Orange Blossom By Craigology

 

Orange Blossom

By

Craigology

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Craigology has given us some gems over the years including nuggets like Attractive and The Outfit, and more recently the seductive Doing It. Today a new release is at hand, and it’s as smooth as you like with elements of Acid Jazz, a light funky beat, and a subtle vibrancy all of its own on the latest single entitled Orange Blossom.

The tones come fast and free on this sparkling brand new compelling single, the chilled fluency is there, a sensitive tone is captured, but the percussion drives it forever onward with utter passion and intent.

Craigology as an artist has embraced change over the years, and this new rhythmic jazz styled fluency suits his goal completely, the start reminds me of English band The Brand New Heavies, but the keyboards fast paced brilliance, reminds me more of The James Taylor Quartets intent to raise the funk just that little bit higher, combined with elements of chill out mixed into the weave.

Here is one of the most complete Jazz based tracks you will possibly find, it’s exciting, enjoyable, and bound to be a huge hit  for, Craigology and Orange Blossom, a new single that should be worshiped alone for the happy vibrations it brings to us all.

Glaciers By Eddy Ruyter

 

Glaciers

By

Eddy Ruyter

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Short form musical narratives can be somewhat of a frustrating topic for me, as invariably the entire story never seems to get told, but here on this brand new single from Eddy Ruyter entitled Glaciers, you literally have everything from start to finish in the most complete 159 seconds of solo piano you could ever imagine.

From its early inception Glaciers offers a distance vista, one that seems to edge ever closer, that excitement builds into a flurry of notes in a most attractive way, then the segment slows out of appreciation of the sight, and then that which follows is some of the most accomplished piano work I have heard from anyone, the tempo once again picks up and creates an effervescent manifestation.

Ruyter’s commanding performance challenges the short form narrative complex completely, proving a masterful performance can be had with sublime ease by dedication to creativity, and with an intelligent and crafted approach to the compositional structure, with a gently caressing coda as well.

Never before have I enjoyed a solo piano single as much as this, a flourishing performance, a beautiful compositional touch, and a creation that is textured by a smooth and insightful performance on piano, this one has to be a massive hit surely, for Eddy Ruyter and his single Glaciers, which is from his new album Waves (Deluxe).

Bodega Bliss By Ilka de Gast

 

Bodega Bliss

By

Ilka de Gast

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

There are some artists who constantly create content that is of the highest order, Ilka de Gast is most certainly one of them, her single Talking To Whales I fell head over heels in love with, and this new revere of an ethereal dimension called Bodega Bliss seems to be heading in the same, beautifully fluent direction.

The song is written and composed about a wild and untamed bay in California, it is a delight to those of us who will never travel to America, but we can do so vicariously through the medium of the music contained within this stunning new single.

De Gast’s vocals and her overtone singing are some of the most creative and moving I have heard for many a year, and the inclusion of Hank Kalleen’s symbiosis of an orchestral and soundtrack styled blend was breath taking, this whole project was an emotional whirlpool of heart felt intent and sheer bliss.

I see nothing but success on the horizon for Bodega Bliss by Ilka de Gast, its angelic presence and harmonic structures are incredibly superior in quality, and they manifest layer upon layer of textured beauty for the listener to totally immerse themselves within, this one is a guaranteed hit, and maybe even more!

Inner Joy By Soul Improvisations

 

Inner Joy

By

Soul Improvisations

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Every so often you come across a track, a piece that really resonates with you, for me that would occur today with Inner Joy by the project Soul Improvisations, aka as Devorah Maho Lewin, pianist and composer. Here is one of her brightest offerings yet, and even possibly a TV theme too in the making, and without doubt one of her most accomplished works to date.

Soul improvisations came into my life back in ‘24 with the track Warrior Heart, Conquering Life's Challenges, and with each passing composition the journey of piano has been an utter delightful experience. Here on this brand new single the artist creates a well of hope and thoughtfulness with which to draw from.

The slow start builds beautifully into a fluent and masterful performance, one that contains a positive narrative and melody, and from a moment of inner reflection is born in a performance that is deeply enjoyable and palpable too.

The main flowing theme reminds me of many that my old friend David Lanz still produces to this day, whilst this manifestation is bathed with the inner light of the truth and unconditional love, allowing the notes, tone, and timbre to go back and forth like a summer tide.

Inner Joy by Soul Improvisations is a delightful nearly seven minutes of solo piano to thoroughly embrace, this is her best work to date in my view, and from this most pleasant narrative should come a massive chart hit as well, it certainly deserves it.

Embers of the Soul By Sonya Haramis

 

Embers of the Soul

By

Sonya Haramis

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The musical pen of Sonya Haramis has been in full flow lately, but today I came across a brand new single from her that could well be described as one of her finest instrumental compositions yet, and called Embers of the Soul.

Her phrasing on this new single is some of the best I have heard in this field since Llewellyn released Journey to the Fairies back in 2003. Haramis has captured the moment here beautifully, and her smooth approach on keyboards manifests a textured process that takes the listener on a veritable journey of the soul itself.

The keyboard progression is carefully and artistically drawn to bring a wondrous immersive experience for the listener, on a composition that should obtain a rank of timeless mastery from fans of the new age genre worldwide, whilst pacifying an audience of grateful instrumental music fans as well.

In my view this is the best work from the artist thus far, her desire to paint a musical picture of defined ambience here on a bed of careful tone has been obtained, and one that with exceptional keyboard nuances too has garnered success, and I truly hope that Embers of the Soul by Sonya Haramis will achieve greatness on the charts too, it is that good.

Call to the Mountain by Sonya Haramis

 

Call to the Mountain

By

Sonya Haramis

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Sonya Haramis is back with another tantalising new single called Call to the Mountain. This vibrant new creation brings yet another layer of charismatic and mesmeric tone and timbre to the proceedings in this most addictive of compositions.

A mix of electronic pads and keyboard arrangements manifests something so original, that the surreal sense of the creation seems to brought into existence as it moves ever onward, in a march towards its symbiotic goal, a dualistic reality of tonal mastery is most certainly achieved here, hand in hand with some of the most creative percussive elements you will ever come across.

Haramis is a fine instrumentalist of inimitable talent, and should stand alone in her genre of a mixture of ambience, one I first heard from New York band So Percussion back in the early part of this century.

Here is a unique form; a special cadence of keyboards fall from the mountains of sound upon the listener, with an ambience that will pacify any musical ear, and in doing so will bring a milieu of absolute fascination from the open minded listener, for Call to the Mountain by Sonya Haramis.

Autumn Reverie by James Michael Stevens

 

Autumn Reverie

By

James Michael Stevens

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

James Michael Stevens has become somewhat of a legend in the realm of new age piano, with one flowing masterpiece after another, but I believe he may have even out done himself with this brand new album, one about my favourite time of the year, with his latest release Autumn Reverie, an album which is as beautiful as the season itself.

You only have to listen to the opening track of the release called When I Was Young to feel the deliciousness of the theme, here is a gentle reverie that is like a timeless slow moving river, its notes rising and falling back to manifest a memory palace of a composition.

Autumn Leaves Are Calling says it all about this time of year, Stevens utilises a drop back progression on a performance that almost creates a folk like mood into the weave, then the song picks up and wends its way through the coloured falling leaves of an October evening.

The album is packed full of autumnal flavours with 12 full flowing textured compositions, like the grateful energies of the track Breath of the Morning, or the more edgier narrative of vast roaming aspects of the piece Gulf Breeze, then the taste of a mysterious tenderness on the dramatic offering entitled Shadows and Dreams is offered up with great class and panache.

The one major thing that Stevens gifts us is consistency of excellence on piano, pieces like the atmospheric Smokey Mountain Lake are a fine example of the artists thought processes and artistic endeavours, and one that draws a great visual in the mind.

The lake side theme is continued with the piece called On the Waterfront, there is also a clever underpinned cinematic theme within this track as well that needs to be recognised, whilst offerings like the ebullient When Fairies Dream manifest a mood of cheer, with a tender celebratory energy.

We arrive now on the Blue Shore, a composition so beautifully layered and created, that it seems to encourage a delightful sense of anonymity, where we can listen to a fine piano performance in the privacy of our own imaginations.

Sunset Lake is our next port of call; a sun kissed reverie can be found here, one of great exquisiteness, where the piano narrative walks hand in hand over the horizon with the sun itself. The following piece is our penultimate offering and called Wings at Dusk, this is a horse of a completely different colour; its darker waves of tone will enthral the listener, pulling them into its final dramatic coda.

We conclude the album with the track Stars and Silhouette, Stevens sums it all up perfectly with this powerful last creation, once again manifesting what I would call a cinematic styled opus of great quality to bring to a close one of finest releases to date in his career.

Every time I believe that James has upped his game, and with each passing album he seems to do that, on Autumn Reverie though we see a special kindly piano elegance, one that creates moods of mystery, imagination, charm and great beauty, all in a beautifully woven tapestry of great serenity and refinement, and as such perhaps we see here an album which is certainly award worthy for James Michael Stevens and Autumn Reverie.

Stands in Power By Sonya Haramis

 

Stands in Power

By

Sonya Haramis

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The tender notes of a new single are on offer from new age artist Sonya Haramis and this new creation is well named and called Stands In Power. This manifestation is one that is perfectly balanced, delightfully composed with clarity and purpose, and is thoroughly enjoyable too.

Here is a new offering that juxtaposes a variance in tone and timbre utilising different aspects of the keyboard, with a constant percussion that balances the two major tones of the overall narrative.

Haramis offers us a smooth offering dedicated to the experience of standing in one’s own power, before the next important step of owning that space and power, but this charming reverie is an arrangement that floats between the light and dark side of ambient creation, but always keeping itself in the present, as its overall goal.

Stands in Power by Sonya Haramis is a fluent new single that will be appreciated by fans of instrumental music the globe over, and should become a bit of a hit on the charts as well, its narrative is positive and its intent is all encompassing.  

Lettre Pour Toi by Sharon Chen

 

Lettre Pour Toi

By

Sharon Chen

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Sharon Chen is a composer of fine piano pieces and also of instrumental magical creations, here on this brand new EP the artist has manifested some of her most sumptuous work this far, on this classy collection called Lettre Pour Toi, the influence’s ranging from the European classical and more western inspired short film narratives, are there in a pristine manifestation of tone and timbre.

The proud opening gift is called Rendezvous du Matin, this is one of the most immaculate tracks I have heard from Sharon, the presentation on piano is perfect and wonderfully artistically delicate, the rising energies and note progression gifts the listener a composition redolent of the subject matter, an morning rendezvous, in a day filled with hope and anticipation perhaps.

The second offering entitled La Danse de Bebe Cygne, is one of the lightest offerings from the EP and the performance, but also has its occasionally minor moment as the baby swan tries to clamber onto land. In English The Dance of the Baby Swan is one of those tracks that you won’t be able to leave alone, Chen’s performance is sublime and extremely creative, and if all truth be told one of the finest I have heard from her.

One composition I grew greatly passionate about was the following piece called Le Courage d'aimer {The Courage to Love} In my view this is Chen at her best, creating emotive patterns on her piano one after the other, in one of the most heartfelt performances of all time, slower segments and a delightful coda could all be found here.

Lettre Pour Toi is our concluding offering, with Chen’s performance on felt piano seemingly utterly timeless, like a panting by Monet, full of colour, a pronounced and elevated tonal mastery can be found here. This is one of the most ambient offerings from the artist ever, and quite frankly a piece that I will delight in playing throughout the decades ahead.

Lettre Pour Toi by Sharon Chen is with ease her best work to date, her presentations and performance is one of the best, if not the best I have heard from her, in French I would doubtlessly say, felicitations Sharon, vous avez excellé dans cette belle nouvelle sortie. In English I salute one of the most creative EP’s I have heard this year on, Lettre Pour Toi by Sharon Chen.

Glimmers by Patrick Kelly

 

Glimmers

By

Patrick Kelly

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I have long been an admirer of the work of Patrick Kelly; my musical relationship with him takes me as far back as 2005 and his stunning album Beyond The Horizon, back then I was working on local radio in the UK, now some 25 years later I am co-owner of one of the largest internet stations on the planet for this genre, and his music today is as moving, uplifting and as beautiful as it was back then for me, in those early days of my instrumental musical love affair.

Here on Glimmers Kelly produces a full flowing narrative that contains flourishing tracks that abound with joyful phrasing, and emotively inspired compositions like the opening title track called Glimmers, this powerful scene setting narrative is a total halcyon moment of new age musical bliss.

The album is one of the most attractive of its style I have heard this year with ease, and offerings like the stunning longer form, called Signs hovers with intent, one that is so sophisticated and charming, while the sparkling reverie of tracks like Resonance, gift me a moment of instrumental heaven, the stunning multi-instrumental nature of the piece with its expanding synth and keyboard work, is so very encompassing and soothing to the senses.

The clarity that a track like Hope can bring is remarkable, building layer upon layer of superior keyboard work, to achieve a textured tapestry of calm in an intelligent universe of tranquillity, whilst offerings like Intuition offer a more ethereal energy for the listener, an angelic like theme is explored on the bed of soothing synths and a natural keyboard progression, and it seems to literally dance with the narrative created before it, in a timeless and sensual manner.

Mystery is our penultimate offering; the energy of this piece has a quality of sublime note and smoothness, almost touching the hem of a chill out styled ethos, with its very light percussions and back felt beats, here is a piece that with its added female vocalisations will no doubt become a fan favourite in the years to come.

So for our concluding musical narrative, it contains a similar theme to the aforementioned Mystery, but a deeper composition overall, one that takes me back to the heady days of Medwyn Goodall and Phil Thornton, Peace is a pastiche of serenity and tranquillity, on a bed of some of the most delicious synths ever, and with ease one of the best ways with which to leave the album.

Glimmers by Patrick Kelly is an album from a true master of his trade, and one of the finest examples of instrumental new age music there is, including instrumentation such as strings, synths, guitars, drums and percussion, piano, duduk, vocals and flute. Glimmers is an album that pushes the boundaries of musical beauty to an entirely new level.

Oxum By Aco Takenaka

 

Oxum

By

Aco Takenaka

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

Today’s trip to the wonderful world of new age vocal music was provided by the new fresh and exciting single called Oxum, recorded and gifted to the planet by the quite breath taking Aco Takenaka. Here is a new manifestation that will light up the genre, and this pastiche of a blended global music perspective is an inspired homage to water in its entirety.

This vibrant new offering fly’s on the winds of a gracious tomorrow, Oxum is the female Orixá of love and beauty, and is the only female Orixá believed to have participated in the creation of the world. She overlaps with many of the other Orixá, with dominion over fresh water, fish, mermaids, and butterflies.

She embodies the natural energy of fresh water, and is usually invoked close to water sources; the constant stream that runs through this piece is quite beautifully layered and juxtaposes the theme and the music with perfect balance, the marimba and light percussion dances in a crystal chamber of stunning harmony with the blissful vocals of the artist.

The rhythm is perfection, the tonal delights utterly magical; now watch out for this song, Oxum is a single from the forthcoming album Ancient Seeds, so even more glorious music is on its way, and this one is a certain chart hit with ease for Aco Takenaka and Oxum, its spectacular, beautiful and picturesque.

Time Dances Past By Lynn Tredeau

 

Time Dances Past

By

Lynn Tredeau

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

I have very fond memories of the music of Lynn Tredeau, it became quite a highlight around 2015 with the release of Echoes of Life, and her increasing success as the years rolled on has been impressive, here on this new album Lynn explores the narrative that once you reach a certain age, the thoughts about your life, how you have lived, and will live, becomes forever more important, than when you were an immortal youngster; in my view this explorative new album addresses those thoughts and creates a musical panacea to ease the concerns, and highlights the tranquillity that can be found within the tone and timbre of a truly good solo piano release, in this case called Time Dances Past.

The opening piece is remarkably reflective and called Her Hands, the soft pastiche of tone here is thoughtful yet progressive, and it has a sense of calm within the arrangement that manifests a soothing refrain to both enjoy and float with.

The following narrative goes in deeper in Special Wish, this is wonderfully poignant in its musical prose, the usage of the minor nature and chords here is very heart felt and deeply moving, one can also feel the dance here as well, that ever oncoming darkness of time going, juxtaposed to the energy of youthful vibrancy once experienced, in what is a true masterpiece of a composition.

The moments of rich recollections are incredibly strong in this next beautiful song called Small Town Summer, a composition dedicated to those long hot summer days of youthful perfection that you would never believe would end. Here Tredeau presents a memory palace of a composition that is both idyllic and sun kissed, and something that will never fade from the happy places within the mind; the keys are caressed here with a delicacy of happiness and joy, and the major structures create a true looking glass moment of a piece.

Thread the Needle has a more melancholy energy to its creation, the title too could have many meanings, and perhaps that’s just part of the purpose of music, each person will connect with a creation for their own reasons, Tredeau’s style manifests for me an old room covered with dust sheets and reminiscences.

To add flavours and dynamics is the skill of a true artist, for me here the composer creates a redolent memory of a piece, and in doing so touches the hem of a similar style to that of the late but great Erik Satie on her track Daisies in Her Hair, whilst on Falling Softly Tredeau manifests a more palpable remembrance in an almost snowfall of a composition, one covered with a blanket of warm yet reflective notes.

Time Dances Past is a 13 track release that is indeed the perfect autumn or fall release, it’s one of those albums to have on by the fire, as you watch the leaves drift to the earth below, on offerings like Socks on Shoes you can get that mood perfectly in a piece that could be a simple tribute to a moment that maybe personal to a single persons memory box.

There are many stunning pieces on this album, but one that caught my heart and mind was the flowing grace of the following musical narrative entitled Capture the Breeze, this one reminded me of being on the coastal regions of my past life, and watching the yachts dance upon the blue ocean that surrounded them, it manifested a sense of glee in me, and this embraces the sheer joy I feel when I listen to this extremely naturally artistic offering.

The power and the ability to change its mind emphasises the very nature of the creature we are gifted music about in this next composition called Wild Horses, there is a simplistic feeling here of the open fields and meadows that Tredeau manifests so well, and in doing so she brings a warm hug of appreciation in this sensitive manifestation.

Like the aforementioned piece Daisies in Her Hair, a song that had the honour of becoming a single release, this next composition holds that same happy prize too as we listen to When I Dream, that delightful soft and slow progression is here, it’s like Tredeau is the story teller, with her audience sitting spellbound around a winter fire, whilst on One Last Time, which is our penultimate offering we have a much more sombre offering, if ever a track created an expression of the title of this album, then it would be this one that I would point to, it’s like watching something or someone you loved slowly disappear into the mist of time never to be seen again, but you still want more, this has to be the most imploring track off the album with ease.

I have always said that Lynn Tredeau is an artist who paints with her piano; this concluding track will prove that with ease, we can hear and see the darker tones of Turn the Page, but we can still see shards of hope glistening in the last sunlight of the day. Here the artist sums up her entire project with one of the most creative and intelligent arrangements from the release.

Time Dances Past by Lynn Tredeau is a journey, a musical voyage of thought memory, reflection, and life in general; it’s a musical anthem that applauds times relentless onward dance without a care, but offers up solace in the medium of a full life lived and appreciated. This for me has to be Lynn’s best work thus far, and those that know me well, know I never use that cliché unless I truly mean it. Time Dances Past by Lynn Tredeau is a truism of a release, but it is also one of the most beautiful collections of her work so far, and one that I think should be much loved by the solo piano community worldwide.

Evolution By Tim Neumark

 

Evolution

By

Tim Neumark

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The subject of evolution is one of my favourites, the sheer magnificence of it all is amazing, the ethos of progression is another form of evolution, and a veritable epoch of change can be felt on this new release by one of my personal favourite piano composers in Tim Neumark, every aspect of the word can be explored in a wonderful reflective narrative entitled Evolution.

The opening piece is remarkable; the tonal delights are of a quality that many would only hope to achieve, on the opening offering Runner. This composition grows, expands and lifts itself into a powerful opus by the midway structure, and then flows like a soundtrack till its conclusion.

The following narrative Traveler has a waltz styled progression to its overall early tendencies; the subtle fluency is there again, always allowing room for the listener to explore the empty rooms of musical magic, in this dance like opus, in a breath taking fashion.

On Younger we have a memory filled piece that seems to pull me back in time whilst listening; the melody here was lush and textured, the tempo alterations were so passionate, as Neumark pulls from his magicians musical hat, a track made from heaven, and for some reason one that reminded me slightly of my dear friend David Lanz, and his epic Cristofori's Dream, his legendary manifestation.

Flour was a horse of a totally different colour, with raised energies and elevated notes; the track was like an unstoppable train, this powerful creation calmed into a softer pastiche as an almost dream like sequence occurred. This in my view was one of the most emphatic offerings from the album, and should be saluted as a fine example of pure solo piano at its very best.

That sway is back with the midway piece entitled Greener, there was a certain charm about this track that was truly palpable, firm strong passages were juxtaposed by a pristine touch and softer segments, from a wonderful fluent opus.

Evolution is 12 tracks of some of the finest piano work around, offerings like Vulture manifest a reflective essence and a memorable touch, while creations like Darker, a gentler feel on the keys can be found, on this quite moving tonal delight, and one I thoroughly adored.

Down the dark streets of a dusty town on the long road to know where can be found, a track filled with desolation and hope, and called Beggar, a charming tale can be unwoven here by the listener, the performance by Neumark is beseeching in tone and powerful in its construct, this is one for a movie in a scene guaranteed to make you cry.

Renter gifts the erstwhile fan an opportunity to once again invest in the tone and timbre of a superior work, whilst on Loaner a more calculated offering can be heard, one that trades lightly as it goes.

Winter is one of my favourite times of year, living where I do summers are packed with tourists, so winter is a time of being able to enjoy the spaces previously occupied by them, in a quietness explored in this piece by the artist, the deeper tones are matched well by the more ponderous vistas, in a homely offering of great passion.

The concluding narrative is called Speaker; this is a clever way with which to end the album by the artist, one that leaves more questions than answers, but its meditative and natural arrangement gives us all a moment of peace filled bliss to enjoy, partnered with a long look over the shoulder of the journey just taken.

I have known Tim Neumark musically now since 2007 and his release Biography, since then and onward, he has been a constant high achiever of great quality, technique and style, and on this latest album he manifests probably his most thoughtful and emotive work thus far. In today’s solo piano micro obsession, Neumark has to be applauded for giving us his loyal listeners well over fifty minutes of quality piano, a guaranteed hit with ease surely must be had for Evolution.

Lotus Dream By Shambhu

 

Lotus Dream

By

Shambhu

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

The soft tapestry of an acoustic guitar is a wonderful thing; its emotive tone creates rich palettes of character and ambience for all, Shambhu is a prolific composer and performer, and on this brand new release he may yet have produced his most expressive and poignant album thus far, this gem is called Lotus Dream.

There is no surprise that the artist starts off on familiar territory with the opening piece entitled Shall We, a flowing acoustic resonance is given here freely by the artist, a little reflection and a soothing narrative all give way to a perfect opening piece.

Awakened Dreams is our next port of call, once more the use of minor musical constructs makes this a finger style opus of delight, smooth crisp notes are a blissful addition to this memory box of a composition, there is something about this one that moves us along on a stream of gentle melody, at times its flow reminds of Richard Digances folk classic Dear River Thames.

If my memory serves me well this next track means unique among other words in Sanskrit, it is called Ananya, this is actually an incredibly powerful composition, with its structures bathed in magical guitars, a matchless beauty of a track with piano contained within can be found, one that reaches the depth of our very existence, when listened to with an open mind and heart.

A single now approaches our view, one released earlier in the year by Shambhu which harnesses the talents and skill set of one Leo Steinreide and called Resilience, this I believe will be a timeless classic, whilst taking us to the half way point of the album is an instrumental joy of both ambient piano and guitars and called Majestic Mountain, we have two ranges here in my small country, and there is nothing I like to do more than investigating their natural beauty, this track would make a perfect composition for those nature bound perambulations.

The sublime eastern ethic of Lotus Dream thrilled me in the same way that retired Al Conti’s Blue Rose did back in the day. This is a meditative slice of calm and serenity, the mixture of piano and guitar here grant the listener a blissful repose on the mirrored pool of superior instrumental music, on a track that would make an excellent single.

Deeper in the weave we find a wonderful treasure, once again with reflection and harmonic minor structures, this was actually my favourite offering from the release and called Blue Mantra, the dualistic guitars manifest both rhythm and tonal superiority, the mild intense backdrop offers a deep meditative experience for the listener in a truly memorable presentation from Shambhu.

Our penultimate gift is called Prana Tides, guitars of an ambient nature gift us the most tranquil and serene offering from the album, the usage of synths and electric guitars here created a mood so powerful that it truly moved me at the very deepest level, this life force manifestation would build on an dimensional awareness, with a hovering backdrop that was utterly blissful, this track is like floating on a small personal cloud of unconditional love.

We can now conclude this most thoughtful release with the last track entitled Visions, a crafted piece by the artist, a gentle caress of a composition that doesn’t disturb the listener, but enhances their overall experience, on an album that is one of the finest of its type.

Lotus Dream by Shambhu is the artists 10^th release overall, we go back to 2010 with him here, and each passing year he just gets better and better, this release is filled with memorable moments, and without doubt his most emotive release so far, one packed with reflective moments and cathartic opportunities, which is why I am predicting a huge chart placement for Shambhu with Lotus Dream.

Butterfly Swarm By Richard Dillon

 

Butterfly Swarm

By

Richard Dillon

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

A new single one packed with emotion has been given to the world by composer Richard Dillon, once again pianist supreme Neil Patton performs this wonderfully moving opus, a dedication to Jessica Cowley, Pontypridd of the UK, a young girl who is unable to speak and is bedridden, with only a short time to live, and now Dillon has written a beautiful passing piece, for her to take with her, and it is utterly breath taking.

This terribly sad and moving construct is so cogent and fluent, and describes the subject matter perfectly, a few years back we stood in the middle of a butterfly swarm, and it was one of the most emotional things I have ever encountered.

Here Patton’s hands run along the keys manifesting energies of movement and flight on gossamer wings, the delightful ambience one can take from this new single is so charming and so very emotive, but one that offers up notes of hope, peace and gratitude at all times, in one of the most colourful solo piano singles I have heard this year.

Butterfly Swarm by Richard Dillon is that single you must have at all costs, it’s a timeless reverie bathed in the beauty of the moment, it’s a charming touch, a friendly resonance, and a glorious tapestry of tone and timbre, set on the untethered gossamer wings of such a delicate creature.

Fragments of a Journey By Mike Hans STEFFL

 

Fragments of a Journey

By

Mike Hans STEFFL

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

My first connection with Mike came in 2023 with the album Calaboose Islands, it was an exhilarating experience, now some two years later I stand on the precipice of something else new and exciting, as Mike Hans STEFFL releases his latest album Fragments of a Journey, it is a musical voyage of electronic genius you will never want to return from.

This new release is one of the finest of its type I heard for some years, its jam packed with 10 quality pieces to thrill and engage the audience with, the opening offering is one of the smoothest examples yet and called, Into the Forest, the pastiche of synths, and eventual percussion here manifest an electronic vibe that is deeply compelling.

Offerings like Passages gifts the listener an immersive experience in a similar fashion to that of fellow European electronic composer Philippe Wauman with his Anantakara project, but one can find a slice of Keith Emerson styled brilliance deep within the weave of this very creation, in this clever Berlin School flavoured opus.

A gentle ambience is also here on pieces like Butterfly Directions, an onward arrangement in the blissful valley of the track Getting Lost, with elements within that reminds me so much of US electronic artist Forrest Smithson, and pieces like the vibrancy of the long form Out of Nothing into Something, this specific track had me encapsulated, offering up flavours of Richard Carpenter in sinister mode, smooth transitional passages of ambient constructs, and one that concludes with a dramatic coda, simply and with ease, long form electronic music at its very best.

The penultimate offering is called Dead End Road, and this last but one slice of EM brilliance weaves its way into our musical hearts with such colour and style. With elements of classic Laraaji from 1980 and hints of David Wright from the 90’s, this is a spectacular last but one manifestation indeed.

The final boss of this amazing album is called Out of Reach, a glorious long form conclusion is at hand, with a mixture of soft synths and chimes and a bed of delicate sound is set on one of the most attractive starts from the collection, this is utter beauty, an oasis of tone can be found here that will ease the listener with a sense of full appreciation and bliss.

Fragments of a Journey by Mike Hans STEFFL in my opinion is the finest electronic based album I have listened to since Geigertek gave us Sound Track For City Living in 2011, each track is spectacular in its structures, with this release it will hook the listener into an experience of electronic music like they have never had before, this is superior work from the German artist, and as such he should be acknowledge for its genius.

Heart: 639 Hz By Extasis

 

Heart: 639 Hz

By

Extasis

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

It is so good to be immersing in good old New Age music once again, this style of tender tone is what I grew up with when I become one of the first presenters of a new age music show in the UK back in the late 90s, this brings back such a sweet melodious mood on this brand new beautiful offering from Extasis called Heart: 639 Hz.

This is such an easy on the ears track to listen to; or to bathe in sonically; in fact 639 Hz is one of the ancient solfeggio frequencies, which are considered to be miracle tones for healing, so I may well play this during the next Reiki treatment I give.

Musically the soothing energies of the keyboard climb and recede like a gentle summer tide, the opening bowl sound starting our journey of beauty, chimes a cathartic tone. This new offering also reminded me, and I think this is a first for me to say this, of one of my own tracks entitled Walking on the Edge of Occam's Razor.

Extasis has brought another caring slice of new age music into this arena of calm, following on from the last creation called Navel he has another winner here, one that could be used by therapists the world over, as an example of superior healing instrumental music.

Hot Swing By Hernán Navarro

 

Hot Swing

By

Hernán Navarro

Written by

Steve Sheppard

 

It’s been a nice transition for me lately, we have gone from summer to autumn, and now my writing skills today drift from a plethora of solo piano albums and singles, and into the welcome arms of a guitar based new manifestation called Hot Swing by guitarist supreme Hernán Navarro.

Here is a vibrant new offering, one that at times reminds me of Puerto Rico acoustic performer Victor Samalot, in its vibrancy, bounce and of course its emphatic energy, here Navarro captures the mood of dance and rhythm in a perfect pastiche of musical colours and flavours.

Hot Swing is the title track for the brand new album, and proudly is the opening piece, you should really check out the YouTube video as well! If ever a guitar based track will capture your imagination this one will, packed with gypsy styled motifs and filled with fun and joy.

This new single is literally infectious, and even though it is just a short 137 seconds long, it has a vibrancy which will pull you in and never let you go. I have a feeling that this one is going to be a popular song, so check out the album of the same name and enjoy Hot Swing from Hernán Navarro.

https://youtu.be/yyh_0rXS5x0?si=ShxpEYH8YRjL6DgA