Reverie By Richard Brooner

 

Reverie

By

Richard Brooner

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

So another new name comes my way in the guise of multi-instrumentalist Richard Brooner and his new album Reverie, there have been many new age albums coming to me lately, but listening to this latest release from Richard is like taking a journey back to the golden age of the genre, with one of the finest new albums of the day.

The opening piece is a real east meets west composition, a soft pastiche of percussion can be found on the title track Reverie, a fluent and extremely charming flute and added background instrumentation makes this one of the classiest beginnings to a new age album ever.

A major change occurs with the following narrative called Morning Light, there is something very redolent about the subject matter here, the piano of the artist dances symbiotically with his flute, and a morning anthem is explored in the most beautiful of ways.

The depth of this next piece called Whispers of Tomorrow, is a real treat, a darker backdrop of sound can be found, whilst Brooner’s piano plays a soft line of harmonic genius. It was at this point I started to compare Brooner’s flute with that of the UK’s Nigel Shaw, it’s quite quick and clever note changes and imploring minor reveries were simply idyllic on this utterly transcendent offering.

The rhythmic tonal delights of The Edge of Night almost brings a little Latin vibe to the overall narrative of the composition, whilst the percussive element enhances the rhythm already given, and delivers a composition that is both attractive and vibrant.

On Dream Among the Clouds the flute takes centre stage and backed by a drifting and mysterious soundscape, the orchestration flows with the flute of the artist to manifest a lush and spacious atmospheric overture of stunning proportions, in one of the most meditative offerings from the release.

Reverie is an 11 track collection of blissful multi-instrumental offerings, tracks like the abundant and darkening sky styled arrangement of A Languid Dream can be found in all its tempting glory, a deeply surreptitious offering can be found here, one that you can never be sure which direction the flow will take it next.

The longest and most ambient of pieces is up now at just seconds short of five minutes and called Etherium, The word Etherium is derived from the Greek word "ether," which means "upper air" or "heavens." The flutes plural here, are outstanding on one of the most celestial offerings from the album, and without doubt is one of my personal favourites.

The deep water of the release is now reached when we roll out this next contribution called Dark Night Passing. A different styled percussion of chimes and shakers can be found here, which is eventually joined by light drums, synths and a transcendent flute, on one of the most complex creations from the album, a track that reminded me greatly of my old friend Phil Thornton at times.

Guitar, percussion and flute join forces on this most commercial manifestation called Something Simple. If ever a composition was made to be released as a single from an album I would point to this one right away, a fluent start, a quick step to the melody, and a charming tempered technique make this a must play track of choice for the listener.

Long Desert Night is our penultimate manifestation, from the warmth of the day, to the deadly cold of the night, this penultimate arrangement captures every little nuance, there is a hovering intensity about this track that is adorable and incredibly compelling, where one is literally transported to whatever desert location you desire from the very first notes of this outstanding composition.

We therefore conclude our journey with the artist and a truly deep reverie called Into the Dark, the flute manifests a soft meditative tone, but the overall narrative is one of a darker nature, in a closing piece that is artistically intelligent and deeply thoughtful.

Reverie by Richard Brooner is a stunning album, it has depth, passion, it flows with a story telling styled performance, it has colour, texture and tone, and is one of the finest flute based, new age albums I have heard this year with ease. There can be no doubt at all that the listener will have many reasons to embrace this album fully, and as such I expect it to reach the top 10 of the charts with consulate ease.