Quiet Expanse By Jim Gelcer & David Vito Gregoli

 

Quiet Expanse

By

Jim Gelcer & David Vito Gregoli

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There have been some amazing new releases in what is loosely called the new age music genre this year, the style is certainly full throttle now, and a plethora of beautiful releases are now on offer, much like this one from Jim Gelcer & David Vito Gregoli entitled Quiet Expanse, this soothing new release is just what is needed right now, so let’s take a voyage of tonal delights with the artists on this latest offering.

From the very first track we are gifted an oasis of calm and serenity, from its acoustic guitar roots, the flowing keyboards drift over our horizon to create a tranquil space, and magic is born with the opener Forgiveness. This breath taking offering is part of a 10 track collection of some of the smoothest and most tranquil pieces ever.

As an example of that aforementioned tranquillity, we can drift on the vibrations of one of my favourite pieces, one that includes ethereal vocalisations, guitar and handpan drums, and called Resilience (Expanse Remix); this is a perfect example of a compositional structure manifesting space, room and awareness for the listener.

Gymnopédie No.1 will now doubt breathe a sense of familiarity into one’s senses, Erik Satie’s delightful opus will always remain with fondness in the hearts and minds of us all.

This quite unique collection of cathartic arrangements is filled to the brim with opportunities to let go and just be in the moment, the track Healing is without doubt one of them, a fluent, deep and penetrating synth based narrative that has rising meditative energies within.

The penultimate musical narrative is entitled Letting Go (Expanse Remix), for us to move forward in our lives this is a fundamental facet of one’s growth, here Vito and Gelcer gift us a truly blissful eastern mood, with sitar, bass and hovering contemplative keyboards, the added rhythmic percussion also manifested a deeper dimension to allow the healing to continue.

Our final gift from the artists is Floating Waves, a single released earlier on this year, here we have a sensitive electronic, new age crossover of a piece to glide with, the multi instrumental nature of this track alone is utterly idyllic and a great way to leave the album.

Quiet Expanse by Jim Gelcer & David Vito Gregoli is an album that anyone would be proud to have in their collections of peaceful instrumental music, it reminds me of the golden years of the new age genre at times, which is always good, but here we have an album that has grown from that point into a simply fantastic collection of curative and restorative compositions, and is without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best releases in the new age genre this year with ease.

Precious Stones By Al Jewer & Andy Mitran

 

Precious Stones

By

Al Jewer & Andy Mitran

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Today I was in for a cornucopia of multi instrumental delight with the release of the brand new, and much awaited new album from Al Jewer & Andy Mitran, entitled Precious Stones, many of the tracks were of course familiar to me over the preceding months and years before as singles, but it was absolutely glorious to see them all in one place now in 2025, I have longed for a truly good crystal, precious stones album, to bring the entire concept up to date, and I am pleased to say this release nails it.

The classy multi instrumental pastiche of utter quality contains no less than 11 sublime pieces, that look at various gems that we have loved and adored for a lifetime, the duo are joined by bass and cello supremo Hans Christian on many of the compositions, a delight that adds a multitude of layers to each construction he performs on.

The opening foray is entitled Moonstone ft Hans Christian, a sumptuous layered manifestation of a mysterious feminine energy can be found here, the fretless bass offers so much depth, whilst the keyboards, the lightness and compassion offsets an almost Eastern motif with the slight percussive beat and a light crescendo.  

Many of your favourite offerings are here, the delicate Sapphire ft Hans Christian, with its sensitive chimes, strings and hovering intensity, whilst tracks like Emerald ft Hans Christian, one of my personal favourite stones, gifts each and every listener a soft piano and keyboard reverie with a deepening cello, adding an in depth nuance to the overall narrative of the creation.

In the second half of the album we find the sparkling reverie of Diamond, this is a crafted manifestation, raising the rhythm slightly, but holding its glistening musical body in an instrumental cohesion, one supported by a fluent guitar performance by Kraig McCreary, and an energetic but melodic piano of Andy Mitran.

There literally is something for everyone here on this incredible album, tracks like the deeply meditative Obsidian, or the soothing refrains of another favourite of mine in Opal, there all here to bring a true cathartic experience for the listener.

The last two tracks both features the skill set of Hans Christian, the first of which is our penultimate offering entitled Topaz, this track includes the unusual, but delightful use of Al Jewer on woodwind synthesizers, whilst our last and concluding manifestation entitled Aquamarine, is a vast reservoir of tone and timbre, one that brings our journey to an end in the most luxurious of ways.

This is one of those albums that has been completely worth the wait, each and every composition has been carefully crafted to bring the listener a quality multi instrumental experience, a blissful encounter of great joy, and one must report that so gladly that Precious Stones by Al Jewer & Andy Mitran is an intelligent and well researched release, that finally brings our search for classy new age music with regards to gem stones to an end, this release is the one that makes our voyage through Crystals via music complete, and created in such a beautiful way as well.

Memories of You by David M. Edwards

 

Memories of You

By

David M. Edwards

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I remember all too well the release of Edwards last release entitled Still the River Flows, I remember the art work, the tones of reflective intelligence, and the calm and serenity it brought me, well 6 years has passed, and David has had to battle through various health issues of a serious nature, but back he most certainly is, and with one of the finest solo piano albums of the moment called, Memories of You.

David M. Edwards is a pianist that brings to the fore, cultured and colourful musical narratives for us to enjoy and remember fondly in years to come, on the first offering called Saturday Morning, we have a thoughtful postulation of that usually happy day, I have always loved Saturdays and this composition feels like a musical testimony to that very day.

The narratives flow fast and strong on this album, this gift is one of glee and joy, watching and being in the moment as we listen intently to Swallows in Flight. There is nothing quite as beautiful as watching these birds swoop at fast pace to capture insects, the repeating mantra here is so redolent of the subject matter.

However on this album I was gifted one of the most amazing compositions I have heard for decades, and called Melancholy Mood. Obviously I was expecting minor motifs and reflective nuances, but in my view Edwards brought his “A” game on this stunning piece, and manifested a mood that was so emotively powerful and all consuming, for me, this is solo piano at its very apex.

Now, we have three main mountains ranges on my small Island country, two of them are accessible to me, and both I simply love to visit, it fills me with such joy and happiness, and this is exactly where this delightfully cheer filled creation called The Mountains Were Calling takes me, it’s simply blissful.

Pale Blue Dot is a true soothing narrative, one that embraces our lush globe. This big planet is of course in an even bigger cosmos, and I listened to this a few times and was struck by the incredible fluency of the track, it was almost like listening to the tide come in and out, whilst on the track that follows entitled Aspen Leaf Waltz, we have a veritable dance with one of the aspects of our most beautiful world.

Then at the half way juncture the mood changes and the pace picks up on the composition Tempest. The song it undeniably brilliant in its artistic arrangement, full of power, but also it contains a capricious nature, one is never quite sure what is going to happen next, but that’s the way of a raging storm isn’t it, and here Edwards has nailed it.

This album itself is 15 tracks in duration, and upon it you will find musical influences of so many styles texture and timbres, for example the peace filled refrains of a new age piano classic entitled The Way You Smile, or the radiant beauty of Canopy of Stars, I still remember as a child laying on top of the roof of my fathers shed in the middle of the night and star gazing, this piece could have been a soundtrack for the event.

The album even has a couple of short form pieces that are so enchanting in their construction, and of course I am referring to the offerings Come Take My Hand, a gentle heart-warming creation, and Lovely Lady, a title that reminds me how lucky I am to have my wife, how grateful I am, and this composition seems to pour that out upon the carpet of our lives for us to walk in with pleasure.

There is nothing to dislike about A Walk in the Park, here Edwards has manifested a spring like reverie, one played with hope happiness and pleasure, and the chord structures here are like the sunbeams that cascade down through the branches of the trees, to bring warmth and contentment to each and every one of us.

Please check the album art before playing this next creation called Rainbow in the Mist; it will give you a graphic that will literally take you on a journey with the music, this vast range of tonal colour is another of my personal favourites of the album, it’s reflective but loving tones take me on a voyage into nature, just to once again be in the moment on a track that creates a sanctuary of sound and soul for us all.

The penultimate piece from the album is also the shortest at just over 2 and a half minutes in duration and called Memories of You. This is what I like to call a creation from a memory palace of many moods and feelings, this has to be one of the most charming solo piano pieces I have heard at the latter half of the album.

Now I live on an island that has Dolphins, I have yet to see them yet, but I hold out strong hopes I will, perhaps I should add this parting gift of a musical narrative to a playlist marked in search of Dolphins, until that day arrives I can do so vicariously through this creative and artistic concluding composition called Dolphins Swimming Underwater by the pianist.

Memories of You by David M. Edwards is a return to the world of solo piano for the artist and composer, and what a stunning one it is too, it is a release that has everything, passion, emotion, reflection, and colourful textures in a tapestry of utter delight. If I were to be asked to name one truly exquisite solo piano album from 2025, without hesitation I would point directly at Memories of You by David M. Edwards, it is without doubt an absolute gem of a release, and one everyone should have in their collections.

Kuruvinda By Kirsten Agresta-Copely

 

Kuruvinda

By

Kirsten Agresta-Copely

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Since the years of 2019, our airways and our ears have been graced by the beautiful harp of Kirsten Agresta-Copely, on that wonderful day a single called Fall Leaves, Fall was gifted to the world, a song about my favourite time of the year, I sit here now at the end of a burning July and have the greatest of pleasures, as I bathe in the sonic tones of her latest creation Kuruvinda.

The opening piece of this 10 track wonder collection is entitled Shadow Light, there is a blissful texture here that reminds me of artists like Michael Allison (Darshan Ambient) and Harold Budd, the upper echelon of ambient music perhaps, Kirsten has that same magical touch, just the right tenderness, brings forth on this offering and many others, the perfect sense of ambience.

The following musical narrative contains a charming global resonance and is called Ratnaraja and features Ismael Lumanovski on what I now know as a Turkish Clarinet, the vibrations and tones that flow from this graphic novel of musical plenitude are sumptuous, and combined with the Harp of the artist manifest what must be called a meditational moment of mystery and imagination.

We will talk about ambience a lot in this review, the music itself is one of the finest examples of it, here on the title track doubly so and of course called Kuruvinda. Kirsten states that it was “inspired by the Sanskrit word for a flawed but radiant ruby, Kuruvinda reveals a journey to embrace imperfections, reminding us that every imperfection is part of our brilliance”, I love that. Here Kirsten has manifested something beyond beautiful, and is one of my personal favourites from the album, one that had that slow, ever moving forwards energy about its construction that made it completely undeniable.

Intertwined features Dave Eggar on cello, and Jessica Meyer on viola, and with the composer on harp, something exquisite is born, there can be no doubt that the multi-instrumental nature of this offering makes it even more attractive, and also adds a global flavour into this melting pot of musical brilliance.

At the mid-way point of the album came the most reflective offering from the release called Wordless Voice, one could possibly even find a classical motif weaved between the vibrations of the opus as well. This for me is one of those tracks you don’t want to take lightly, and will more than likely find its way onto your playlist of choice for eons to come.

Quiet Core is now upon us and this, without doubt is one of the most calming slices of ambient genius I have heard since the days of Eno and his massive hit album Neroli, that being said the elegance created truly turned on the light bulb of memory for me, when Budd and Eno combined to give us First Light, this is a sparkling testimony of respect to Kirsten, to have captured such a mood and feeling within a track like this nothing more than genius, and you have guessed it, my personal favourite from the album.

Tracks like the full flowing Samskāra, a Sanskrit term used in many philosophical musings, and the overall ability to make choices that reflect upon our life’s path, again the composer not only gifts us a lush and colourful offering, but one that ponders the very nature of the cosmic and karmic forces around us. This is followed by the deep waters of the manifestation called Threadline, an emotive creation that floats between the harbour of sanctuary, and the open seas of freedom.

The penultimate track is called Untold Story, once more we are joined by the stunning combinations of both Dave Eggar on cello and Jessica Meyers lush viola. This cinematic offering is not only tranquil in its energies, but a piece that allows the mind to float freely on a bed of serene clouds, and distinct possibilities of what could be to come, in an as of yet unrevealed future.

The concluding narrative is a calming reverie called Saṃtoṣa if my memory serves me right, I think it refers to let’s say contentment, as there are many different spellings of the word across many philosophies. However the musician in choosing this final parting gift for us all has created the perfect farewell moment, in style the performance remind me of Patricia Spero, but the soothing pastiche of calm created here made this with ease the best end to an album of this elk ever.

Kuruvinda by Kirsten Agresta-Copely could well be one of the most beautiful albums I have had to good fortune to review for years; here is a release of simply idyllic and perfect musical combinations, and all over them manifesting energy of calm and serenity along the way. For me there can be no doubt that this should be a huge chart hit and surely even more could well be hovering on the horizon of greatness for, Kuruvinda by Kirsten Agresta-Copely. 

Finding Peace by Joshua Zimmerman

 

Finding Peace

By

Joshua Zimmerman

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Joshua Zimmerman maybe a new name in the world of solo piano to me, but he is one that will long live as one of the finest painters of musical interpretations in this new era of instrumental music that is evolving fast, here on this simply outstanding album, Zimmerman restored my interest in an over bloated genre, and brought such beauty to my heart and mind, right when I needed it most, all hail Finding Peace.

Strangely enough it was the title track that hit me the hardest; the melancholy vibration will always work for me, but this start was one of the most moving I had heard for many years, and it drew me in at a time when I had been feeling quite emotional about various personal issues, this track gave me the cathartic tranquillity I needed, the performance was from a reflective serenity standpoint, and never has a piece been named so well as this one, Finding Peace.

Firstly what a clever title for a song in Between Raindrops, this presentation showed just how good a performer the artist is, here is a composition that has depth, passion, flair, calmness, and all rolled in on the red carpet of a reflective meditational moment of great clarity, a masterful production indeed.

The album itself is 10 tracks of some of the best solo piano you would wish to find, the excitable Untainted Joy being one of them, its mood ebullient and enthusiastic in its overall narrative, whilst offerings like Footprints In My Heart contained an almost childlike innocence in its arrangement, a clever juxtaposition with the deeper elements of the piece can be found here.

For A Princess did indeed have a sense of a regal nature about its build and progression, but in a very charming repose, again that delightful simplicity of tone abounded and danced with fluent and crafted lower notes. We can also gaze lovingly at creations like Innocent Love too; a gentle piano performance was gifted here by the artist, but one that also contained a sensitive main theme and melody.

Sometimes I do this, I lay in my pool in the back garden and I, Simply Be. The soothing and easy piano narrative here would allow anyone to do the same, simply give up control of the moment and enjoy a meditative journey with the artist, on a track that if it had lasted 10 minutes or longer I wouldn’t have minded, it was that beautiful.

The deeper waters of the release have been found and as such we have come across a bay of tranquil musical water called Unwritten Letter, this one is bathed in memory and reflections from the mirrored pool beneath us, I have plenty of opportunities to write these letters, but the time has passed now, and I have moved on, but this would have made an excellent soundtrack for those very moments of deep reflection.

The penultimate piece from the album is now in view and called Familiar Arms, this is one of the most charming tracks from the release; it’s a piano performance that contains great warmth, a heartfelt love, and a much needed musical hug, whilst the concluding offering entitled Into The Open Skies, is a clever and an enlightened piece of great quality, a better one you would not find to end an album of such eminence, it is literally like we have travelled many roads of many emotions, and have now been set free to soar once more.

Finding Peace by Joshua Zimmerman is in my view; one of the best solo piano albums I have had the pleasure to both review and listen to this year, the gentle but melodic fluency here is simply sublime, each composition is built upon a bed of emotive intelligence, and as such the entire release, is a journey all of itself, a remarkable body of work indeed, and one of the most charming solo piano albums of 2025 with utter ease.

More Than A Sister By Chrissie Sheppard

 

More Than A Sister

By

Chrissie Sheppard

Written by

Andy Rogers

 

Chrissie Sheppard is of course a host and presenter for One World Music Radio and for some time now has been creating intriguing and strangely beautiful flute–based new age music. Her latest single, “More Than A Sister”, takes her music to a new level while at the same time being a heartfelt musical tribute to her sister, Joan.

Emotion, often raw and painful, is the key here. Starting with the sound of flutes in close harmony the mood is set to one of reflection. The composition moves on to a section that reminded me greatly of an early Terry Oldfield album called “Cascade” – Chrissie’s solo flute hovers over a keyboard wash with the sound of gentle temple bells, the overall effect is calming and reassuring, yet all the time reminding you of the sense of loss at the passing of a loved one.

The tone of the flute changes here as the mood becomes increasingly melancholic until after a short while the two flutes in harmony reappear. Suddenly, like sunlight breaking through clouds, we have the sound of a choir, as if the angels are here to heal and support you as Joan moves into peace and tranquillity.

At the end, a blackbird sings to reassure you that all is going to be well and Joan is indeed at peace.

More Than a Sister is a deeply personal release for sure but one that will find many admirers amongst those who love new age flute releases and one that takes Chrissie Sheppard to new musical heights.  

Flowers From Another Dimension By Jacquelyn G. Kleine

 

Flowers From Another Dimension

By

Jacquelyn G. Kleine

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The multiverse has long been a fascination for me, alternate realities, parallel universes, etc. All completely unproven yes, but not disproven either, and this possibility is what unleashes the artist and writer in me, to perhaps seek an alternate view on the realities of the cosmos, and embrace this likelihood, and right here for me, this performance by Jacquelyn G. Kleine opens that prospective door, and allows a shaft of light from another realm to peak in through the dusty curtains of, the Twilight Zone perhaps.

Flowers From Another Dimension, is a vast composition, her synth and electronic mastery on this piece is like a space age reminder of an old classic, as we arrive in Wonderland, the twisting keyboard narrative, the fluent minor refrain that kept me hooked for a delicious 5 minutes plus, a rare thing in this day and age, was a splendid thing indeed.

There is also a haunting contemplation within this track that reminded me of the UK’s electronic music maestro Kevin Kendle on some of his more space driven opuses, regardless Jacquelyn has manifested a plethora of explorative notes chords and vibrations, to amass a very compelling musical creation, one that would suit many tastes genres and styles, and with ease one that should see Flowers From Another Dimension by Jacquelyn G. Kleine, embrace the upper echelons of the charts with utter ease.

Chaotic Hypnotic By Hanslik & Moniz Experiment

 

Chaotic Hypnotic

By

Hanslik & Moniz Experiment

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The project known as the Hanslik & Moniz Experiment are back with a brand new, and sparkling release called Chaotic Hypnotic, it seems remarkable that since 2019 our lives have been electronically blessed with their music, my first album being Friendly Planet back in that year, but here we are exploring another avenue of sight and sound with the pairing, and what an artistic ride it is guaranteed to be.

We start with the title header Chaotic Hypnotic the keyboards manifest a mysterious scene that seems to hover in the void of time and space, then the mixtures of the guitar and synths weaves a pattern so tempting that it is hard not to allow ones senses to go anywhere else, on this most intricate of opening forays.

Axon Waltz however weaves a totally different tapestry of tone and timbre, the energies of chaos are indeed here, but built into a pattern that drifts from an obvious cohesion into a series of random guitar elements, that half way into the structure seem to meld with the keyboards in an symbiotic dance of an arbitrary nature, in my view this is one of the most crafted pieces from the release.

On Mind Wave a darker theme is explored, a narrative so seemingly cautious it can be quite a musical deception to behold, however one must applaud the keyboards and synths of Hanslik here, this is one of the best multi layered approaches utilising variants of tones vibrations and sounds I have heard for quite a while, to draw the very best arrangement possible; this track could have been 10 minutes long and I would not have minded, with elements of both Floyd and traditional EM contained within, this was utter magic.

However another favourite would soon come my way and this little gem would be entitled Synapses, I adore the usage of electric piano, strumming strings and a soft but poignant build and progression electronically, all of which can be found here. This specific offering had a mesmeric quality to its arrangement, where the listener could easily get lost within this modern art equivalent of a composition.

The longest piece from the release is this one right now, a track that would be very easy to leave on repeat for hours and not notice, and called Rumination. There was something about this track that I loved, It wasn’t until my second spin that I noticed a sense of rhythm that was hidden deep within the weave of the arrangement too, also the slow build here was juxtaposed brilliantly with the inventive work of both artists, one was never quite sure where this creation was going, but for some reason the ambience it created made that question almost irrelevant.

The short form narrative of Interconnectedness was now before us, a true exploration of a manifestation, one that seemed to float to its very own time signature, whilst the penultimate track from the album in OBE gave us an almost haunting reverie to experience, one that through the medium of a backdrop of synths and illustrious and artistic guitar work from Moniz, offered us up a masterpiece of experimental electronic music to bathe in.

The concluding tale is called My Happy Place, most of us have one of these, it gets us through days ahead, here the duo manifest something so soothing and tranquil, it’s like an overtone of musical calm for our own personal sanctuaries of escape, and simply the best way with which to conclude the album.

Hanslik & Moniz Experiment is a project that over the years has produced some of the most proficient and fascinating musical artistry, a crossover of minimalism, ambient and electronic genius, and with this brand new album entitled Chaotic Hypnotic they may just have produced their best work thus far, an enticing album filled full of mesmeric manifestations, and an album that is a must for fans of truly artistic instrumental music the world over.

Summer Days By Barbara Graff

 

Summer Days

By

Barbara Graff

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I still have fond memories of the last time I bathed in a Barbara Graff sonic lake of piano based music, that was back in 2020 and an album called Secret Beach, and that was a very pleasant experience indeed, today I get to travel once more with the artist on her latest collection of great songs called, Summer Days.

The track opens with a rare treat, a vocal moment of crafted singing on the opening piece called Summer Days; the final offering is an instrumental version of this very classy track. Graff’s voice manifests a clever climb, ascent and decline until the gentle coda is reach on a composition that was beautifully arranged, and as such a fine start to the release it was indeed.

When there is a rare cloudy day here in my country (Cyprus), it is cause for celebration; it is such a unusual occurrence, however the piece called Cloudy Day does reminded me of the country of my birth in England, where the opposite could be said, this slow and almost melancholy offering is akin to the sadness one felt then, when one wanted desperately to enjoy a sunny day at the beach, but instead it would be board games indoors. This is a reverie of those days, when grey skies ruled, as the sun had been banished.

The most intriguing piece off the album in my view was the almost classical motifs of the track Beach Mystique. The mists of the morning have cleared, and an opening through the monolithic cliffs ahead has appeared, showing a pathway to a sandy beach so magical. For me Graff captures this perfectly with her arrangement, one that floats from major to minor with ease, and teasing narrative after narrative as it goes, this is indeed my personal favourite from the album.

Only yesterday I watched with glee as beautiful creatures fluttered around my lemon tree, those insects are the subject of this song, and called Butterflies, an absolutely beautiful composition awaits the listener here, filled full of colour and hope, whilst the piece that is in fact our penultimate offering, floats into view, and quite wonderfully named Lake Oasis, this is a wondrous spectacle to behold, a more charming piano based narrative you would not find if you searched a hundred years.

As I stated earlier on in the review the concluding track in an instrumental version of the opening piece Summer Days, this quite craft-fully brings our journey to an end. It is harder than most people think to produce a summer based album, unlike all the other seasons where there is much more to work with, but Graff has done herself proud and has manifested something quite redolent of the subject matter for us all to enjoy, as we head into the warmest of days still yet to come and reach for a cooling cocktail.

I think Barbara should be proud of her efforts here; every song has a charming fluency to it, and each has its own story to tell, and as such there can only be one out come for Summer Days by Barbara Graff, and that will be a most pleasing sun kissed chart hit for the artist.

Singapore Sling By Rhythm & Breeze

 

Singapore Sling

By

Rhythm & Breeze

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

A new recording partnership is revelled today in the guise of Rhythm & Breeze, and their new single entitled Singapore Sling, a rich tapestry of colours from the ladies of flute and percussion known to us as Sandi Horton and Debbie Brock.

Sandi employs the usage of an Indonesian Suling Bamboo Fipple Flute, whilst improvised electronic percussion is gifted to this creation by the talents Debbie, this combination is both creative and very enjoyable, in fact in my afternoon reverie, I have now listened to this song several times and it has an incredibly addictive quality and tone to its musical persona.

I am also a bit of fan of gin based cocktails, so this is a doubly chilled moment of instrumental magic for me to drift with. Horton’s flute is unique, until today I had not heard of it, but the tones that emanate from its structure are both bliss filled and soothing.

The electronic percussion of Brock also offers a sensitive pastiche of vibrations, subtle nuances and a sensual rhythmic beat is all offered up to the listener here, this combination therefore is again quite unique and I think the duet most assuredly have something mesmeric here, without doubt this is going to be a big summer hit for the partnership of Rhythm & Breeze with Singapore Sling.

LOVE IS... By Terry Lee Nichols

 

LOVE IS...

By

Terry Lee Nichols

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I remember the beginning of my musical journey with the artist Terry Lee Nichols; it began in the year 2016 with a release called At Peace Beneath the Shade of My Father's Tree, I knew then I was not just listening to a pianist, but a master artist, one who paints with tones and manifests from his heart to yours, glorious images are invoked by compositional brilliance and a multi-instrumental genius.

Terry is back once again with a superb new album called LOVE IS... and it comes to no surprise to me that the contents of this release are simply breath taking and deeply moving, the imagery of the first track alone sets the scene sublimely and called Is This All Just a Dream? (Moon River Variations) featuring Rebekah Eden and the aforementioned vocalist is an ethereal angelic presence that expands the work to unknown heights and majesty.

Nichols follows that up with one of the most charming musical reveries ever on the piece Friendship, a full flowing narrative of classic multi-instrumental proportions set to light up the heart and soul, this also reminded me of the ending piano based version of Clapton’s “Layla” that had that same cogent fluency.

At this stage it would be only right to include a tip of the hat to the legion of talent amassed by the artist for this project, their contributions were beyond amazing, so I give to you Soprano Rebekah Eden, Tenor John Riesen, Flute Katrina Penman, English Horn Maisie Ireland, Cello Ardie Son, Guitar Vladimir Gapontsev, Bass Lewis Spencer, and Percussion from Joni Strugo.

In an almost mystical crystalline opening this next offering created a further sense of musical well-being inside me, and was called Lying Next to You featuring Rebekah Eden. This is a delightfully gentle pastiche of tone and timbre, one that drifted with the warm winds of a July afternoon, but created a mood of calmness as it went, much can be said also for the following piece called Morning Glory featuring Rebekah Eden also, however a more pronounced piano rolled down from the musical mountains like an early spring waterfall of tonal brilliance.

The string segments and absolute symphonic grace of this next track were unbelievably powerful, this creation is called I Remember Her Smile, a simple theme, but one of simplistic beauty with an almost Celtic lilt to its overall narrative could be felt here, while the mid-way border is broken by the offering Finding Annie, a heartfelt musical tale of reflective piano, one that had that cinematic element weaved into its construction.

A hovering sense of anticipation can be found in the mysterious manifestation entitled Trinity featuring Rebekah Eden. The horns and overall symphonic nature of this amazing piece gave me the chills; Eden’s soprano vocals added so much texture to this crafted offering, adding in the strings and flute, manifested for me a piece I hadn’t heard the like of since Nights in White Satin from The Moody Blues.

Lullaby is an enchanting creation, with majestic piano, a multi-instrumental base, and an almost new age carrying the offering in the background can be found here, but don’t let that fool you, as towards the latter half of the composition the piece builds to a crescendo, and then draws to one of the most reflective codas you would ever wish to witness.

As we move ever onwards and towards the deeper waters of the release we come across one of the most powerful and moving pieces from the album called We've Had a Good Life, I reflect on this daily, now that I have become older and hopefully wiser. The crescendo and enchanting build and progression remind me greatly of my dear friend David Lanz with his inroads into the world of neo-classical music, and for some reason the arrangement also reminded me of that old poem of Lewis Carrols called “A Boat Beneath A Sunny Sky” perhaps it is true we are ever drifting down the stream, Lingering in the golden gleam, Life, what is it but a dream?

Our penultimate offering is entitled Nella Fantasia featuring John Riesen and his stunning vocals; I have just recently just started singing again, so this was a pure moment of inspiration for me, and to be honest one of the most moving musical manifestations from this outstanding album, the classical qualities of this track alone are breath taking and also incredibly empowering.

So sadly we conclude this magical journey of neo-classical luminosity with the last creation from the album, the perfection that is The Winds of Time. Truth is told, it is music akin to this that should grace movies from Hollywood, this piece alone holds reality with its structures and paints a tender, but ever onward moment that can never be changed crescendos abound here in a wonderland of climatic cinematic intensity, and is a track well worth of being the final offering.

Sometimes it’s hard for a writer to say the tired old worn out cliché of, this has to be the best work of the artists so far, but in my view it is, here lays musical aptitude and talent, each and every composition is a delight on their own, well thought out with a musical intellect that achieves greatness and cares about it, dare I say it? Could this be the best album I have listened to from any genre this year, I have a feeling with the utmost respect to all other musicians, I believe it could well be, which means that I predict a chart topping position for LOVE IS... by Terry Lee Nichols, and perhaps decorations and accolades are on the musical horizon as well.

Beyond the Fading Light by Timothy J.P. Gomez

 

Beyond the Fading Light

By

Timothy J.P. Gomez

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There are few musical instruments that play from the heart and soul as much as the flute; this is an instrument that has been around for nearly as long as us humans, and a thing of great beauty and textures. Here on this latest single, from one of the finest flute players on the globe in Timothy J.P. Gomez and his latest creation Beyond the Fading Light is a track that gifts us a transcendent offering, one that is simply beyond the realms of beauty as we know them.

A mysterious realm awaits the listener on this manifestation, a moment to give one’s self to the disappearing light of another day, and be open to all and every possibility that there could be on the horizon, Gomez is a sublime performer on flute, and this crisp yet mellow manifestation is a musical narrative so charming, it is hard not to leave it on repeat for hours, and just dream away.

I have been a fan of the artist’s work since 2014 and the album Awakening, and with each musical journey since then, my appreciation for his performances have grown exponentially, with this new single a confirmation of his artistic and crafted presentation on flute is totally emphasised.

Beyond the Fading Light by Timothy J.P. Gomez is a musical reminder that great calm and tranquillity is but a breath away, is but a caress of tone and timbre, one that Gomez expresses so wonderfully here on this new single, and one that surely has to be both a chart hit, and an award winning combination.  

Craeyola By Holly Jones

 

Craeyola

By

Holly Jones

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There is something very mellow and appeasing about this brand new album from pianist and composer Holly Jones, one that allows the cadence of the day to unfurl in total peace and harmony; the soothing structures and compositions contained within this charming album will please the legions of the solo piano genre with utter ease, on her new release Craeyola.

It’s unusual but the opening piece would become one of my personal favourites from the album, I normally have to allow the album to wash over me first, and then make judgement calls on tracks, but on The Sunshine Days the ambiance created by the artist was akin to some of the great works brought into reality by the late but great Harold Budd.

The repeating motif at the start of the title track was a delicious introduction to what would follow. Craeyola is a piece of many colours and textures, that ambient style is still there, but now there is a soft, soothing melody incorporated into the weave of the track itself. The short form narrative that follows it called Hopscotch; this is almost classical in essence, but with rich flavours of stylish new age piano.

Perhaps I was a little too hasty in choosing an early favourite as I have fallen in musical love again, but this time with the piece Thirteen. The opening notes grabbed my attention that slight drop into a minor refrain on the opening segment was so very moving and reflective, in what I now rate as one of the most powerful and heart felt offerings from the album.

Holly has manifested her most ambient album to date that is without doubt a truism; here on this next track she continues that theme, with a slightly more emboldened performance, and that fluent offering is entitled First Dance, again a little reflection can be found in the weave of the creation, one that comes from a memory palace of love.

A more mournful repose is now manifested with this next composition called I Thought You Loved Me; one can hear the questioning nature of the piece through the presentation, the imploring performance is deeply moving, with elements of acceptance and sadness built into the structure of the manifestation.

Craeyola is an 11 piece album of incredibly emotional and ambient felt piano works; her presentation on this next track called In the Bleak has a grey wintery feel to the composition within, but also written craft –fully into the piece is a beautiful flowing melody that manifests much in the latter half of the song.

Equilibrium is another glorious track that builds steadily on its gentle inception, one that progress into an almost classical weave world of a piano narrative, a composition that finds its own sense of balance and poise with ease, whilst on Into the Woods, a more natural fluency can be found on a composition that builds around a darker energy, but one that has an overall purpose, and the result, one of the most artistic pieces from the album.

The penultimate offering is entitled Bittersweet, and from the artists performance and the delightful mixture of major and minor, we can see the dichotomy contrasted brilliantly in this last but one musical tale, Jones has manifested her cleverest presentation here, exploring a narrative of happiness tinged with sadness, a true juxtaposition of musical emotions.

I was eager to hear this final offering, and whilst listening intently to Smiling On the Inside one could truly feel the light bulb of acceptance and knowing everything is going to be getting better, start to turn on. This last creation is almost anthem styled, and its structure one that quite craft-fully wraps up this very classy album.

Craeyola by Holly Jones, and I apologise for using this well-worn cliché, but without a shadow of a doubt is her best work thus far, an album bathed in a blissful tender ambiance, but a release that is so very easy to listen to, one that I believe would win over any fan of good music from any genre. Perhaps Holly has created her seminal album here; it is a release of many emotions, moods and textures, and in all honesty deserves all the plaudits it’s going to get. I rate Craeyola by Holly Jones as the best felt piano album I have ever heard, and as such, must be a release guaranteed for success.

Just a Dream By Claude Caron ft Paulyn Lacroix

 

Just a Dream

By

Claude Caron ft Paulyn Lacroix

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The joy to the start of this new July day for me grew even brighter after reviewing this fantastic new single by Claude Caron, one that features the guitar of Paulyn Lacroix, and is a new composition that breathes the light of hope into a world of pure fascination, and called Just a Dream.

From the beginning one of the things I was so very pleased to see was that the length of the song was just short of 6 minutes, in this world of micro arrangements of around 60 seconds, this was a simple delight on its own, and the artists should be applauded for it.

The fluency of both the piano and guitar were also something to embrace fully, their symbiotic partnership seemed to dance together in a reverie of sublime possibilities, and the entire creation reminded me of the US based instrumentalist Holland Phillips, with his keyboard based multi-instrumental manifestations of pasts and possible futures.

The soft start and gentle onward progression with a slight pause was brilliantly executed, and created a tranquil flow to the overall narration of the music, this is a prime example of what truly good instrumental music should sound like, confident piano structures, and melodic, artistic guitar presentations can all be found here, which makes me draw but one conclusion, that a massive hit is on the horizon for Just a Dream featuring Paulyn Lacroix by Claude Caron.

Heart's Reflection By Suzanne Herman

 

Heart's Reflection

By

Suzanne Herman

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There are few pianists around today that can draw such beautiful musical narratives as Suzanne Herman; each creation is given such a tender and artistic touch, such can be said about this brand new single from the artist called Heart's Reflection, a gentle array of lush and soothing tones for any piano aficionado to revel in.

What is so striking about this creative and heart-warming new release is its texture, the ambience created is simply beautiful and utterly idyllic, and with every note and key played, Suzanne gifts to us a dream woven pastiche of great quality, where the listener can willingly get lost in the sumptuous refrains of the music, a musical sanctuary where time means nothing.

For me it is always a pleasure when I see a new single on offer from the pianist, as I know the after effect, one of great calm and peace will follow me around for ages, this is soothing piano from the artists heart to yours, and my conclusion is an easy one, I have just listened to what should be a big chart hit and maybe even more could be on that sparkling horizon for Suzanne Herman and Heart's Reflection, trust me when I say, this is the style of piano based music I could listen to on repeat all day long. 

Piano Passion: Arctic Fire by Benedikt

 

Piano Passion: Arctic Fire

By

Benedikt

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

July for me is a month, whose weather is almost unbearable; it’s a month where you literally have no choice other than to stop rushing around and stay put, so today I find this album a panacea to cure those woes, and as such Piano Passion: Arctic Fire is the perfect cure for my midsummer lethargy.

Piano Passion: Arctic Fire is an album that is sumptuous in its musical postulations, but soothing in its overall manifestation, just perfect for us who live in raging hot countries. The first piece from this delightful collective of brilliance is called Arctic Lullaby, and a gentler opening offering you will not find; it really is a scene setter and one of the most artistic creations from this vast genre I have heard for a while.

The release is 12 tracks of utterly beautiful piano with strings, in a multi-instrumental haven of pure quality, pieces like Drifting Ice, a perfect depiction with hovering strings, and a piano of an almost adagio quality, whilst classy gifts like Icicle Bicycle brought a moment of levity into the proceedings, with its upbeat piano narrative.

Snowburn was one of my personal favourites, a blissful juxtaposition of tone can be found here on this quite radiant of tracks, balanced beautifully with a mournful and reflective separate melody line, one played off the other, in an almost counter point style of proceedings.

Rapid opuses like Frozen Fire will thrill each and every listener, while crafted moments of genius like the soaring energies of the track Blizzard Wizard, with a wonderful organ that dances around the strings sections and piano was a thing of great beauty indeed. One can then also be encapsulated by the short form beauty of the arrangement entitled Polar Pool Party, a true harmonic convergence of piano and strings.

Feeling much cooler I found my way to the end of the album, where the penultimate offering that greeted me was the sublime and deeply moving composition called Lament on the Rocks, I found this one singular offering so stunning and deeply serene, that I could have left it on repeat with ease.

The concluding musical narrative is the curiously entitled Requiem for a Polar Bear, a somewhat gentle and tender tone can be found here, one that is both respectful as well as being idyllic in its arrangement, and as such was simply the best way with which to bring this excellent musical collection to its final coda.

Piano Passion: Arctic Fire by Benedikt has been one the most enjoyable albums I have had the great pleasure to listen to this year with ease; in fact I stopped writing at one point, and just listened to the release in its entirety, then started at its conclusion, I am glad I did, as this release is one that can literally flow right over you with a beautiful and tender vibration, making for me a truly beautiful release, where good things on that frozen horizon must simply be waiting to happen for, Piano Passion: Arctic Fire by Benedikt.

Flowers for Emily By Fred Grenot

 

Flowers for Emily

By

Fred Grenot

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

To be honest I was apprehensive about writing this review, not because of anything else other than I happen to know this beautiful tune is in memory of his recently passed dog, and I have a much loved dog, who is not in the best of health as well, so it’s a tender thing for me, but listening to this gratifying new age masterpiece by the artist changed my somewhat depressing musings, to ones of gratefulness and gratitude, the song is called Flowers for Emily by the ever brilliant Fred Grenot.

This for me is one of the most heartfelt and fluent new age tracks that I believe he has created thus far. Certain tones and keyboard elevations reminded me of Llewellyn’s Journey to the Angels album, and indeed this brand new single retained most lovingly, an essence of early 21^st century new age classic motifs, like Medwyn Goodall and the aforementioned artist, with those gentle uplifting keyboard narratives and soothing refrains.

The compositional structures were elevated further when an ethereal vocalisation joined the arrangement, and energies of peace, tranquillity, and transcendence were delightfully created. I must state now, that this has to be one of the finest examples of modern day new age music, with a perfect consistent tone and timbre, and a deeply charming melodic structure, all of which should elevate this single to the higher echelons of the charts, and what a fitting tribute for Emily that would be!