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.

Members of Peter Buffet’s Ning forum now has the chance to download his new song Bought and Sold – for free! Watching Obama address the nation moved Peter to write a song that conveys his candid feelings on the state of our union. Bought and Sold, the politically-driven single, speaks to our values as a nation, our moral bankruptcy, and our precarious moment in history.

He was “inspired by” the trend of exploitation in our corporations, banks, and government, asking “how much is enough?”

And, while we are talking about Peter Buffett, he will in April release a book called Life Is What You Make It. If you are a member of his Ning Community and pre-order the book, you will get a personalized bookplate! Once you have pre-ordered the book, email a copy of your receipt to info@peterbuffett.com, the URL to your Ning profile page and mailing address and they will send you the sticker to slap in your book when you get it. And voila, you will have a signed first edition of Life Is What You Make It!

So do become a member of Peter Buffett’s great Ning forum!

And while we are in a romantic mood, with Valentine’s day coming up, why not check out Jim Brickman’s Grammy nominated album Faith? It didn’t win the 2009 prize though, but it is doing very well on Billboard’s New Age Music chart. It contains some of the most romantic music released over the last couple of years – and it is one of Jim’s best albums.  

There are a lot of great piano melodies on Faith – and, like Yanni, Jim Brickman also has a lot of talented singers with him. The album contains some true classics too, like Amazing Grace, Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring, and Ave Marie.  Here you can see Jim’s pictures from the Grammy awards (click the picture to the left in the Flash window).

You can sample the album here – and, while you are at it, why not book a ticket to Jim’s Alaska cruise! That would make a romantic gift.

A video that impressed me a lot is the below from Gandalf’s Sanctuary Tour 2009. What a true master Gandalf is. Yet another proof that new age music is live music.

Mannheim Steamroller’s discography contains some of the most romantic music in our genre. They are of course most famous for Christmas music – but Mannheim Steamroller has much more to offer for other occasions as well.

Why not express your love this Valentine’s Day to that special someone by giving the gift of music from the Mannheim Steamroller Romantic CD Collection? Music has become one of the most popular gifts on Valentines Day because of it’s ability to express ones feelings. In an exclusive offer from Mannheim Steamroller, you get rose scented candles, bath and body products with a Valentines Day Card! If that doesn’t make you feel romantic, nothing will… 

Mannheim Steamroller’s even have a Valentines Day special, where you get to learn all you need to know about this romantic tradition.

Now this article entitled New Age Music hits the big time from United Press International from February 1987 is a treasure chest for all new age music fans – but beware, you might get a little melancholic too. It is a statement about the sudden and massive popularity of new age music in the mid/late 1980s. Quote:

Critics pan New Age Music as compositionally inferior. Store owners don’t know where to display its album. People buy it.

Oh, do they buy it.

Today? Well… The problem is not the new age music genre. It is the whole business that’s compositionally inferior.

Time and time again Tangerine Dream proves that New Age Music is live music. No one is better than Edgar Froese & co on stage.

The below video is from the One Night In Space DVD, recorded at the Frankfurt opera on October 7th 2007. Have you ever seen a happier drummer?

The video is available at the wonderful Eastgate Music Shop.

And while we are talking about live new age music, we must tell you that the Grammy-winning duo Tingstad and Rumbel is now out on the road again. Twenty-five years of their music collaboration has produced 19 albums. They began performing and recording together in 1985, and their debut album the following year, The Gift, became a holiday classic.

For two decades their music has earned praise from The New York Times, The Washington Post and Billboard magazine – and now NewAgeMusic.nu! They’ve performed in such venues as Carnegie Hall, and they received a Grammy in the New Age category in 2003 for their album, Acoustic Garden.

You can check out their tour plans here – and while you are at it, listen to their music too!

People think that new age music is all soft, low-key and harmless. And that is, for the most part, true. I admit that. This is a quality in new age music we all love and cherish.

But the genre has a darker, more complex side too, which often can be found in the movie/soundtrack department. These titles show that new age music can be just as hard hitting, just as powerful as gangster rap.

Don’t you believe me? Well, think of Mike Oldfield’s Exorcist theme and you’ll know what I am referring to. That first minute with gentle piano sounds on Tubular Bells has scared movie viewers for over 30 years. Another soundtrack that is both dark and violent, is Jan Hammer’s soundtrack to the documentary about the so called Cocaine Cowboys. Hammer’s synth soundtrack fits perfectly into the blood-dripping story – that is actually based on true events.

Cocaine Cowboys (2006) is directed by Billy Corben (IMDB link). It gives a firsthand perspective of the Miami drug war of the 1970s and early 80s. The documentary is now airing on Showtime and on various channels all over the world. See it if you have the chance – because this is the story that inspired the creators of both Scarface and Miami Vice (the last title had, as you know, a song by Hammer as theme).    

Jan Hammer’s soundtrack to Cocaine Cowboys was released as an EP in 2008. The EP is not even 20 minutes long, but what’s there is truly explosive stuff. The first song, Big Bust, contains Jan Hammer’s analogue synth trademark. The 80s sound and the guitar riffs are simply perfect, and is used extensively in the documentary. It gives energy to the story. But it is the title track that takes you on a trip like no other. Around 1 minute into the song a very powerful synth segment is heard. Also the songs Shipment Stolen and Dadeland are awesome in a dark, destructive way.

No, new age music is not all soft, low-key and harmless. So blow out those lavender-scented candles and get rid of that spa feeling; put on Cocaine Cowboys and start inhaling.

It will not be a healing experience. But, wow, what a ride! 

Samle the EP on CDbaby.

Written by BT Fasmer.

We have reviewed many of the albums that are on the Zone Music Reporter Awards list for 2009. John P. Olsen on NewAgeMusicWorld.com has posted a list of reviewed albums. Here you can get to know the albums and the artists too. Enjoy!

We are now celebrating that we have 2.500 registered members on New Age Stars radio on Live365! In a little over 2 months we have got over 500 new members. Among 188 channels in the new age music category, we are currently no. 6.  With tens of thousands of listeners, and now 2.500 registered members, we are not only a new age music news source – but a major new age music player.

Our goal is simple; to give you, the fan, the best new age music, news & interviews available.

This graph shows how the number of registered members grew in January.

Here on .nu we do our best to give you, the fan, a complete presentation of our beloved music genre. In order to understand the music of today and be able to look ahead, you also need to know history. New Age Music did not spring out of thin air – it was, is and will be a part of the international music scene. Last week we listened to the very first new age album – Tony Scott’s Music for Zen Meditation – and this week we bring you another piece of music history. It is not an album, it is the segment about new age music in Piero Scaruffi’s 800 hundred page long History of Rock Music (2003).

In this book, the perhaps most interesting period of New Age Music is presented; the time between 1976-1989, when the genre went from obscurity to widespread popularity.

Piero Scaruffi writes:

New-age music was, first and foremost, a synthesis. It was a synthesis of cultures (high and low), moods (upbeat, ecstatic, melancholy, spiritual), genres (folk, electronic, jazz, classical, psychedelic), formats (song, symphony, suite, jam) and lifestyles (western and eastern). Since each of these components had existed for decades (if not centuries), new-age music pre-existed itself.

And more:

Whatever vehicle they chose, new-age musicians shared the simple, unassuming, laid-back quality of their music with the music meant “not to listen to” (as Brian Eno put it): easy-listening orchestras (Richard Clayderman), lounge music (Burt Bacharach), and supermarket muzak (the RCA Victor series of “Moods in Music”). Despite the wildly different ideological underpinnings, these genres converged towards the same concept of music for relaxation, which became the fundamental dogma of new-age music.

The complete segment about new age music can be read on Piero Scaruffi homepage.

An excellent read!

We love live new age music here at .nu – and what we can present for you today is probably the most exclusive and intimate live event of the year! New Age Music super star Constance Demby invites you into her home recording studio in Malibu, CA. She says:

“I’m really excited about what’s coming up the weekend of Feb 20 & 21: Special Salon Concerts performed in my home recording studio in Malibu, CA. There’s room for about 35 people, so these will be intimate events, as you’ll be just a few feet away from me as I perform and channel the Music of the Spheres. Each concert is always unique, because regardless of the music I prepare, once the concert starts, a palpable energy fills the space, an energy that has been seen by those who have the sight to see into realms beyond the third dimension.”

Read all about it here – and be sure to buy your tickets today because they will all be gone in 1-2-3…

Fionnuala Sherry, the female part of the Secret Garden duo, will release a new solo album very soon. She says:

This CD has been in an embryonic state for many years and I was just waiting for the right moment to record it. There are many songs from my childhood featured in this CD as well as new previously unreleased material.

On this CD, Fionnuala has worked with the well known Norwegian composer/arranger Kjetil Bjerkestrand. Mr. Bjerkestrand says: “We are so looking forward to its release and very happy with where the magical journey of making this CD has taken us!”

More updates coming soon. See pictures from the studio here.

Have you ever wondered why people like new age music  - and what artists they like? Well, by doing a simple “I like new age music” search on Google you will get lots of nice replies – like this one:

I like new age music because it tends to be more melody-driven, relaxing, and simpler than classical music. With classical music, I find that I need to be able to devote my attention fully to it while listening to appreciate it. New age I can have playing all day at work in the background. (source)

Now that’s music to my ears!!!

American fans of Enigma must mark the date February 9 on their calendar; this is when Platinum Collection finally will be released in the US. This upcoming event was very visible on NYC Time Square lately, where large commercials told about the February 9 release. It is nice to see that the label is doing an effort for Enigma in a time where their sales are falling.

It is of course a shame that Platinum Collection didn’t get an international release at the same date. European Enigma fans have been enjoying the album since November last year…

The picture is borrowed from the great Enigmamusic Forums. You can sample the album here.

For our German speaking friends – this commercial is currently on Channel 24. The presentation is, well, a bit cheesy.

A “not that popular” part of Mike Oldfield’s creative works, the computer game Music VR (which also includes the Tres Lunas (2002) album music), was recently removed from Mikeoldfield.org – but has now found new life on fan page Tubular.net. They are the new official source for everything Music VR. The game is now free to use – and can be downloaded from this page. According to Wikipedia, Mike Oldfield spent £25 million developing the game.

I have never been a big fan of the game itself – but I enjoy the Tres Lunas soundtrack very much. I think To Be Free is a marvelous song!

Web magazine Ambient Visions  is now up again - with a new link:  http://www.twpt.com/avindex.htm  (it comes and goes a bit at the moment). Great news that it is online again.

The Piano as the leading musical instrument can be appreciated using just a few simple well placed notes.  It’s the pianist who takes the leading role by their note by note delivery to determine the style and complexity of the note structure in hopes of creating a classic piece of music everyone can appreciate.

Ann Sweeten is one musician widely recognized for her classic style, setting a high standard in quality among many pianists in the wide range of genres employing piano music as the chosen manner for pleasing an audience.  In a skilled full range delivery on a Steinway Baby Grand, her classic signature sound deserves respect in a natural way, lending itself to beautiful music that many have found, gives new meaning to the term music appreciation.

Just This Side Of Spring  showcases her latest composing lead performance as a Steinway Artist and music professional, with several talented artists at her side.  Will Ackerman for one, performs on acoustic guitar on the title song, along with co-producing the album with Ann, who also conducts vocals and synthesizers.  Andrew Eng on viola & violin, along with bass performer Michael Miksis, and Trisha Craig on Flute are the accompanying musicians featured on several songs contained on this album, who do excel in terms of fluidity as a collective unit.

Having authored a number of Piano Solo reviews in the New Age genre, I promptly identified an admirable level of richness and depth in tone I rarely hear in many comparative piano solo albums.  Stylish tonal qualities held in even the quietest patterns give complex sequences and a prolific feel of realism within every individual phrase.  I likewise concluded the classic instrumentals supporting Ann Sweeten on Just This Side Of Spring clearly strengthen this opulent quality, validating my initial first impression.

In addition to her recognition as a Steinway Artist & Composer, her achievements are numerous, including voting privileges in the National Recording Academy of Arts & Sciences, ASCAP Popular Award Recipient starting in 2002, and continuing every year up to 2009. 

The ZMR nominations and awards are just as numerous and her talents are not limited to music achievements and concert performances on piano.  Ann is also a professional actress, singer, and ballet dancer, realizing many achievements in her diverse life. 

Just This Side Of Spring is a thoughtful Piano Instrumental album that holds many elegant touches while leaning towards the classical side of life, while shown in a natural realistic way too, becoming a great follow up for her previous Piano Instrumental album Grey Sky and Bittersweet. 

I concluded that both Just This Side Of Spring & Grey Sky and Bittersweet make you feel a pleasant sense of comfort and enjoyment in a much desired way, given by a qualified pianist who delivers an admirable performance on a Steinway Baby Grand, in another new release of her music almost everyone can appreciate.

Visit annsweeten.com and sample / purchase here.  Ann’s discography can be found at most music outlets, on-line and specialty stores.  You can visit CD Baby.com here.

We are all congratulating David Darling with yesterday’s Grammy award in new age music category! David Darling is hopefully happy with the award – but before the show he had a little ambivalent feeling about being placed in the new age music category.  According to newspaper Hartford Courant:

David Darling is not entirely clear why it’s in the New Age category. “None of us really know how that came about,” says Darling. He thinks of himself more as a jazz or classical musician, though the New Age connection has been around for a while: Darling’s first professional gig came in the ’70s, playing with the Paul Winter Consort, which also received Grammy nods for allegedly new age albums.

And more:

“I don’t think of it as New Age music; I think of it as contemporary classical music or world-ethnic music, because there’s so much influence in my music that comes from all over the world,” Darling says. “I have nothing against what it stands for; in fact, I’m a great fan of the basic concepts in New Age. I’m not such a great fan of marshmallow music that gets put in New Age.”

Read the complete interview here.

Mmmm. Marshmallows…

The Hungarian singer, Andrea Gerak, has started a fundraising project to aid volunteers helping Haitians, effected by the recent earthquake, and is inviting other musicians to join. A cross-genre compilation download album is being made, with international artists. Top new age music artists such as Ancient Future and Joel Kanning are participating.  

From each album purchase, 100% of the amount paid goes directly to volunteers working on the disaster sites and at the Haitian Embassy in Washington, delivering pain relief to the injured, easing stress for individuals of the population and rescue workers, and are stable points in the chaotic situation.

You’ll find the album here.

Also be sure to see this article on NewAgeMusicWorld about 9 Muses’ Haiti Aid.

How did it all began? What was the very first New Age Music album? Well, there is a wide consensus that New Age Music began in experimental jazz, with influences from early Electronic and avant-garde music of the late 50s/early 60s. In all of this there is one album that is being mentioned over and over again (for instance on Hearts of Space and more recently on Wikipedia’s New Age Music article) and that is jazz clarinetist Tony Scott’s Music for Zen Meditation, released in February 1964. It is a wonderful and relaxing album that any new age music fan ought to check out.

Tony Scott (1921-2007) worked with such artists as Billie Holiday and Dizzy Gillespie, and made a name for himself as a respected jazz soloist too. But it was his interests in Far East cultures that gave him an introduction to traditional oriental instruments and meditation. This resulted in a jam session like no other  – creating a totally new and different sound.  

Listening to Music for Zen Meditation today it is easy to pinpoint the more jazzy aspects of the release – but back then, the unknown sounds of New Age Music was all people could hear. It was clearly not a Jazz album.

While the flute and trumpet hit some of the jazz blue notes, the combination with other instruments (like the harp) create something new.

Music for Zen Meditation is – as the title implies – one of those albums instantly takes your mind on a journey to a relaxing, beautiful place – a sphere of your own. It is great background music too. But use with caution: there is a strong dose of melancholia here

And if people ask; are you listening to one of those cheap, uninspired meditation albums – you proudly say; no, this is a classical Jazz album from 1964!   

Sample the album on Amazon or iTunes. See the Wikipedia article about it here - and Tony Scott’s homepage.

This is for all you collectors out there! If you pre-order George Winston’s upcoming album, Love Will Come – The Music Of Vince Guaraldi, Volume 2 you will get an exclusive 11″x17″ poster signed by George Winston!

It will be available February 2. But you have to be fast – mr. Winston will only sign 350 posters.  

You can place your order here. (Note: Only available in the US)

Good news to all Steve Roach fans: his upcoming album, the 2-CD Live at Grace Cathedral, is now at the factory! It to be ready by mid-February – and will also available at iTunes at the same time. About the recorded live performance mr. Roach says:

The opportunity to perform at San Francisco’s Grace Cathedral a while back was a dream come true in many ways, and a high point in my live performance memories from the last decade. It’s a fitting release to commence the times. This will be the first live recording I’ve released with the natural reverberant sound of the performance space predominant in the mix. The expansive reverent ambience of Grace Cathedral was absolutely the perfect environment to experience this music within. To honor this space, I built a set that offered me options to directly respond to the unique acoustic properties I knew I was heading into.

And more:

I gathered a set of options ranging from the eras of “The Magnificent Void”, “Mystic Chords & Sacred Spaces” as well as new pieces that would later become “Dynamic Stillness”, “Arc of Passion”, and beyond. The influence of the massive space and the spirit it contained acted like an unseen collaborator holding the music and all of us in a dynamic embrace. From my performance location, I could best describe the sensation as hearing and seeing the sounds constantly blooming outwards in the space hovering above the audience, collecting energy and then receding away within the expanse of the cathedral.

I am sure this will be yet another fine Steve Roach release – the first in his fourth decade as a professional artist!

Visit SteveRoach.com

The 52nd Grammy Awards are just 1 day away. So let’s just take a quick look at the new age music category. The field is very strong this year. Henta was the surprise of course – but what a pleasant surprise it was!

People ask me; who will win this year? It is impossible to tell, like always, there are so many factors in play. I love both Jim Brickman’s Faith and Henta’s Laserium For the Soul – but I don’t think any of them will make it to the top (but I must note that if Henta was to win, that would be SUPER COOL).

The new age music category 2009:

It will either be In a Dream, Prayer for Compassion or Impressions of the West Lake. All three are wonderful albums with a very classical approach to new age.

I think that, after listening to these albums for weeks, In a Dream and Impressions of the West Lake are on par – perhaps with Kitaro just a little bit better than Peter Kater and Dominic Miller (just because West Lake is a more grand sounding album, more orchestral music). So if I were to decide, David Darling will get his Grammy this year (after being nominated once before). But I wouldn’t put money on it, since the field is very strong this year. Kitaro just might win it too – he sure would deserve it after so many nominations.   

Watch it on CBS on 31 January 8PM ET/PT.

In his newsletter Marc Enfroy write the following about the album he is currently working on:

As I assessed where my current CD project was heading, it became clear that I needed to quiet things down and go for a softer, more therapeutic sound…warmer, healing and a bit less classical.  With the help of some new computer hardware, I’ll be reworking the material I’ve already written and writing some new songs.  In all likelihood, I’ll use a different alias name for this softer style (so it doesn’t get confused with my work as a composer).  Don’t worry, it will still be the same melodic and heartfelt music you’re used to, just expressed a little differently. 

To me that sounds awesome! I am sure the new album will be yet another proof that Marc Enfroy is one of the finest new stars of new age music.

Music is an important aspect in many people’s lives, with just one specific genre becoming their favorite form of musical entertainment.  That’s fine really, but most realize it does limit the total music experience, and a vast range of enjoyment found in all forms of music. 

Isaac Shepard from Southern California is like many of us who share the same philosophy when it comes to the unlimited resources for finding great music in other genres, becoming revitalized in the process, and similar to the way Isaac put it, just might make you appreciate your favorite form of music even more.  

Isaac began playing piano by ear at an early age and this early love of music began as a family circle of musical talent while performing with his father during many community venues in California, including benefits for homeless shelters, social gatherings and church events.  I am pretty sure this early introduction and appreciation of all music genres was a rewarding first step in the right direction as he began a well rounded approach into his individual projects as a piano soloist.

Exploring the musical space and taking in all that it has to offer is a universal calling and can be life-changing.  You might discover a genre that pushes your boundaries and leaves you wanting more, or you might come away being that much more thankful for what you call your own.          Isaac Shepard

 The Renewing is Isaac Shepard’s most recent stride into a nicely rehearsed form of expression as a solo pianist, where his individual composing performances offer relaxing ballads, classical progressions and beautiful melodies in each of the  10  songs composed with a pleasing source of renewal in mind.

Tears Can Fall  is a peaceful balled where an extending range of emotion has a presence in both the keyboards and what you will find in your first sample song in new music discovery.  Lead off phrasing is like a gentle question and answer session with treble notes asking the need to know questions and lower octaves blending in a responding reply that contrasts the upper octaves curiosity in important matters pertaining to harmonic togetherness.

Doors of Life has quieter moments in the earliest measures, moving into classic timed refrains before climbing to full heights in terms of the growing melody heard during this piece with steadiness like a soulful march.  While piano keys move to greater distances in this song, the melody flows and sways by nice runs along the keyboard while sweeping notes trickle right in time with a more moderate background.  

All Smiles like the name suggests is motion moving in an upward direction in an easy going natural movement shown by classic form, with strong stanzas recognizing a positive fullness in depth.  The rich fullness of a quiet melody blossoms while reaching full cord progressions with classic touches filling in the outlining shades of color, giving a more dignified tone to the overall feeling of happiness in this pretty song of joyful contentment.  

The Renewing tells of dancing rhythms resting beside moments of introspection, becoming a nice getaway from the pounding beats and winding guitars competing for your attention.  Whatever your favorite form of music is, here is an opportunity to explore Isaac’s latest solo piano release and become pleasantly refreshed in the process.   

Visit isaacshepard.com to sample his unpublished music, popular entertainment gaming soundtracks, and two prior solo piano albums,  Swept Away  &  Deep Joy.  You may also visit CDBaby.com to sample  The Renewing.

Article © John P. Olsen 2010 - Picture ©  Bigstockphoto – Wilmy

No reproduction without prior written permission

A new video by 2002 has just been released. It depict the great supernova of July 4, 1054 A.D., the remnants of which became the famous Crab Nebula. The video is about what people back then might have been thinking when they saw this for them magic and mystical event. The supernova was visible even in broad daylight for 23 days. This is the video as it appears on the DVD/CD set “A Word in the Wind” by 2002.

It is a well known problem; when two bands have the same name, misunderstandings occur. You might think that your favorite band have just released a new album, while it is some other band with the same name that has released it! That sure is a disappointment.

From new age music the best know example is of course Gandalf – which also is a well-known Finish death-metal band…

Previously, back in the days of physical CDs and real record shops, this was not a big problems since Gandalf the death metal band would be duly filed under “Death Metal” while “our” Gandalf would be in the new age music/adult contemporary/easy listening department. But in the world of mp3 shops, there’s not much filing and indexing. When you make an unspecified search, like most people do, you get all artists with that name. In many digital music outlets, if you search for “Gandalf” you get a sweet mix of both death metal and new age music – often in the same sample playlist.

This is now also the case with Michael Holm and Kristian Schultze’s group Cusco – one of the finest new age music groups ever. When I searched for Cusco recently I was happy to see that a new album, or EP, was available. Wohoo!

But, on second thoughts, wasn’t Hang Loose a strange Cusco title? And My Balls My World was also a somewhat bizarre song name by this group – which usually are more like Ariadne, White Buffalo or The Nine Muses. So I started listening to the EP, just not knowing what to expect. But the first deep synth pad on the title track got me wondering – this just might be the real thing, a new Cusco release! But after some time I realized that this was not my Cusco – this was some other band with the same name!

Hang Loose is a chill out EP released on Firebird records. Here is a presentation of the new Cusco (the EP as released in May last year).

Hang Loose is Mike Smile’s first album in a new era of party tunes. Anyone who knows Mike knows that he is musically diverse. It is not only house and techno… So he developed his newly launched chillout-project where he is under the name of „Cusco“ and makes with his debut on Firebird Rec. named “Hang Loose EP” the first great step! Seven beautiful tracks, don’t miss it. Check out www.myspace.com/firebirdrecords or http://www.myspace.com/djmikesmile 

And yes, don’t get me wrong; Hang loose is great album, with a chilled rhythm, a nice club atmosphere and deep bass. I very much like the second track, the dreamy Peace for the world and the jazz elements on the last track Two Mexicanos.

But it is not Cusco! Or is it?

Sample Hang Loose here – and the “real” Cusco here.

Rocky Fretz has won the Independent Music Award for new age music with the album Path Ahead…And Steps Then Taken. Congratulations!

Sample this awesome album on CDBaby.

Also enjoy the nice video below, which shows Rocky in his right element.

James Cahall’s new album Coming Home is in many ways a homecoming. For the artist himself it is a realization of a dream to compose and release piano music, which he had to postpone for years. For the listener the homecoming aspect is all in the album’s atmosphere; the bright and positive melodies illustrate the happy feeling of a long-sought homecoming. Ask anyone, being away is great – but nothing is better than coming home!

James Cahall began playing piano at the age of five, and learned all the basic skills. During high school his interest for classical piano declined, but still his passion for composing music was always there – even though there were no pianos around. In the meantime he studied to become an aerospace engineer.  It was not before his father gave him an electronic piano as a wedding gift, James found the time to pursue his passion for music. This has so far resulted in two albums, The Day Before Tomorrow (2008) and Coming Home (2009).

On a solo piano album, variation is the key to success. Even though all songs on Coming Home are quite fast (which I guess is due to youthful energy – the artist being 27 years old). I feel that there is more than enough variation to keep one’s attention throughout the 58-minute long album. All songs are long, between 4-6 minutes, with a melodic focus. I must add that are a few slow parts too, like passages on the thoughtful title track.

The bright and positive melodies illustrate the happy feeling of a long-sought homecoming.

James Cahall is not, as mentioned above, a professional pianist – but this reviewer finds that he easily could have become one. On Coming Home he plays with the force and authority of a true master.  The recording quality is very good (as expected since it is recorded on an electronic piano). For the darker tones (like on The Passing Storm), a Steinway would have been great of course, but the album does not lack anything in terms of sound.   

The album starts with the song Shades of Autumn. It has just the right amount of melancholy for such a title. Autumn is not just the end of summer – but the beginning of something new too. The leaves have to fall off in favor of new growth.

My favorite track on the album is Pearl’s song. It is that type of melody that just captures the moment and makes it impossible to think sad thoughts.

I was also moved by Midnight Dancer. This song has a very nice build-up that truly shows James Cahall’s skills as a composer.

Coming Home is an impressive album from a young artist. This reviewer concurs:  James Cahall is now home. May this be a place of happiness and creativity in the years to come!  

Sample the album on CDBaby.

Make also sure to take a look at Jamescahall.com - where you get to know the artist.

In preparation for the release of Deep Africa in April, the homepage of Deep Projects have been redesigned. Here Eric Mouquet, the Deep Forest veteran, gives you a presentation of his music and the many projects he have been involved in.

Some parts of the page are still under construction, but already there is plenty to look at.  A few texts are in French, but a link to Google Translate is provided.

Today I have a present for you all, a little something I found while browsing the press section of Will Ackerman’s homepage. The present is a video, which is by far the most heartfelt, most impressive presentation I have seen of an artist. Ever.

I have read artist biographies, I have seen movies and documentaries – but never have I come across such a tasteful, straight-to-the-point video presentation that just captures the very essence of this remarkable person’s artistic expression. In the video Will Ackerman tells about how he became an artist – and what a surprise it was for him to become successful. It also briefly tells the story of the Windham Hill label.

The video presentation and quality is spotless, and the songs performed to perfection. Both old and new fans will for sure find a lot to enjoy here. Bookmark it!

You’ll find it here. Also take a look around, and sample Will’s many great albums.

A frequent discussion in new age music is “how many sub-genres are there” – and, more interestingly, “what are they all called”? Well, there is one page that has what just might be the complete list – or, something not very far from a complete list.

The list with almost 70 different sub-genres is to be found on German new age music store Silenzio. The different genres are presented in German, but if you don’t understand the genre name – click the name and you will probably get its meaning by the selection of albums

Who said new age music was boring?

Mike Oldfield fans that use the popular web browser Firefox now can download a free exclusive Tubular Bells skin – which will take your everyday browsing into a Tubular world! I learned about the cool feature from my good friend, the talented new age artist Tubular Tos. Merci!

You can download it here.

Mars Lasar is one of the first musicians many people recall when thinking of nature inspired music.  His music with a thoughtful dedication to protection of the heartland is a constant reminder of this gifted artist and his ability to promptly place you there.

Mars has just released another nature inspired project that really puts you on location, in a sharp salute that is a natural acquisition with his large fan base, and for all who appreciate his artistic creations gently carved from our native habitat of woodlands and ecosystems.

The time enduring  Eleventh Hour Series, Olympic National Park, & Yosemite: Valley Of The Giants, are all earlier landmarks of his dedication to conservation music that, sure as our world turns, are steadily becoming more relevant with each passing day.

Tahoe Spirit  is his newest declaration into New Age / World / Nature genres to virtually guide you one heartbeat away from the Great North Western Sierra Nevada Wilderness, Lake Tahoe, and deep into Washoe Indian Territory, in a trail blazing musical expedition that nicely illustrates the territorial lands that are a vital part of our American Heritage.

David Rose is a distinguished talent from the band Painted Raven, and principal performer on Traditional Native Flutes, while divine song vocalist Cadence Spalding, likewise join Mars on piano, bass, keyboards, and programming.  It is during their unparalleled journey together where everyone can become a part of, and be a witness to the vast open wilderness, monumental mountain horizons, and the pristine waters that reverently hold the secrets of this regional gemstone.

Mars Lasar employs a careful artisans approach while composing all of his inspired by nature music, making a lasting impression on you every time.  The effective result of a delicate polish given to Tahoe Spirit results in a fine grain finish, directing you to an exceptional visit to the pristine beauty of our native woodlands all Americans can call home.

Tahoe Spirit  makes a bold first impact of  10  song legacies known with a deeply moving and beautifully synthesized Tahoe Legends.  Beginning with a grand opening, this Epic song makes one quickly realize the musical terrain is going to be firmly held on a plateau of picturesque beauty.  The woodwinds David Rose provides are encircled by percussion effects and heart pounding stanzas that Mars expertly recreates during your guided visits to memorable discoveries in music.

The Great Spirit  has more of a calming presence by woodwind interludes and echoing drum rhythms that noticeably accent an inherent note by note recollection about a past civilization of people who are an important part of our heritage and who once called it home.

Washoe Meadows  has the attribute as a gentle song with a relaxing melody, articulating a pleasing sense of atmosphere, perfect for those seeking an adventurous ambiance where gentle streams and natural forestry are a realistic part of the visual beauty you will hear in this total music experience.

Lake In the Sky  gives a peaceful moment of reflection by woodwinds gentle tones and dreamy melody shown in a breathtaking way, providing a soft tranquil flow between stanzas while bass and drums add a range of depth by the subtle undercurrents.

Alpine Meadows  makes a heartfelt impression on me every time I listen to it, in an uplifting song where the bond of this trio shines so very brightly while standing together in musical unity.  Mars places an Epic, yet comforting climate controlled feel on keyboards that instantly takes you there.  David instills the calming winds with haunting flute passages recognizing the presence of the people living before us there, and Cadence gently vocalizes a soft radiant melody, glowing like the sun by her wonderful declaration to remind everyone why we become united there.

Tahoe Spirit  greatly captures your attention by a bold testimonial about our native lands worth preserving, and is a wonderful presentation from talented artists united in heart, mind, and spirit, who give you the feeling that you also belong and can go there too.

Visit marslasar.com to sample here then see his photography pages.  You can also read my recent interviews with Mars Lasar and NewAgeMusic.nu’s Top Album of the Year winner Cadence Spalding, on our pages dedicated to this outstanding musical team.  You can find out more about flutist David Rose at painted-raven.com here.

Picture Copyright Bigstockphoto – mantonino

The devastating earthquake on Haiti has made people all over the world collect money and do what they can to help in this desperate situation. Also new age music superstar Michael Cretu of Enigma is reaching out a helping hand to the people of Haiti. In cooperation with EMI Germany and the German division of Red Cross, he is doing what he can to create awareness of the earthquake – see the video below.

Our translation from German:
Many of you have in the recent days seen the horrific pictures from Haiti. Over 100.000 have died in this tragedy, over 100.000 have become homeless. Diseases are spreading, and there is no medical help available. This nation is now totally dependent on foreign help. I urge you all to give a donation to Haiti via the provided bank account number. Please give, and tell your friends to do the same. Even a small donation will make a big difference.

Source: The Enigma Forum

One of the most popular albums in 2009 was Kori Linae Carothers’ Trillium. It recently got several nominations in the Zone Music Reporter Awards – including best album of the year.

New age music reviewer John P. Olsen said this about Trillium in his review: “The entire album holds a wide array of New Age, Contemporary piano, Acoustic Instrumental, and Ambient touches in a well thought out arrangement, giving a multiple angle approach that fits together remarkably well.”

If you want to discover Kori Linae Carothers’ music, you must visit her very nice homepage. Here you can read her very nice blog, see videos and of course sample her music!

If you haven’t visited it recently, David Arkenstone’s homepage has received a major face lift. The page is now updated with samples of all his latest releases, like Caribbean Nights and Echoes of Light and Shadow, plus a complete overview of his impressive career.

Here you can see that David Arkenstone is in every way a perfect new age music artists, reaching millions of listeners all over the world.  From ethnic fusion to chill out, from nature sounds to holiday music – mr. Arkenstone is no. 1.

On Arkenstone’s homepage is a nice gallery (with pictures from his tour in December), a listening lounge and music shop. One of the best aspects of the new site are the videos, where there are live recordings too. Here you get to see the master in action.

Who said that new age music isn’t live music? David Arkenstone is as good on the stage as he is in the studio!

Famous music writer Robert Phoenix wrote in 2007 a very good article about Constance Demby’s music. The article opens with these words:

Constance Demby isn’t just a musician or a composer, though she has expressed herself quite competently through music for over five decades. Demby is something different altogether: a portal, a walking catalyst, an event.

Read the complete article on eMusic. It is a part of the music services’ nice editorial magazine.

There is a thin line between movie soundtracks and new age music – and artists such as Vangelis and Kitaro have in the past made that line almost non-existent. Now master pianist Edward Weiss has a very interesting comment on James Horner’s soundtrack to the popular movie Avatar. On Allaboutjazz.com mr. Weiss writes:

It used to be the stuff of the ’60s and ’70s. A magical mystery tour express, where rock stars and alternate religion advocates converged on the same track New Age Music. Today, the once famous Age of Aquarius is now simply known as New Age. And instead of being on the fringes of society, its in the mainstream as evidenced by James Cameron’s blockbuster movie Avatar.

I disagree. I think that it is a stretch to say that the Avatar soundtrack is new age, since most of the tracks used in the movie are large scale orchestral music. But some of the tracks clearly have what we can call a new age music atmosphere, which obviously fits nicely into the movie.   

So which tracks on Avatar are Edward Weiss pointing at? Well it is hard to say; I find that track 5, Becoming one of the people Becoming One With Neytiri, has a new age-ish atmosphere. Track 6, Jake’s first flight, too has “it” (especially in the use of ethnic samples and voices).

The title of Weiss’ article is “Avatar Soundtrack Ushers in Return of New Age Music!” Hopefully that is the case, but James Horner’s Avatrar is well within the “movie soundtrack” genre.

So if you are looking for a soundtrack that is truly new age, you have to go back in time… That is a magical mystery tour express.

Sample the Avatar soundtrack on Amazon. And, if you haven’t seen it, here is the movie trailer.

In the world of ambient music, soundscapes with a cold, icy atmosphere is a subgenre of its own. With albums like Tangerine Dream’s Phaedra (1974) or Erik Wollo’s The Polar Drones (2003) on your iPod, even the warmest day feels cold – albeit in a refreshing way. When listening to them you almost can’t believe that you aren’t freezing.

When I got Craig Skala’s new album, Tundra, I was almost certain that this was such an album. The cover photo by famous photographer Yuichi Takasaka also gave this impression. But I was wrong, very wrong – this was not an album filled with icy drones or melancholic ambiance of crackling ice – no, Tundra is a collection of positive, upbeat songs illustrating the majestic beauty of winter, when the sun is shining and everything around you is blanketed in snow.  

Craig Skala is from Toronto, and Tundra is his first major new age music project (but he has been involved in many other music projects – check out the artist’s homepage). He has studied both electronic music, jazz composition, and film scoring. The electric guitar is his main instrument, which anyone who listens to Tundra will understand. The album’s warm sound is largely due to positive guitar melodies – and, secondly, a catchy rhythm on all tracks (with real drums).

Here I must pause the music a bit and return to Yuichi Takasaka’s wonderful cover photo. You see, there is a small story here that deserves to be told. The day I received this album I had just been looking at the cover while sampling the songs – and then I opened the homepage of a local Norwegian newspaper – and lo and behold, there was almost the same image; a strange, blue shining cloud on a cold, black sky! What a coincidence, and I had to tell Craig about it right away (see my blog post about it here). I am unsure what caused the sky to look that way in Takasaka’s picture – but the Norwegian phenomenon was almost certainly caused by an out-Of-Control Russian Rocket, as reported on news channels all over the world. Such a view will turn even the tundra warm I guess… 

Tundra is a collection of positive, upbeat songs illustrating the majestic beauty of winter     

Well, back to the album! The first song on Tundra is called Winter. It is a very welcoming first track, greeting you like a friend’s smile. The nice guitar riffs, layers of synth pads, hihats and percussion, plus a heavy reverb, all in all create a very nice atmosphere.

The main tracks on the album are Moon and Aurora. The slow guitar opening on Moon is breathtakingly beautiful while the flute part on Aurora is very creative.

Another track that has a truly interesting sound is the title track – where a female voice “sings” almost like the caveman on Tubular Bells… I personally like it very much, but the radio host in me says no, no, no, this will upset the listeners. It is a cool track though, and the short Tundra prelude is the only really icy sounding track on the album (so if you bought the album because you though it was like Tangerine Dream’s Phaedra, you at least got one cold sounding track…).   

All in all I think that Tundra gives the listener something very close to a complete listening experience. The album is simply put excellent sound design, and the mixing is very well done.  I was not surprised when I heard that Craig Skala also has been into visual arts and painting – on Tundra he has filled the audio canvas with colors and expression, giving a cold world a bright, warm light.

Tundra truly is a work of art.

Below you can sample the song Moon. Also do visit Craig Skala’s homepage, where you can sample all the tracks.

Picture copyright Bigstockphoto – outdoorsman

In 2010 Medwyn Goodall will be celebrating his 25th year as a professional artist. His music has touched millions of listeners, and he has done so much for the new age music genre – especially through his MG Music label. And this anniversary of course needs to be celebrated with a very special “best of” collection. According to MG Music homepage:

There have been a few Best of collections of Medwyn’s work, but none oddly enough had his personal input, and none of them gathered tracks from across the labels he has featured on. For the first time working with New World Music and Oreade Music, Medwyn is creating a very personalised 25th anniversary 2 Disc collection of the very cream of his work from 1985 to 2010.  

And more:

Medwyn Goodall is also building a new studio with many upgrades which will be finished in January. The first album to be recorded in the studio will be the long awaited CLAN III which will be the highlight of the celebrations. The 25th Collection will be released around March and Clan III is expected to be released during Summer.

This year, MG Music also will release new titles by Runestone, Paul Sills, Clifford White, Simon Lovelock and MG’s very own Midori.

See a presentation of the titles here.

If you are one of Marc Enfroy’s many fans, you better pay attention now. Marc writes on Facebook:

I’ll be giving a sneak preview of a few songs from my upcoming album to my newsletter subscribers in the near future. If you’re not a subscriber yet, visit Marcenfroy.com and enter your details in the blue box on the left titled “Get Free Music.”

That sounds very exciting! We all better check it out. There is nothing like an exclusive pre-listening of an upcoming album.