Philippine Dreams by James Michael Stevens

 

Philippine Dreams

By

James Michael Stevens

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

One of the all-time most prolific piano composers of his day is back with another release, as we welcome to the world another blissful recording from pianist supreme James Michael Stevens and his latest delightful creation entitled Philippine Dreams, and an opportunity for many of us to travel vicariously to another country with the musician on a bed of soothing piano tones.

We start with a flower that is abundant here in Cyprus, Jasmine; its intoxicating aroma is so redolent of warm summer nights, here on Sampaguita, which incidentally is the national flower of the Philippines, we have a serene composition that drifts on an August breeze across the beaches of an early evening, this evocative start from the artist truly sets the scene for the entire 11 track album.

This whole release is a musical panacea for all of us who are experiencing tough times and woes, its tranquil melodies and soothing refrains, just ease us out of that mind-set, offerings like the emotive Dreams Alcala, or the two back to back short form narratives in Silent Ballerina and Serenity Falls fit the bill perfectly and bring the listener a sanctuary of tone and timbre that is almost pristine in style.

The creation of or the observance of ambience I believe is a rare thing these days, especially when most people are transfixed by their phones and fail to see the beauty of life around them, pieces like Ambient Morning deserve a good listen, there is space here for the listener to explore, there is an absence of time and an abundance of tranquillity on one of my favourite pieces from the release.

This next piece though was another absolute gem from the album, a mournful energy, a reflective glance over the shoulder, all can be found here on Solitary Journey, a true sense of loneliness encapsulates a voyage taken in such a powerful and emotional way, and at times reminding me of the keyboard manifestations of the America’s Holland Phillips, on a truly sensational offering.

The entire album is a musical voyage of plenty, and the listener can take a tonal journey with pieces like Pilgrimage Island, a scenic offering that contains a gentle melodic structure, or Bridge to Cebu, a composition that creates a soft downward spiral of tone and timbre, and breathes an interesting juxtaposition of an arrangement together for the listener.

Speaking from the perspective from one who once got caught in the subject matter of this next track, I would say the artist has nailed it completely on Tropical Rain. A composition that has a dark sky musical backdrop, a slight eastern motif, and the heavier notes illustrate the heavy rain fall, in my view one of the most artistic tracks from the album.

Well we have had an ambient morning, now we can enjoy a Cantabile Sunset; I have to admit this is one very charming piece from the artist, yes this is true James Michael Stevens country, but it’s so very heart warming and comforting to enjoy, literal music for the soul can be found here on this penultimate offering.

Our concluding narrative is a sweet sound indeed, the composer is so skilled and aware of his listenership, that he knows exactly how to end another beautiful project, and finishes with an almost lullaby creation called Night in Pangasinan, one could imagine gazing at a star filled sky through summer blown net curtains, and slowly falling into a blissful sleep with its tones.

Philippine Dreams by James Michael Stevens is another in a long line of scenic vistas of musical brilliance by the master of the peaceful piano; each and every listener will be charmed by its beauty and serenity, in a cathartic voyage of sight and sound that should garner the creator a huge chart placement and maybe more.