Silent Voices By Ayla Schafer

 

Silent Voices

By

Ayla Schafer

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The rise in vocal based albums is a progressive occurrence within the genre of new age music and it is a very pleasurable thing to see indeed. This latest album, Silent Voices by Ayla Schafer is a prime example of that musical evolvement within the genre, and it is a fine one indeed.

The journey starts with the most welcoming track of all in Guesthouse, there is something about this composition that is so warming and all encompassing; the feel of the piece is indeed like arriving out of a cold biting winter wind, into a warm and friendly respite of a dwelling.

This album has many beautiful facets to it, and one of my personal favourites would be this next piece that has such a compelling musical narrative to enjoy, it is called Silent Voices, yes, the most sparkling of title tracks, there are also two important key changes of energy in this piece that dance perfectly together, Shafer’s vocal manifests a tale so deeply fascinating and addictive, perhaps a single lays within this rhythmic composition.

Next up we drift into the open arms of the track Agua del Amor, this one pricked my attention, the world vibe and global energy was intriguing, the instrumentation of pipes and guitar also added a distinct Mediterranean feel to the composition as well, bearing in mind that’s where I live. I found quite a crossover from the Spanish vibe to the Greek essence, a beautiful piece indeed.

The beauty of this album is that it crosses so many genres, Folk, New Age, World Music and more, and on Guiding and Protecting we have a fine long form composition that touches each and every one. The song has a lush and colourful feel, but one that is also warm and friendly, this piece is the musical equivalent of having a hug, and someone whispering into your ear that everything is going to be well, a truly uplifting song, one that pays great respect to all our relations.

The harmonies and fluency within this album creates a very attractive backdrop of tone and on Flytendo, this is expressed even further. An acoustic guitar begins our singular journey. Here once more we find a track that is bathed beautifully in a global vibe, one that is so rhythmically attractive to listen to and enjoy deeply.

At the half way juncture of the album we come across a piece called Grandmother (I Am the Earth).  This would turn out to be another personal favourite of mine, the intensity build and progression on this classy offering chilled the hair upon my arms, and that hasn’t happened in this style of a composition since Nigel Shaw and Carolyn Hillyer did so with their song Walking As Before.  I could easily be sitting in the middle of a forest listening to the artist performing this with ease, while all around me is the warming embrace of the ancestors.

As we now take a tentative step into the latter half of the album we come across a track entitled Deep Calls the Deep. The guitar here was exceptional at creating a mood and feeling of sensitivity, Shafer’s delightful vocals transport us to a world within in the inner dimensions of time itself. Musically this is a clever track, whilst embracing an expected folk ethic, there is also an under pinned global vibe to the piece too, one must add too, that the harmonic structure of the vocals on this album, and this offering specifically are utterly transcendent in this ultra-reflective composition.

Rose is our next port of call, this song is so gentle, a veritable musical interpretation of the female divinity in fact. The juxtaposition of the flower of the Rose and the female energy is very compelling, and of course absolutely true, and simply performed with a level of unconditional love and tenderness that one could ever possibly imagine.

Cuatro Direcciones is our next offering and is something that I have a specific knowledge of as I have spent a fair bit of time in Oklahoma; this I believe is Spanish for The Four Directions.  The guitar, flute and rain stick lead us into this next offering with a calmness of purpose, once more this is sung in Spanish and the world vibe brings us a flavour and a taste of the real world energies, and also allows us to move with the music along the Sacred Hoop of life, and learn its lessons with ease.

It is almost like this album is meant for me to dive deep into it, I have no less than three spirit and shamanic drums in my studio right behind me as I write this review, and I have an urge after hearing this to bring them down, create a scared space and beat the drums once again. The tranquillity, but uplifting sense of energy of the vocals and lyrics on Song of the Drum is sublime, and the confidence of her composition is enough to raise anyone’s energies, we must also pay respect to the addition of the native vocals within this very important arrangement.

We have arrived at the penultimate offering of the album, it is entitled Wisdom of the Invisible. Ayla Shafer must be commended for bring no less than 12 totally encapsulating songs to our attention, and here is yet another musical tale of wisdom, change and growth, and in parts reminds me of my old friend Jaimie Black in style and content. Once more Shafer employs an inspiring vocal, raising the mood and energies of her listeners.

The last portal to this musical dimension has been reached, and it is entitled Plumajera. A soothing start sets the scene, a wonderful natural and native feel takes us on our final journey, and it is indeed the simple yet effective way with which to bring to a conclusion our musical sojourn.

Silent Voices by Ayla Schafer is a unique album that contains literally something for everyone, its production and the performances upon it are simply perfect, the mood, the heartfelt and honest narratives are utterly compelling, and each and every piece beautifully weaved together with a total sense of complete and unconditional love for all that is true. This is a splendid album, and one that takes the listener on many musical and spiritual journeys of respect, gratitude and joy.