Archive for the ‘Meditation Music’ Category

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

 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.

I can’t think of an artist better suited than Deuter to release an album entitled Atmospheres. Released in January of this year, Atmospheres has been well received by reviewers and audience alike. Atmospheres has also been submitted for consideration in the 2010 Grammy Award process.

Deuter released his first album back in 1971, and has since that been known for his atmospheric albums – but this years’ new addition to his already impressive discography must be one of his best.

Atmospheres contains ten tracks that simply are named 1-10 in different languages.

This is one of those albums that you just have to discover for yourself. Put it on, and you’ll get the perfect atmosphere.

You can sample it here. It is available at your favorite digital music outlet.

One of this year’s most exciting new age music releases is the first installment in the Modern Meditations series from CMH Label Group. The first two albums in the series will be released November 17th. They are called Modern Meditations the rock classics and Modern Meditations the modern classics. You can sample rock classics here and modern classics here.

The covers looks like this:

Modern Meditations is, according to their website:

… transforming your favorite songs into meditation music for the rock & roll generation—no pan flutes or wind chimes allowed. Shimmering electric guitars and warm percussion create serene instrumentals to wash away your stress.

On these two first albums you can hear songs like “Imagine,” “Knockin’ on Heaven’s Door,” “Beautiful Day,” “Clocks,” and “Ray of Light”.

But this is only the mere beginning. CMH Label Group will release albums with new age music versions of songs by Bob Marley, The Beatles, U2, Radiohead and Coldplay – and even one with indie classics!

After listening to the samples of the first two albums, I feel that CMH Label Group has found an interesting niche; there is definitely room for this in the “relaxation music” category. The production is very professional and well done. Many rock and pop fans will for sure enjoy these releases.

But from a new age music point of view I am a little more uncertain. For instance take their version of Madonna’s Ray of light; the original song with William Orbit’s magnificent soundscape is filled with emotions – while the Modern Meditations version (judging by the short sample – the longer version might be more interesting) is just, well, nothing but a chilled atmosphere. But that might be the intention, right?

This is just in: Even before the first albums are released, Modern Meditations has signed an agreement with World-Renowned Luxury Hotel Post Ranch Inn. Read the press release here.

I’m a big fan of new age music titles that are somehow connected to water. Island music is a sub genre of its own, and so is also the case with the deep water genre. The most prominent titles are Terry Oldfield’s De Profundis: Out of the Depths and the recent mega selling Relax: A Liquid Mind Experience by Liquid Mind. But now I have found a new album to add to the very top of the deep water genre list: Light Returning by Acoustic Ocean.

What makes Light Returning different from most albums in this sub genre is its remarkable, yes almost incredible, warmth. While most artists in this genre concentrate on presenting the atmosphere of the deepest water, like hovering on the ocean floor (which, in many cases is a great thing, I’m especially thinking about the above mentioned Out Of The Depths), but Light Returning is a voyage exclusively in the warmer waters above. The sound is gentle, positive and laidback.

When I put on Light Returning for the first time I was very surprised to hear a hissing/static background noise, like from a live recording, which is rare to hear today when all music is heavily sequenced and mixed in a sterile environment. But Light Returning is largely an acoustic recording, hence the artist name. It makes me think of Ancient Future’s music and Mike Oldfield’s Incantations or QE2. The Celtic Harp can be heard on all tracks, which sounds heavenly underwater. The piano and guitar melodies are also top notch.

Acoustic Ocean gives this user guide to Light Returning:

Listen in the morning to set a relaxing, meditative tone for your day.

Use it during the day in your car or at the office to reduce stress.

Listen at the end of your day to help you to unwind or fall asleep.

Use it during yoga practice to help you quiet your mind and go deeper.

Use it during massage to relax and let go.

So yes, it is truly a multi purpose album.

All in all I’m very impressed by Light Returning. I absolutely love the album for its positivity and lightness; it is the carefree attitude makes Light Returning into a true winner for this reviewer.

And the ocean theme is, as always, awesome.

To quote Jules Verne in 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea:

The sea is everything. It covers seven tenths of the terrestrial globe. Its breath is pure and healthy. It is an immense desert, where man is never lonely, for he feels life stirring on all sides.

Sample the album on CDBaby. Also be sure to check out Acoustic Ocean’s homepage.

Jaya Lakshmi’s new album is entitled Radiance. The album offers Spanish guitar, Celtic Flute and Jaya Lakshmi ’s wonderful vocal. The rhythm is slow and meditative, while the synths create a soundscape that is truly relaxing.

Radience is produced by Steve Gordon, and features Deva Priyo on nylon string guitar and sarod, Vince McClellan on flutes, Nisha Calkins-Godfrey on cello.

Fans will find that Radience is a bit quieter and more serene than Jaya Lakshmi ’s previous albums. Her singing still has that larger-than-life quality, completely without cultural borders; this music is a much Indian as it is Celtic.

The album start with the title track, which is a great introduction to Lakshmi’s new style. This is positive mantra music. My favorite track on the album is no. 8, Jai Ambe. It has some very nice flute parts and a melody that is almost hypnotic. All the tracks on the album are long, from 6 to 10 minutes – and the album is over an hour long.

Radiance album creates a soothing mood that is perfect for yoga, meditation and relaxing. It is a colorful album indeed. That is what I call radiance.

Sample the album the Sequoia Record’s homepage. It is available on most digital music outlets.

I have been wondering about how long time it would take before I had to write something related to the popular Law of Attraction (from the bestselling movie and book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne). I guess I was subconsciously asking the universe to send me  some Law of Attraction music – and lo and behold, here it is! I’ll quote directly for the press release that landed in my inbox:

Visionary Manifesting Audio is a new series of musical recordings that works on a subconscious level to help people manifest their desires and get faster results with the law of attraction. The music, developed by renowned health practitioner and music therapist Emmanuel Dagher, fuses metaphysical techniques and audio frequencies with the appeal of the catchiest top-40, pop music sound.

What does it sound like, you might ask. Well:

With Emmanuel’s unique, catchy sound, it is clear from the get-go that this is not your typical “new age” music. Regardless of whether you believe in its healing properties, there is no arguing that Emmanuel’s music provides feel-good sounds and upbeat, catchy tunes.

Indeed, “New Age” music has entered into a new era.

And more:

How does it work? A different manifesting protocol has been recorded within each song and works on a deep subconscious level to significantly enhance and accelerate the manifesting process. The listener consciously hears only the uplifting pop/top 40 style music, but will begin to experience positive transformations and shifts in their life as the music works on their subconscious mind. In addition, the 528 hertz frequency, scientifically shown to heal on the physical, mental, and emotional levels, is also woven into each song, providing additional healing benefits.

You can read the whole press release here, and visit the project’s homepage.

And this is what it really sounds like:

David & Steve Gordon have found nothing less than 16 Ways to Benefit from Relaxation Music. They point out that music can help in various situations such as Calm Airplane Travel, Soothing Babies and Young Children, Better Concentration at Work and so on. The best in my opinion is no. 1: Reducing Stress:

Listening to soothing music that relaxes your body and elevates your mind can significantly reduce how much stress you feel. Relaxation music helps you connect to your inner peace. When you quiet your thoughts and feel your source of peace within, it’s like having a stress-proof field around you. Reducing stress not only makes you feel much better, it can also bring improved health.

Read the rest of the list here - and send it to your friends too. It’s awesome!

The album OM by Medwyn Goodall and Terry Oldfield (and several other artists) became a new age music classic almost overnight when it was released by MG Music in 2007. Now OM II is out. It is in every respect a worthy follow-up, and it is taking the OM project even further – creating an atmosphere that is perfect for relaxation and meditation. It is a proof that the OM mantra is growing in power when repeated.

The big difference between OM and OM II is that this time around it is not Terry Oldfield that plays the flute, but Aroshanti (Nick Truch). Terry’s flute is in my opinion impossible to replace, but Aroshanti is doing a terrific job – like he also has on previous albums like True Reiki II – Reiki Healing and Clearzone Sound Essence.

The other big difference is that OM II has much less melodic structure. There is a lot more improvisation, both in the flute and guitar parts (played by Medwyn Goodall), which is really taking the OM project to new heights. It is the new age music equivalent of a jam session, giving the melody a softer, less constructed feel. For meditation use this is very positive.

The second installment in the OM series is a joint venture between several artists. Medwyn Goodall and Aroshanti are accompanied by other MG Music artists such as Guy Sweens, Runestone, Threefold, Paul Sills, Oshwari, Andrew Kinsella and Simon Lovelock. Yes, it is truly a selection of some of the finest artists around and a statement of MG Music’s quality artist catalogue. They all add their fingerprint to the production.

The tracks on the album are all long, between 5 and 7 minutes, which makes it great for meditation. And I must mention that there is a very good continuity between the tracks, so you might end up thinking about OM II as one track. The rich synth pads are the soundscape’s foundation, while the guitar and flute come and go, sometimes sharing the microphone.

This is the new age music equivalent of a jam session, giving the melody a softer, less constructed feel.

The first few tracks take you into a dream world, as blue as the cover photo and as magical as the OM symbol. My favorite song on the album is Starfield, where Medwyn’s guitar, a distant piano and Aroshanti’s flute intertwine beautifully. And like any quality meditation album it also contains a wake up track, the last one, produced by Guy Sweens. After the slow 11th track it is quite a shower of sound. Here there are some obvious Enigma references with samples and a powerful rhythm too, not very different from his acclaimed India series. A different but effective ending; this song takes you back to mother earth in just about six minutes.

OM II is just as good as the first one. It is simply a great package; inspired artists working together to create the ultimate OM experience.

What more can we, the fans, ask for? That they include a flying carpet?

Sample the album on MG Music.

In this lengthy article Anne Hart on Examiner.com discusses many aspects of anxiety and possible ways to a cure – or at least giving the patient a better life. Here new age music has an important role. Hart writes:

The type of music affected her (the patient’s) brain’s fear or calming center and healed my body to the point of a feeling of well-being instead of anxiety. Harp music, calming sting music, and even slow, new age music relaxed her.

And the suggested music:

Instrumentals with gentle voice sounds as in Mystic Voyage, from the CD Sheltering Stones  is a calming. It’s a Celtic music work of plucked strings and soft voices that helps listeners to visualize misty and mystic mornings at Big Sur in California. Another helpful recording for relaxation is Michael Rowland’s Fairy Ring suite

These are very good titles indeed! We here at NewAgeMusic.nu also put or seal of approval on them.

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 posed in a holy statue.  The harps early origins are ironically thought to be modeled after an archery weapon since the bowed arch with strings strongly resemble a bow and arrow.

Lizary Rodriguez Rios, residing in Tucson Arizona performs and teaches the classical harp professionally, in a career where there is no doubt her masterful quest for perfection is musical in nature.  She has 2 albums designed with therapy and healing in mind, promoting a relaxing mood by the soothing gentle breeze of sound this string instrument with an ancient origin can provide.

Lizary’s credits are very impressive, securing a Doctorate in Musical Arts and 4 time prize winner of international harp competitions around the world, also touring with the Grammy Award nominated Harp Fusion Ensemble.  Her first album Harp Voyage has received critical acclaim from prestigious classical magazines, while also drawing attention around the world as a harp soloist and composer for the ensemble.

Harp Therapy is her second CD release in 2009, designed for those peaceful periods of musical serenity.  Her music is purposefully composed for relaxation, massage, and yoga, while also finding a useful niche since the songs serve as the perfect auditory background music during church services, memorials, hospitals, and even wedding events.

Classical orchestral harps can be thought of as divine or celestial instruments, having an origin dating to around 2500 BC.

Her solo performances have other professional musicians playing cello, violin, guitar, with nature sounds and background Atlantic Ocean side tides of Puerto Rico.  The 15 songs have many recognizable favorites including Scarborough Fair, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, and Pachelbel’s Canon.   Some original works are also present as the first song Purple Bamboo starts with a healing crystal bowl during the opening portion of the album.  Both albums are truly relaxing, offered by a dedicated person who has pretty much devoted their life to music. 

If you need music for relaxation or those special occasions visit lizary.net

Above Picture copyright Bigstockphoto.com - ReplayAll  

To find meditation music that is both healing and effective can be a challenge. It is basically a question about what is right for you in your life, and it does take time to find the perfect program. I have found one that I love ; the Miracle Mantra Guru Ram Das as taught by Yogi Bhajan.

This program contains an introduction by Gurucharan Singh Khalsa, and then 108 fast and 108 slow repetitions of the Guru Ram Das mantra together with light guitars and drums. The 20+ minutes long programs will take you on a healing journey, and when it is complete you will feel strong and refreshed.

The program is easy to follow, and is perfect for beginners. The music is composed by Gurusangat Singh. You’ll find it on CDBaby, and is a bargain at 11 $.

But don’t take my word for it. Just look at all the rave reviews on the page above. It is really a no nonsense program, that just works. It’s meditation for everyone, easy and refreshing!

Gurusangat Singh (Matthew Dorko) is a professional Jazz musician
and a Kundalini Yoga Instructor. He performs regularly in the Boston
area while maintaining a brisk teaching schedule with music and
Yoga students. Gurusangat lives and works at The Guru Ram
Das Ashram in Millis MA