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!