Moments in Time By Lisa Cullum

 

Moments in Time

By

Lisa Cullum

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Time has started drawing near to the closing of another year; as such I usually see a plethora of albums taking a reflective look at the year gone by, here however Lisa Cullum gifts us an new album where musically she captures seven moments in time, on a release that is simply beautiful and idyllic.

Moments in Time is a moving release packed with some of the most sensitive piano with added instrumentation you are likely to find, like the opening offering entitled Leaving, a memorable piece that drifts in the midst of a yesterday still longingly remembered, the reflective nuances here are some of the most beautiful, whilst on the proceeding musical narrative we have a textured ambience that gifts the listener a sanctuary of piano, on one of the best compositions I personally feel the artist has thus far created on the gem called Interlude.

Beginnings is a softer tale woven into a bed of sound that is deliciously ambient, where the cello adds a flavour to the overall tapestry of the track, whilst on Distance there is a postulation of tone and timbre which is rather creative, one that ushers forth an intriguing and well woven arrangement into an almost cinematic conclusion.

Deeper into the weave of this collection we find Hope, a truly reflective moment in time can be had here, a track where the listener can dive in to literally feel the waves of unbridled emotion behind the structure of the composition.

The penultimate piece is called Change, this smart once again cinematic styled opus hovers with intent, the sound of a cello manifests a mournful repose, whilst the uplifting performance by Cullum on piano offers up a powerful juxtaposition of mood and style, one that shows us the way from the darkness and back into the light.

The conclusion to this colourful album comes with the track entitled Endings. Here the listener will indeed find a piece that is so redolent of the subject matter, that it opens the gateway to peace for the listener on the final coda of the composition, in a track that is a perfect concluding narrative as you would ever wish to find.

Moments in Time by Lisa Cullum does exactly what it says on the can and gifts the listener seven moments of her arrangements since 2020, much emotion and feeling is tied to this collection of piano based reveries, it is an album that is tender reflective and heart felt, and one that should resonate with the vast legions of fans of any piano genre across the globe.

Bone Envy By Aleksandra Takala

Bone Envy

By

Aleksandra Takala

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

It had been quite some time since I had heard from the artist Aleksandra Takala; the last time our musical paths had crossed was back in 2021 with another classy instrumental album called In My Own Time. This new release takes us towards the end of another year of our time on this Earth, but Takala has gifted us an early present with a truly eclectic album that is simply heart-warming and beautiful.

The opening foray is a track called Windswept, a  classic new age styled instrumental keyboard narrative can be found here in the early emergence of the track, but it builds to much more, a vibrant beat and an addictive repose from minor to major and back, makes this track so palpable from the California based neo-classical, new age musician.

A delicious Scottish vibration flows through this next offering called The Highlands. The early strum gifts us that notion, and this track and her performance style started to remind me of another now retired new age artist in Al Conti. Here Takala utilises her usual piano based start and builds perfectly, building melodies that function as conversations and expressions of feeling, with orchestral textures built into the weave, manufacturing in this case a perfect Celtic dance like refrain, on one of the most energetic tracks from the album.

Awaiting the Outcome is our third track on this 7 piece release and has elements of Oldfield’s Tubular Bells and a dramatic crescendo all built into the first few moments of the song. The build and almost suspenseful composition matures with a growing intensity, in an almost progressive rock style melee, this has to be one of the most fascinating pieces from the artist ever, a cross combination of Genesis meets New Age, in one of the most powerful and emotive offerings from the album.

We move into the latter half of the album now with the shortest piece from the release called Missing You. This keyboard driven narrative pursues another emotional roller coaster of a ride and achieves it brilliantly, with some of the most haunting piano in the middle part of the arrangement.

The brilliantly titled El Rio Del Tiempo (The River of Time) is up next, and with its Latin flavours, offers up much to the listener to enjoy and roam around in its corridors of time and tide with, this is a spectacular instrumental manifestation, again one of superior flavours and textures. Here is a narrative that is redolent of the subject matter, with haunting vocalisations and a steady build and purpose in its ranks; here one will find a cinematic offering of a growing eminence and style.

A percussive timbre starts our journey on this long form opus, one that is our penultimate offering from the album and called Dance of Joy. A track that builds like Emerson Lake and Palmers version of Abandons Bolero, but has that lush classical element that manifests something truly special, this suite of cleverness weaves a tale of passion and power, with heavy over tones of classically inspired reveries, which should come as no surprise as the artist holds a college degree in classical music theory, performance, and composition.

We now arrive at the last offering from the album and this one has some amazing elements within its entirely original constraints. Never have I heard a song that mixes a prog Jazz styled Soft Machine influence, with disco pop of the late 70’s, the last few moment of funk were a real treat, and show the utter range of artistry from Takala. I have to admit this is one of the most enjoyable endings to an album I’ve ever heard, and called Latina Fantasia.

Bone Envy by Aleksandra Takala is the very epitome of a musical release that literally has something for everyone, so many genres and borderlands of music are crossed here its unbelievable, but they all work. I must say this is one of the finest instrumental music albums I’ve heard this year, and I have a feeling that a number one spot awaits Bone Envy by Aleksandra Takala, it’s that good. 

Aeralyth By Sylion

 

Aeralyth

By

Sylion

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There are many inspiring electronic musicians out there today; I’ve been so inspired by the revelation of electronic music over the last few years that even I have joined its ranks, however listening to this new single by Sylion entitled Aeralyth, makes me realise just how far there is still to go, as this work of art is some of the best I have heard since Jarre gave us Oxygene.

This remarkable new offering from the artist is extremely powerful, fluent and deliciously smooth, its electronic vibe reminds me of both Geigertek and Glenn Main, its pulsating rhythm and percussive elements provide a true driving track of great quality.

On a personal level this is a sublime performance by the artist, one of remarkable quality, speed and intent, and as such I see no reason why Aeralyth by Sylion should not be a massive hit on the charts, and perhaps even an award worthy single as well.

For The World by Steve Markoff & Patricia Lazzara

 

For the World

By

Steve Markoff & Patricia Lazzara

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

For the World by Steve Markoff & Patricia Lazzara is a huge body of work of some 19 tracks of flute and piano by a trio of quality musicians who have brought the world a glorious triumphant collection of great works for us all to enjoy and bathe in. This musical voyage of our planet is a tip of the hat to all that is good, artistic and pleasant about our home, expressing creativity and artistry in abundance, it is an inspirational sanctuary.

This melodic journey starts with Ashokan Farewell which is a modern American folk composition that sounds like a 19th-century lament and written by Jay Ungar in 1982, despite the description of the piece being somewhat a song of loss and longing, I found the refrain and its Celtic influences fluent, and played with delightful warmth and reflection.

The trio involved in this oasis of work are Steve Markoff on alto flute, he is known for his creativity and warm interpretive arrangements, Patricia Lazzara, flute, a multi-award winning soloist, chamber and orchestral musician, and the journeyman Dave Malyszko, soloist, accompanist, and ensemble member on piano, a man who has performed with some of the biggest stars in the business.

Textures of tone and timbre come in abundance with tracks like the beautiful Bakit Pa a heartfelt Filipino ballad, one that with rising flute raises the energies of the listener, and at times strangely reminded me of the Roberta Flack song Killing Me Softly, clearly I have been in the music business for too long! Then Bang Chhun Hong which seemed familiar to me, then I remembered my old friend Tim Wheater and all made sense, with its classical flute timbre.

Native American Suite was an incredibly poignant composition, inspired by the original culture, its crisp piano performance was incredibly well performed in a symbiotic presentation with both flautists, in what to me was a landmark arrangement from the album.

The depth of tone and flute in Belarussia is a piece that pays grand homage to its cultural roots, in an almost regal processional styled offering. Tracks like Canadian Railroad Trilogy, a celebrated folk song originally written and performed by Gordon Lightfoot, released, let’s just say too many decades ago, here the trio bring an extra quality of lightness to the overall narrative of the composition.

Dreaming in blue and yellow is a track I know very well, having written a review for it a couple of years ago by British-American composer Michael Hoppé, a man who has created wondrous compositions with the aforementioned flautist Tim Wheater, here on this track Steve Markoff & Patricia Lazzara manifest something equally as touching as Michaels original lament for the plight of the Ukrainian people.

As soon as I say El Condor Pasa most people will no doubt spark Simon & Garfunkel who made this inspirational creation popular in 1970, however this is a superb rendition, one that leads us hand in hand to one of my favourite pieces, the quite ambient in its inception, The old years, however this track soon morphs into something more rag styled in an almost Ian Anderson way, in one of the most exciting creations from the release without doubt.

I always listen to any album in its entirety at least once before I even attempt to write, when listening to this collection of beautiful tunes, I came across a piece I remembered from my school days called Scarborough Fair, and was also once again popularized by Simon & Garfunkel in the 1960s, however this beautiful piece can be dated back as far as perhaps even the 17^th century, in my view this has to be one of the best modern instrumental versions I have heard, all artists in total balance and harmony with this quite breath taking rendition.

We have the short form narrative of My Father Is an Appenzell to entertain us with its bright and jolly refrain, whilst Japanese Suite gives us a flavour of the Far East with its sultry and meditative tonal delights. This is followed by another large offering of music which we can refer to now as Suite of Israeli Songs, Yoav Talmi’s original suite is moving and powerful, and this cultural tip of the hat originally composed in ‘67 is given the five star treatment from the artists, and one so good I found it quite emotive to listen to at times.

The dramatic tones of Calikusu were brought to life some 550 miles north of my home in Paphos, Cyprus, in the location of Sivas in Turkey, way back in ‘86 by composer Esin Engin, it isn’t surprising to me that this is a piece that has a very deep emotional core, and a powerful and compelling melody, whilst offerings like The Homes of Donegal, where the locational aspect is obvious, the performance on flute is quite remarkable and uplifting, and also deeply soulful.

Danse Espagnola was the very epitome of the saying a horse of a different colour, and one inspired by traditional Spanish music and dance forms. However the very next piece will take the listener back to the 70’s in the best way possible with an iconic version of the legendary band Abba’s I Have A Dream, a huge hit single, and taken from there equally iconic Voulez-Vous album, here the trio of Steve Markoff, Patricia Lazzara and Dave Malyszko, gift us a memory box of fluent beauty.

The penultimate offering from the album is entitled The One That You Love, one may remember back in the early years of hair rock, a band called Air Supply, so this is that reference you seek and you can scratch your head no longer, as we take you back to ‘81 with a fine instrumental version, one that contains a sublime piano performance by Malyszko in this classic ballad.

Sadly we have come to the end of our journey and we do so by closing out with the mournful Shenandoah, this is a smart last composition, leaving the listeners with something truly anthem styled, I seem to recall a deep and emotional version of this song  by Paul Robeson back in the day.

For the World by Steve Markoff & Patricia Lazzara is every instrumental fans musical panacea; there can be no doubt that there is something truly engaging and palpable about this album. The performances within it are sublime moments of perfection, and as such I fully expect this to make the top of the charts with consummate ease.

Moonlight Reveries By Jon Richards

 

Moonlight Reveries

By

Jon Richards

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Jon Richards is without doubt one of the most artistic new age music creators around today, his lush contributions have taken me from Pangea released in 2008 till now, some 17 years later, and this beautiful new offering entitled Moonlight Reveries, a real crossover new age and classical album that one can’t help but fall head over heels in love with.

This amazing journey starts with a piano driven narrative called The Light Beneath the Brambles. Immediately I am taken back to the days of artists like David Sun and Phil Chapman, the slow progression in an almost processional style is perfect, the added vocalisation doubly so, and leads us into the sumptuous refrains of a harp layered arrangement entitled Woodlands Edge, the beautiful crossover between Richards love of both Classical and New Age music can really be felt in a growing trend from this point onwards.

Enchanted Nature is our next composition, a more ambient track lies within the tones of this masterful creation, and in some ways I tried to capture this ambience on one of my singles called Winter Sunrise, but Jon’s soothing textures take this voyage to the next level and beyond on one of my favourite offerings.

The picturesque tale of A Moonlit Path is delivered sublimely by the artist, a magical tapestry flows through this piece, and once again that clean vocalisation is heard drifting through the woodland with the arrangement. Pieces like the flowing Hidden World, offer up much beauty, and for some reason reminded me in parts of Ravels Pavane for a Dead Princess at times.

The album is 13 tracks of some of the most comforting music around, offerings like the consoling Summoned By Starlight, with its almost lullaby styled piano leads the way to the centre of the release, where we will find Richards on his familiar new age territory, with offerings like the classic tonal delight of The Velvet Hours.

The shortest piece off the album is up next and its piano and vocalisation symbiosis manifests something lush and textured, adding a cello sound deepened the experience on Nocturne for the Wild, this allowed us free passage to a track that captured my senses entirely called, Where The Night Folk Wander, a true Midsummers Night of a composition can be found here, on this very jolly reverie.

Of Moon and Meadow takes us deeper into this forest of atmospheric bliss, with this uplifting classically styled offering, this delightfully light-hearted reverie, raised the energies of tone and timbre, with the delivery of a piece that would have been perfect for a Terry Pratchet movie.

The listener can get totally lost within the realm of this album, tracks like renascence styled Night Whispers, takes us deeper into the weave of a middle age narrative, whilst the more lyrical and Celtic tinged composition, The Crossing At Fernbrook, could be found, this manifestation can be summed up with one word, charming. This would turn out to be another favourite of mine, perhaps Richards is now making a pivot to a more lord of rings moment in the Shires with this last but one offering.

So we have found our way to the end of the release, but one last gift from the master of artistic new age music is to come, and that is entitled Lanterns Left In The Hollow. A very gentle tonal delight can be found here, in a composition that reminds me of the band 2002 at times, and is simply a lush and colourful gaze over the shoulder moment, of reflective magic from Richards.

I must admit, I totally enjoyed this journey with the artist. Moonlight Reveries by Jon Richards, and his beautiful compositional structures have got him another winner of an album here, perhaps even one of his best ever, Jon Richards is the consummate new age musician, and I believe that this album, is a highlight of not only the artist artistic abilities, but his skill set overall as a musician, this one gets absolutely full marks from me.

You Know I Will Remember You (Room 112) by Wayne Bethanis

 

You Know I Will Remember You (Room 112)

By

Wayne Bethanis

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I have known Wayne Bethanis for many years now; musically his piano exploits are passion filled arrangements of either solo piano, but usually with added instrumentation, his efforts to explore varying colourful narratives are deeply impressive, but none more so that this latest single called You Know I Will Remember You (Room 112) and relating a story about his time volunteering in an aids ward in a hospital in the US, in a poignant and emotive musical journey, which is deeply powerful.

Wayne Bethanis’s work on this new single also can be found in the early stages of his masterwork album called Sonic Bloom, but here the artist utterly nails his best ever composition, one that with ease manifests the most expressive, moving and emotionally charged pieces I have ever heard from the performer.

His flourishing heart felt narrative moved me greatly, his fluent style, his graceful tenderness on piano, all brought together by some of the most delightful crescendos ever. You Know I Will Remember You (Room 112) by Wayne Bethanis, has just one destiny, to become the biggest hit single the artist has ever had, it is that good.

Remote Isolation (The Silence) by Keith Richie

 

Remote Isolation (The Silence)

By

Keith Richie

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There is certainly something to be said for the work of electronic music artist Keith Richie, his musical genius has enthralled me over the years, and his darker side of ambience has even encouraged me and inspired me to create my own music. Here on this latest single he continues to do so, as he brings you his latest single entitled Remote Isolation (The Silence).

In true John Carpenter style he brings us a new composition that gifts the listener a moment that floats between the movies Assault on Prescient 13 and Escape from New York. Richie’s skill at creating fluent cinematic music is simply outstanding, his music dives head long into a realm so powerful and all encapsulating, its utterly magical.

This is truly inspirational stuff, I could listen to music like this for hours and never get bored, synths, keyboards and floating audio, spoken narrative and over tonal delights, all go to making up one of the most compelling new singles around today, if this one doesn’t get into the top then, then there is simply no justice in the music world, as a huge hit must be on the cards for Remote Isolation (The Silence) by Keith Richie.

Christmas Magic is here to stay By Juan El Grande

 

Christmas Magic is here to stay

By

Juan El Grande

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

It’s unusual to hear such a lively upbeat single for this time of year, with all the doom and gloom in the media something is needed, and perhaps that panacea is Christmas Magic is here to stay by Juan El Grande, here this new release brings vibrancy back to the Christmas genre that I believe it has truly missed over the decades, many have got all too serious about this time for year, but here on this new single by Juan El Grande, he brings back a little seventies fun with this upbeat pop narrative.

Christmas Magic is here to stay by Juan El Grande, has energies of happiness and cheer, fun and laughter, which indeed is what it should be all about, the compositional structure of the track is pretty clever, moving an upbeat-tempo, into a flowing Xmas melody, with all the right hook lines and sing along sections, there can be no doubt in my mind, that Christmas Magic is here to stay by Juan El Grande is the track the genre has missed since Slades iconic Merry Xmas Everybody. 

Whispers of Selene By Richard Theisen

 

Whispers of Selene

By

Richard Theisen

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

It is always fantastic to write reviews for albums that contain a subject matter than you have a major interest and qualifications for, and being a Greek Mythologist I eagerly awaited the first few bars of this latest, manifested by composer Richard Theisen to caress my senses, from his latest wonderful album entitled Whispers of Selene, and I was at the conclusion of the release most pleased I had done so.

From our home in Cyprus we have many such legends to dream of, in my view Selene is often much undervalued, but today Richard puts that perfectly in place with one of the finest New Age albums of the year. The beginning of the album develops nicely through the work entitled First Breath, a piece that draws a gentle calming narrative with which the rest of the album builds beautifully from.

Avalon is our next destination; its exact location is unknown and debated, with some traditions linking it to Glastonbury in England, an area that I have been to many times, here Theisen manifests a keyboard based offering that contains both mystery and imagination, and trust me is very redolent of the location.

What Theisen does so well is to bridge mainstream success with deeply personal, spiritual artistry, and each track here takes me back to the golden years of new age music and artists like Medwyn Goodall, and Phil Thornton, however on slices of ambient genius like Whispers of Silence he balances shadow and light to perfection, and on one of my favourites Light of the Ancients, he brings a true Stonehenge vibration into the weave on a slightly more electronic energy in this weave world of musical mastery.

Selene is the ancient Greek goddess who personifies the Moon, often depicted riding a silver chariot across the night sky. She embodies lunar beauty, cycles, and mystery, and was worshipped during the new and full moons, whilst some could say she is the very shadow of Apollo, whose role was to bring the sun back, and allow the day to unfurl. We can listen now to Blood Moon Remix, for a true flavoursome offering, this greatly reminds me of US artist Timothy Wenzel with his ever onward approach and melody.

Whilst Selene and Apollo had no other connection, especially not of a romantic nature, one could possibly shed a Silver Tear for her famous love Endymion a beautiful mortal shepherd (sometimes described as a hunter or king) who lived in Elis or Caria, here Theisen manifests a beautifully reflective and heart felt offering filled full of expressive emotions and passion, redolent completely of that love which was once shared between them.

The Inner Flame is a piece bathed in the deeper waters of the release one that unfurls with a persuasive tempo and delicious bass line leading us nicely into the arms of the penultimate offering entitled Eternal Dawn, which would turn out to be one of the most attractive manifestations from the album, classically building on a steady narrative, and built upon a mystical keyboard performance, one that leads tenderly into a multi-instrumental moment of pure magic from the artist.

Sangreal concludes the album, a dramatic last arrangement that balances intrigue and mystery. Knights of the Round Table, especially Sir Galahad, sought the Sangreal as the highest spiritual achievement. Here Richard Theisen finishes in style with a wonderfully flowing and fluent musical piece of sublime art.

Whispers of Selene by Richard Theisen is pure artistry at its very best, and one of the finest examples of new age instrumental music around, this is a very rich tapestry of tone and timbre that one cannot help but fall head over heels in love with, and with my mythologists hat on, a delightful repose into the legends and myths of the times long gone, but never forgotten. I personally rate this album very highly and as such I’m expecting to see a huge chart placement for the album, Whispers of Selene by Richard Theisen.

In The Bleak Midwinter By James Michael Stevens

 

In The Bleak Midwinter

 By

James Michael Stevens

Written by

Andy Rogers

James Michael Stevens is a pianist, composer and arranger from Nashville, Tennessee.  A prolific performer and composer, he has a large and very successful back-catalogue of albums and is currently accruing over 75,000 listens per month on Spotify.

This new release sees James turn his attention to Christmas and consists of his own take on 12 seasonal favourites for solo piano: most are very familiar to us all but there are one two surprises in there too.

The album starts with the title track “In the Bleak Midwinter”. James has opted for the Gustav Holst tune rather than the one by Harold Darke. The familiar tune is played in a soothing calm way along with some lovely variations, and it is clear already that this album is no straightforward run through of those old much loved tunes, instead we have a collection of personal interpretations of the music.

“Ukrainian Bell Carol” (aka “Carol of the bells”) is a beautiful version of the well-known tune, taken at a slower pace than usual and I must say is all the better for it. Just lovely.

“Away in a Manger” is a carol known to us all from our school-days and James evokes that sense of childlike wonder with a softly played version that stays true to the original.

Next up is the longest track on the album. Beginning and ending with “O Holy Night” it segues cleverly into a version of “Holy Holy Holy” before returning to “O Holy Night” to end the track. A very unusual idea but it works beautifully.

It wouldn’t be a Christmas album without “Silent Night” and James does not disappoint with his version. The familiar tune is lovingly played with variations and embellishments plus a few unusual harmonies that work perfectly.

Track 6,”Sing We Now of Christmas” starts with the tune we all know before James takes it to new places with musical bridges and a wonderful arrangement of the melody.

The next track was new to me; "Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne" is a hymn written in 1864, reflecting on the humility of Jesus' birth.  A gorgeous tune given a suitably melodic simple rendition.

“Still Still Still” is the popular Austrian Christmas carol & lullaby and as such is played in a gentle and calming manner with little or no extemporising. This may just be my favourite track on the album.

Up next is “While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks”. This carol is sung to a great many tunes and I thought I had heard most of them but this was a new tune to me… it has elements of “Joy to the World” and yet is definitely not that tune. Nonetheless, it is rather lovely and of course it’s exquisitely played here.

Track 10 “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is a carol dating back to the 17^th Century. James gives the old tune a simple harmonious treatment that suits the atmosphere of the music perfectly.

The penultimate tune here is “The First Noel” played with a beautiful arrangement by James that takes the familiar old carol to a new place without losing the feel of the much-loved piece.  

Finally we come to “Auld Lang Syne”, the classic Robert Burns tune sung to say farewell to the old year and welcome in the new. Softly and reflectively played it is the perfect end to the album.

This is an album for those people looking to celebrate Christmas & the Holidays without the razzmatazz and over commercialisation that has swamped the season. This beautiful calm piano album is perfect to play at home with the lights on the tree, a candle or two and perhaps a glass of something festive to savour as we reflect on what this magical time of year is supposed to be about.

Deciding a Simple Life By Curtis Macdonald

 

Deciding a Simple Life

By

Curtis Macdonald

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

It seems like decades have rolled past since I heard my first Curtis Macdonald song, then I shocked myself by actually looking, 2002 and an album called Shadow Crossing. Here some 23 years later, as we draw to the end of another year, the master of instrumental pop is back with another new and classy composition called Deciding a Simple Life.

Curtis and his keyboards are a thing of great beauty, at times manifesting a sun kissed moment, then a reflective segment of great poignancy, but always that subtle and beautiful fluency is there, like a second hand on a watch, never ceasing, always reassuring. 

The slow build and intermediary narrative reminds me of US keyboardist Holland Phillips, whilst we march onto the chorus and melody which could easily be a pop song, with lyrics. Macdonald is a genius at creating the sweet sound melodies, and on this new single he has created a thoughtful arrangement that will be loved by fans and musical aficionados alike, a guaranteed hit is on the cards for Deciding a Simple Life by Curtis Macdonald.

You can find the music here: https://ampl.ink/nAn41

Elysian Dreams By Anaya Music

 

Elysian Dreams

By

Anaya Music

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

In the 21^st century the world of AI continues its march into the future, here in the world of music, it has made its beachhead, one that will doubtless never be lost, and a new world of sound is upon us whether we like it or not, this brand new single called Elysian Dreams is a combination of humanity and artificial intelligence in a symbiotic dance of a future as of yet untold.

There is no doubt that the construction of this new manifestation is sublime, Anaya does feature on both vocals and orchestration, in a powerful new age pop song that could easily be a chart hit on the commercial charts as well, it has a classic hook line, a melody, and builds and progresses to perfection with its inevitable chorus.

The word “elysian” is a beautiful one. It comes from Elysium, the part of the ancient Greek afterlife reserved for heroes and the virtuous. I have always admired the Greek Pantheon; it’s far more honest in its protestations. Ancient writers described it as lush meadows filled with music, and one can feel the liberation from pain and suffering with this song, as the elevation of tone and timbre will raise the mood and lift the heart.

So a classic new age pop song has been birthed into this world of new age music, with new age technology, combined with the magical human touch for Elysian Dreams by Anaya Music.  

Zagara By Renato Siracusano

 

Zagara

By

Renato Siracusano

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Sometimes you hear something that literally transports to you a location or a time, when I took my first listen to Zagara by Renato Siracusano, I fell in a timeless love for the contents of this short form manifestation from the artist, the guitar was some of the smoothest I have heard for quite some time, whilst the flute or whistle sound was a true scene setter, bringing a little Celtic influence into the weave of the piece.

The combination of strings and, that lush symphonic effect, took me way back to the early part of the century and artists like Medwyn Goodall that used this style so effectively on releases like his Clan Trilogy back in the heady days of 1998. Regardless this manifestation from Renato Siracusano was something to be thoroughly enjoyed.

One could easily see this track being used in television or films; it has that colourful light energy about it that would fit into a multitude of dramas. Here is a piece that could be developed well beyond the 2.28 duration of the arrangement, but regardless, this music is a prime example of what truly good instrumental music should sound and feel like, and called Zagara by Renato Siracusano.

Amar By Kristin Amarie, David Lanz & Jay Dref

 

Amar

By

Kristin Amarie, David Lanz & Jay Dref

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Mixing talents is an interesting thing to do, but when you are at the very apex of a genre, it becomes a thing made in heaven, creating and manifesting all manner of beauty and pleasure for the mortal listeners who eagerly await their musical fodder, that latest dish of quality fine dining is entitled Amar by a trio of luminaries in Kristin Amarie, David Lanz & Jay Dref.

Kristin Amarie is a leading figure in modern classical crossover, celebrated for her angelic voice, award-winning albums, and collaborations with David Lanz, who is a celebrated pianist and his stunning Cristofori’s Dream remains a cornerstone of New Age music. With a career spanning over five decades they are both joined by the third in this musical holy trinity in Jay Dref, who is setting the scene alight by carving out a niche as one of the rising stars in classical crossover, bridging opera and pop with a modern, heartfelt approach.

Here the combination of those three musical titans brings to the listener something of great beauty, something that transcends the banality of today’s dreary pop genre, lush tenor vocals from Dref, who was invited to tour with Sarah Brightman on her Christmas Symphony Tour in 2021, rounding all this off was the immaculate work from Kurt Bestor the Emmy Award winning composer and arranger.

There is no doubt that Amar is top of the tree quality by Kristin Amarie, David Lanz & Jay Dref, and as such will be remembered as a timeless work of outstanding natural beauty, by a team of artists who are the equivalent of Marvels Avengers in the Neo Classical and crossover genre.

Shakuhachi Dreams By Russ Jones

 

Shakuhachi Dreams

By

Russ Jones

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There is something incredibly special about a Shakuhachi flute, ever since I heard the great flute master Deuter use it on his Buddha Nature album I would continuously seek its sound and meditative solace throughout the years, so to be blessed with this wonderful album to review is something utterly pleasurable indeed, as I gaze eternally on the latest musical masterpiece from Russ Jones called Shakuhachi Dreams.

The first footfall of this zen pathway through the forest of tone and timbre starts with the lush and atmospheric opening called Rebel. Here indeed is a composition that offered up much, gifting blissful moments of serenity and calm, and indeed reminding me of that aforementioned Deuter album.

My Heart is our following musical narrative, here is a slightly more elevated track, and one that lifts the listener on its resonance and embraces a more fluent manifestation, once more its ambience flows like a spring river in mid-April, capturing the elements of a tranquil moment brilliantly.

The album itself is 7 tracks of some of the most soothing music you are ever likely to hear, like this next offering entitled Running. The flute here seemed almost dream-like in its presentation. The shakuhachi is not just a musical instrument but a spiritual practice tool. Its sound is associated with mindfulness, meditation, and inner calm, and on this very piece one can hear that in abundance.

We are well within the weave of the album now as we come across another haunting reverie called See Me.  Russ Jones is a sublime flute performer, and on this piece he seems to build upon a gentle start and ends up manifesting something quite vast at the conclusion of the creation. Traditional solo pieces, called honkyoku, were played by monks as a form of meditation rather than performance; this could easily fit into that category.

We now find ourselves at the longest piece from the release called Telling. The meditative qualities of this track are amazing, I listened to this album in its entirety twice before writing, and on both times this very track pulled me into the darkness of an ancient forest, of which an old temple resided covered in vines, this for me was the most powerful piece off the album, one that I’ll never tire of.

So from the longest track, to a short form narrative now called Edo, the word Edo literally means “estuary” or “bay entrance”, reflecting its geographic location at the mouth of rivers flowing into Tokyo Bay, if one has ever had the privilege to view this bay, I am sure that its arrangement would be most redolent of the subject matter.

The final piece from the album is one of the deepest and called Soothing Neptune. An extremely clever way with which to leave the album, if you were unaware of the reasoning behind the name, it’s the title used for various ambient and meditative music projects, often inspired by the calming imagery of the planet Neptune. I must admit I adore them and especially this offering, what a crafted way with which to leave an album of such high quality.

Shakuhachi Dreams by Russ Jones is an album that everyone should have in their collections, it’s not just a superior flute release, it is an offering of great calm and serenity, and a must have for any meditational regimes too. I could listen to this album for hours and I’d never get bored with it, Shakuhachi Dreams by Russ Jones is a timeless work of art, manifested into this world by a musical artist who has a clever mind, and an open heart and therefore should easily be a top 5 album in the charts with consummate ease.