given by every performing musician on the album he calls a friend. 

Wren states the album’s success is due in part to the arrangement and production work of Frank Ralls, along with musical assistance of Terry Winch & Ike Strum, with a host of vocalists and instrumentalists who together, have assembled a refined album with a right at home presence. 

One day in a Life answers the call to  11  songs in New Age, Orchestration, Neo Classical, along with structured blends of Jazz, Blues, and Rock, building a comfortable resting place to display his versatile compositions.  The calm acoustic guitar strides heard in the title song characterize the overall attraction given to the entire album, giving a hint of the harmonious novelty waiting within each well rounded song.

Daybreak shows the smooth artistry of this album sporting a fragrant touch and vibrant flare, where rich orchestration plays the intermingled leading role while supporting soloist and softer vocals.  Much like En Mai, lavish cello entries appear to drift and sway in time to gentle winds and deep sentimental overtones, with an emphasis on instrumental soloists as the chosen method to hallmark every occasion in this album of versatility.

Ocean Breeze features acoustic guitar giving the arrangement a moderate tempo and under closer examination, exhibits a form of poetry in motion while gently transitioning to a more complex guitar rendition, making the move during nice orchestral balance and light percussion effects.

I Will Waltz For You, with it’s descriptive title, glides right into motion filled pirouettes in time to dance rhythms, while Lovers Rendezvous has a moderate tempo with saxophone and piano adding an impassioned rendition, contributing to a pleasing sense of atmosphere. 

Setting the ambiance again is Heart to Heart, in singular key piano melody and Night Fall, where piano, saxophone, and soft vocals maintain the beautiful colors perceived in this albums theme.

The song Old Friend provides the forethought in this lighter flute melody backed by a full symphony of warmth and sincerity, and since everyone is great as an individual soloist on the album, it does help me summarize with certainty. 

The qualities I discovered in One Day in a Life, do facilitate a level of relaxation one person can easily enjoy alone, morning, noon or night, but with such an engaging album like this one, is always best experienced in the company of good friends.

The musicians and credits on this album are, Frank Ralls, Terry Winch, Ike Strum, Sandy Williams, Nick Curry, Janet Planet, John Gibson, Jim Farrelly, Kyle Wehner, Michael Houston, Kelly Willard, Tom Washatka, Patrick Harshbarger, and Chris Lieber.

Visit the Rare Texas Songbird at billwrenmusic.com to sample or CDBaby.com to purchase.

Picture copyright Bigstockphoto.com – Ardith

Classical Orchestral Harps can be thought of as divine or celestial instruments, having an origin dating to around 2500 BC, often reminding one of angels and religious cherubs poised in a statue.

Lizary Rodriguez Rios is the harpist I had in mind while writing this first sentence taken from an earlier review of her Harp Therapy album inviting listeners to relax by the soothing music this stringed instrument can provide.

Valentines Day is approaching and a great time to tell you about this music professional and bring up the celestial instrument, since the harps early origins are ironically thought to be modeled after an archery weapon. Given this fact, even the romantic Cupid would like to own this instrument since it strongly resembles a bow and arrow.

Lizary Rodriguez Rios credits are quite impressive, securing a Doctorate in Musical Arts and 4 time awards winner of international harp competitions around the world, touring with the Grammy Award Nominated Harp Fusion Ensemble.

The recipient of a Centennial Achievement Award is a respected one of many, in an overall long list of awards and recognition she has achieved, drawing attention around the world as a harp soloist and composer, so expect a right on target delivery.

The many concerts and festivals people have attended, like the prestigious Casals Festival in Puerto Rico, venues in the United States, Czech Republic, Switzerland, Spain, Russia, and other countries have certainly enjoyed the experience, so chances are good you will too.

Harp Voyage was her first album, and much like her Harp Therapy are specifically composed for relaxation, massage, and yoga, while also finding a comforting niche since the songs serve as the perfect auditory background music during church services, memorials, hospitals, and even weddings. Lizary has informed me she is presently working on a Christmas album, so another fine project of her specialized music is expected in the future.

While Lizary’s harp CD’s are not exact centerline in New Age music, her high level of expertise as a harpist is decidedly front and center by delivering a highly regarded level of comfort, from a natural talent who is devoting much of their life achieving the very highest in musical standards.

For your next special occasion or just great classic music to relax by visit lizary.net here. Sample at CDBaby.com here, and read our pages dedicated to Lizary.

Some quick notes on the Grammy Awards now before we move on to new music; On the Domo Music homepage you can see Kitaro’s pictures from the awards ceremony. He didn’t win though – but it looks like he still had a good time. There is also a very noisy Grammy Pre Party video available.  And, if you didn’t get to see the show – you can see it in its entirety on Grammy.com. The new age music part is from 59 minutes onwards – or you can listen to an audio version just by visiting David Darling’s homepage.

And, while we are talking about the Grammy Award, check out Peter Kater’s blog about how he felt about being nominated for the sixth time.

Henta’s album Laserium for the Soul was nominated for a Grammy. Now she is ready with a new video, Vision of Truth.

About the song she says:

This song is about envisaging a new world of harmony, unity, compassion and love and finding ways to make a personal positive impact in the world to help turn that vision into reality. This journey will most likely be a challenging but you need to hold onto your vision, be strong and stay true to yourself and your personal truth. This video was shot in various locations, including Sedona (Arizona), Ocean Shores (Washington), Antibes (France), Florida and in Seattle, Washington.

Be sure to visit Hentamusic.com

We should all put a ring around the date March 5 on our calendars, because this is when The Best of David and Diane Arkenstone will be released! This collection contains the very best of two extraordinary careers with combined worldwide CD sales of over two million.

The “best of” compilation features pieces from their sixteen best-selling albums, such as “Jewel In The Sun”, “Aquaria, A Liquid Blue Trancescape” and “The Healing Spirit”.

While most “Best of” albums are, well, not that interesting – this release is much more promising. David and Diane Arkenstone are without a doubt two of the most talented musicians of the New Age genre - and they deserve a ”best of album”. I think we all can agree to that

You can sample all of the 16 tracks on the Eversound homepage.