Within By Michelle Qureshi

 

Within

By

Michelle Qureshi

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I’ve often regarded Michelle Qureshi as one of the finest creators of ambient moods on guitar around these days, and with the release of this brand new album entitled Within, this truth is only emphasised further.

This 24 track offering has a certain warmth and charm about its musical persona, from the very beginning to the end. The light and positive refrains from Above Us start our musical sojourn, and that beautifully lush narrative is continued with tracks like Sweet Child, and the literally sparkling Aurora Glass.

Michelle Qureshi is one of those artists you could leave on repeat for hours and not even notice how much time had actually passed, her performances are filled with such a soothing ambience, that the journey itself becomes almost cathartic. Take tracks like With Langour, a sense perhaps of the classical can be found here and then onto the peace filled tones of Half this Sky.

There is literally nothing to dislike about this album, and as such everyone should have a copy of Within as a go to album in times of stress or much needed relaxation, offerings like At Twilight and Waiting for a Friend are but two very fine examples of Qureshi’s classy ability to create and manifest a tranquil and calming mood with her guitar.

In my view the last track sums up the whole project, With Tenderness is the most peaceful composition I have heard for years and a perfect way to end a release of solo guitar that is timeless in its content and loving in its output.

Within by Michelle Qureshi will be a main feature on any playlists I create, its smooth and delightfully intelligent performances will win any musical heart over.

Here we have an album that is created by an artist who truly cares, and each and every creation is a musical child waiting and wanting to please. There can be no doubt that this album is one of the best in the ambient genre I have heard this year with ease.