On The Moon by David Lanz & Kristin Amarie

 

On The Moon

By

David Lanz & Kristin Amarie

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There comes a time when you hear a specific song and think to yourself, if this doesn’t get to number one there is no justice in the world of music, fortunately the echoes of outstanding brilliance here are the twin powers of the globes premier pianist David Lanz, and Gaia’s classiest vocalist in Kristin Amarie, and their brand new single On The Moon.

This though is classic pop, with a stylish beat, lush crafted musicianship and extremely clever empowered moments of an uplifting nature, and more than anything else, one of the most addictive melodies and choruses that not only gets into your head, but takes up residence and never ever leaves, trust me, please trust me, you hear this song just once, and wherever you are, whatever you are doing, you will find yourself either humming or singing the chorus!

On The Moon is utter class and probably far too good for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the textured mastery on piano of the one and only David Lanz, the sublime range power and passionate vocals of top notch singer Kristin Amarie, and then add to that the smooth and fluent acoustic guitar of NY guitarist and producer, Alex Salzman, there can be no other outcome than seeing this song top the charts, now off you go, get online and purchase a copy, and while you do that, I will sing the chorus once more!

Imagine This by Jacquelyn G. Kleine

 

Imagine This

By

Jacquelyn G. Kleine

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I always regard reviewing and listening to a Jacquelyn G. Kleine creation as a most pleasurable moment to look forward to, so with the early April sun streaming in through my studio window, I have such a delight as I traverse the sonic highways of sound with Jacquelyn and with her latest single release called Imagine This.

Firstly pull up the art work whilst listening to this; it’s quite an experience to fall into a vast cosmos of stars and planets whilst immersing oneself into superior electronic musicianship such as this, there is also a clever addition within this single that needs to be highlighted too, the percussive beat that is a constant here, holds the overall composition together in such a crafted way, this allows the artist to take us on a vast voyage of sight and sound, whilst still remaining grounded.

Imagine This by Jacquelyn G. Kleine is a pastiche of keyboards, synths and electronic mastery that evokes a sensation of wonderment and joy, it is a more ambient piece that you would at first expect, and some aspects of this composition remind me in style of US electronic composer Forrest Smithson, however and regardless, there can be no other outcome for Jacquelyn G. Kleine and Imagine This, that yet another huge chart hit for the composer, and rightly so.

The Beauty of Sensitivity (HSP) by David Clavijo

 

The Beauty of Sensitivity (HSP)

By

David Clavijo

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The most wondrous thing about music for me is its healing gifts of tone and timbre, they can come from many aspects and styles of music, but today we are going to travel with the solo piano of David Clavijo on a journey called The Beauty of Sensitivity (HSP), many will understand the nature of hyper sensitive people, and yes music does help this greatly.

As I am sure this very gentle and caring composition by the artist will too, Clavijo is a multi-instrumentalist of great quality, and his compositional structures and arrangements have thrilled the world over, but here today the musician is creating what must be called a piano sanctuary for those who need it, perhaps to just submerge them into a safe zone, but in a cathartic way.

There are aspects of this new single that I find myself once more saying and referencing, the similar constructs of the late but always great Annie Locke, Clavijo like the aforementioned composer, has manifested here a warm hug of a composition that should indeed be embraced by all who follow the solo piano genre, and as such The Beauty of Sensitivity (HSP) should also become a bit of a hit on the charts as well.

A Graceful Splash By Suzanne Herman

 

A Graceful Splash

By

Suzanne Herman

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I have always said that Suzanne Herman is one of the great painters of piano sounds, she is an artist of great quality, and always portrays her subject matter to perfection, so that you, the most humble listener, are transported to that very moment, to that said location through her music vicariously.

Here on her latest breathtakingly brilliant new single entitled A Graceful Splash, which is a musical narrative about the graceful dance of a Whales sea-bound movements that she observed whilst on a visit to Antarctica: Suzanne has once again choreographed a track that is so very redolent of the subject matter.

Herman has a skill of combining tender tonal delights and allowing the passages to grow and naturally fall back, similar to the rise and fall of a summer tide, and she does this so very beautifully with every composition she has ever created.

With regard to this new single it makes an almost symbiotic link between her last offering which was called Where Oceans Meet, and here on this new manifestation of sublime solo piano. Suzanne Herman once more brings to the joy of the world, something utterly beautiful and very listenable; I can say without a shadow of a doubt that A Graceful Splash by Suzanne Herman is going to do just that in the charts and maybe more!

My 2.14 By Hiromasa Keya Kobayashi

 

My 2.14

By

Hiromasa Keya Kobayashi

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Hiromasa Keya Kobayashi is a relatively new name for me from the world of solo piano, but one that I have a certain fondness for musically, his mellow presentations are delightful to listen to, and that simplicity of style and construction is just what a listener needs to ease them into another day.

This new album entitled My 2.14 is a blissful parade of sublime solo piano works, ushered forth by the short form narrative of the heart-warming composition entitled Prologue; from then on in it is a journey of delightful piano themes, like the following arrangement The Last Kiss of Summer, a tender touch of the keys is needed and given with such skill and class, this is a beautiful performance, and one to be remembered perhaps as a timeless reverie.

The melodious and smooth Can't Let You Go is our next port of call, and here is a simply delightful composition, which brings me to a conclusion I have been holding back from, but this track highlights for me a similarity between the compositional style and performance, of the late but great Annie Locke, that sensitive warmth and tenderness is most certainly there with Hiromasa too.

Time for a little light hearted reverie now, in fact it’s time for Infatuation (Midnight Jazz Bar Mix). How can one not like this track, it is fluent, charming and happy, and that’s exactly what this crazy world needs this day more than ever. The following narrative For Alice will always make me think of the girl who went through a magical mirror and investigated wonderland, listening to this gentle thoughtful narrative, this could easily be used in a movie for that tale, it is that good.

There was something quite rhythmic about this next piece entitled China Rose, one could almost call it poetic too, it has a pastiche of gentleness about it that is truly palpable, and the performance is both confident and filled with colour.

Without doubt one of the prettiest pieces from this most delightful release is The Winds Of May - Letting You Go, one could imagine the sincerity pouring from this composition, a song that has a melody line so strong and uplifting, the musical expression here is also inspiring in its tone and timbre, but by using a soft palate of sound to do so, once more the artist has manufactured a piece that is utterly timeless.

The solo piano genre is vast, but I must add that there is room for someone like Hiromasa Keya Kobayashi to come into and make a name for himself, and as an example of the artists rise to piano fame one could easily point to this memorable and moving opus entitled The Room That Used To Be, a perfectly created composition, one filled with emotion, memory and a sublime and powerful performance, and yes, my favourite track from the album.

The album concludes in the same vein as it started, with a short form narrative called Epilogue (Alone Once Again), a composition that is like having the bedtime blanket pulled up around you before a calming sleep.

My 2.14 by Hiromasa Keya Kobayashi has to be one of the best solo piano albums I have reviewed this year, at its conclusion I felt fulfilled and happy, and that cannot be a bad thing can it? The artist is a name waiting to happen, a musician who clearly feels his music, understands its twists and turns, and for me was one of the most enjoyable piano based albums I have had the pleasure of listening to for a very long time indeed, this one has chart hit written all over it.