Ancient World By David De Michele

 

Ancient World

By

David De Michele

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Speaking with my musician’s hat on, it is sometimes good to spread your wings and try something different, and on Ancient World David De Michele the artist most certainly does that, whilst retaining some of the core components of space David along the way, on this new release which is a veritable configuration of both new age with Celtic motifs.

This eight track collection of perfectly produced music starts with an illuminating first offering entitled Forest Whispers, a charming scene setting opus that takes us right there in the ever green woodlands, a place I have always called home. A tentative and sensitive opening builds perfectly, and added to this cornucopia of new age delights, the artist adds some of the cleanest and most crisp vocals to enhance the composition even further.

The main body of any album is usually the title track, and here on Ancient World we have a dramatic yet textured arrangement that contains a moving backdrop of synths and sounds, one that literally hovers through the aforementioned forest like mist on a late autumn afternoon. The intensity, build and progression on keyboards here is something to behold.

The journey continues with Beyond the Ruins, a piece that contains an onward sense of movement and fluency, a musical journey literally brought to life. The soft pastiche of synths and steady keyboard work symbiotically laced with ethereal vocalisations, gifts us an arrangement completely bathed in the ancient energies of past civilisations themselves.

On our journey we have seen and heard many things, here on Call of the Ancients, we hear the sound of distant voices and horns, in an anticipatory moment of musical magic, that in its early inception reminded me of Jeff Wayne’s War of the Worlds opening forays, the build-up, dramatic overtones entwined with expectancy, would allow me to say without doubt that this offering would be my personal favourite from the album.

In all its glory this next track explores the oneness and balance of humanity and nature and respect, something that is all too rare these days. Celebration is just that, an uplifting narrative that floats on the winds of the eons with utter ease. Whilst to my happiness a sound of a storm starts the next piece called Enchanted Forest, this splendid piece contains a multitude of varied keyboard works and a beautiful Celtic styled vocal, to enhance the vista of this gigantic forest and all in it that surrounds us now.

We have arrived at a doorway in an a huge tree that has stood for many ages, and as we creak open its entrance we hear the penultimate offering of the album entitled Isles in the Mist. Light flute sounds, combined with harp lead our way through this passage of time and timbre; this is a classic new age styled offering that would have gone down so wonderfully in the early part of this century, in a genre that is once again making a massive comeback.

We can now conclude the album with the final offering entitled The Journey Home. Once more David utilises the superior vocals and harp sounds, to manifest a pitch perfect ending to the release, in this final manifestation we feel utterly wonderful, textured keyboard motifs and blissfully layered synths, all cumulate to create one of the finest concluding pieces that the artist has ever created.

Ancient World by David De Michele is a step in a direction that the artist will be more than happy he embraced, he has moved solidly to the natural world, in a vast green woodland, and produced a new age styled collection of splendid music that could well define a dualistic voyage of direction for the composer and his future, this is a very classy release, one that needs to be enjoyed by all who truly appreciate truly good full flowing music.

New World By Matias Bacoñsky

 

New World

By

Matias Bacoñsky

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Matias Bacoñsky is an accomplished pianist and composer, one that has been on my musical radar for some 9 years now, but lately we have been on a journey of dystopic proportions in a musical voyage which has cumulated in an album in 2025 called New World, and it is this road we must now travel.

This is an amazing story from the musician and composer, and many of the tracks upon this stunning work have been released as singles, and it would be easy to recount the entire tale of mystery and imagination to you, but I firmly believe this is something each listener should personally invest themselves into overtime, the opening piece is a startling reverie that may well entice you and called Retrouvailles, a veritable power play of a piece that features the vocals of Munay Anaya.

New World is a 10 track release that could well be made into a television series with ease, and pieces like the popular Together Again, a single from 2023, give us a combined effort a depiction of musical reunification, in a beautiful flowing musical narrative, whilst offerings like Hope featuring the vocal skill sets of Marcela Bovio, only go to emphasize just what a classy album this is from Bacoñsky, the operatic elevation here raises the energies and optimism of the arrangement and story.

The next musical offering Rise Again is one that I think could have words written for it and made into a hit single it is that good, the original piece was released back in 2024, but is still one that energizes the whole project and uplifts the storyline to an almost crescendo like manifestation.

The compositional structures are easily of a quality soundtrack for a film and there can be no doubt that the artist should be regarded as a sublime pianist of great stature, I would point to this anthem like opus as evidence of that aforementioned statement, as I introduce you to the piece Heart Vs. Mind, a track also released last year as a single.

As we move down the dirty sidewalks and avenues of our dystopic world, we come across a piece called Charmolypi, it utilises the talents of Zuberoa Aznarez incredibly well on vocals and they dance with the blissful presentation on piano by the pianist in a symbiotic way, while offerings such as Love Story featuring Ambre Vourvahis on vocals gift us a harmonic resonance bathed in the one true language of love, a song that drifts across the very edge of time itself, and balances itself perfectly on an Occam’s Razor of musical plenitude.

The deeper waters of the release are now found, as we caress a positive statement of happiness within the track Daydreamer that perhaps our dreams, aspirations and hopes will all one day come to fruition. Here Matias Bacoñsky produces one of the most powerful pieces in his career, this presentation of symphonic glory and piano will most certainly give you the chills.

Eye of the Storm contains the voice of Ulli Perhonen and is a salutary reminder to us all to be forever vigilant that sometimes all is not what it seems to be, the vocals partnering the artists piano were some of the most powerful I have heard and touching, a Native American chant crossed with an operatic motif can be found here, and that is no mean feat, a track illuminating uncomfortable decisions and choices to be made perhaps.

The concluding musical narrative is called Everything Ends; it explores the postulation of choice, attitude and action, and indeed Bacoñsky finishes the album with an utterly astonishing creation a dramatic conclusion indeed can be found here, and one the artist should be proud of, one that rounds off the project off with a flourish, leaving the listener wanting more.

New World by Matias Bacoñsky is a magnificent new album that should receive praise from all who follow the genre of soundtrack style piano based material, and to be honest anyone with a good taste in music should absolutely adore a talented artistic composer and performer like Matias Bacoñsky. This is an album that has everything, fire, passion, flair, and a compelling story narrative, it’s packed full of truly stunning performances and presentations, and should be a guaranteed hit with fans and listeners alike across the globe.

Exits By Strat Andriotis

 

Exits

By

Strat Andriotis

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I knew this time wouldn’t be far away one day, the day a Cypriot resident would write a review for a Greek born jazz performer, and one of the finest in his trade, a man who has links to many luminaries, bands and artists, and here today we celebrate the release of his stunning new album entitled Exits.

Jazz in Cyprus is huge; our country is far from a little back water only playing localised traditional folk music, and its love of all things jazz is growing year on year, here on Exits I get to explore the music narrative portrayed by Strat Andriotis and his trusty musical weapon of choice his Fender Stratocaster, an instrument that he plays with such soul and craft on the opening piece Dominions.

This masterful composition is followed by Far Away Tears a composition of great colours, textures and rhythms. This would be one of my personal favourite pieces from the release; the onward smooth forward walking bass was sublimely elevated by some of the most artistic jazz guitar from the artist.

Exits is a classy 8 track album of high quality and Andriotis has that delicious and stylish technique that could make a grown man cry with pleasure, pieces like Between You And I would be a good example to point to, another one of my personal favourites, it is quite easy to see from this stand point, that those days spent by Andriotis were not wasted, listening to bands like Cream and Hendrix.

There are a multitude of elements and constructive patterns within this release that are so fascinating, the progressive pattern and nature of Timer for example, a track that wends its way down rain swept alleys and towards cosy coffee shops, with the crisp and fluent style of Andriotis leading the way.

While one must save a mention for a transitionary title track in Exits, the steady bass filled configuration, is driven by the polished and sophisticated performance on guitar by the artist and composer; this one offering took me to an elegant oasis of jazz bliss mixed with a subtle rhythmic blues motif.

Exits by Strat Andriotis is one of those imaginative and eloquent releases that come around rarely, and when they do they must be snapped up in haste, as this release is a class above all others before it. Here is an album that flaunts with a passion it’s self-assured and self-confident tones and vibrations, and is simply a new jazz album that should not be ignored at all costs, and called Exits by Strat Andriotis.

Solo Piano II By Aura Noctis

 

Solo Piano II

By

Aura Noctis

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The depths and dark passage ways of musical genius that this album took me on was some of the most profound I have felt for ages, especially in the solo piano genre. Today I visited a collection of supremely moody and influential songs called Solo Piano II by pianist Aura Noctis, and it left me enthralled and musically fulfilled, in a way that only recently a Tim Burton movie could have done.

The album is packed with mysterious refrains of passion and power, and the opening piece stands tall among them and called Behind the Mask, the presentation was dark, deep and brought memories of a certain Phantom of the Opera, this shadowy composition is a great lead into piece, moving into the more light-hearted tones of the short form narrative of Nana, and the sensitive timbre of fascinating tracks like the following piece called Amnis, a pause for thought can be found within the dimension of this track, and a delightful change of tempo too, in a creation that is film score standard like the opening arrangement.

There is no doubt that the artist has manifested something here that is deeply compelling, and one has to say that listening to this album has been like a breath of fresh air for me, especially coming from a genre that is vastly over populated like Solo Piano. The windows to a fresh approach are pushed further open when the listener arrives at the track El Cantar de las Hojas, (which I think in English is the song of leaves) this crisp and pronounced manifestation blows in the vibrational pathways like autumn trees in late October, still offering much, but in a state of gentle change.

Short form styled compositions can also be found here, ones that are well worth delving into, like the fluent charm of tracks like Primer Viaje, before we make our move back into the musical voyage of plenty and we can do this through the medium of this next heart felt composition entitled Desde el Silencio, (from the silence) for me personally this is a track that I was invested in emotionally, the trickle down passage, the deep waters of a minor construction, compiled for me an arrangement that was just truly moving and sublime, playing with both shadow and light the pianist pulls off in my view the best performance from the album.

La Danza del Duende is the next way marker in the album, and this fast moving piece is a reminder of our solo piano voyage, the sheer intensity of this offering is formidable and flourishing, but that could be said for this entire release, that prevailing strength is quietened beautifully with another one of my personal favourite tracks from the album in Let Go, one can feel a sense of release from within the performance that is so very palpable, and also cathartic in its energies and tones as well.

It is true that any sensible listener who takes some time with this album will be truly moved by it, the release is rounded off with stunning precision by the concluding musical narrative entitled Renacer. This is a crafted finish, the presentation gifts us a moment of rebirth, re-found energy, and then an ever onward progression to more captured potency, and is one of the best closing pieces I have heard in this genre for simply years.

So there you go, what an amazing journey of solo piano, one of the most enjoyable I have had for eons, and as such I tip my hat to Solo Piano II by Aura Noctis, for me this album had it all, a stylish and confident performance with power and intensity, and balanced perfectly with subtle tender moments of musical clarity and emotive brilliance, as such this is an album that the solo piano genre has waited years for, and an early highlight for 2025, and one all lovers of this genre should embrace with haste.

The Depths By Monica Logani

 

The Depths

By

Monica Logani

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The misty haze of a new winter’s day was born upon our dusty and craggy landscape, and as the sun tried to push the clouds at bay, an announcement was made that would lift the day to unheard of parallels. That glorious statement was that a new Monica Logani album was to be released and called The Depths, one of the finest examples of piano with instrumentation albums to manifest a musical sanctuary ever.

It was indeed very pleasing to see Monica’s name come up on my e mail, our last connection was the breath taking The Long Road some 5 years back, here on this new release the artist has seized the moment and produced something very special indeed. The opening offering is always the best place to start and Dreams of Zagyva is where we begin, and if it is the Zagyva I am aware of in Hungry, I say kiváló! This beautifully moving piano with strings opus almost dances across the ice filled river and into our hearts.

Here is a stunning new release of no less than 14 beautiful pieces, the title composition is abundant in its grace and splendour and of course called The Depths, this flowing musical narrative creates a sense of calm whilst listening, and develops a sanctuary of sound that any listener would feel so very secure within, but the same can be said of that entire album, it is a home of peace filled creations that allow us as listeners to roam in its serenity with total safety.

We can add an acoustic guitar into the mix on this most mystical of pieces entitled Midnight Express, a track that constantly moves onwards through the darkness of the night, in a soft blanket of sound that wraps itself around us.

Within each composition Logani brings a reality of tranquillity that is so poignant and soothing, tracks like the harmonic bliss like Wonder, or perhaps Solitude, with its tempting safe haven of a musical vibration, one could imagine sitting in a log cabin alone watching the snow fall to this track, and having all the time one needs to solve any of life’s issues.

The offering Diamond Gaze is a multi-faceted composition that has a creative healing energy about its compositional structure; it is easy to drift on the wings of time and tide to this so fluent of piano performances.

Offering, which is track 12 on the album, features an electric guitar which opens the musical portal, while Logan’s piano is the master narrator that holds our hand on this most mysterious of final compositions, one that is truly artistic and inventive in all its aspects.

The Depths by Monica Logani is an album containing 14 delightful tracks, an album that has most certainly been worth while waiting for, this album touches many musical genres, we have a wonderfully presented ambience, a sumptuous level of melody, tone and timbre, and a mysterious lilt that will entice any eager listener’s ear. In short The Depths by Monica Logani is the best work of the artist by far, and easily the perfect album to embrace the new year with.

Rainbow By Jeffrey Baker

 

Rainbow

By

Jeffrey Baker

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I freely admit to being a fan of the work of Jeffrey Baker and his timeless piano music, lately I have had the pleasure of listening to and writing reviews for two of his pervious singles in My Heart and Anthem, and here on this latest single release called Rainbow, we have another segment of piano based reveries to drift within.

The New York based composer certainly knows how to manifest a composition that is both beautiful and redolent of the subject matter and the performance at the piano by Frank Martin is one that is equally textured and soothing, and combined with the production mastery of Shambhu, a winning arrangement is sure to be found.

Again one has to state that this composition by Baker has that timeless repose, in an almost multi-dimensional reality of tone and timbre, this energy can also be found on Bakers two previous singles as well, and in my view this makes his creations quite unique and extremely listenable.

We can be very blessed that the music of Jeffrey Baker is amongst us, and in my view he has freshened up the vast genre of piano music, and on this new single Rainbow, we can rest assured that not only another big hit will be found, but our sonic sanctuaries of sound will be appeased and calmed by this beautiful new single entitled Rainbow, by Jeffrey Baker.

Moonlight Poem By Andrea Sertori

 

Moonlight Poem

By

Andrea Sertori

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I have had the pleasure of listening to this piece several times today, and it has taken me to a place of calm and peace like none other recently, the artist is the amazing Andrea Sertori, a pianist of great colour and skill, and this composition, a brand new single entitled Moonlight Poem.

The softness of touch on this new creation of utterly divine, so much so, that one could listen to it on repeat and never get tired of its tones, the flowing piano narrative is part of Sertori’s quality skill set, the charming natural drift of vibrancy and tranquillity is very pleasing to the ear and mind also.

There are some clever changes in the middle of the track that are wonderfully performed and executed, and then this gentle ramble of a composition continues, with a similar heart felt warmth that the late but still great Annie Locke used to manifest so well.

This is indeed a magical creation, one only further enhanced by the literally beautiful art work that can be found within. I have a feeling, that without a shadow of a doubt, that Moonlight Poem by Andrea Sertori will find its way into the hearts and minds of each eager lover of piano music, and once there, will never leave.

Shine By Alise Ashby

 

Shine

By

Alise Ashby

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

This new song by Alise Ashby is simply the most perfect start to a new year of music that simply anyone could wish for; it is a piano with instrumentational pleasure pit of beautiful music beyond dreams, combining layer upon layers of tone and timbre, and called Shine.

Ashby’s sensitive yet lyrical style floats with the listener on a bed of soothing piano, a veritable pastiche of tenderness of tasteful vibrations, and all gathering together to give us, the ever eager listener, a sanctuary of calm and tranquillity to reside within.

There can be no doubt that Ashby has an ear for the emotive style of flowing piano, and her build and progression on this new single reminds me of some of the classic artists in the new age scene from as early as the nineties in artists like Mike Rowland, or perhaps the ability to manifest a warming cover of serene motifs like the ever brilliant Bernward Koch.

Regardless, this new manifestation from Ashby is one of the most beautiful offerings in this somewhat overflowing genre, and as such I predict a huge hit is absolutely on the cards for Shine by Alise Ashby, and perhaps even more!

Silve-Red Moon By Santiago Trigueros

 

Silve-Red Moon

By

Santiago Trigueros

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The refreshing winds of a new single blew my way today, in the guise of a deft electronic composition called Silve-Red Moon by Santiago Trigueros. I have known of the musician since 2019 and the release of a single back then called Perseidas, but here today we get to take a winter journey through the tonal vibrations of this new powerful and dramatic single.

The genre of electronic music is vast and wide and styles may range from ultra-long form, to Jean Michael Jarre and back, but Trigueros with this rhythm rising new offering has created a sublime musical climax to the year, with an arrangement that just continues to build, progress, flow, then build again, and then flower into a pastiche of colourful crescendos.

Silve-Red Moon by Santiago Trigueros is one of those tracks that in years to come could well become an anthem for many fans of the genre. The piece itself has been superbly played and constructed with percussion, power and poise, and also without the need of bursting into a dance styled manifestation. Silve-Red Moon by Santiago Trigueros should be a huge hit for the artist, and may even be the seminal work that lifts him into new heights in the years to come, it is certainly that good.

Winterfelt Lullabies By James Michael Stevens

 

Winterfelt Lullabies

By

James Michael Stevens

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There are many aspects of felt piano; and its characteristics sometimes create an enigma for listeners, a lack of consistency of tone and performance production perhaps, but if you had one pianist to go to for an enactment and an implantation of perfection in the field of felt piano, then I could point to non-other than the remarkable James Michael Stevens, and specifically his brand new album entitled Winterfelt Lullabies.

The opening pieces off this 10 track album is entitled Winterfelt Lullaby No. 1 (Felt Piano), and is in my view one of the most mournful and emotive pieces from the release, in a composition that delivers the tonal energies of this season to an absolute perfection.

We then follow that with the charming Winterfelt Lullaby No. 2 (Snow Angels), this melody has a childlike presence, and one could almost see the excited little one playing snow angels in the whiteness of the landscape with their arms. This is a clever composition by Stevens, offering us a simplistic vibration, but holding a little mystery back as well.

Winterfelt Lullaby No. 3 (Pristine Prelude) is up next, this joyous piece raises the rhythms of the album with its higher style and generally more major key presentations. One can also feel the pristine nature of the track, and the imagination flows to a winter conclusion that is indeed palpable.

The following musical narrative is an interesting one and called Winterfelt Lullaby No. 4 (Phrygian Winter). I thought this name seemed familiar and I was to be proved right, as Phrygians live now in what is called Turkey, the winters there can be cold, but a plethora of storms is usually the recipe, some of which drift our way just south of them here in Cyprus, here Stevens builds the mood rather well, and creates a scenic sound that is indeed redolent of the subject matter and of the empty cold streets of this winter location.

Seems strange writing a winter review sitting here in a sun kissed location, but a short journey behind me into the mountains I would no doubt see the essence of this next track in abundance, and it is called Winterfelt Lullaby No. 5 (Flurries). The artist is such a perfect painter of tone and timbre, and the performance style here is so very evocative of windswept snowy landscapes and lanes from my suggested location.

There is always time for a dance and in this case it’s time for Winterfelt Lullaby No. 6 (Talia's Waltz). A smiling happy energy can be found here and a beautifully fluent presentation to boot as well, whilst on the following musical voyage of plenty entitled Winterfelt Lullaby No. 7 (A Peaceful Snow), we have a vista that is delightfully comforting and heart felt, as the pianist builds a track on a panorama of peaceful intentions and snowy footfalls.

In the deeper snow drifts of the album we will come across a piece called Winterfelt Lullaby No. 8 (Sweet December) and how timely as it is currently the 12^th of that month as I write. The gentle style flows from Stevens’s piano like graceful snowflakes dancing from the grey clouds above, in an almost romantic created winter arrangement.

So we have arrived at the penultimate offering from the album and it is entitled Winterfelt Lullaby No. 9 (Elegance), there is something quite anthem like about this offering that makes it so charming, the tempo is utterly delicious and deeply confident and articulate in its structure, and this also happens to be one of my personal favourites from the release.

Winterfelt Lullaby No. 10 (Snow in the Pines) concludes our journey through this season of festivities and gratitude. Once more James creates the warmest piece of all as his last offering, and leaves the listener in a place of total calm and serenity whilst doing so on the perfect ending arrangement.

Winterfelt Lullabies by James Michael Stevens is a new release that should make its way into the hearts and minds of solo piano fans across the globe, for those fans who also like a mellower and softer touch with regard to felt piano facets, then this is the album for you, it is played with eloquence from a performer who has honed his presentations over many years, and it shows in all its glory here on this wonderful seasonal album entitled Winterfelt Lullabies. 

Winter Faerie By Fred Grenot

 

Winter Faerie

By

Fred Grenot

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There must be magic in the air, as I have written reviews now for two faerie based compositions in the last week. It is so good to see New Age music making a huge come back, as we have seen for the whole of 2024, and who better to join the fray than instrumentalist sublime Fred Grenot, a man who has made a massive splash in the genre since his return.

Fred has a new single out and we can now all enjoy the sparkling tones of Winter Faerie this festive break. I have to say I was delighted to have heard such a classy compositional structure manifested by Fred for this new single, a powerful yet melodic new offering can be found on this arrangement.

When we look deeper into the weave we can understand the flow and touch of tone with relation to the subject matter, and it is simply idyllic, the chimes bring us a seasonal energy, the synths create a slight dramatic backdrop, the angelic vocalisations are harmonically pleasurable, and his work on keyboards is both sensitive but also artistic in a performance that is just short of six minutes in duration.

I have no doubt whatsoever that Winter Faerie by Fred Grenot is going to be loved by listeners and fans alike, and I truly believe that it is some of his best work thus far. So wrap yourself in the delight of new music this winter, and give yourself a big fire side hug with Winter Faerie by Fred Grenot.

Adventures in Space By Paul Speer

 

Adventures in Space

By

Paul Speer

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

It’s been a few years since we all bathed in the sonic delights of Paul Speer’s Sonoran Odyssey, but he is now back, and possibly with one of his most fluent and charismatic releases ever entitled, Adventures in Space  and this driving collection of smooth guitar based reveries is our journey today.

Adventures in Space is a 7 track album packed with graceful textures and cutting edge guitar mastery, the finest example of all in the opening piece called Spacewalk Europa, one that features the simply amazing talents of master pianist David Lanz. The bluesy guitar is joined by Lanz on piano and gifts us a steady forward motion on music, one that reminded me greatly of Medwyn Goodall and his guitar on his release Essence of Magic.

Hard Landing on Nebulon was one of the those tracks that would have you wishing that the inertial dampers on your ship would have kicked in before your helmsman had acted on the blue alert, and landed your ship planet side with a bump! The guitar here was so graphic and told the story beautifully, the guitar effects added a further dimension to this sumptuous piece, as the light percussion created an energy of balance being restored, into the weave of the composition.

The next piece was a real voyage of plenty and called Light Speed Shakedown, there is an intent here that is palpable and forward thinking, whilst the rhythm of the piece is priceless in its flow and energy, the guitar and style of composition reminded me of the late but great classic rock guitarist Manny Charlton from Nazareth, and his piece Expect No Mercy.

The next offering entitled Memories of Earth is a horse of a totally different colour, the keyboards at the opening of this piece floated like a descriptive Genesis album track, and Speer’s guitar was some of the most moving I have ever heard from the artist, when one listens to this amazing composition, you will immediately understand the George Harrison song While My Guitar Gently Weeps. For me this was one of the most stunning reveries from the album.

Ursa Major in a Minor Key is our next musical place of reference, this gigantic constellation, the biggest in the northern hemisphere, and known to some as the Great Bear is a truly descriptive creation by Speer, the symbiotic dance between guitar and keyboards to a backdrop of a sensitive percussion here, is utterly brilliant and wonderfully scene setting.

Our penultimate offering is entitled Graceful Mother Ship and is one of the most powerful manifestations from the release. Its proud tones emphasise perhaps the size of the craft in question, whilst Speers insightful guitar is matched with the soft and fluent keyboards and synths, and in doing so, manifest a huge soundtrack of glistening vibrations, a musical vista so vast perhaps, that the listener can roam freely to enjoy its flavours and its David Gilmour like Crazy Diamond of a performance.

The final piece is called Black Hole Dance Party and this curiously entitled composition ends our voyage through space with the artist. The percussion here as you may expect notched up the energy, whilst Speer’s guitar added a level of speed and tempo like never before, a simply breath taking light speed of a piece with which to conclude the album with.

Adventures in Space by Paul Speer is an electrifying new album that deserves to be respected by all who listen to its contents, its structured narratives are enjoyable, but the presentation, fluency and intelligence of arrangement and performance doubly so. A shout out must also be given to the 2 drummers who perform on the album, Gregg Bissonette and Ron Krasinski, their performances added greatly to the music. There can be no doubt that this is Speers finest work thus far, as every inch of this album flows from one piece into the other with sublime ease, and thus I can see no reason why Adventures in Space by Paul Speer shouldn’t traverse the higher echelons of the charts even at warp 9.99! 

Rejuvenescence By Bryan Quinn

 

Rejuvenescence

By

Bryan Quinn

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There is something about a flute release that creates and manifests many a time worn image, a memory so deep that it still lies hidden somewhere in the heart, thus is the power of the flute, here on Rejuvenescence, composer and performer Bryan Quinn on his debut album travels to musical locations, and explores the tonal narrative of many emotions feelings and moods that spawn from the vibrations created within this fascinating journey.

The opening of this riveting new creation is called Relationshipwrecked, a slow mournful repose gets our voyage underway, on a track that cries into the night for a love now lost and gone forever, only a flute can bring such poignancy.

This is a debut album and the artist has gone full out to explore the various highways and byways of his musical prowess, like the blues composition simply called Blue, where the flute mixes up with crying guitars and a slow seductive drum beat.

Here the listener can find something that will entice them, draw them in, perhaps the mystical energies of pieces like Rumination, a track created by thought for thinkers, or perhaps Introspection, where the thinker takes the thoughts and looks inwards, this track was of course released as a single earlier on this year and still to this day I think it is one of Quinn’s most masterful creations.

Deeper into the weave of the album we find a more upbeat reverie entitled Redemption, a freeing of ones shackles can be felt throughout this sparkling performance, one can literally feel the acceptance of happiness kick in in this fun manifestation.

The penultimate offering from the album would be one of my personal favourites and called Reflection, perhaps because I have personally done a heck of a lot of it over the passing years. Moreover it was the sensitive performance by Quinn that made this piece the highlight of the album for me, the perceptive and caring presentation is one of the finest I have heard from a flute performer for years.

Rejuvenescence is our last port of call and completes our long and deeply moving flute voyage of many mixed emotions with the artist; we have bounced off the bottom of our lake of feelings, drifted in the mid waters of life and sprung forth like a salmon from the cascades of rejuvenation. This new and debut album by Bryan Quinn concludes with the title track that many of us who have been wounded by life and love will resonate with, perhaps heal with and may one day may be able to move on with, a spectacular anthem like presentation on flute can be found here by the artist, one that rounds off the entire album with such style, intelligence and character.

Rejuvenescence by Bryan Quinn has to be one of the most inspiring debut releases of 2024; this is a fine place with which to start a musical expedition, and above all Quinn has used music as a cathartic tour of emotional healing, and as music is probably the only medicine that ever works without side effects, and is the ultimate language of pure truth, his creation of this his debut album is a master stoke that needs to be both respected and applauded, and with that in mind I predict a huge hit for Rejuvenescence by Bryan Quinn. 

Sleepy Fairies By Sonya Haramis

 

Sleepy Fairies

By

Sonya Haramis

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

From the very first note of this brand new single from Sonya Haramis called Sleepy Fairies I fell in love with it. There is just something about it that I cannot help but adore; perhaps it is the simplicity of tone and construction, perhaps it’s the lullaby styled energy, regardless this is a new age release that will flutter by in the night time perambulations of many eager listener with ease.

I am minded of a release many years back (2003) by Llewellyn called Journey to the Faeries, this specific piece has a similar mood and construction, the light padded keyboards, the sweeping but delicate synths, this is indeed one of those singles that will become utterly addictive after hearing just one simple listen.

The essence of a truly good new age composition is creating music on a subject matter that truly says what it does on the can, then hooks the listener in, and soothes the furrowed brow of the musical observer in question, Haramis does this so beautifully on this uncomplicated, but intricate offering.

As we pull inexorably towards the end of 2024 creations like Sleepy Fairies by Sonya Haramis will linger long in the mind, and perhaps even flutter by into the musical thoughts of 2025 too, regardless I personally rate this wonderfully attractive and light hearted reverie, and I have a feeling you will too, this one has chart hit written all over it. 

A Love Beyond Time By David Clavijo ft Budapest Scoring Orchestra

 

A Love Beyond Time

By

David Clavijo ft Budapest Scoring Orchestra

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There is a powerful new single running towards our hearts, and coming across the horizon of our lives with such style and grace, that new work is called A Love beyond Time, and it has been released by David Clavijo as his latest single, and this epic soundtrack styled opus contains the massive skill set of the Budapest Scoring Orchestra.

I have often been a fan of this dramatic genre; Clavijo has created something of film track standard here, and at times reminds me of the work of such composers as Michael Hoppe in its opulent grand nature.

The soft opening of this piece is delightful and gives the listener a brief opportunity to gaze around at this incredible musical landscape that the composer is literally created before our eyes.

Clavijo is a fine instrumentalist in his own right, but now the Spanish born creator of sumptuous melodies has created what may be his seminal work thus far, as this his brand new and breath taking single is about to take the charts by storm.

A Love Beyond Time by David Clavijo performed by Budapest Scoring Orchestra is a movie soundtrack waiting to happen, it’s a moving emotive opus that spills over with love and honesty, and should with ease become a fan favourite within a flicker of a tender musical flame.

Break of Dawn By Ricky Kej

 

Break of Dawn

By

Ricky Kej

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

As the year draws to a close, it is with glee that I end this season with the latest album by 3 time Grammy winner Ricky Kej on my music player, and even more abundant joy as I get to review and give my thoughts on this new breath taking release. As expected Kej brings his A game to the table, and rounds 2024 off with a remarkable new collection of great songs called Break Of Dawn.

The opening piece is fantastic in all its glory, and it is without doubt a total pleasure to see a nine plus minute track as the opener, in these days of micro compositions. Blue Dream though is an opus of grandeur and style, one that utilises the sublime skill set of flautist Ron Korb, and brings forth a stunning composition that will fill you with rising passion.

Break of Dawn is a delightfully colourful and textured release of 9 simply divine songs, like the eastern motifs of track 3 called Spiritual Love. One could with ease imagine a temple in the forest with vines trailing in all directions, as a plethora of birds flutter from the sun kissed trees. This was a splendid example of magical instrumentational music, with added contributions from Manoj George on violin and Ravichandra Kulur on flute among others.

The album is a veritable “weaveworld” of musical layers, sublime touches, mood filled qualities of global surfaces, all coalescing into a pastiche of class and brilliance. Tracks like the rhythmic Moment of Bliss will highlight that aforementioned statement, whilst pieces like Awakened Hope featuring the amazing vocals of Siddhartha Belmannu deliver us into a dimension of sight and sound that is so wonderfully palpable.

The penultimate track off the release is entitled Embers of Time; here composer Kej has arranged this composition so perfectly, that we fall into a graceful oasis of tranquillity via its tone and timbre, and the performance of both Varijashree Venugopal on flute, and the vocals of Gopu Krishnan manifest an ancient energy within the music that is so profound and tangible.

Why not indeed conclude the album with an arrangement called Euphoria, the build and progression here is beyond stunning, and the voice of Sheila Samuel shone like a beacon in the night sky, this was without a shadow of a doubt the most perfect way possible to leave an album of this sublime nature.

Break of Dawn by Ricky Kej is simply spectacular, it’s exquisite production doubly so, whilst the magnificent performances from each musician on the release deserves a large and loud round of applause. Here is an album that should appease fans of both the artist, and those of the global fusion genre with ease, award worthy no doubt, and surely a massive chart hit for Break of Dawn by Ricky Kej is on its way.

Native Flute Journeys 5 By Sandi Horton

 

Native Flute Journeys 5

By

Sandi Horton

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The Flute of Sandi Horton has truly been making waves in the world of instrumental music in 2024, but now as we inexorably move slowly towards the end of that time, the artist has gathered some of her favourite winter based seasonal compositions to release, in this most sparkling of winters.

The joy starts from track one with Sandi’s version of the Christmas classic entitled O Come, O Come Emmanuel, I so enjoyed this rendition that I replayed the track a couple of times before I started to collate my thoughts and put them into words, this has to be one of the most haunting and beautiful arrangements of this piece in history. This new release also contains magical versions of famous pieces like Angels We Have Heard on High, O Tannenbaum, Coventry Carol and others.

Native Flute Journeys 5 is a 12 track release with some wonderfully fluent original structures contained within also, and it is these that I will focus on in this review. On the piece Winter Solstice (Padauk bass F Flute) we have a bliss filled moment of stunning flute to enjoy, Hortons almost meditative style on this track weaves us through the icy lands and lanes of deep midwinter with such style and grace.

Then we have the ambience created by the following musical narrative entitled Mary’s Song, where a higher note can be found, the creation was manifested by the utilisation of a (White Cedar, high E flute) and a more charming musical reverie you would be hard pushed to find.

Finally the next manifestation of mood filled flute is in front of us and called The Trees are Magical. One has to say that the arrangement and musical structures brought into life here by Horton are very redolent of the subject matter, simply gaze from your window at the trees moving in the winter wind, and enjoy this breath taking soundtrack.

Other winter and Christmas classics are included on this album as mentioned earlier, one of the long and lasting musical memories we all have is Greensleeves, and Horton’s version has a gentle, but palpable rhythm, whilst offerings like We Three Kings give us all a familiar reminder of this time of year, however her presentation here is extremely crisp and wonderfully fluent, raising our rhythms and hopes for brighter days ahead.

The project is concluded with the lullaby styled opus of Silent Night, a better way with which to finish an album of this elk you will not find, and a most charming re-imagination of this Christmas classic indeed.

Native Flute Journeys 5 by Sandi Horton is a solo flute based album that anyone looking for positive memories of winter and seasonal cheer should have, it contains 12 tracks of beautifully played flute, and all bathed in a most heartfelt and loving energy, it is certainly a collection of seasonal pieces you would be most proud of in your musical collection, so do yourselves a favour, and ask for a copy of Native Flute Journeys 5 by Sandi Horton to be placed in your Christmas stocking this year, your ears will love you forever.

Imagine By Alise Ashby

 

Imagine

By

Alise Ashby

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I remember 1971 very well; my interest in music had reached past pop and into progressive rock, but my love of the Beatles still hovered like a familiar cloud across a November sky, back in 1971(USA) (1975 in the UK) Lennon would go on to release a single and an album that has become iconic, and called Imagine. It is this journey of legendary proportions we gaze at lovingly today, by one of the finest pianists of her day in Alise Ashby.

Ashby has developed a truly tender performance style, and here on this illustrious composition, she breathes a fresh stream of consciousness into the arrangement, her fluent and gentle presentation will charm the most ardent of Lennon fans, and leave a calming smile across the faces of many a music aficionado.

This is a song that exemplifies peace, love and a fairer world, still something as humans we search for in the darkness of our own fears, but here Ashby with this instrumental version, poses a soothing reminder for us to keep trying. Her skill set as a pianist is one that creates cathartic creations, and on this new single Imagine, one that we all know and love so well, she has done just that, this moment of magical instrumental magnificence will be with ease a massive hit for the pianist as the year of 2024 draws to its final conclusion.

Music For Study And Relaxation By Fiona Joy Hawkins

 

Music For Study And Relaxation

By

Fiona Joy Hawkins

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Many years have passed since I first listened to one of my personal favourite Fiona Joy Hawkins albums entitled 600 Years In A Moment, and now some almost 12 years later a release that probably surpasses even that comes to the fore, and called Music For Study And Relaxation. Fiona is without doubt one of the leading female forces in piano in this day and age, and too see her produce an epic album of this quality fills my heart with joy.

Our voyage starts with the beautiful opening piece called Lake of Contemplation ft Rebecca Daniel.  The strings here are so important, they not only add another dimension into the weave of the composition, but they create a texture that supports the soothing piano from the artist.

Twilight Moment although short form in musical structure, is a track that says a lot with its delicate and reflective performance, one can feel the importance of the time, when one holds back the night to strain one more second from the beauty of the moment, whilst on Flight of the Snowbird we have a cinematic track that could easily be used in movie, the layered strings and piano manifest a symbiotic partnership that is so utterly beautiful.

Music for Study and Relaxation is an 11 track collection of some of the best piano with added instrumentation I have heard for simply ages, for example one can enjoy the hovering intent of the piece Turquoise Interlude, or we can relive the magic of the past on the ever wonderful Blue Dream.  We might want to walk the halls of more mysterious and mystical creations like Calling Earth featuring Sidney Chopin, regardless Fiona Joy Hawkins with Music for Study and Relaxation has built a world of piano based music where there is literally something for everyone.

This quite stunning new release is concluded with the composition 600 Years of Rest ft Riverest, and I feel the circle of time through this track has once more been completed. This is a sublime arrangement to end with, like the entire album one could, and I did, literally bathe within its realms and be eternally happy doing so.

Music for Study and Relaxation by Fiona Joy Hawkins in my view her best work thus far, the soft pastiche of tone, the perfect timbre, and the breathtakingly beautiful compositional structures and multi instrumental performances, all go to making this album for me one of the best in this genre I have heard for decades, I can see this being a massive hit on the charts, and is most certainly award worthy.