Stardust By Alise Ashby

 

Stardust

By

Alise Ashby

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

For me Neil deGrasse Tyson said it all when he stated “There are as many atoms in a single molecule of your DNA as there are stars in the typical galaxy. We are each of us, a little universe, we are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle.” How beautifully put is that, and in this new release by Alise Ashby, her music and piano performances shine like the yellow dwarf that sustains our lives on her new release Stardust.

This seven track piano based release is like a breath of fresh air in the vast realms of the global piano collective, this is a collection of beautiful tunes and soothing melodies that I thoroughly enjoyed and drifted within for many hours, the opening piece in particular brought me great tranquillity, this gem is entitled Morning Light and is a blissful start to an album of this splendour.

The following offering is another sanctuary of serenity and called Reflections in A minor, this is exactly the style of piano that thrills me, that Lanz styled dip into the minor realm of piano matters can be found here, and in my view is one of the most exquisite pieces from the release, one that I believe could be featured in a movie with ease.

Many moments of pure clarity are here as well, like the utter honesty and heart on the sleeve moment of tracks like Open to Love, a more sumptuous melody you will not find, and the pristine natural sensitivity of the piece Twilight, a rhythmic offering that is as gentle as a newly born flower in early March.

The title track Stardust is a wonder so vast and all-encompassing that it has an almost regal energy to its proud structures, which could have easily been formed from the classical; those nuances were a delight to completely enjoy with a passion, whilst the penultimate offering entitled Mariposa offered us a tranquil safe harbour, perhaps in a lush green forest of natural beauty.

The concluding composition Solace was the perfect way with which to end the project, it’s a calming reverie, a simple yet soothing delight to a soft back drop of sound, this is a stylish way to finish and one that will allow the listener the perfect moment to close their eyes and simply drift away to on its conclusion.

Stardust by Alise Ashby has to be, for me, one of the most enjoyable piano based albums I have listened to for simply ages, every single composition has been created with tenderness, and a sensitivity that is quite moving and restful, this is one of those creations that it would be easy to leave on repeat and never notice, it is that good, and as such I have no concerns predicting that Stardust by Alise Ashby is going to be a huge hit on the charts. 

In The Company of Machines By Jesse James Allen

 

In The Company of Machines

By

Jesse James Allen

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I had been looking forward to reviewing this album from the time I heard of its arrival, thankfully that day is here, and now I can plunge my senses into the deep on another Jesse James Allen album called In The Company of Machines, this album would enthral me, take me back to the past, and revitalise my energies, all thanks to the marvellous music that is contained within this most artistic release.

My first insight into the world of electronic music came mainly at the hands of two artists in the 1970s, Vangelis and Tomita, and as time rolled on Jean-Michel Jarre would soon join that illustrious party, it was an era of great excitement and artistry, here on this very album Jesse seems to touch the hem of those artists and many others in this brilliant new creation.

The opening foray is the wonderful title track, and of course called In The Company of Machines. The pace and syncopation here is sublime and takes me back to the 1990’s when a synthesiser heaven could be found in the land of one of the best EM artists around in David Wright, this flowing manifestation of electronic charm pulsates and drives us on further.

This album though is more than just an electronic purist haven; it is one of the most complex and fascinating releases of instrumental music I have heard for years, with the almost progressive essences of tracks like Chaberier, that gratefully reminded me of the days of Wakeman and Yes, whilst Gears of Time took me on a whole new voyage of plenty, with its tribal drumming, ethereal vocals and sweeping synths, drifting me into the harbour of early new age music like Medwyn Goodall’s, then pulling away fast into once again a more progressive rock styled manifestation.

From the last power piece we move towards the early party of the century and a track entitled The Celestial, a piece with a sensual percussive nuance mixed with a lush eastern vibration, similar to the one that artists like Karsh Kale and Harvey Summers were producing back in the great days of the Buddha Bar collection, and within what used to be called the chill out genre, the keyboards and symbiotic percussion here are simply delightful.

Now we arrive at the midway section of the album and a track that I would think has the most artistic title on the release called Through the Valley of Ice and Fire. Allen’s keyboards are at their most expressive within this offering and paint a textured colour of tone, the added percussion and vocalisations made me think that a track like this would suit a show like, The Witcher or Game of Thrones perfectly.

The mysterious and magical sounds of Orion are up next, the slow and steady progression can be felt here and the energies of expectancy grew carefully, Allen’s keyboards then took control of the helm and another sublime moment of electronic mastery evolved into its own power, this all-encompassing experience laid us in the grateful arms of the next piece called Dawnbreaker, a track with a sumptuous 1970’s feel, and one which added a crisp level of modulation to gift us a Jarre filled memory of rhythmic bliss.

As we float gently down the stream of sonic awareness we come across a total gem of a composition, one that features Flamenco guitarist Don Soledad, this unusual yet very effective combination breeds a very interesting juxtaposition of brilliance, as both the keyboards of Allen and the guitar of Soledad gift us a perfect symbiotic performance to be enjoyed, on the arrangement Nightfall in Formentera.

The penultimate offering from the album is the reflective Inside Into Within, its tones create a sense of new age styled opus that took me back into the 1990’s with artists like David Arkenstone and Phil Thornton, the emotive synths manufactured a lush landscape, while the keyboards of Allen at times gave us a hint of a Celtic energy written all very artistically into the weave of this superb composition.

Sadly we have arrived at the concluding piece of the release and this parting gift is called Fata Morgana, this idyllic new age styled piano driven composition ends our journey through what in my view has been one of the most insightful albums I have had the pleasure to listen to for decades, this final masterpiece picks itself up and leads us into a dramatic progressive styled conclusion, a very inspiring end to a very classy album indeed.

In The Company of Machines by Jesse James Allen has without doubt been one of the most inspiring musical journeys I have had for a long while, I could have hit repeat with ease many times over. This is truly an exceptional album, with touching references to a glorious past, and a tip of the hat to the many genres that this album is a part of. Superb musicianship and a very thoughtful and intelligent release can be found here, if you want to hear what really great music sounds like, then you need to look no further than In The Company of Machines by Jesse James Allen.

The Best Adventure By Curtis Macdonald

 

The Best Adventure

By

Curtis Macdonald

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The artist Curtis Macdonald seems to have been in my musical world for years, and of course after writing that I just had to check, and I was right, way back in 2002 I obtained the album Shadow Crossing and was hooked for evermore, his soothing narratives have charmed me since that day, and happily I can announce that right now, I am bathing in the fresh delights of a new single entitled The Best Adventure, from the artist.

This glorious track has all the hall marks of a dip back into the ‘90’s with a wonderfully full flowing glistening narrative, one taking us into a sun kissed summer, with a chilled beat and a sensitive yet rhythmic pastiche of percussion, this is a reverie of great colour and tone indeed.

The tempo is simply perfect and the descriptive passages of this chilled song are like looking at the vast blue sea from an ocean drive in July, the upbeat key in which this has been created gifts the listener a moment of tranquillity, but also one of an energy of a shimmering new day that is about to start in all its expectant glory.

One might also wonder if Curtis has found the magical key to unlock a composition that could easily be the theme for a television series, perhaps in the same way as The Theme for Cheers was for Gary Portnoy back in ‘82, regardless this is a bright new offering from Curtis Macdonald that is simply impossible not to like, and as such a guaranteed hit must be on the cards for the artist with The Best Adventure.

Follow this link to find the single: https://ampl.ink/k8890

Belleza Isle By Rick Sparks

 

Belleza Isle

By

Rick Sparks

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The soft pastiche of tone that tells us that another new single from Rick Sparks is on its way washed over me today, if ever a song was meant to watch the day pass under the shade of a tree this is it, the quite beautiful Belleza Isle is upon us, so grab a that book you have been meaning to read for years, snatch a cool drink and just enjoy the moment.

There can be no doubt that Sparks is the master of creating music that allows the mind to soar and the body to relax and be calm, and this brand new single is a prime example of his brilliant expertise.

The slow build to a hovering sun kissed level is utter delight, one can see the tide roll in, the waves crash upon the jagged rocks, and the cry of sea birds as they make their way home with another meal, this is music that you can call idyllic with ease, this is a moment of sublime relaxation, this is Rick Sparks at his very best.

With hit album after hit album the king of cool is back with a release that is as easy on the mind as cumulous clouds that drift across a summer horizon, surely there is no one better than Sparks on keyboards for manifesting utter peace filled vibes, and with that being said here is a brand new single that should be embraced by all those seeking a sanctuary away from the madness of the world, so why not take a trip to Belleza Isle today, trust me, you will not regret it. 

Glow By Ian Cameron Smith

 

Glow

By

Ian Cameron Smith

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There are certain musicians with whom you just resonate with, you find that their catalogue suits your taste, and with each passing composition this musical relationship just keeps on getting better, this can be said for my appreciation of the work of Australian guitarist Ian Cameron Smith, the best bit of all is he has a new single on offer called Glow, and it is on this voyage of sublime quality we travel today.

This crafted new release is truly special; it starts with a gentle and cautious beginning and then a slight percussive beat is added to that flowing narrative, when the guitar of the artist breaks cover, it is a treasure to behold.

We have a slight mix of tone here that works so well, one of new age, chill out and blues, all combined they gift us a manifestation of a track that is as laid back and chilled as an August evening.

Glow is an exceptional new single, this is going to be one of those pieces that will appeal to everyone, and it is also beautifully produced and reminded me greatly of the style of guitar in Telegraph Road by Dire Straits back in the day. This is a warm, all-embracing new single from Ian that I, as a music writer urge you to get; quality singles like Glow don’t turn up every day, so this is one to be snapped up at all costs.

Spark By Antonija Pacek

 

Spark

By

Antonija Pacek

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There are pianists whom you always look forward to when a new release is on offer, Antonija Pacek is one of them for me, her tender tones and colourful and thoughtful refrains always fill me with emotion and appreciation, and here on this brand new album called Spark I have another opportunity to fill myself with the abundance of the day.

Firstly how refreshing was it to see any artist actually start with the title track, a soft, yet poignant piece, a textured tapestry of sound, and one performed with all the beauty of a newly born flower, this has to be one of the most pristine pieces to start and album with ever in the offering Spark.

This 14 track collection of piano based music has some amazing gems contained within like River, now those who known me well, know that I adore rivers and music composed about them, I am very glad to say that this creation lives up to my high standards, and indeed it has a beautifully smooth flow to its construction.

Night Orchestral is a stunning reverie; one can only say that this manifestation is most certainly film score quality, the build, progression and powerful and emotive string sections are some of the deepest and most moving I have heard for simply ages.

The charming vibrations of tracks like Shadow, a piece so imploring and emotive are backed up perfectly with compositions that cry out to be loved like The Wave, a sensitive manifestation of great movement, and the concluding offering entitled Sun Will Shine, a track that sums up the mood perhaps of the world, that one day the sun will rise and shine upon an honest and real Earth, regardless this is a fine creation with which to conclude our visit to this classy album with.

We can also note that there are two bonus tracks on the album as well, in the radio edit of Elegy and The Sea Lullaby, and even if you are not lucky enough to get those upon your version of the album, as sometimes is the case, you will still have 12 amazing tracks to bathe with in and enjoy a total reverie of a piano moment in the album Spark by Antonija Pacek.

This new release comes on the back of a multitude of stunning singles, one can be totally sure that the skill set of a pianist like Antonija Pacek will always produce high standard quality of music where ever she goes, and that Spark could well propel her up the ladder of success, and onto her next phase in this vast genre in the music business that is called Piano.

Finding Yourself in a Better Place By Francis V

 

Finding Yourself in a Better Place

By

Francis V

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Artists like Francis V breathe a little fresh air into the music scene, this is of course gratefully received, we all need to be chilled and lifted from time to time, and this brand new single from the artist called Finding Yourself in a Better Place is a wonderful example of simply easy on the mind instrumental music.

The title actually speaks brilliantly for itself, and this fluent and even paced composition is one of those songs you might press play on to start your day with, especially if you want to energize it with a little positive energy.

From its initial inception, this vibrant yet soothing creation has the kiss of summer on its tones of bliss; the gentle percussive beat reminds me of those atmospheric and chilled Buddha bar creations from the early part of this century.

This arrangement by Francis V holds its pattern perfectly and could also be used as driving music on a hot July afternoon, the whole vibe of Finding Yourself in a Better Place drifts the reality of happiness and the letting go of stress all around you, and to be honest we should all do more of that, accept the positive and drop the baggage.

Here Francis V gifts us a soundtrack of cheerful energy to enjoy, this is a fine instrumental experience that I am sure will fly high up the charts with consummate ease, and in doing so manifest a huge hit for the artist with Finding Yourself in a Better Place.