Monday, December 9, 2024

Native Flute Journeys 5 By Sandi Horton

 


Native Flute Journeys 5

By

Sandi Horton

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The Flute of Sandi Horton has truly been making waves in the world of instrumental music in 2024, but now as we inexorably move slowly towards the end of that time, the artist has gathered some of her favourite winter based seasonal compositions to release, in this most sparkling of winters.

The joy starts from track one with Sandi’s version of the Christmas classic entitled O Come, O Come Emmanuel, I so enjoyed this rendition that I replayed the track a couple of times before I started to collate my thoughts and put them into words, this has to be one of the most haunting and beautiful arrangements of this piece in history. This new release also contains magical versions of famous pieces like Angels We Have Heard on High, O Tannenbaum, Coventry Carol and others.

Native Flute Journeys 5 is a 12 track release with some wonderfully fluent original structures contained within also, and it is these that I will focus on in this review. On the piece Winter Solstice (Padauk bass F Flute) we have a bliss filled moment of stunning flute to enjoy, Hortons almost meditative style on this track weaves us through the icy lands and lanes of deep midwinter with such style and grace.

Then we have the ambience created by the following musical narrative entitled Mary’s Song, where a higher note can be found, the creation was manifested by the utilisation of a (White Cedar, high E flute) and a more charming musical reverie you would be hard pushed to find.

Finally the next manifestation of mood filled flute is in front of us and called The Trees are Magical. One has to say that the arrangement and musical structures brought into life here by Horton are very redolent of the subject matter, simply gaze from your window at the trees moving in the winter wind, and enjoy this breath taking soundtrack.

Other winter and Christmas classics are included on this album as mentioned earlier, one of the long and lasting musical memories we all have is Greensleeves, and Horton’s version has a gentle, but palpable rhythm, whilst offerings like We Three Kings give us all a familiar reminder of this time of year, however her presentation here is extremely crisp and wonderfully fluent, raising our rhythms and hopes for brighter days ahead.

The project is concluded with the lullaby styled opus of Silent Night, a better way with which to finish an album of this elk you will not find, and a most charming re-imagination of this Christmas classic indeed.

Native Flute Journeys 5 by Sandi Horton is a solo flute based album that anyone looking for positive memories of winter and seasonal cheer should have, it contains 12 tracks of beautifully played flute, and all bathed in a most heartfelt and loving energy, it is certainly a collection of seasonal pieces you would be most proud of in your musical collection, so do yourselves a favour, and ask for a copy of Native Flute Journeys 5 by Sandi Horton to be placed in your Christmas stocking this year, your ears will love you forever.

Thursday, December 5, 2024

Imagine By Alise Ashby

 


Imagine

By

Alise Ashby

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I remember 1971 very well; my interest in music had reached past pop and into progressive rock, but my love of the Beatles still hovered like a familiar cloud across a November sky, back in 1971(USA) (1975 in the UK) Lennon would go on to release a single and an album that has become iconic, and called Imagine. It is this journey of legendary proportions we gaze at lovingly today, by one of the finest pianists of her day in Alise Ashby.

Ashby has developed a truly tender performance style, and here on this illustrious composition, she breathes a fresh stream of consciousness into the arrangement, her fluent and gentle presentation will charm the most ardent of Lennon fans, and leave a calming smile across the faces of many a music aficionado.

This is a song that exemplifies peace, love and a fairer world, still something as humans we search for in the darkness of our own fears, but here Ashby with this instrumental version, poses a soothing reminder for us to keep trying. Her skill set as a pianist is one that creates cathartic creations, and on this new single Imagine, one that we all know and love so well, she has done just that, this moment of magical instrumental magnificence will be with ease a massive hit for the pianist as the year of 2024 draws to its final conclusion.


Music For Study And Relaxation By Fiona Joy Hawkins

 


Music For Study And Relaxation

By

Fiona Joy Hawkins

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Many years have passed since I first listened to one of my personal favourite Fiona Joy Hawkins albums entitled 600 Years In A Moment, and now some almost 12 years later a release that probably surpasses even that comes to the fore, and called Music For Study And Relaxation. Fiona is without doubt one of the leading female forces in piano in this day and age, and too see her produce an epic album of this quality fills my heart with joy.

Our voyage starts with the beautiful opening piece called Lake of Contemplation ft Rebecca Daniel.  The strings here are so important, they not only add another dimension into the weave of the composition, but they create a texture that supports the soothing piano from the artist.

Twilight Moment although short form in musical structure, is a track that says a lot with its delicate and reflective performance, one can feel the importance of the time, when one holds back the night to strain one more second from the beauty of the moment, whilst on Flight of the Snowbird we have a cinematic track that could easily be used in movie, the layered strings and piano manifest a symbiotic partnership that is so utterly beautiful.

Music for Study and Relaxation is an 11 track collection of some of the best piano with added instrumentation I have heard for simply ages, for example one can enjoy the hovering intent of the piece Turquoise Interlude, or we can relive the magic of the past on the ever wonderful Blue Dream.  We might want to walk the halls of more mysterious and mystical creations like Calling Earth featuring Sidney Chopin, regardless Fiona Joy Hawkins with Music for Study and Relaxation has built a world of piano based music where there is literally something for everyone.

This quite stunning new release is concluded with the composition 600 Years of Rest ft Riverest, and I feel the circle of time through this track has once more been completed. This is a sublime arrangement to end with, like the entire album one could, and I did, literally bathe within its realms and be eternally happy doing so.

Music for Study and Relaxation by Fiona Joy Hawkins in my view her best work thus far, the soft pastiche of tone, the perfect timbre, and the breathtakingly beautiful compositional structures and multi instrumental performances, all go to making this album for me one of the best in this genre I have heard for decades, I can see this being a massive hit on the charts, and is most certainly award worthy.


Immersion ft Christophe Goze By DM Ascension

 


Immersion ft Christophe Goze

By

DM Ascension

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There is always time for a little chilled vibrational music in the world, and this new single from DM Ascension featuring the talents of the sublime Christophe Goze called Immersion, sets the scene for anyone’s day to be as cool as an October evening. This downbeat and laid back reverie is one fine example of two musicians completely connecting, to bring us ever eager listeners something to bliss out with.

The guitar of Goze has always been a musical tool of multifaceted textures, and here on this new offering the pairing create one of the most laid back tracks of the year thus far. The synths and keyboard work is noteworthy and manifests that chillout mood that one would have been totally at home within any lounge or Buddha bar of the late 90’s.

The combination of D M Ascension and Christophe Goze is simply a winner, and together on this fantastic new creation they have without doubt produced a quality moment of sublime chilled smooth jazz to thoroughly enjoy, and one that I feel will win over listeners and fans alike, and thus a very good chart position should soon follow if there is any justice in this world.


Tuesday, December 3, 2024

Sound Polarities By Tsode

 


Sound Polarities

By

Tsode

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

It must be my lucky day today, the music is flowing fast and free and the beauty of it all is marvellous, this is the second album to review this sunny day in December, and it is a task willingly taken. The musical journey is a release called Sound Polarities and created and composed by Tsode.

The artist has been on my musical radar now for some 8 years or so, but here on Sound Polarities this is truly superior work that is something to be totally proud of, the initial start so much reminds me of early Eno, its gentle reflective sun kissed tones are a fine place to begin and entitled Sound Polarities I.

The more electronic energies are touched within this next offering that also remind me of my old friend Ramsey Gee who used to produce a style of ethnic electronic music for AD records, here on Funny Business Tsode manufactures something similar and fun.

An interesting title is up next and called Kismet, a word describing fate, destiny, by some essence of chance, regardless Tsode has produced something powerful and driving within this composition that reminded me of Robert Miles and his 1998 hit Children, with a slight hint of Jean Michel Jarre into the mix.

We now move to the fluent vocals that can be found on the track entitled A Brighter Love. One must congratulate the artist on this piece, this is a composition that could easily make the Euro song contest, but in all honesty probably is far too good, and one has to also say, this was incredibly well sung as well.

Memories of Ascension Paths started with a soft synth passage and morphed with a slight percussive element into a piece that would have graced any 1990’s Buddha bar or chillout lounge; the floating and easy on the mind vibrations here for me manifest a sublime piece of musical structure that truly needs to be respected.

We move ever onwards towards a piece called The Silk Movement, a leading piano narrative lights our way, whilst a soft pastiche of strings adds texture to the proceedings, it has to be said that this is an extremely artistic creation, I remember Kitaro’s Silk Road, but the tempo here is more thoughtful and most certainly amazingly reflective too.

The intermediate composition is our way finder on the album and of course is Sound Polarities II, but this time the grounding is given to us ever eager listeners with a trance like percussive beat, one that leads us cleverly into the following narrative of Melodies of a Night's Dream feat. Moises Daniel, on a piece that has a sensitive almost lullaby mood to its arrangement.

Venus is our next location, and a vast voyage of musical joy can be found here on this crafted synth based opus, we have a syncopated percussion, a perfect example of electro pop, one that leads the listener on a constant onward motion, perhaps past Venus and into the very space time continuum itself. Where we may find the piano lead track coming next called Sakura, another dance based opus that takes us back to the 90’s.

On the piece Improvisations of Soul there is a tender motif, an almost angelic arrangement that is pristine in nature and texture, whilst on the following musical narrative Time to Run the pace picks up, the energy increases to bring us a piece that had that Jarre feel to it, with even more progressive structures.

One of my favourite subjects to create music about, are the monolithic structures we call mountains, here the artist manifests something quite moving and emotive and entitled The Mountains. We live on a small island that has three main ranges to enjoy, the vastness of the composition relays that epic vista to me with ease.

Interestingly enough the longest offering from the album is called Life and at some 16 minutes plus in duration is one of the longest composition we have ever had from the artist. This for me is a suite of several parts, all of which are utterly sublime and creating an artistic and fascinating musical voyage, with moments of sparkling keyboard and electronic magic, Tsode brings us an epic journey of Life like never before, and has us all held in the palm of his hands whilst doing so. The concluding piece is a remix of track 3 entitled Kismet (EvilSound Remix), which brings our journey to a climax with a stunningly fluent electro pop finish.

Sound Polarities by Tsode is a truly epic release; some 15 tracks can be found within the realms of this new album, and in some ways the release and its contents manage to cater for most listeners musical preferences along the way. Here is an anthology of smart and gifted arrangements from one of the finest electronic musicians of his day, and an album of infectious energy, one that should be supported by all and called, Sound Polarities by Tsode.


A Journey Of Dreams By Paul Adams & Elizabeth Geyer

 


A Journey Of Dreams

By

Paul Adams & Elizabeth Geyer

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

For me this winter has been illuminated and literally lit up, by one of the most beautiful new albums of 2024 called A Journey Of Dreams, and its creators Paul Adams & Elizabeth Geyer deserve a huge amount of respect for bringing to our musical table one of the most ambient, meditative, and blissful albums of the year thus far, and boy, just when we all truly needed it.

This is a 10 track release that proudly starts with the title track and therefore of course called A Journey of Dreams; soft synths lead our way, with gentle vocalisations, one that leads us carefully towards a dreaming flute, our panacea on this musical journey.

This release is heavenly and is a collection of creations that inspire calm, tranquillity and serenity, pieces like the, The Arrival contain a plenitude of instrumentation including Ethnic Flutes, Chinese Hulusi, Sitar, Piano, and Harmonica.

Each and every composition is curated with such a tender attention to detail, and one of my favourite offerings called The Lightness brought a sense of originality like never before, when on 9 seconds in a small bird flew in from through the window of the artist’s studio, and added its contribution to the piece with a chirp.

Another meditative and soothing gift I must highlight is called Drifting; the layered and textured beauty of this piece mesmerized me completely, we now add the instrumentation of the Oud and Dobro, whilst the piano continues to lay level upon level of bliss, in the same was as David Naegele did back in 1982 with Temple in the Forest.

I cannot praise this album enough, this whole project literally took me back to the golden age of new age music with its multi-faceted perfection and musical exploration, the penultimate offering helped that aforementioned statement further and called Somewhere There Is Hope, an old age new age track that will be held in future decades as a timeless reverie of peace, adding the Sitar to the composition Adams and Geyer create just that.

The journey is concluded with one of the most breath taking compositions that you are likely to hear in this genre and called The Reward. The softness of this specific arrangement manifests an almost ethereal energy; Adam’s flute seems to cry across the ageless dimensions of time and tide, and thus give to its listeners a piece that is truly reflective, heart felt and emotionally touching, all of this can be felt within this concluding creation.

A Journey Of Dreams by Paul Adams & Elizabeth Geyer has to be one of my personal favourite albums of 2024, and as we draw the closure of this year, we can honestly look back and say that this has to be the best work of the musical duo with ease, and with my heart on my musical sleeve, my personal favourite album of that time too. Albums of this grace and beauty do not come around that often, so I urge you to embrace A Journey Of Dreams by Paul Adams & Elizabeth Geyer, it is without doubt one of the finest examples of multi-instrumental new age music ever.


Monday, December 2, 2024

When The Sun Has Legs By Chrissie and Steve Sheppard

 


When The Sun Has Legs

By

Chrissie and Steve Sheppard

Written by

Andy Rogers

 

Chrissie and Steve Sheppard are of course well known as the owners of One World Music Radio and as show presenters. Steve is also famous for his expertly crafted music reviews, while Chrissie is an expert in holistic therapies. For the last few years they have also been recording and releasing their own brand of music. Steve has long been a fan of “New Age” music and Chrissie loves flute based music, so it was inevitable that their music follows that course, albeit with their own unique stylings.

The new album from Steve and Chrissie is called When The Sun Has Legs, a phrase popular on Cyprus (where they live), that refers to when the sun shines from behind clouds and causes shafts of sunlight to fall from sky to ground in an almost biblical way. Apparently Steve and Chrissie had been out for the day, making their way home during a storm that suddenly cleared with the appearance of sunshine behind the clouds. Suitably inspired, once home they went immediately into the studio and this entire album was completed in one day.

The six tracks on the album take us through a day which starts out sunny and calm, descends into a fierce and wild storm then clears to leave us once again in sunshine by a calm sea. The first track Peaceful Harbour is a quiet morning as we hear the sounds of harbour life around us, gentle sea and seagulls with distant church bells. The music reflects this with an almost ambient feel: held notes with a lead instrument that sounds almost like a harp – very evocative and calming.

We find the title track up now, When The Sun Has Legs, here you can feel the day changing. The sun has gone behind the clouds. Rain is starting to fall as the music becomes darker and more intense. The volume of the music increases as the track ends with rippling piano leading us into track 3 Before the storm here Chrissie’s flute is very much to the fore, hovering over Steve’s ambient keyboards and increasingly menacing rain and thunder.

By track 4 Storm Front we are well and truly in the throes of a violent storm, the music has a darker texture now, ambient chords with recurring musical motifs all battle with the sounds of crashing waves, wind, rain and loud thunder-claps. Eventually the music fades into the distance leaving just the sounds of the storm taking us into track 5 Aftermath. The storm slowly recedes leaving a ghostly-sounding choir that is slowly joined by keyboards and flute before suddenly a voice appears with an almost operatic feel… there is a sense of the worst being over as we are once again down by the sea with gentle waves and seagulls.

Track 6 Clear Skies opens with church bells, the message being all is calm once again; Chrissie’s flute drifts over a backing track that gains an increasingly more positive feel to the mood of the music as it progresses. The flute returns over an accompaniment of gentle strings and bright effects before the church bells increase in intensity and the track fades out leaving the village to return to normal now that the storm has passed.

When the Sun has Legs is an impressive album - it manages to capture the feeling of a stormy day really well in just sound and music – if you like your New Age music to be evocative of nature and have a slightly ambient feel then you could do a lot worse than give this album a listen.


Friday, November 29, 2024

Heaven Sent By Peter Sterling

 


Heaven Sent

By

Peter Sterling

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There comes a time when an album will literally flow into your arms and create such a calming and soothing energy, that you simply get lost in the moment and breathe an ageless breath of a peace filled tranquillity like never before, this new release by Peter Sterling has achieved just that and is wonderfully entitled, Heaven Sent.

With each textured brush stroke of grace Sterling manifests one of the most compelling new age albums of the year, tracks like the idyllic Golden Leaves of Fall is but one grace filled opus that will sooth the body and ease the mind, the angelic vocalisations and harp combined manifests something utterly transcendent.

Heaven Sent is a 10 track release of many colours and emotions; a beautiful ride through peace filled meadows of harp, a fine example is the deep swathes of tranquillity that can be found on the track Timeless Heart, here is a calming reverie with a rich multi-instrumental nature, one that heals as it plays, similar in energy to that of Deuter back in the day.

The softness of pieces like The Rain Will Fall meant so much to me; our village had no rain for some 7 months, and this incredibly sensitive musical narrative gave me hope that someday it will again, we can also applaud the keyboards and vocalisations provided by the amazing Paul Avgerinos on this piece too, this combined with the piano another I have worked with in Charu Suri on piano, made this a personal favourite of mine.

After looking at pictures and videos to remind myself of what a western autumn used to feel like, I came across this next stunning track called After Glow, the gentle pace of this composition is utterly delightful and incredibly meditative, one could get lost within its realms, and so we should.

While creations like Days Of Old add another layer to the album, with an unusual addition of a musical instrument supplied by the harmonica of Antonio R, the concluding musical narrative called The Sun Always Shines ends our journey of serenity and peace with such a heart-warming caress of a composition, that combination of flute and harp took me back to the golden ages of new age music before the turn of the century.

This may well be the 17th release of the artist, but truth be told, and in my opinion, I believe that Heaven Sent by Peter Sterling is the best work of the composer thus far, the lengthy list of added performers on the album is simply amazing in every aspect, and the resultant final production is one of the finest new age albums that has come out so far in this decade. Here is a release most deserved of an award, and one of the most beautifully calming musical journeys of a lifetime.


Thursday, November 28, 2024

Peaceful Christmas: Solo Piano Music By Craigology

 


Peaceful Christmas: Solo Piano Music

By

Craigology

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I can hardly believe that we are nearing the holiday season, and for many Christmas is a time of year that evokes special family memories, many fun times, much music and happiness, and along the way many tunes, songs and compositions will have been heard throughout the decades, here on Peaceful Christmas: Solo Piano Music, Craigology brings his own special and unique flavours to those popular seasonal melodies.

The album is a 10 track walk through of Christmas music history, starting with the classic The First Noel, a piece that I always felt uplifting in its overall narrative, and one that Craigology has raised further in tone and timbre for us all today.

There are many favourites that you will remember including a very creative version of What Child is This, a spectacular rendition of what I always think of as a Christmas lullaby in, Away In A Manager, and one of my personal favourites from the release in Angels We Have Heard on High, an arrangement that has a delightful jazz motif to its construction.

At the half way juncture Christmas standards like Hark! The Herald Angels Sing can be found, and is a creation so fluent with such a deliciously slowed tempo, whilst offerings like O Holy Night grace the album with a musical presence of a calming and soothing nature. A favourite among many is the magical It Came Upon a Midnight Clear, with its hymn like base structure.

However my personal favourite would be the jazzed up styled manifestation of God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen, giving the listener an overview of some of the best piano based work ever from the artist, still the original energy of the piece remains, but in a re-energized format.

The penultimate creation is a clever compilation of Christmas tunes called A Christmas Reflection: A Music Collage of Christmas Carols, one that contains a truly great performance from the artist as he wends his way through time tone and timbre.

The concluding piece is of course the finest of all as Craigology would like to give you the best cheer of all with We Wish You a Merry Christmas. This light and fresh presentation gifts us all a few moments to be grateful for, and of course I too wish you a happy Christmas along with the artist as well.

Peaceful Christmas: Solo Piano Music by Craigology has to be one of the most positively played set of Christmas arrangements I have heard for simply decades, if you would like your home to be filled with seasonal music that will bring you much pleasure and happiness, then you would do yourself a great favour by simply adding Peaceful Christmas: Solo Piano Music by Craigology to your playlist of choice, you will not regret it. 


Wednesday, November 27, 2024

Holding the Storm By Nick Farr

 


Holding the Storm

By

Nick Farr

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I read Nicks album notes on our own personal or global storms, and he certainly has a point, and I can also state that music has helped me through some of the most turbulent times in my life as well, and I guess it always will, music for me is the only language that always tells the truth and never lies, it is what it is, and this latest album from Nick Farr is as a powerful compilation of great compositions to help anyone who is going through or about to enter the storm itself, and thus this is why releases like Holding The Storm is vitally important in this day and age more than ever.

So let’s take a look at this grand offering and we start with the proud title track. Holding the Storm is a legendary piece with a soundtrack quality, almost Lord of Rings pre final battle scene, it has a deep sense of strength, but a track that also contains quieter segments that go on to build further; if ever you were looking for the perfect start to an album this is it.

Celtic Quest says does exactly what it says on the can, the lilt is from the highlands and the upbeat tempo is not that far away from a rock reverie, mix that with the sublime flute of Leah Wilson and you have a masterpiece of a composition, one that constantly drives onward across valleys and vales, Lyman Golden with both banjo and electric guitar really gives this composition by Farr the edge it needed.

We slide into the open arms of one of the most beautiful compositions from the album called Hope. Again Lyman Golden, this time on acoustic guitar, partners Leah Wilson (flute) to create a pastiche of symbiotic tone and timbre, Farr’s melodic and creative piano brings changes in tempo, uplifts in tone and adds a vibration of hopeful mystery into the weave of the composition.

The opening bars of this next piece truly reminded me of the early days of masters of the piano like Elton John, Farr created here a mood so meaningful and honest on the track called Here We Are, that one would have to wonder if they were perhaps listening to an anthem like opus that would be a timeless reverie over the decades ahead, when the trumpet of Ben Jones joined the fray the answer became a resounding yes, magic was indeed born.

The string sections are so very important on an album like this, I am glad to say that composer Nick Farr has created a symphonic gesture that is utterly delightful on the track Love Notes, this is a piece that changes its posture a few times within its arrangement, as a percussive element is brought into the composition to manifest a cheer filled construction.

Whilst on In the Face of Danger the midway section of the album is reached, this powerful melodramatic offering has us literally standing eye to eye with whatever opponent we have in front of us at that moment, the orchestral prowess of the piece gives us, that ever needy listener, an opportunity to gather up courage and move steadily onwards without fear.

This 12 track release by Farr has been 7 years in the making, but the wait has been worth it, once more power plays like the almost regal and grand Another Way, a composition that builds and flows like a river in mid-winter, this is neoclassical music at its very best, and some of the most inspirational music I have heard since my last visit to my David Arkenstone collection.

From my upstairs balcony I can gaze across the ocean, here I see many ships cross the horizon, and here I know have a piece that encapsulates that moment in music and called Sailing to the Horizon. This is a fast paced exploratory symphonic creation that powers across the late November waves in distain for the inclement weather, and is one of the most dramatic offerings off the album, and most certainly movie score standard with ease.

My second favourite season is Spring, it borders the boundaries of the death of winter and the hopefulness and happiness of summer, this specific piece is even more classical in its posture, highlighting the need for an orchestra to manifest something so redolent of hope, transition, colour and energy, this Farr’s creation does with such style and ease.

There comes a point in all our lives when we give in to the moment, we don’t give up, we become Fearless.  Farr has brought a special scene, perhaps even created a special moment in the album when our heads can bravely come above the parapets of oppression and stand tall. This is a marvellous and careful creation, one that contains a fearless approach, but also one of trepidation and concern.

The shore has been reached as we land at the penultimate track off the album, and this delicious offering is called Return to the Highlands. Anticipation is the watchword here as the composer builds a cautious composition, but one that grows with a steady confidence and fluency, this is a masterful last but one creation by the artist and his orchestra, a piece that would be easily used on a soundtrack for a documentary about the Celts maybe!

The final and departing musical narrative is entitled Meadows of Green, a softer more gentle piece is slowly manifested here, in its self it becomes more of an anthem for a return home after many years of exile, and like the subject matter of the entire album, it is at this point that we can see the benefit of actually standing tall and holding back that storm.

We have all been there, trials, tribulations large and small, life’s rich tapestry, its twists and turns affects us all and always will do, but we all have it in us to hold that storm at bay and rise above the negativity and gloom. On Holding The Storm by Nick Farr we now have a soundtrack for that event, something we can always refer back to when times get tough.

Holding The Storm by Nick Farr is a high quality instrumental moment of musical power and intensity, and holding that musical flag of hope high we will always prevail. This is an example of fine instrumental work from Farr, his piano and his orchestral team, it is a fine example of top class Neo Classical music, and as such I would not be surprised at all to see this album in the top reaches of the charts, it is that compelling and invigorating.


Tuesday, November 26, 2024

Future Temples By Forrest Smithson

 


Future Temples

By

Forrest Smithson

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Back in the hazy days of 2015 I heard one of the most accomplished albums in the electronic ambient field from Forrest Smithson that I thought he would never be able to better, it was called Ooti, this album has lived on my personal playlists of choice for years, I still love it as much today as I did back then, but now Smithson has finally done it, he has created the seminal musical album that in my view has even surpassed that previously aforementioned release, and this marvellous collection of great arrangements is called Future Temples.

As I write I am now on my second consecutive listen, it is a splendid experience; it’s glorious in its own constructed narrative, and tracks like the transcendent opener and the title track Future Temples leads the way with its grounding synths and swirling descriptive tones, this is stunning stuff and at times feels like we are flowing upwards from the bass charka towards the crown.

The next opus of grandeur starts with some pertinent natural bird sounds, keeping us in the realm of reality and nature, whilst the keyboards of Smithson manifest an electronic rhythm that is undeniable and called The Earliest Moments, this leads us beautifully into one if the prettiest pieces off the release called Reflections, the hovering synths manifest a still scenic vista that we can float within, whilst the progression of the keyboards gift us a sense of slow movement perhaps towards the temple itself, pleas note the delightful convergence of the water sounds and the music, this is so wonderfully textured.

This 7 track creation is sublime with each track played, the whole package is blissful in its creation and lush in its colours and moods, even the long form narrative is catered for in pieces like Vanishing Territories. A true voyage can be taken through this magnificent opus of mysterious delight, changing course and tempo, changing scenes and landscapes, and containing a virtual tour of natural sounds and tones.

The track Saudade gifts the enquiring listener a sense of ambience to dwell within for well over nine minutes, and through the tonal enchantment one can literally find a meditative sanctuary to reflect in, this piece is one of the most beautiful ambient tracks I have heard for many years, a light bird sound can be heard, and one that sounds like a Blackbird or Thrush, this just adds to the sense of longing and mournful construction of the composition.

The penultimate piece Time Prints, has a light Berlin school motif to its arrangement, but holds its calmness and musical posture well in check, and thus carries a sense of tranquillity with the creation as it goes, and in fact right up to the eventual storm at the latter half of the track.

We alas have to conclude our journey this simply incredible voyage of creative and aware electronic ambient music, with the last composition from the album called Nostalgia. We all from time to time long for moments we enjoyed in the past to return to us in the present or at least in the future, this rarely happens, and when it does it is different, beautiful, but different, here Smithson craft-fully explores those emotions and longings, and in doing so manifests one of the most meditative and fascinating endings to an album I think I have heard for decades.

Future Temples by Forrest Smithson is one of those albums that you might wait your whole life to hear, but when that chance comes, you love every second of what it brings to your musical table. As an electronic musician myself, I would love one day to create something as good as this, it has a sweet tone, an enticing vibrational flow, a narrative that is both palpable and attractive, the performance is one of the best I have heard in this genre, and the artistry and compositional structures are unbelievably astounding, I therefore urge you to get Future Temples by Forrest Smithson it is a musical experience you will never want to end.


Monday, November 25, 2024

Dark of Night By Johannes Linstead

 


Dark of Night

By

Johannes Linstead

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The smooth ride that this new single from Johannes Linstead creates is somewhat magical in its musical properties, the title of the song is Dark of Night and in its early inception it actually brings a mysterious vibration to the fore, but one that morphs into an almost travelling narrative.

There can be no doubt that Johannes is one of the most flavourful acoustic guitarists of his day, and his Latin arrangements have coloured many a listeners musical path along the many years of his creations in the business.

Here on this new single he has created a compelling and fluent composition that takes us eager listeners along the way with him, as if we are his musical passengers. Dark of Night is a multi-faceted tale a guitar based reverie that builds of the excitement of the night, and all the mysteries it has to unfold before us.

Johannes Linstead manifests a fine performance on this new single and in doing so adds a light rhythmic percussive element into the weave of the manifestation too, the mood changes, the chord shifts and tones, all go to bring to its audience one of the most enthralling singles he has ever created, and thus I predict a huge chart hit for Dark of Night by Johannes Linstead, one of the most addictive singles of the year to date.


Friday, November 22, 2024

The Dawn by Suren Lama

 


The Dawn

By

Suren Lama

By

Steve Sheppard

 

One of the most eclectic acoustic singles came my way today, in a breath of much needed fresh air within the realms of instrumental genre; the composition is called The Dawn and the artist Suren Lama. This is one extremely vibrant offering that has many facets to its diamond like construction of an arrangement.

The fluent and rhythmic guitar of the artist is utterly enhanced by the crisp added instrumentation and unique global flow of the overall narrative, Jagannath JD on Tabala is a fine example of that aforementioned statement, the added rhythm swings the piece forward with happy invigorated energies. Whilst the sweet acoustic guitar of Lama brings the listener a place of serene joy to visit, one has to say that the performance on his instrument of choice was one of the most colourful and passionate I have heard this year with ease.

The Dawn by Suren Lama is a recording of soothing yet up beat global infused rhythmic guitar and light percussion, and likely one that will become a very addictive part of many listeners listening experiences. Here on this new offering from the artist Suren Lama has gifted us a cheer filled moment of musical bliss to enjoy in an otherwise fear filled world, so smile, be happy, enjoy life, and spin The Dawn By Suren Lama, it may well be the musical panacea you have been searching for.


Thursday, November 21, 2024

Storyteller Part II By Walter Holland

 


Storyteller Part II

By

Walter Holland

Written by

Andy Rogers

 

Storyteller Part II is very much a companion album to the Storyteller Part I album. The album opens with Ralph McTell’s song “Peppers and Tomatoes”, a forceful song that tells of a man trying to live peacefully and keep his family safe in the face of aggression … forcefully sung and played, which I found chilling.

We move on to Black is the Colour, a traditional Scottish song about a lover who has failed to return; this was later adapted and sung in the Appalachians. Next up is Hallelujah which has become Leonard Cohen’s best known song these last few years. Walter’s version has just him and a piano plus backing vocals and is very effective.

There is a return to acoustic guitar for track 4, The Three Ravens, a sad tale of a slain young knight who is saved from being eaten by the ravens by a pregnant doe who carries him off and buries him. Sadly the doe dies carrying out the noble deed.

Our next delight is the classic river man’s and sailor's song Shenandoah, here it gets a very nice acoustic treatment with a superb electric guitar solo in the middle.

Next up is the much loved Scottish folk song Wild Mountain Thyme, here going by one of its many alternate titles The Braes o’ Balquhidder, beautifully sung to the perfect acoustic backing it was very hard not to join in on this one!

The next piece is Emmanuel,  is a simple but emotive take on the 12th Century advent hymn O come O come Emmanuel. This is followed by Hame Hame Hame, this starts like Pink Floyd’s Shine on you Crazy Diamond then brings in vocals with Moody Blues style strings... Scottish Traditional Prog-folk-rock maybe, unclassifiable yet truly wonderful and in my opinion the high point of the album!

Carrying on with this “prog” feel is Follow the Drinking Gourd, this is based on a folk song that provided directions for escaping slaves. The Big Dipper is also known as the Drinking Gourd, and its position in the night sky served as a guide for those seeking freedom.

The last track on the album is The Bewlay Brothers, originally on David Bowie’s album Hunky Dory. Bowie himself has said the lyrics made no sense. Walter has put together a very good version here, thankfully not going for the very odd ending on the original Bowie version.

I loved this album: I found it intriguing, memorable and mesmerizing. A great choice of material with superb performances means that the 45 minutes play time just flies by. Even if you’re not a fan of Folk music, I can safely say you will love listening to Storyteller Part II.

Storyteller Part I By Walter Holland

 


Storyteller Part I

By

Walter Holland

Written by

Andy Rogers

Walter Holland is a man of many talents… a highly regarded artist with works exhibited widely across the USA, an engineer/producer and lastly a respected musician whose music reflects his influences such as Pink Floyd, Peter, Paul and Mary, Bob Dylan, David Bowie and Steeleye Span. Having been making music since the 1980s, in 2019 & 2020 he turned his attention to a more traditional folk sound and produced two albums, Storyteller, parts 1 and 2

Storyteller Part I begins with an instrumental track, A Highland Welcome as we walk with the sounds of nature from heathland to seashore. This leads straight into City of Chicago, a contemporary folk/rock track that to me has something of Harry Chapin about its vocals.

Next up is Fareweel tai Fiunary a lovely slow paced tune with some wonderful harmonies on the chorus, whereas Amang the Bonnie Winding Banks opens with more nature sounds before becoming “an old traditional lament for bagpipes, mellotron and electric guitar that we just wrote”.. That describes it perfectly!

Track 5 is Ca’ the Ewes, a Robert Burns poem performed as if it were an out-take from Pink Floyd’s The Wall. This is followed by The Three Ravens (Revisited), this is another instrumental arrangement, and features layers of guitars (acoustic then electric) with occasional cello … all rather beautiful.

Next is a wonderful folk-ballad From Clare to Here composed by Ralph McTell it tells the story of a young man leaving home in Clare to find work abroad. Walter’s performance is both moving and sensitive.

Track 8 Fear A’ Bhata is a sad song reflecting on lost love with the sound of Harpsichord and strings giving an almost medieval feel to the music. As we head towards the last parts of the album we find Poor Wayfaring Stranger this is the well-known American 19th century folk/gospel song about a lost soul on the journey through life. It works really well here with a backing of guitar and sympathetic strings.

The penultimate track on the album is called Ride On, an up-tempo yet ultimately sad tune featuring insistent electronic figure over strings and guitar, a tale of someone who can never “go with you no matter how I wanted to”- we’ve all been there.

The album ends with If I was a Blackbird, another tale of lost unrequited love featuring emotive lyrics, guitars and string accompaniment with Walter’s plaintive vocals to the fore.

Walter Holland was a new name to me before hearing this album but I was very impressed with Storyteller Part I Anyone who has any interest in acoustic music, folk music or singer songwriters will find much to enjoy here. Combining elements of folk, rock and even a dash of Prog this is an excellent album.