Mediaeval Baebes - The Rose

 [Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Mary Youngblood - Feed the Fire

 [Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Marshall Styler - Seven Falls

SEVEN FALLS

Marshall Styler
Styler Music
2009

I must have played and re-played this album at least ten times within a five day period. There's just something about the melodious music that draws me back again and again. Inspired by special people and places, these piano and keyboard compositions will relax and soothe the listener.

"My music is not space or soundscape music. I compose instrumental pieces that have a definite structure based around melodies. There are no words to tie it all down so there is a certain dream-like quality inherent in my sound".

That 'dream-like quality' is certainly evident in these pieces, with All I Had to Hear You Say, the rippling water-effect of Mandala (an effect that somehow always seems to impress me, as it has done with various other albums), and One Day in One Heart in particular touching me.

TRACKLIST:
1. Flight of the Great Blue (South Padre Island)
2. All I Had to Hear You Say
3. Camden to Monhegan
4. Welcome Back to Dreamland
5. Mandala (Mary's Waltz)
6. Seven Falls
7. The Locket
8. One Day in One Heart
9. Adirondack

Marshall Styler - A Face in the Clouds

 

A FACE IN THE CLOUDS

Marshall Styler
Styler Music
2007
(Relaxation)

Marshall is another composer and performer who left behind a successful rock'n'roll career to further his interests in more classically-inspired music.

Rock'n'roll's loss is New Age's gain.

A Face in the Clouds is a wonderful collection of impressionistic memories that are not only relaxing to listen to, but are also filled with evocative musical images. Using digital keyboards, analog-based synthesizers, and piano, Marshall creates a wonderfully beautiful montage of striking, original compositions. I particularly enjoyed Morning Hyde Park with its musical waves of water-like sounds.

"I consider myself an impressionist, in the spirit of the French impressionist painters - Degas, Monet and Matisse. They worked with color and emotion and have a powerful elegance that I strive for in my music."

Indeed, Marshall has achieved just that.

Past albums have included Twilight Concertos; Jericho; Red River; Mockingbird; Bluefields; and Silent Night.

TRACKLIST:
1. A Face in the Clouds
2. Ballerina on the Bridge
3. If I Could Do It All Again
4. A Love Like This
5. Morning Hyde Park (Austin)
6. Ballad of an Abandoned Road
7. Midnight Rain (4th and Colorado)
8. Orchards, Vineyards, and Wildflowers Waltz
9. Walking Mansfield Dam

Mark Pinkus - Breakthrough

 BREAKTHROUGH

Mark Pinkus
MP Music Consulting
2000

Thoroughly contemporary classical in execution, Breakthrough is a beautiful and melodious program of uplifting and passionate compositions. At times soft and dreamy, relaxing and comforting, at other times, dancing and energetic, Mark's piano performances create more than just music—they create a soundscape of tuneful pieces that require you to listen to the charm and unique personality of each piece.

Several nice melodies stand out—Wings of Spring, Shadows, and Protection are just a few of them—but all the songs on Breakthrough are a delight to the ears and beckon the listener to hear them again and again.

TRACKLIST:
1. Wings of Spring
2. Time to Feed the Birds
3. Trees
4. Will and Surrender
5. Whatever You Are
6. The Ring and the Necklace
7. Sleighride
8. Shadows
9. Je Vous Aime Tous les Deux
10. The Frog
11. The Bedroom Window
12. Va La
13. Lullaby For a Child
14. Protection
15. The Light in the Night

Marina Raye - Liquid Silk

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Marilynn Seits - Feathertouch

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Manose Singh - Yoga Ragas

 YOGA RAGAS

Manose Singh
New Earth Records
2006

Bansuri flute, sitar, tanpura, tabla, and ragini flow together for seventy-three minutes of slow-moving improvisational music.

Ideal for yoga and meditation, Tai Chi and slow body movement, the music draws the listener in to a relaxed state of consciousness with a sense of peacefulness with a lack of musical tension—just a gentle blend of instruments.

TRACKLIST:
1. Mangal Dhoni
2. Puriya Kalyan

Mandir - Out Beyond Ideas

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Louis Landon - Unwind

 UNWIND

Louis Landon
Landon Creative, Inc
2005

Light and simple, but permeated with heartfelt performances, Unwind invites you to do exactly that.

As with much New Age Jazz, Landon's music avoids the usual discord often associated with jazz music, and offers a flowing, moody environment instead-Peaceful and Freefalling, for example, lightly spring with jazz-like rhythms, but fall gently on the ears; and My Brooke, with its delicate refrains, has touches of pop music.

Although not really suitable for meditation or massage therapy, nevertheless, Unwind offers a good hour's worth of relaxing music. Deeply subjective in their creation, Landon's compositions and playing draw you into a world of personal warmth and joyousness meant for you to share one-on-one.

Louis Landon says his "personal mission in life is to create a more emotional world by creating and performing music from the heart".

On this album, he continues to achieve that dream.

TRACKLIST:
1. My Brooke
2. I Can See
3. Feel
4. Mindfulness
5. Peaceful
6. Freefalling
7. Sea of Darkness
8. Alone
9. Majestic Sunrise
10. Her Eyes
11. Music for Michael
12. Childhood's End

Louis Landon - Peace Revolution!

 PEACE REVOLUTION!

Louis Landon
Landon Creative Inc
2007

Even though Camelot is, by far, my favorite track from this album, nevertheless there are eleven other compositions that will entice you to hear more from Louis Landon.

To my ears, Camelot aches for lyrics, and would almost sit very well in a pop setting with its recurring leitmotiv, and even though it's only around three-and-a-half minutes long, it almost seems to be much shorter. Those old enough to remember Frank Mills' Music Box Dancer will find this very reminiscent of that song. Good enough for the 'A' side of a single release, I would venture to say.

Amalfi Drive would be a good contender for the 'B' side of that single. Replete with a recurring theme, which then meanders into melodies with an almost improvisational feel—all evocative of traveling along the one-way, old Roman road that joins Sorrento to Amalfi, and quite possibly the inspiration for this selection.

However, these two aren't the only inspiring numbers on this charming album. Light and delightful, the rest of the tunes carry the listener to a place of tranquility and reflection to which he or she will want to return again and again.

TRACKLIST:
1. Camelot
2. Sundance
3. Skye's Song
4. Ancestors
5. Elegant Lady
6. Amalfi Drive
7. Peace Revolution!
8. Pursuit of Happiness
9. Give Love Another Chance
10. Golden Glow
11. Thy Will Be Done
12. (Epilogue) Impromptu

Louisa John-Krol - Argo

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Llewellyn - Mysts of Avalon

 

MYSTS OF AVALON

Llewellyn
New World Music
2004

Rich and lush musical numbers relate the tale of a young Druid woman who travels to meet Merlyn and Cerridwen on the island of Avalon in the Summerlands. 

Inspired by Marion Zimmer Bradley's novel, this beautiful and ethereal sounding album delights the listener with uplifting rhythms and melodies, very contemporary in style, with occasional hints of Celtic and Irish arrangements.

Smooth and flowing music carries us along through the Otherworld with hauntingly beautiful tunes like Silver Moon Winds, Queen of the Moon, and The Crystal Castle.

For those who like to follow along with a storyline, one is included in the liner notes, much like the gist of a tale is given in an opera programme.

Llewellyn is ably accompanied by vocalist Juliana, flautist Chris Conway, whistler Lorraine Wyse, and keyboardist Kevin Kendle.

Take your journey through the Mysts of Avalon today.

TRACKLIST:
1. Silver Moon Woods
2. Merlyn and the Crossing
3. Through the Mysts
4. The Summerlands
5. Queen of the Moon
6. The Dragon's Breath
7. The Calling
8. The Crystal Castle
9. Seeking the Candle

Llewellyn - Journey to the Angels

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Little Wolf - Prayer to the Mystery

PRAYER TO THE MYSTERY

Little Wolf
(a.k.a. Jim Wilson)
New Earth Records
2008

Here's a wonderful collection of electronically enhanced Native American music that's easy to listen to and experience. Traditional instruments and modern programming create a blend of the ancient and the modern into some easy-going, smooth, and textured compositions.

Jim Wilson is also known by the name and music of Tulku.

TRACKLIST:
1. Prayer to the Mystery
2. Morning Water Song
3. Offering
4. Emergence
5. Serpent Dance
6. Eveningsong
7. Song of the Wolf
8. Spirits of the Past
9. Medicine Eagle

Lisa Lynne - Maiden's Prayer

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Lisa Lynne (with George Tortorelli) - Love & Peace

 

LOVE & PEACE

Lisa Lynne
(with George Tortorelli)
New Earth Records
2007

Some instruments continue to be timeless—the harp and the flute are two of them.

Lisa and George have formed a warm and compelling duo not only on their albums, but also during their live performances, bringing audiences and listeners some beautiful, relaxing, and soul-stirring compositions.

For the most part quiet and serene, the music on this album lulls listeners into a time of tranquility and clear-mindedness, giving them a chance to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life to a dimension of stillness and renewal.

Although albums such as this can't replace experiencing the performers in person, nevertheless the opportunity is there to encounter the music.

TRACKLIST:
1. Invocation
2. Winds of Peace
3. Mysterium
4. Angel of Mercy
5. The Journey
6. Windrise
7. Flowers in the Wind
8. The Farthest Shore
9. Serenity Road
10. The Dawn
11. Once Upon a Time
12. First Light

Lisa Hilton - Twilight & Blues

TWILIGHT & BLUES

Lisa Hilton
Lisa Hilton Music
2009

I've said before in another review that I'm not a great fan of jazz.

However, that being said, I did listen to Lisa's album several times, and each time the music grew on me and I gradually found myself enjoying it quite immensely.

Along with some original compositions, Lisa also covers some past tunes by Joni Mitchell, Janis Joplin, Henry Mancini and others.

On her own melodies, especially, Lisa is extremely expressive— City Streets, in particular, reflects this—but this doesn't mean the other tunes pale by comparison. Rather, they exude Miss Hilton's own personality and view of the world. Indeed, I'll be listening to this album yet a few more times.

"Her playing style, now fluent, features a light touch, expressive nuances, and polyrhythm. One of the few women producers working in jazz, she also runs her own publishing company to oversee the 130+ tracks she has composed and recorded."

TRACKLIST:
1 Pandemonium
2 Woodstock
3 What's Going On/Extended Take
4 City Streets
5 Turbulent Blue
6 Twilight
7 Kozmic Blues
8 Blue For You
9 Moon River
10 What's Going On

Libana - Night Passage

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Lex Van Someren - Om

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Lesiem - Mystic Spirit Voices

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Kori Linae Carothers - Trillium

 TRILLIUM

Kori Linae Carothers
iRoknNod Records
2009

What a delightfully eclectic album of divers music! Solo piano, electronic keyboards, native American chanting, angelic female vocals--all these and more showcase Kori's talent not only as a pianist, but also as a cross-genre composer.

Kori is equally adept at creating quiet piano pieces like Crystal Fields as well as up-tempo light jazz pieces like Dancing in the Clouds.

"Trillium is a collection of music inspired by the power of three...a continuation of expressions of my thoughts, about experiences in my life inspired by the friendships, hopes and dreams".

Produced by Will Ackerman, and also featuring some other distinctive playing styles (like Jeff Oster's flugel horn), some tunes are reminiscent of Yanni's orchestrations but, by and large, Trillium is still a moving musical reflection of Kori's personality and life.

TRACKLIST:
1. Crystal Fields
2. Blue Ice
3. A Roses Tale
4. Midnight
5. Nez Perce
6. Tangled Up
7. Dancing in the Clouds
8. Nantucket
9. The Long View
10. Carpe Diem
11. 3 Degrees

Kevin Kern - Winding Path

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Kevin Kern - Imagination's Light

 

 IMAGINATION'S LIGHT

Kevin Kern
Real Music
2005

Kevin continues his beautiful piano styling with a selection of melodies that take you into the images of his imagination, most created as he sat in a darkened room and allowed them to manifest themselves through his music.

Along with the exquisite beauty of his own compositions, Kevin does a beautifully rendered version of Sting's Fields of Gold.

TRACkLIST:
1. Remembering the Light
2. Safe in Your Embrace
3. Pearls of Joy
4. Told to the Heart
5. Fields of Gold
6. Imagination's Key
7. Keepers of the Flame
8. Musings
9. Sweet Dreams, Helena
10. I Am Always Right Here
11. And the Light is Forever

Ken Kaufman - Beautiful In My Eyes

 

BEAUTIFUL IN MY EYES

Ken Kaufman
Ken Kaufman
2006

It was love at first sight—Ken Kaufman and the Japanese piano that had no wrong notes —and, indeed, the love affair between Ken and this special piano exhibits itself in a plethora of popular musical numbers done in a very light jazz style.

Sprightly, uplifting, and yet relaxing at the same time, fifteen piano solos will hold the listener's ear and focus her attention on the playful, but tender way that Ken's fingers caress the keyboard, eliciting sensuous and evocative notes.

Amongst other accomplishments, Ken composed the Emmy-winning score to the TV Documentary, Birkenau Boys.

TRACKLIST:
1. Have I Told You Lately
2. Misty
3. People
4. Witchcraft
5. In my Life
6. If I Fell
7. Night and Day
8. Gershwin Medley
9. Latin Medley
10. Sentimental Reasons/ Tenderly/Autumn Leaves
11. Emily
12. When You Wish Upon a Star/Over the Rainbow
13. Phantom Medley
14. Enchanted
15. Beautiful in my Eyes

Kathleen Swann & Ken Kaufman - Seasons of Serenity

 

[Music review by Michael Woodhead for Synchronicity magazine]

Karunesh - Call of the Mystic

CALL OF THE MYSTIC

Karunesh
Real Music
2004

I've always enjoyed the music of Karunesh, and Call of the Mystic is another example of his soothing, musical craftsmanship designed to minister to the soul and spirit. Soft predominantly-Indian instruments, rhythms and melodies sweep over the listener and verify the fact that "Music, friend that it is, cocoons us from our worries, enabling that hidden self to emerge".

TRACKLIST:
1. For the Joy of it All
2. Hearing You Now
3. Monsoon's Dance
4. Mount Kailash
5. Sunrise at the Ganges
6. Zensual
7. And the Grass Grows by Itself
8. Ancient Voices

Kargo - Dreams of Marrakesh

DREAMS OF MARRAKESH

Kargo
New World Music
2003

This is a wonderful album with great production and lots of atmosphere—and by atmosphere, I don't mean the space kind; I mean travelogue-style background sounds that add to the feeling of a musical voyage through the land of Morocco.

Children playing, people talking and praying, the calls of buyers and sellers—all add to the romantic and mysterious atmosphere enhanced by the eclectic music styles of James Diplock and Mat McLean, a.ka. 'Kargo'.

After a slow and gentle opening as we Enter Djemma and experience Hellah—everyday life for the people—things slow down a touch for us to relax in the shade during a hot summer afternoon with Mellagita, a hypnotically rhythmic tune created with drums, horns and bass which ends a little too abruptly. Then we enjoy the leisurely, romantic flute and string sounds of Sunset at the Kaspah.

A new virtual day brings a new selection of environmental sounds, and a variety of pulsating Moroccan beats and music—Dejemma-el-Fna, Marrakesh Dubbed, the wildly entertaining Drumbata which leaves one breathless just listening to it. Cobrabora combines tribal drums with vocal chants, synth riffs and pads to create a rhythmic electronic blend of past and present, before things slow down again for the final Departure.

I thoroughly enjoyed this musical voyage with its wide range of melodious and rhythmic tunes, native instruments, and background sounds. Kargo have put together a captivating album that is a delight to listen to.

"This album is the result of an inspirational journey through Morocco, from the Atlas Mountains to Marrakesh, recording sounds and atmospheres to Minidisc as we went, before bringing them home and then combining them with our own production techniques and musical styles." - Kargo

TRACKLIST:
1. Enter Djemma
2. Hellah
3. Mellagita
4. Sunset at the Kaspah
5. Djemma-El-Fna
6. Marrakesh Dubbed
7. Drumbata
8. Cobrabora
9. Mellagita (Reprise)
10. Departure

Kamal - Quiet Earth

QUIET EARTH

Kamal
New Earth Records
2008

True to its title, this album offers just under an hour's worth of quiet, ambient music.

Soothing, flowing, and evoking images of the Earth untouched by human civilization, the music will touch the soul, relax and heal.

As he says in an interview about his Shamanic Healing album: "It was very important for me to find the right sequence of the pieces to create an energetic flow. With each musical expression I can feel the healing within me. People can resonate with that same frequency and it can heal that part in themselves which needs to be healed".

Certainly that can be applied to Quiet Earth, also.

TRACKLIST:
1: Dreamscapes
2: The Quiet Earth
3: The Tides of Time
4: Healing
5: Meeresleuchten

Juliet Lyons - My Siren Song

 

MY SIREN SONG

Juliet Lyons
Juliet Lyons
2009

I must say I was pleasantly surprised when I played this album. I didn't know what to expect, and noted that Juliet's voice ignites the messages in every song, beginning with the opening number, My Dreaming Mind. Her powerful soprano took me back for a short time, and I feel she could do some operatic work. It would be interesting to see how she interprets some popular arias.

It would be easy for me to compare Juliet to Sarah Brightman (and, apparently, now that I've had a look at her website, I'm not the only one) but, truly, Ms Lyons is in her own league, her songs offering touches of pop, classical and light jazz.

As I mentioned, her songs have pertinent messages for today, messages that include the search for peace and love, the end of war, and a few digs at modern civilization —for example, "We've got our cell phones, so who needs oxygen?" from Behind the Future. All the tracks but one contain lyrics—on Dreaming of the Hajar, Juliet uses her voice as a musical instrument, providing an atmospheric, ethereal sound that any other instrument wouldn't be able to create.

Overall, a decidedly beautiful album. My favourite track: Steal My Secret.

TRACKLIST:
1. My Dreaming Mind
2. The Quest
3. My Siren Song
4. Behind The Future
5. Other Side Of The Moon
6. Voyage
7. Peace Within
8. Dreaming Of The Hajar
9. Steal My Secret
10. My Siren Song