New Age Music World

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Many artist from all genres can sometimes resemble a particular tone or feel that sounds like another artist, which can be evident from the very beginning while listening to their music. This is not the case with composing artist David Wahler. The New Age Antiquus album, officially released June 1 2009, has some personal trademark qualities not heard in projects from musicians established before him.

Beginning music as a young adult, then to formal music studies in college, David moved to the theater, directing several productions while performing with the Rockford Symphony Orchestra, and New American Theatre. This album has attracted attention in the Netherlands in particular and is featured on New Age Soundscapes with Music Choice premium services. David also has a sense of giving, devoting himself and his time teaching music to handicap and disadvantaged children, in a worthwhile cause he found personally rewarding, and that I would also like to recognize about him publicly.

The Antiquus album debut has been described as New Age Ambient, Neo Classical, and Electronic, but let’s also add Orchestra and Chill Out, since they can also be used as reference adjectives to describe his material. David points out that this album explores our common heritage through classical compositions, and that each of the 10 songs makes reference to an ancient myth, sacred love, or eternal truth that everyone shares.

Provoking many emotions, the mood is thoughtful and ever changing by the insertion of a light and airy feel at times, that then shift towards deep and mysterious surroundings as the measure bar in the sheet music moves into the next measure of the page.

This album does explore our ancient past to unveil our present in an unfamiliar way by incorporating a layering and mixing of piano, strings, flute, violin, and percussion in a mysterious, yet classical way. Choral vocals reinforce his approach in style, echoing a graceful and poetic feel, while also shining bright by a deep, thought provoking mannerism that seems to stand out from the very beginning.

With this goal in mind, David has managed to produce a debut album that appears to stand alone in personal style and form, creating a model as an artisan would create a grand sculpture adorned with touches of gold, and crafted entirely out of sound.

David points out that this album explores our common heritage through classical compositions, and that each of the 10 songs makes reference to an ancient myth, sacred love, or eternal truth that everyone shares.

The mood is indeed very dreamlike and relaxing by a modern tempo rhythm that uniquely offers a positive connection by retaining interest and imagination throughout the entire album.  Shifting tempo and key changes are what I believe give this album an effective transition in thought and feeling, linking the valuable bond between our very distant past and our ever changing future.

Visit davidwahler.com to sample this music collectable.

Picture Copyright Bigstockphoto.com

Arturo Mayorga does not literally dance while playing piano, but if he were to attempt this feat, I am certain it would be as graceful and dignified of what was apparent in his first album Cascades, in the New Age Classic piano category.

In addition to his talents as a composing musician, Arturo is nationally ranked in the competitive sport of Ballroom dancing, where Waltz, Tango, and Swing are scrutinized before watchful judges who watch for the accepted criteria of a dancing couple locked hand in hand.

Now with a concert piano as his partner, Cascades embraces the identical movements found in classical dance by having a choreography timed with proper speed, motion, and balance.

While judging this debut album for myself, I became aware that the 10 songs of varying moods left me feeling they were a personal revelation of his emotional thoughts put to music.

Like so many musicians, a parent’s considerate gift of a musical instrument at an early age is what began his interest in music. Arturo states that it was at this early age that he realized the impact of what one person playing an instrument could have on another. Continuing music through high school then college, his studies were in math and science, but composing music was also on his mind, starting the framework songs for the Cascades album during this time period.

Starting in the first song position is Sunrise. This mid tempo piano and violin duet sets the standard for a graceful heartfelt ballet, where each timed movement is balanced by the piano melody considering violin takes a second seat by following the lead. There is much emotional content felt, since a melancholy feel is present, lending to a touch of sadness, yet adding character and definition, leaving a beautiful image of what you have just heard in your mind.

While judging this debut album for myself, I became aware that the 10 songs of varying moods left me feeling they were a personal revelation of his emotional thoughts put to music.

The Last Night of Winter aligns well with the piano’s duo partner in allowing violin to take the lead in portion of the melody during this faster paced song, where full 360 degree rotational dance pivots, and those brief stationary pauses always see during pivot turns, can be pictured in your mind if you try.

The title song Cascades is a true champion in freestyle, where a faster tempo piano promenades with every rise and fall in piano key note steps, reaching the full height in posture, rhythm, and speed. Violin then connects with the melody posturing in a more formal manner while piano strokes sweep along the keyboard at a dizzying pace. The positive upbeat piano movements seem to sweep you off your feet at critical moments, leaving you breathless at the finish.

Arturo is very successful by engraving a full range of emotional content and movement into his classic orchestra style music. Knowing his background in dance, one can easily imagine themselves sitting in the audience watching Arturo in motion while listening to his music and from where I am sitting, he appears to be a winner.

Visit the dancing pianist dressed in black at arturomayorga.com and his music store digstation.com

Images courtesy of photoARTworks

In the beginning, 6 million square miles of Rain Forests exist worldwide, but because of relatively recent deforestation, only 2.6 million square miles remain. What is really alarming is that this major deforestation took place within the past 50 years. It is estimated that 85 % of the animals, plants, and microorganisms now remaining in these vital ecosystems will be destroyed by the year 2020, with increasing timber losses of 56,000 square miles each year.

Oscar Aguayo, having an artist title of Australis, is just one among many persons who comprehend and share this environmental concern having been born and raised in a tropical rain forest region of the Amazonian Basin in Peru, South America.

While Oscar presently resides in America, his 2005 album Lifegiving makes reference to this complex political and social question involving our rain forests around the world.

His first album Lifegiving is a New Age spiritual endeavor that steps into a lush undergrowth in the mysterious subgenre land of Ambient, World, Electronica, and Classic, having Ethnic pathways towards a deeper emotional expression where each discovery blends into an intricate canopy filled with rich colorful instrumentation.

The 10 songs representing his personal insight are divinely portrayed on this album using careful craftsmanship that in turn introduces a strong emotional content beyond any cultural, political, or geographical limitations.

This unique excursion begins with the title song Lifegiving, where faint chirping of jungle soundscapes ascend slowly into the lush surroundings. The single key piano notes then sketch an image of dew drops from the jungle canopy, falling onto dense tropical vegetation below. The deep recesses of secluded terrain are soon lit by violin and string interlude that together emerge to install thoughts of dusk like visibility. While glancing upward, small fragments of sun beams penetrate the full tree tops above, changing your perspective on the time of day. Slowly as the song starts to fade, an apparent awareness of total darkness begins to descend around you, bringing with it soft audible animal chants, returning to their nightly song ritual.

The Enchantment is a song rich in orchestral diversity with lively strings and woodwinds engaging in a native dance full of tempo and key changes that both excite and captivate those who have entered this mysterious land of musical enchantment.

Sacred Earth is an upbeat Ethnic song that explores the inner boundaries of this earthly sanctuary largely responsible for our life giving resources of medicine, water and air that we breath. While woodwind, flute, and piano play a colorful fragrant harmony, exotic instruments lend their perspective sovereignty, giving this song a unique essence.

The bongo drums, woodblock, and abundant percussion claves enhance this song by surrounding within an indirect border, giving it a deep tribal influence without overriding the primary melody.

Oscar’s brother Alvaro lends his talent by playing an exotic 10 string Charango in this song, adding refinement and warmth to the experience. The song and album ends by fading into a soft forest rainfall, leaving you with a collective memory of your musical excursion filled with creativity, interest, and amazement of this album and our life giving rain forests worth saving.

In a conservative estimate, over 6000 life giving trees in our rain forests around the world were lost during the short amount of time it took you to read this album review.

An interview with Oscar Aguayo of Australis will be posted soon, so that you may get the facts behind this amazing artist. You may also read about his latest project on my The Gates of Reality review and then visit his official website australiscanticum.com.

Sample the album on CDBaby. Picture copyright Bigstockphoto.com – gtrmtt84

The acclaimed Jazz producer, composer, and performer Royce Campbell has released a New Age project on the Moon Cycle Records label titled, Ear of the Beholder. While over 30 Jazz albums can be found titled under his name as lead or co lead, an artist title of Eucalyptus Dream is what you should look for when shopping in the New Age music section. This is a first for Royce, who honored a request from his friends in the medical and healing profession to provide some music for people to relax with during their patient therapy sessions.

For Royce Campbell, this is quite a change of pace considering that during his 35 year career as a musician he has toured with the likes of Marvin Gaye, while also touring 19 years with award winning film composer and musician Henry Mancini. The large number of legendary Jazz musicians he has performed with is just too numerous to list. Along with his professional profile and having performed with this vast amount of talent from another genre, we gladly welcome Royce with open arms and can now proudly claim him as a New Age artist also.

His credits as a Jazz musician list 11 albums on U.S. Nationwide charts, with 4 in the top 10. With so much experience and success in Jazz, this leap into New Age music might be difficult for some people, but that is not the case here since those 35 years of experience and a broad music career have obviously eased that transition.  Royce explains a focus on the composing aspects, rather than just performing as a guitar soloist was the right approach with this change in genre album.

The Ear of the Beholder by Eucalyptus Dream is a debut where it is pretty clear Royce Campbell takes New Age music just as seriously as when performing in his familiar Jazz style.

Multiple influences abound while a landscape of picturesque thoughts rise to the surface, allowing the listener to relax and take in Royce’s style at their own pace sometimes with, but mostly without his usual guitar. The result of this daring transition is a successful leap into New Age.

This first album by Eucalyptus Dream is great in the fact that the music is truly New Age, having synthesized ambient rhythms, guitar, flute, choral vocals and some great percussion effects that are composed without the repetitiveness found in some music of all genres. Much of the album blends Western, Eastern, modern and ancient influences in a nicely composed ambient blend, easily surpassing the request of relaxing music his friends in the medical profession were looking for, and so much more.

It is unknown to me whether the artist title Eucalyptus Dream was chosen because of the abundant medical uses scientist’s have discovered in the more than 700 Eucalyptus tree and plant species. Perhaps that is the reason since the therapeutic dose of relaxation qualities found on this album are safe, reliable and effective, which does support that possibility.

His music website is roycecampbell.com – Sample the album on CDBaby

Picture copyright Mystockphoto.com – ozflash

Terri Liles Mason is the creative spirit behind the music that involves a focus on honoring and celebrating the universal principal side of positive feminine life and mother earth.

Teaching in workshops devoted to inner peace and harmony from her home in Connecticut, her expertise and knowledge in this subject is only reinforced from her educational background. Everything now becomes one, when devoting her expertise and knowledge as a teacher, into positive influential music as composer and performer on her debut album.

Om Gaia is her first release reflecting her perspective focus in expressing oneself in a positive manner to increase self image through music.

Terri’s music is creating quite a sensation internationally, having performed before a large audience in the recent Earth Day opening in New York City’s Grand Central Station, where she introduced herself and the Om Gaia album. Another reason for her to celebrate is the over 120 online radio stations playing her music around the world, a # 4 spot on the World Radio Top 100 chart, and 3 songs retaining the # 1 Top New Age songs with Indie Music charts for 12 weeks. The 3 songs holding that position are title song Om Gaia, Begin Again, and Eleyakeha’s Lullaby.

Om Gaia is her first release, reflecting her perspective focus in expressing oneself in a positive manner to increase self image through music.

The title song Om Gaia is a positive blend of mid tempo instrumental rhythms that are surrounded by Terri’s beautiful vocals, sung with an apparent soft and sensual touch. Mother earth is celebrated by inspiring thought filled lyrics, announced to all by her beautifully deep and rich blending of vocals, instilling thoughts of an ancient realm in our distant past that transforms into the present.

Begin Again is an upbeat song with a pleasant mix of vocals, while Eleyakeha’s Lullaby is a slower paced celestial song featuring Terri’s soft vocals that seem to lull you into a contented frame of mind sure to please anyone.

Looking toward the future, this female New Age artist has accomplished much in transforming her teaching skills of obtaining positive vibes into a vibrant musical journey that she has just offered the music world. I expect we will hear more from Terri.

The website to visit is omgaiamusic.com The album is available on CDBaby, Amazon or iTunes.

Australian composer and pianist Fiona Joy Hawkins has 4 award winning projects at present. Her most recent Blue Dream album is successful in placing an exclamation mark after her name when recognizing Fiona’s outstanding abilities and claim to fame in international status.

Fiona’s many achievements include charting at # 1 on World New Age radio charts spanning 9 countries, Best Piano album in the NAR Lifestyle Music Awards in 2006, and as finalist in 2 genres in the LA Music Awards in 2007. She also won the Classical / Jazz category in the Music OZ Awards in 2008. after being a finalist 5 times and ranked finalist in 4 categories including Album of the Year in the NAR Awards in 2009.

Ice : Serve Slightly Chilled is innovative, dynamic and bold, confidently stated by yours truly. With an inventor’s approach, Fiona’s compositions are patently administered on her Steinway Concert piano as a new musical prototype.

It is on the Ice album where this patent innovation in New Age, Contemporary piano begins, charting an adventurous course in the way a musician blends Classical New Age, Contemporary, Chill Out, Jazz, World and Rock. What impressed me the most was a momentary departure from her exceptional, yet more Contemporary albums that won her claim to fame. Portions of the Rock overtones present in this album challenge some of our basic assumptions of the term Piano music. Another concept is a transition in the way Rock music has been perceived in the past, creating a new approach in the way we view the term Rock music.

With an inventor’s approach, Fiona’s compositions are patently administered on her Steinway Concert piano as a new musical prototype.

The 10 songs are issued titles with an icy thermodynamic theme, setting the spine chilling mood in motion by providing a mid tempo application of Classic New Age Chill. The song Iced Rain discloses a trademark Fiona Joy Hawkins piano arrangement, yet grants an exclusive design concept by applying a mixture of genres and unique instrumentation. While Aboriginal Didgeridoo echoes an indigenous woodwind call to the wild, ebony and ivory piano keys appear to reach an entire range of octaves to establish a new dimension in piano music. Thunderous percussion unites with electrified guitar to diagram the upbeat momentum for this ground breaking discovery by commingling Classic piano and Rock music into a single entity.

The Ice project discloses more than just an improvement made to a prior existing musical product. Fiona takes an inventor’s approach in redefining the fundamental basics of the way we perceive Piano and Rock music.

Cloud Chill is a song innovation that starts out as a meteorological weather advisory on the horizon when native Didgeridoo once again reverbs an ancient voice into the past, present, and future. Fiona’s epic design in piano rhythms then integrate with electric guitar, blending into musical matter cool enough to penetrate what we term Rock music.

Her novel invention in composing first finds a crack, pressurizes and then expands, breaking the barrier of Rock music from a familiar musical genre, shattering what was once a large form of music into tiny little pieces, thereby creating a new music entity.

The Ice project discloses more than just an improvement made to a prior existing musical product. Fiona takes an inventor’s approach in redefining the fundamental basics of the way we perceive Piano and Rock music.

The 2 songs I just described titled Iced Rain and Cloud Chill are playing on our Stars Radio so that you may hear this invention in music for yourself. You may also read my review of her latest album titled Novel Blue Dream and then discover the online art gallery and music website of fionajoyhawkins.com

Picture copyright Bigstockphoto.com

Classical Orchestral Harps can be thought of as divine or celestial instruments, having an origin dating to around 2500 BC, often reminding one of angels and religious cherubs posed in a holy statue. The harps early origins are ironically thought to be modeled after an archery weapon since the bowed arch with strings strongly resemble a bow and arrow.

Lizary Rodriguez Rios, residing in Tucson Arizona performs and teaches the classical harp professionally, in a career where there is no doubt her masterful quest for perfection is musical in nature. She has 2 albums designed with therapy and healing in mind, promoting a relaxing mood by the soothing gentle breeze of sound this string instrument with an ancient origin can provide.

Lizary’s credits are very impressive, securing a Doctorate in Musical Arts and  4  time prize winner of international harp competitions around the world, also touring with the Grammy Award nominated Harp Fusion Ensemble. Her first album Harp Voyage has received critical acclaim from prestigious classical magazines, while also drawing attention around the world as a harp soloist and composer for the ensemble.

Harp Therapy is her second CD release in 2009, designed for those peaceful periods of musical serenity. Her music is purposefully composed for relaxation, massage, and yoga, while also finding a useful niche since the songs serve as the perfect auditory background music during church services, memorials, hospitals, and even wedding events.

Classical orchestral harps can be thought of as divine or celestial instruments, having an origin dating to around 2500 BC.

Her solo performances have other professional musicians playing cello, violin, guitar, with nature sounds and background Atlantic Ocean side tides of Puerto Rico. The 15 songs have many recognizable favorites including Scarborough Fair, Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, and Pachelbel’s Canon. Some original works are also present as the first song Purple Bamboo starts with a healing crystal bowl during the opening portion of the album. Both albums are truly relaxing, offered by a dedicated person who has pretty much devoted their life to music.

If you need music for relaxation or those special occasions visit lizary.net

Above Picture copyright Bigstockphoto.com – ReplayAll

If you are not color blind, the colors that we see in everyday life are interpreted as wavelengths in a portion of the visible spectrum. Specific frequencies of those wavelengths determine exactly which color our eyes translate the brain to perceive.

Contemporary New Age composing artist Lawrence Blatt, who emerged number 1 in the NAR Best New Artist and Independent Music Award finalist, paints a beautiful artist’s interpretation through a color spectrum metaphor. His album is inspired from a description of color relating to physicist Isaac Newton’s color circle titled Opticks.

Newton had compared colors of the visible spectrum to musical notes centuries ago. Almost as if holding a brush and an artist’s palette of paint, Lawrence defines his own present day theory in a representation of the audible color spectrum in an adaptation of Newton’s principas through his own vivid musical compositions.

Lawrence Blatt has his most recent album titled The Color of Sunshine, on the Blue Pie label 2009, displaying 14 songs as artistic strokes in a colorful exhibit of his music, visualized from his home in San Francisco California. Many music influences are represented including New Age Classical, Latin, Folk, and World, blending primary genres in this masterful rendition.

Lawrence paints a beautiful artist’s interpretation through a color spectrum metaphor.

Grammy Award winner Will Ackerman, founder of Windham Hill Records, lends his talented hand as producer of this vibrant album, also taking part during song recording sessions in guitar, vocal, and percussion roles.

Holding a brush and artist’s palette of paint, Lawrence defines his own present day theory in a representation of the audible color spectrum.

The Color of Sunshine can be defined as intricate acoustic guitar melodies fusing with orchestral instruments and numerous percussion roles, in a unique companionship, portraying a warm and pleasant atmosphere. Lawrence plays the guitars like a pro, easily certifying his abilities, having over 30 years of playing guitar.

The song Mar Azul begins with a serene moderate paced beginning and quickly advances to a faster tempo where Latin and World emerge near the outer edges of the color spectrum. Inspiration for this song was drawn from the Pacific Ocean, where the shade of deep cobalt blue waters contrast beautifully with the lighter pastel blue sky. The rays of lighter tones shine brightly by guitar strumming full of abundant runs and bounding rhythms. The characteristic warm sounds of Charango guitar and accordion announce their presence, while violin soon converge in perfect harmony, capturing the dramatic ending.

Violet Blue is a song that caught my attention from the very start, having a simple yet well defined ukulele tone melody full of emotion. The multiple classic instruments of South American Charango, acoustic, and nylon guitars, mix with piano and cello, lending to a heart felt melancholy touch to the piece. The rich sound of the exotic Charango captures the primary melody as each note lends itself to a memorable upbeat rhythm that includes light, perfectly times hand clapping that I found quite interesting and added the ideal touch to the overall effect of the theme. As it turned out, I ended up doing a little hand clapping of my own.

The Color of Sunshine is a beautiful album put to an audible canvas. Full of interest and creativity by the many talents put on display in this exhibit it shows, and it shows well.

You can find this musical exhibit at lawrenceblatt.com.

Picture Copyright Bigstockphoto.com – HelleM

I find it very inspiring that so many musicians have discovered the New Age genre as a medium to express their musical diversity. New Age music is fast becoming ever more popular every day, compelling by offering musicians a unique category to display their music wares in a sub genre format.

Paul Jensen is one artist who divulges into the Contemporary Folk category style of Easy Listening. His thoughtful lyric verses are pleasing to the ear and are perfect for times of contemplation, placing oneself in a relaxing carefree mood, or for pure enjoyment.

The Other Side album from 2008 on the Juan Carlos Production label that debuted at #4 on NAR’s music charts is a great choice indeed. It is just right for those times set aside to self indulge in relaxing time spent alone, with a loved one, or with close friends and family who also appreciate the lighter side of Easy Listening pleasures.

Paul discovered an inspiration from the natural wonders of the earth and is apparent that it greatly influences his personal style of singing and songwriting. Much of the creativity behind his work is drawn from adventurous time spent in the Colorado National Monument in the U.S. This scenic National Park has land set aside for everyone to discover the natural wonders through hiking, horseback, and by adventure filled wilderness trails. This opportunity gives people like Paul a chance to explore and grasp the sought after inspiration required for delivering his compelling Contemporary Instrumental Folk music.

Paul discovered inspiration from the natural wonders of the earth and it greatly influences his personal style of singing and songwriting, in an expression of natural beauty everyone can discover for themselves.

Contributing artists furnish their own professional skills, including Grammy Award winning Will Ackerman, who lends a hand playing guitar, and his accomplished touch in producing this back to nature inspired album.

The 12 songs on The Other Side do emphasize much of what there is to explore in the vast wilderness full of wildlife and natural beauty, validating a more comtemplative approach to music that I found apparent in his pioneer style.  Besides the beautiful vocals, guitars provide much of the richness, plus additional distinction is added by the warm characteristics of orchestra instruments. The cultured sounds of horn, cello, violin, piano and mandolin, diversity into a classic touch that strengthens the harmonious beauty of his music in relation to our earth’s natural wonders, both of which are waiting for you to discover.

If you are ready to visit the great outdoors through music, visit Paul’s easygoing website juancarlosproductions.com

It might be surprising to some that literary poetry is thought to predate language in the context of reading, writing, and speaking as a form of communication.  Some important elements of poetry consist of the meter or rhythmic structure of the poem in a measurement involving flow and movement. Proper structure is also an important component when composing and performing as a musician.

American Contemporary New Age artist Nick Farr, apparently has the proper abilities involving rhythm and structure in both music and poetry since his accomplishments include being a published author of literary poetry, prose, short stories, fiction and children’s books. His literary career was perhaps second nature to him considering he began classical music studies at age 5 and then pursued music while in college.

Nick Farr has 6 albums total with The Ever Present Now from 2009, on the Riverboy Records label as his latest release. This latest album held the number 1 and 2 positions in NAR’s Top 100 air wave chart in January and February 2009, with additional nation wide online airplay. The 12 songs represent a well versed language of music and poetry by this dedicated artist who reaches into genres of Contemporary Instrumental, New Age, Classical Piano, and Jazz.

Produced by Grammy Award winning Randy Kling, this release is more Classical Piano than some of Nick’s previous albums and is a nice medium to display a finer sophisticated mindset without being overly classical. Generous mixtures of mid tempo Contemporary Instrumental and nice Jazz influences do give it an aesthetic just right feel by employing the free style he is accustomed to in piano arrangements. Flute, saxophone, horns and strings provide the back drop in some songs, enhancing the classic description and giving it a distinguished tone.

The song Solace is a poetic hopeful song, comforting by the graceful flute and piano duet that seems to incorporate well during melodic phrases, lending a hand by consoling stanzas of support. It is during these passages that uplifting and inspiring verses with note filled piano runs and flute, reveal patterns of consciously timed pauses between instrumental passages.

The song Traveler is a deep moving piece, set to a faster paced melody that is structured by each key change, transforming each refrain into a sonnet set to musical time, never resting during each chord step along the way.

Winter Prayer is a powerful melodic psalm, paying homage by offering a distinctly elegant classical composition. Masterfully delivered musical prayer requests are often emphasized in this piece, carefully turning each note into a hymn of reverence. The artist’s sincerity shines through from the beginning invocation of this song which is heart felt and moving. Momentary pauses then begin to take place as the final chapter of the song slows, bowing out gracefully upon reaching the closing benediction.

The Ever Present Now by Nick Farr is praiseworthy New Age Classical, embracing all of the structural principals of written prose, leaving one with the impression that his music is thoughtfully displayed in a manner that from the very beginning, deserves the expression of poetry in motion.

Click on the link or visitnickfarr.com for a classic approach to music.

Depending on who you talk to, Vampires Do Exist in modern society.  It is a known fact that there is a very small segment of people living today, who either believe in vampires or practice vampirism using the typical rituals, and everyone is aware of what those rituals embody. Most people find this extremely unnerving and even more frightening by having this knowledge, than from their viewing any fictional vampire movie at the theatre.

I find it fortunate that our friend Salva Moreno from Valencia Spain, having the artist title Psicodreamics does not believe in real life vampires, but only conjures up fantasy and mythological inspired music for our entertainment purposes only. For example Theatre des Vampires from 2006, on his Witches on the Radiowaves label, provides the creative blueprint to project intriguing images into the darker realms of the supernatural.

Theatre des Vampires is laid out as a psycological thriller, portraying these images in classic form by a fine mixture of New Age, Ambient, Chill Out, Neo Classic and Gothic formats. This is not a rare occurrence for this composing musician who has 9 projects specializing in fantasy and mythology tales, all of which are well done.

Theatre des Vampires is laid out as a psychological thriller

This album portrays a mystic cloak and dagger sound design with all of the thrill and chill musical effects to keep you in suspense, along with some of the sharp pointed edges you would expect from an album having a mysterious theme about vampires.

The album title song Theatre des Vampires goes directly to the throat by injecting a heart throbbing tempo with a hypnotic feel using a duel guitar and piano arrangement. This song is laced with theatrical drama by the eerie piano strokes that appear to compete in a battle of wills with the rival guitar melody, parlayed as if reaching out for every strained note within reach. The synthetic percussion effects of woodblock, tenor and bass drums, share character roles on the stage with the tympani drum’s surprise entrances that occur when you least expect it, but in perfect timing given the songs unsettling subject matter.

The song Daylight Belonging is Classical Goth, transporting you back to a period in antiquity when the world was believed to be flat, and well intending physicians prescribed bloodletting as standard medical practice. This mystic piece exploits a provisional piano and guitar duet to create subliminal elements of the supernatural, conjuring images in this fictional fantasy world.

When veiled choral vocals echo through out their nightly refrains, an apparent struggle of give and take between piano runs, strings, and pipe organ instrumentals occur at the least expected moment. Bold percussion with cymbal entrances give off a dark hissing sound behind pauses in the primary piano melody, as tympani drums lightly pulsate in a cardiac like rhythm during this eventful episode. Each of the 11 songs in this project embrace musical elements full of surprise and drama as described by their individual cryptic titles.

Salva has a unique approach for producing designer mood music using a macabre blueprint, all with an abundance of theatrical effects shown in a dramatic way that will leave you breathless.

Discover the fantasy by reading our recent interview, a recent review of Fantasynth and the Ambiethernum review which by the way, is a compilation of Psicodreamics best Ambient and Space music from previous albums. The websites to visit are Psicodreamics.com, myspace.com/psicodreamics and cdbaby.com/all/psicodreamics

Salva Moreno is the composing musician behind the notably mysterious and out of this world music of Psicodreamics.  His New Age music projects are best described as Ambient, Chill Out, Neo Classic and Gothic to name a few. My review of his most recent Fantasynth Album hopefully gave you an introduction of what this artist from the beautiful city of Valencia Spain is capable of creating.

The AmbiethernumAlbum, on his own Witches on the Radiowaves label, is a thought provoking score strategically designed to place the listener in a picturesque state of mind.

Psicodreamics has achieved a dramatic ambient theme in the  12  tracks intended to arouse the imagination, giving the listener a chance to sit back, close their eyes, then drift along with the music to any imaginary realm they choose to fathom.

One could even conceive a celestial theme encounter by picturing a NASA Space Shuttle Voyage to the $ 1.5 Billion Hubble Space Telescope 360 miles / 575 kilometers away, presently undergoing enhancement. Please use caution upon your arrival to Hubble, since one complete orbit circling the globe every 97 minutes, equals a speed of 17,000 mph / 28,000 kph. Those brave enough for an unsurpassed expedition may venture an astounding 93 Billion Light Years towards the outer observable edge of our universe.

a thought provoking score strategically designed to place the listener in a picturesque state of mind.

The Ambiethemum album does give you this breakthrough opportunity in imagination by the surreal spatial sound effects, exploring with a point of calm and composure in your virtual musical travel through the galaxy without ever losing your equilibrium.

The ambient aspects of earlier projects are also present by abundant chill out that permit an emotion to be felt. Guided mostly by the deep, dark extended note overtones, keyboard compositions, and synthesized presence of woodwind, string, and abundance of unique percussion effects which are strongly emphasized.  The timely appearance of a Symphonic and Orchestra presence only adds to the depth and dimension that is light and airy at one moment, only to reappear as a dark and heavier tones in the next phase, increasing the overall intensity.

Natural Animal Effects make their voices known from time to time, adding to character involvement during this make believe encounter.  Another thought in utilizing this deep and mysterious music, could be as a documentary or soundtrack background score for science fiction, mystery, or even horror themed movies, since the atmospheric content would enhance practically every movie moment in those genres.

Ambiethernum Track 10 in particular makes a theatrical eerie presence known quite dramatically, and could easily be pictured as an excellent horror movie score, if used in that context.

Salva has agreed to an Artist Interview and judging by our recent discussions together,  this interview promises to give everyone a chance to better understand his point of view, and why he has chosen multi dimensional ambient instrumentals as a means to express himself.  I am certain he is well prepared to answer your questions related to those close encounters involving relative time and space. 

Visit:  Psicodreamics.com and myspace.com/psicodreamics and cdbaby.com/all/psicodreamics

Never in the history of our world has there been a time for greater concern and action needed over energy, environmental, and social issues, that lie before us at present.

Our most recent 40th anniversary Earth Day held on April 22, 2009 had an estimated 1 billion participants worldwide, an astounding number when compared to the 20,000 million people first participating in 1969. The annual event is held each year to demonstrate what each of us as individuals can accomplish together in unity, while still retaining the core existence by relying solely on the power of one.

Cadence Spalding is one person doing their part as role model for bringing about a greater awareness of these concerns by her Save The World 2009 album release on the Sound Manipulations and JSA music label. The 11 tracks pertain to the noblest of desires in conveying her message of what one person alone can accomplish by caring for mother earth, caring for those who cannot help themselves, and by caring for one another as a family unit.

Celebrity New Age musician Mars Lasar is also doing his part by co producing this themed album. His technological production talents and artistic skill in layering and mixing hold the key elements that enable Cadence to excel in the music she has primarily written and presented by her own hand. While having previously performed on Mars’ albums, this first solo release certifies her individual talents worthy indeed, bearing fruit for this winning team who also happen to be husband and wife.

a message of what one person alone can accomplish by caring for mother earth, caring for those who cannot help themselves, and by caring for one another as a family unit.

Save The World is classical New Age pop, hosting a pleasant mix of ballads finely tuned to perfection in the purest sense. Classical touches of soft angelic vocals appears as lullabies at times, gently rocking you into a contented state, while anthem stanzas increase in momentum, rising above to greet the occasion. The harmonious choral effects arranged by layering passionate vocals offers her message of love, peace, and harmony to all who share the same logic, devotion, and mindful perspective.

Trust In Love is one musical anthem sent as a deep heartfelt narrative of the glorious possibilities for peace and love that await every boy and girl, if only we would just let it be a reality. This soulful song is rich in vocal tone combined with personal statement through meaningful lyrics. The piano phrased beat is surrounded by a deep percussion rhythm like persons marching lock step in tandem, proposing that we trust in love and give peace a chance.

Save The World title song offers an upbeat instrumental expression of the bountiful rewards we receive when we let our conscience be our guide and do our part.  This repeated message if framed by a pounding drum beat, while piano and guitar instrumentals ring out a clear tone during moments of pause between vocals.

This CD album also includes a bonus DVD which is really a treasure in itself. This professionally captured, artistic photo gallery DVD produced by Mars, is extraordinary in visual effect while highlighting the serene music of Candace. The magnificent colorful photos are dedicated to vivid landscapes, wildlife subjects, and touching scenes capturing people in everyday life.

This CD / DVD collector’s edition is a beautiful performance and powerful statement, shared with the world after this initial spark of talented inspiration was ignited solely from the power of one.

Visit : cadencespalding.com

The 12 Months in a calendar year can easily be described as having twelve lunar cycles annually, but some pretty complex mathematical problems arise when translating into precise calendar months since each month is technically 29.53 days long. It is even more perplexing when calculating a yearly calendar since an astronomer’s calendar legend declares 365 days, 5 hours, 48 minutes and 46 seconds, or 365.242199 days in the twelve lunar cycles.

 David Mauk has provided everyone with a more desirable solution to resolving this complex calendar problem by introducing his 2008, 12 Months album on Thera Records label.

The twelve songs on this album describe the time period and seasonal change for each month as musical recollections David experienced during his personal childhood growing up on his grandparents farm in rural Ohio, in a location where the yearly seasons are well defined and pronounced when it comes to changes in weather.

The 12 Months album is David’s first New Age, Ambient, Electronica release, offering a relaxing and tranquil repertoire where each of the musical months and seasons are likewise distinct.

Everything balances together nicely by a well defined mood and a serene transition of atmospheric changes in his musical adaptation also featuring individual song notations for monthly related weather events.

David Mauk has made an impressive introduction into the New Age market with his classic ambient descriptions of the yearly seasons.  The 12 months album supports a fine balance of well defined movements in ambient phrasing that is composed with a beautiful recollection for each month.   

April subtitled as Rain is a lively synthesized tune where an opportunity for rain seems present by the string instrument background, but the rhythmic flute tone melody portrays a positive upbeat feeling from his perspective since the temperature is pleasant, a cool breeze can be felt, and the aroma of rain in the air delivers a promise of renewal and growth which naturally occurs in that month.

October subtitled as Change is a slower paced celestial song with piano strokes echoing like bell tones, with the required time adjustments given as major and minor key changes. This piece also gives an acceptable answer for the 23.45 degree tilt of our planets rotational axis, since that is what causes our seasonal changes, only his description is shown as ambient moments in musical time with an equally natural and steady transition.

December subtitled as Snow is a great time of year having an anthem like quality by a classic beginning of single key piano strokes, then build into a full cord melody with far reaching synthesized overtones, and light percussion presence.  The nine remaining months also support a fine balance of seasonally defined movements, mirroring a beautifully composed mixture of ambient instrumentation that is generously light, reflective, and relaxing to the listener throughout the year.

David is also credited for composing the official music for the National Geographic King Tutankhamun, Golden Age of the Pharaohs, and Real Pirates museum exhibits, and his music has been heard by over an estimated 7 million people in several international museums, art galleries, and other televised venues around the world.

Currently he lives in Las Vegas Nevada composing music, and writing a Broadway styled musical, while performing as a musician at the Paris Hotel and Casino.

David Mauk has given his first project an impressive introduction into the New Age music market by personal ambient descriptions of the months and seasons nicely composed with a classic touch.

If you find your yearly schedule is becoming too complex by not having enough time in your day, discover this more desirable solution to great yearly planning and visit davidmauk.com to sample / purchase then read his biography page and visit his Myspace.com page.

Once again we shine the spotlight on the time tested music of Vicki Logan, who has recently revealed her thought and artistic perceptions by our recent interview here at NewAgeMusic.nu.  If you click on my name to read my personal page, you will find that The Ride is listed second of my all time favorite albums. I hope this will encourage you to listen what this gifted artist is offering the world of New Age music.

Vicki Logan has  4  impressive albums to date, with The Ride as the third successful release on her Carvic Publishing label from 2004, winning a place in the New Age Reporter’s Top 100 albums chart. Personally drawn from her self conclusions about the ride everyone must travel during our day to day life experiences, this album has also held positions in some additional top 100 charts and granted impressive online radio airplay attention worldwide.

The Ride is considered inspirational and emotional by recalling the exhilarating roller coaster like moments in life, to times of eminent cross road decisions where one must faithfully reach out for everything life has to offer, or risk losing an opportunity if we choose to remain in the much safer realm of not ever taking a chance at all. There is also a calming and relaxed atmosphere to her music as if acknowledging contentment in knowing that we have tried and are justly rewarded for having done our personal best. This comparison is the easiest way to describe how this album makes me feel.

Vicki’s own description is related to the passage of time and how she has experienced progress while composing and producing music, so everyone if free to draw their own self conclusions about how this album makes them feel on a personal level, but believe me, you will feel something positive from her music.

Incorporating elements of New Age pop, jazz, and R & B influences provides the listener a fresh perspective beginning with a classic piano piece.

The Ride is primarily mid tempo instrumental throughout, enhanced by individual solo performances of saxophone, piano, guitar, and the wondrous flute, which Vicki plays so passionately.  Incorporating elements of New Age pop, jazz, and R & B influences provides the listener a fresh perspective beginning with a classic piano piece. Track 1 The Dance of the Sun has a heartfelt piano melody with background synthesizer starting a new beginning of an adventure into your earliest observations of what to anticipate further down this musical journey.

Track 5 Just to be With You offers a harmonious rhythmic ballad that intertwines electronic and saxophone solo into a singular peaceful existence upon adding the engaging percussion beat for blending everything together dramatically. Track 6 The Ride is one of many favorites being New Age pop in theme. This memorable up tempo song with heart pounding rhythms, unbounded keyboard rides, and perfectly timed percussion is truly something to behold on it’s own. Then upon adding the flowing flute melody, everything fits together so perfectly in the instrumental arrangement, you will soon find yourself recalling the melody over and over in your mind daily.

Track 8 Finding Freedom is a thought provoking song from this spirited American artist, having deep rhythms, driving percussion, and building flute repertoire which inspire and restore your faith in the very notion of individual freedoms in life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness as if saying, yes we can !

This album is an excellent example of what can be achieved when a talented artist shares a part of themselves by putting their heart and spirit into the creation of their music, offering music lovers a chance to also feel something truly special along the way.

… you will soon find yourself recalling the melody over and over in your mind daily.

Reach out for what this artist is offering you by going to the vickilogan.com homepage or Her Myspace page. You can sample the album on CDBaby.

Be also sure to check out our interview with the artist.

It seems that few instruments can compare to a piano for personally illustrating the emotion and feeling of what an artist wants to share with another. 

The piano is a divine instrument to play or to simply listen while others perform.  I am certain many readers like myself have also had the opportunity to play the piano as younger adults either willingly or unwillingly under the guidance of their parents, which ended with varying degrees of success.

Fiona Joy Hawkins is the noteworthy artist I would like to highlight today achieving unbridled success playing the piano, reaching the number 1 spot in World New Age radio charts across 9 countries, achieving the Best Piano Album in the NAR lifestyle music awards in 2006, and winning the classical / jazz category in the Music OZ Awards for 2008.  Accomplishments even her parents never would have dreamed possible.

Fiona Joy Hawkins has also received multiple nominations as finalist in classical jazz categories in 2007 and 2009 in multiple genres, among her respectable achievements as an Australian born composer and pianist.  Her most recent 2008 Blue Dream album on the Little Hartley Music label, described as world fusion piano, puts the listener into a reflective relaxed state with many refined variations ranging from the poignant quiet moments of thought, to moments with varying rhythms, styles and many orchestration phases in the 22 song album which merge together skillfully.

While already widely recognized, she hopes this album will break into international markets.  One can consider the 22 songs contained in this album as chapters in a book, that after reading each chapter, the next phase of this story becomes more revealing when finishing all verses while working your way towards the final chapter.

My favorite track 9 blends powerful, yet soft vocals, only to crescendo into a moving inspirational piece, blending into the next novel chapter.

All song chapters and illustrations in this book will hold your interest by preventing you from putting the book down, and my favorite track 9 blends powerful, yet soft vocals, only to crescendo into a moving inspirational piece, blending into the next novel chapter.  Farther in the storyline, Track 12 opens with a classic piano solo interlude as accompanying vocals add definition, and as the plot thickens, additional momentum begins to increase the readers awareness of a chance encounter, as additional instrumentals and rhythms divulge increasing amounts of dialog of this narrative.

Recorded and produced by Grammy Award winner Will Ackerman, plus an addition of many other talented musicians to their credit, who solo and accompany Fiona Joy Hawkins, influence the beauty and refinement of the album, without ever exceeding the award winning pianist intentions and the message she masterfully portrays with the 88 ebony and ivory keys provided for her on a Steinway concert piano. 

Besides her professional career as a pianist, Fiona Joy Hawkins is also a painter with her own online art gallery, where paintings can be purchased, along with her 4 available CDs.  The novel website to visit is Fionajoyhawkins.com.

The quest for personal style in composing is evident in the latest project by South American born composer and producer Oscar Aguayo, who is titled as Australis.   Taken from the Latin word meaning Southern or from the South, is also symbolic of his artist title which emphasizes Oscar’s early influences he felt during his very first experiences in musical emotion in his home country as a young adult.

Oscar Aguayo, another friend in music, presently lives in the United States, having produced his second 2008 album The Gates of Realityunder the Independent Records label. Drawing imagination from his personal homeland recollections and earliest life changing events, the latest project is a mixture of New Age Ambient, Electronica, Neo Classic and Ethnic, in contrasting genres, producing a fine balance of emotional depth in all 14 compositions in his second album of individual expression.

The primarily mid tempo music will encompass the listener with rich, deep tones to translate for you what the artist has drawn from his own conceived conclusions in how New Age music should be interpreted.  Track 4 Promises of Light is a dark and mysterious example of a longing desire for the presence of light in which that wishful song is titled. Track 5 Paqta Kutemunqa begins with an ethnic quality by the ancient chants, whisperings and woodwind flute, that if one closed their eyes, could almost imagine themselves as an archaeologist exploring the inner depths of ancient ruins and then finding the lost treasures hidden away from all others, in this epic quest I found inspirational.

We can hopemore will be available from this creative artist who draws his artistic imagination from experiences during his early formative years.  Recollections which must have been fascinating for him.

Visit the unique website Australiscanticum to learn more about this interesting artist.

If you have already experienced the good fortune of discovering the bright and talented musical star known as Vicki Logan, you are fully aware that what I write today is solid truth.  For those who have yet to discover her music, prepare yourself for a true original New Age artist whose music is so unique, one can compare her musical expression as unique to each person as an individual.

There is something I must admit before we go any farther.  When I am not diligently listening to and writing another artist’s album on review, I find myself returning to the music of Vicki Logan.   After first discovering her inspirational New Age expressions, everyone I have shared her music with loves her discography as well, so it is not just mere coincidence.

Vicki Logan’s latest release titled The Journey To the Places In My Soul, under her own Carvic Publishing label, is the review we shall explore together. Come with me to find the inspirational bliss someone would expect to hear from a more globally recognized artist.  First released in 2006, and now reissued in 2009, this album is upbeat classical in form, shining brightly by having a palpable feeling of the artist’s personal touch in creativity and imagination integrated into every song.  Track  2  The Journey is an upbeat inspirational flute and piano tune that will inspire and enlighten you today and everyday.  Track 3 Dancing with the Northern Lightsdisplays a kaleidoscope of colors to reveal every tone and shade of an Aurora Borealis phenomenon, for which the song is titled, if you can imagine or have ever witnessed the Northern Lights.

There is also a complexity to her layered electronic instrumentals described as deep, up tempo, and even orchestral, by having piano, guitar, sax, oboe, and ever present flute which she plays with drive and purpose. To their credit, fellow band members add their own personal flavor by accompanying on individual songs which enhance the album’s classic theme admirably. Track 6 Everlasting Memories presents a flute and piano arrangement with additional guitar rhythms combining for a more mystical tone, yet still retains a hopeful theme as if recalling distant memories of years gone by.

The entire album carries an abundance of depth and feeling in each of the melodies which leads me to believe much thought and even a portion of the artist’s personality are on display in this latest project. This is also true in prior albums, in which one can listen to over and over and still find meaningful with the passage of time, being an important consideration when purchasing CD’s.

When we first spoke, I informed her I am also one of her many fans of her music, she just laughed and seemed surprised, which is just typical of Vicki, who is much too modest when discussing her talents in my opinion, so you will have to decide that for yourself.  Vicki Logan has agreed to an interview, so more information and prior album reviews will be available to you soon so that you may discover what I have found in the discography of this uniquely bright star known as Vicky Logan.

Visit Vickilogan.com homepage to see for yourself. Sample the album on CDBaby.

Often times when describing a choir or large group of individuals singing in unison, one thinks of members dressed in robes singing before a congregation in a house of worship, being universal in most religious faiths and denominations.

The  25  to  30  all male young performers who make up the artist title Libera with ages ranging from 7 to 16, is most often a white robed choir, but normal assumptions and what you have pictured in your mind of the music they produce ends there.  The unique blending of genre with a new age pop influence and easy listening classical vocals is something special to behold and will definitely surprise you.

Most of the young boy singers are from the parish choir of St. Philip’s Church in Norbury London, performing under the direction of Robert Prizeman, who began as choir director at a young age himself in 1970 at age 18.

 The Artist Choir Libera is a non profit group with many accomplishments including 16 albums having topped mainstream and classical album charts in many countries, with concert appearances in the United Kingdom, United States, Korea and Japan, a large number of BBC television, soundtrack, and radio recordings, while also performing before 60,000 people in Yankee Stadium on April 20th 2008, during papal mass when Pope Benedict XVI made his first visit to the U.S.

With such impressive accomplishments for the boys as young adults, it makes me wonder how many of the boys will continue their individual music careers as New Age musicians upon reaching full adulthood. That would be great news to all New Age music fans !

The Libera album Free, released under the EMI Classics in 2004 has full flowing choral vocals and solos that do remind you of being part of a congregation at moments, yet there is something particularly special about this music group that I haven’t quite put my finger on. One song titled Stay With Me which is highlighted below this article includes both song and video to help shed some light onto the subject so that you may discover what I have yet to fully describe. To me, this is a classic example of the many ways New Age music can be redefined when combining separate music genres into one soulful entity.  Stay With Me is just one great song of many on the Free album and their entire collection.

For their full discography and to learn more about the talented young artists, check out the official libera site.