Into The Light By Kimberly Haynes

 

Into The Light

By

Kimberly Haynes

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Kimberly Haynes has created something here that sits in that increasingly rare space where music isn't simply entertainment, or even expression, but a form of emotional survival. This is an album born from loss, but crucially, it isn't consumed by loss. Haynes understands something many artists struggle to articulate: grief isn't a destination, it's a landscape you learn to walk through and that distinction gives Into The Light its extraordinary power. For context sake, it’s a landscape I have walked through as well, and it’s a realm where the mists of memory swirl around in an infinite regress, but when all is said and done time becomes your best friend and your ally.

The opening offering reminds me greatly of early Enya, but there is more depth and warmth to the offering, Grant Us Peace immediately establishes the emotional vocabulary. There is no grandstanding here. Haynes sings with the kind of restraint that comes from having lived the words rather than merely written them. The arrangement surrounds her with spacious textures, allowing the vocal to remain the emotional centre. Haynes creates a space where the listener can step away from the noise of everyday life and simply breathe. There is tenderness here, but also a quiet strength, the vocal performance carries an emotional honesty that never needs to shout to be heard.

From the calming references and soothing mantra of the opening offering we move to Narrow Bridge. Note the brilliant trumpet of Jeff Oster here; it immediately adds a completely moving texture to the lyrics from the Baal Shem Tov. There is something wonderfully evocative about this composition, a feeling of taking each step carefully while knowing that the journey itself is part of the destination, as it is with the following piece entitled I Am My Prayer, a piece that contains the voice of her deceased husband Brian, I must admit it took me five listens before I could get through this one, it is easily the most emotional track I have ever heard, and a tip of the hat to the cello & string arrangement by the commanding Hans Christian as well.

At the midway juncture we find the title track of the album and of course I am referring to Into The Light. Please listen to the sheer raw power and sensitivity of the vocals of Haynes in this piece it is extraordinary. There is a wonderful sense of release within the arrangement, a musical opening of the curtains after a long period of darkness. The title becomes more than a phrase; it becomes the destination of the entire journey, it is surely one of the album's defining moments.

A pop classic follows with the legendary The Lion Sleeps Tonight, Haynes gives the piece a fresh emotional identity, and the presence of family within the performance adds another beautiful layer to the story being told, then to one of my personal favourites from the album entitled The Enchantment. There is something about this that reminds me of Lucinda Drayton of Bliss, regardless there is a lush Celtic motif here that is utterly splendid and undeniable.

The penultimate offering from the album is the delicate pastiche of Moola Mantra, featuring the guitars of Vito Gregoli and Bansuri of Manose Singh alongside the Kora of Youssoupha Sidibe. The mantra becomes a pulse, the instrumentation becomes atmosphere, and the whole composition seems to wash over the listener rather than simply play in front of them.

The concluding narrative is entitled Cielito Lindo. There is warmth here, but also a sense of completion. After everything we have travelled through, the questions, the memories, the spirituality, the sadness and the emergence into something brighter, Haynes leaves us with music that feels human, affectionate and deeply alive, and completes one of the most moving and powerful albums in the history of the genre. For me this has to be one that any musical aficionado must have in their collections, and called Into The Light by Kimberly Haynes.

Wings III: Ambient Bliss by 2002

 

Wings III: Ambient Bliss

By

2002

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I cannot believe that it was 1992 when I came across my first ever 2002 album, which was of course called Wings, and as a European, New Age music back then was something utterly different from the pop culture surrounding my ears and mind at the time, here was a growing panacea of sound that would change me personally forever, and I have 2002 to thank for that. Some 34 years older, I now have the absolute honour to dive deep into the realm of Wings III: Ambient Bliss, this is without doubt a timeless collection of high quality real music, but more about that throughout this review.

The opening offering is delectable and called Free Spirit. Here is a track that sets the pristine tone for the entire collection. From the very first note, gentle acoustic strums and lush, floating synthesizer pads drift through the air like smoke from an extinguished candle. It is a breath-taking arrangement, masterfully balanced, allowing the listener to instantly unwind and breathe easy. As the melody unfolds, you feel a profound sense of emotional weightlessness taking hold; I personally found this a very profound creation and reminded me of the great work Reiki Hands of Light by Deuter in tone and timbre.

We move seamlessly to our following flowing chapter of musical charm called Quiet Morning. A deeper resonance greets our ears, but one that lulls us into a peaceful repose. It is a peace that manifests such an immense level of tranquillity that few contemporary artists could ever hope to match it. The tones glide over a bed of textured orchestration that feels like watching the first light of dawn gently break over snow-capped mountains. It moves slowly and carefully, allowing the listener to settle into a deep, meditative state, this is how a real human manifests truly great ambient music, AI software not required, thank you.

A higher elevation of timbre greets our senses with the composition called City Rain. But here is also a track that is so sweeping, easy and calm, that if one listens to this with utter honesty they won’t fail to be moved. There is a wonderful, visual narrative running through this particular piece. 2002 creates an echoing softness that beautifully replicates the gentle patter of a soothing rainfall. The subtle chord changes float back and forth so effortlessly that time itself becomes entirely irrelevant. I kid you not; the emotional resonance embedded within these keys is utterly glorious.

On Taking Flight we can float on a bed of musical clouds, at first it seems to be a dramatic prose taking effect, but the sweeping and floating genius here by 2002 as a band is blissful, in the same way Kevin Kendle did with his Clouds album back in the day. This track represents a monumental moment on the album where the music truly begins to soar. The melodic layers build into a beautifully realized, anthemic structure, driven forward by a heartfelt performance on the strings and keyboards. It speaks to a deep, universal longing inside every one of us to rise above our daily challenges. Simply outstanding!

The midway point of the release is reached and called Shimmering Path. A more questioning and explorative path can be felt here, on this quality ambient offering, floating keyboards and synths offer up much to be enjoyed. Here we find a delicious palate of tones and vibrations bathed in a memory-filled tapestry of serenity. The pristine notes float effortlessly in the pastiche of an incredibly colourful composition. There is an almost cinematic style piece here that feels like a stranger walking through a misty, enchanted forest at night. It is cathartic, peaceful, and beautifully delivered.

We step tenderly into the pathway of the latter half of the album and we are thus greeted by the track The Clearing. The ambience here feels nature filled, one can visualise the old hedgerows of a distant age emerge from the mist manifested shadows of an early morning sunrise. The arrangement dials back into a space of absolute acoustic bliss. The interplay between the instruments is minimal but incredibly powerful, proving that simplicity is often an artist's greatest strength. It provides a singular breath to recalibrate the soul before moving deeper into the recording.

Once more, pay notice to the pitch of the start of each track, each is carefully curated to bring the maximum of peace and contentment, and on the creation The In Between World that lush green texture continues. It creates a floating, peace-filled vibration that bridges the gap between our physical reality and the mystical energies of another realm. It is visionary music at its finest and an album manifested into reality by thinking cogent minds, not artificial, and truly emotive with every single note played.

Weightless sits at that deeper point of this river of music, its ethereal aspects speaks with the volume of a caress and a loving hug of a treasured individual. The ambient architecture of this piece does exactly what the title promises. The gentle, repeating motifs act as a balm for the spirit, effectively detaching the listener from the gravity of modern life. You could quite easily leave this single piece on repeat for hours on end and not even notice the time pass you by or care either, and that is one of the most vital parts about really brilliantly constructed ambient music made by humans that people fail to understand, it’s the journey to be enjoyed, not the algorithm to be chased.

The moving depth within the penultimate track entitled Faraway Memory is an utter delight, slight surges in tonal energy can be felt, soothing synths build upon a bed of natural ambient energy and something truly evocative is born. Here one can find a deeply reflective offering that strikes a powerful chord in the heart. The melody encourages us to look backward into the pastiche of our own lives, conjuring thoughts of dear friends and distant summer memories. The emotional depth that the Copus family can manifest out of thin air is a timeless reverence to be celebrated and is done so brilliantly, not only on this track, but on the entire album itself.

The final conclusion to the album and the wings project is now upon us, and called Wings of Light. What an utterly transcendent manifestation to end the album and the series, ambience personified. We close this extraordinary trilogy with a luminous, overarching masterpiece. The overlay of pristine chords and heavenly orchestration leaves the listener feeling much stronger and open-hearted than when the journey began. It brings the entire Wings saga to a triumphant, peaceful conclusion. Without a doubt, this is a must-purchase album for the entire world.

When all is said and done, Wings III: Ambient Bliss by 2002 is nothing short of a staggering achievement. In an era where the music industry is all too often dominated by artificiality, the Copus family have given the world a pure, human-made sanctuary of the very highest order.

This album does not merely serve as the closing chapter of a legendary, decades-spanning trilogy; it stands independently as a masterclass in modern New Age serenity. From the buoyant, freeing notes of the opening track to the luminous, celestial tapestry of its grand finale, the Copus family has crafted a seamlessly flowing, ten-track odyssey that effortlessly washes away the heavy armour of the modern day, and the utter junk created by talentless individuals seeking an easy ride in this wave of AI deep fakes.

The production is pristine, the emotional resonance is profoundly deep, and the absolute peace it manifests within the listener's heart is a rare and precious gift. I kid you not; this is an essential, must-own release for the entire world, and a timeless example of instrumental music at its absolute finest. It is an absolute triumph that must not be missed under any circumstances!

There is More to the Story By Craigology

 

There is More to the Story

By

Craigology

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

It is fantastic to hear the king of musical vibrancy back on the scene and this time with a brand new EP called There is More to the Story. It contains three previously released pieces and one I had not heard of before, so let’s take a deep dive into this compilation and pay homage to the master of soulful smooth funk and chill Craigology.

Working Things Out Craigology (World Beat Groove) starts our journey of taste and textures, this was released early on this year and is a complex yet lively composition with some of the artists trademark keyboard skills melded into a mixture of added instrumentation, and a floating segment at the 2:20 minute mark that reminded me greatly of old style Level 42 from the 1980’s

We now move to the piece Attractive (World Beat Groove), again a release in 2026 and a particular favourite of mine. The prolonged and explorative keyboard work here is something to marvel at from the opening moments, there is an easy confidence to the track. The groove settles naturally into place, creating a relaxed but unmistakable rhythmic pulse. Craigology understands that a world beat track doesn't need to overwhelm the listener with complexity; sometimes the greatest strength is allowing the rhythm to breathe.

Then deeper into the realm of There is More to the Story (World Beat Groove), here is a classy and sexy offering with a perfect sultry rhythm. There is something wonderfully understated about the way Craigology approaches the music here. Rather than throwing everything at the listener from the outset, the track allows its rhythmic character to unfold naturally. The world beat influence gives the piece a gentle sense of travel, while the smooth-jazz foundation keeps the whole journey relaxed and inviting. It is music with movement, but not movement in a hurry, one must also take their time when listening to the coda, and it’s unexpected but dramatically inspiring completion.

Zoology (World Beat Groove) concludes our journey with Craigology, a fine and smart way to finish the release with colours, textures and a vibrant musical image in a tapestry of tone and splendour. The world beat foundation gives the track its pulse, while the experimental jazz-house influence introduces another dimension altogether. The result is a fascinating meeting of organic rhythmic energy and contemporary electronic sensibility and that title suddenly begins to make sense.

Class, class and more class, what an amazing release from the king of smooth jazz and now world beats in, Craigology. This is an EP that rewards simply settling into the groove and allowing the music to unfold at its own pace. It doesn't need to shout. Its appeal comes from atmosphere, rhythm, texture and the sense that something interesting is happening beneath the surface. Craigology has taken the smooth and given it room to travel. World beat supplies the journey, jazz supplies the soul, and the groove supplies the compass. This one if destined for the upper echelons of the charts with utter ease.