Contemporary Ambient-Jazz-New Age Instrumental Review and Interview: NTHNL (Jacob Rudin)-What Kind of World Is This (COSMIS FLUTE MUSIC)

 Release Date: February 4, 2026

Label: Youngbloods

Website

NTHNL (Jacob Rudin) has created a fantastic musical omnibus of sound, color, and thoughts on What Kind of World Is This. He jumps around the musical map, covering new age, ambient, progressive, and jazz, among others. Get ready for a musical coloring book, and you hold the crayons; the artist provides the book.

“Awakenings pt 1” is an ambient piece running nearly five minutes, and it’s a beautiful way to start off this musical journey. Layers of synths and flourishes of gorgeous flute playing permeate the ambient atmospheres created.

“Awakenings pt 2” continues this spiritual awakening through sounds. The tempo is decidedly more upbeat, with percussion driving the synths as they flutter in rhythmic bursts. As the energy shifts, it brings light into your consciousness; however, this time it’s a bit over two minutes.

“Tiresias Rock” has a funky intro, then the flute comes in in a ’70s jazz style. Then a saxophone enters the mix, giving it a more defined jazz texture as the synth continues in the background, adding more essential elements. When the flute and sax meld, it gets even better, sounding like a cool modern-day jazz ensemble. This track is a full step ahead of the previous tracks. It reminded me of some of the great jazz fusion I discovered back in the ’80s.

“(re)possession” starts off spacey, gradually adding a beat and transitions, moving the sound toward a more fluid direction as the instrumentation builds. Behind an upfront beat and heavy synth, the flute is there, making its mark but subtly.

“Descent” sounds exactly as it should. Picture some sort of aircraft landing gradually on the surface of an unknown planet in an older sci-fi movie.

“Realization” sounds like a logical follow-up to the previous track, with its tempo and synth use. Now that you have landed, all the realizations have hit home.

“Hate Creator” has the most aggressive title so far, and you would expect the music to reflect that. It eventually gathers some momentum, sounding like a prog rocker with the heavy keyboards. The steady backbeat adds a sense of balance, but the point is made.

“Torture Temptation” is the magnum opus, clocking in at 6:36. The more aggressive concept flows with the implications of the title. There is a lot of time to work on transitions, and it works. The flute tempers the instrumentation and massages the tempos with mellow bursts of energy, while the keys add their ambiance, and the steady backbeat sounds almost tribal as the energy continually shifts. This is a very complex track with a lot going on simultaneously, but it works well.

“Coverting the infidels” is an interesting title. When I first looked at it, I thought it was “Converting,” an optical illusion, and if you are dyslexic, well, enough said. So, right off the bat, I have many thoughts. Then the music begins with an air of mystery, and as the composition builds, it sounds like a soundtrack to a Middle Eastern espionage movie. What a great song with some very cool atmospheres and effects. One of my favorites.

“Destruction of the institutes” makes me think this is turning into a dystopian novel. Or is the artist suggesting that this is what is currently going on? There is a logical progression of the track titles, and it’s coming together and starting to make sense, which happens further back in the tracks. The tempo picks up, with another great backbeat, as the synths, with their various sounds, emerge and propel the music like a musical train of thought.

“face up, twilight (feat Nakama)” brings things full circle back to the mellow, spiritual sounds of the flute, with jazz overtones floating through the air. Your senses are taking an immediate off-ramp to the tranquil place. And for the first time, you get vocals, and it’s a rap. This is a total paradigm shift in song structure with the addition of the lyrics, but the music holds true. Then, for yet another change, the vocals change in timbre to be less rap-like. Wow, what a masterful display of virtuosity.

“A Tyrant’s Mercy” features a narrative in which a futuristic deep-enhanced voice tells a person they have been cured of the demons that possessed them. Which you might think is the end of the story, but…

“Return to Earth” makes sense as you have the bowels of some hell and are sent on your way, cured of the demons, as you set foot back onto earth once again. The music has an upbeat, positive feeling with a very different sound. The flute is there; however, the rhythms are ever changing, and the cool breeze of that instrument adds a nice ambiance, as do the synths. A bluesy harmonica runs throughout, making this one of the most distinctive tracks yet, while the birds chirping at the end give a sense of balance and peace.

The title track, “What kind of world is this,” finishes out the novel set to music. The funky backbeat is the driving force as the flute, synths, and strings come together for a lovely ending. You feel relaxed and renewed now after taking one of the most diverse and interesting musical trips you have had in some time.

What Kind of World Is This gives many moments to pause and reflect on how to answer that question. This is a world created by music, and the track titles give you a good lead into what each may be about. Your job as the listener is to put it all together, like a puzzle. Like any music, you are the interpreter. What you hear and how it translates is your choice; however, I certainly can see a message in this music: an artist letting you know that he sees many things wrong in this world, and it gives a proper frame of reference as you move through the story.

NTHNL (Jacob Rudin) has crafted an audaciously eclectic, predominantly instrumental album that weaves together new age serenity, ambient atmospheres, jazz sophistication, and progressive complexity. This sonic tapestry captivates listeners from first note to last, inviting contemplation while refusing to settle into predictable patterns.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

February 2, 2026

Tracks:

01. Awakenings pt 1  4:46

02. Awakenings pt 2  2:22

03. Tiresias Rock 3:48

04. (re)possession 3:01

05. Descent 1:27

06. Realization 1:55

07. Hate Creator 3:20

08. Torture Temptation 6:36

09. Coverting the infidels 4:11

10. Destruction of the institutes 4:00

11. face up, twilight (feat Nakama)

12. A Tyrant's Mercy 2:11

13. Return to Earth 4:57

14. What kind of world is this 2:47

 

Dyan Garris Interview - The Final on Vinyl Podcast

Discover inspiration and insight in this captivating interview with Dyan Garris, a celebrated figure in the world of music.

Renowned in the new-age music community, Dyan Garris has enchanted audiences for decades through her 14 acclaimed albums, 6 insightful books, and a transformative chakra-balancing DVD. Beyond her creative works, she leads the influential New Age Notes radio program and magazine, and operates a respected music relicensing service.

Multi-Instrumentalist & Chapman Stick Maestro Tom Griesgraber To Release New Soundtrack Album The Split (Music From The Motion Picture Prairie Prophecy) March 6

Tom Griesgraber is releasing a new album called The Split. The album is currently available as CD and multi-format download on tomgriesgraber.com, with a wider release planned for March 6 including Bandcamp. The Split is Tom Griesgraber's soundtrack album from the feature length documentary film Prairie Prophecy. It includes all nineteen tracks from the film, along with two bonus tracks. The music features Tom Griesgraber on Chapman Stick, analog synths and samples. Tom's California Guitar Trio bandmate Bert Lams also makes a guest appearance on acoustic guitar.

Watch the trailer for The Split:
https://fb.watch/ETuAVHBc7O/
https://youtu.be/skNQfhEP0XQ

While Tom Griesgraber is primarily known in progressive rock circles, The Split leans more towards ambient music than much of his other work.

Says Tom, “I tried in writing it to have recurring themes for the subjects being discussed in the movie. The album tracks are in the same order they appear in the movie, with themes and motifs that develop as the album progresses.”

“I tried to also have something thematic with the instrumentation. Generally, when topics being discussed are more about the problems of industrialization the analog synths become more prominent, and when the discussion is more about natural things or the progress scientists are making, the Chapman Stick and orchestral strings are more prominent.”

The film Prairie Prophecy is an engaging exploration of natural systems agriculture and its potential to address some of today’s most urgent environmental challenges. Anchored in the work of The Land Institute, the film traces how perennial farming systems—modeled after native ecosystems—could help restore soil, conserve water, and build resilience in a changing climate. Both educational and hopeful, the program offers a forward-looking perspective on the future of food and land stewardship.

The movie is currently playing at screenings and festivals across the US and will be available to all Public Television stations starting in April 2026.

For more information about Prairie Prophecy: www.prairieprophecy.com

The Split Track list:
01 - At A Moment
02 - The Split
03 - Paradox
04 - Cassettes
05 - A Species Out Of Context
06 - Prairie Suite
07 - Planting Prairie
08 - A New Worldview
09 - I Just Wanted Kansas
10 - A Big Idea
11 - Land Institute
12 - Perennial Plants
13 - Junkyard
14 - Geologic Time
15 - Perennial Pantry
16 - Seeds
17 - Partners
18 - Love In Action
19 - The Tree Of Life
20 - Asked Of Us
21 - This Land

About Tom Griesgraber:
Tom Griesgraber picked up the Chapman Stick in 1997 after graduating Summa Cum Laude from Berklee College of Music as a guitarist in 1995. In late 1998 he began performing around San Diego County as a Stick player doing both solo shows and performances with his group Agent 22. In 2000, the group won a year-long local battle of the bands at the Belly Up Tavern, beating about 230 other groups. From there venues started having Tom or the group open for nationals. In 2001, he opened for the California Guitar Trio (CGT) at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano. The next year Tom attended a Guitar Craft course taught by Robert Fripp with CGT members Bert Lams and Paul Richards assisting. Afterwards, CGT asked him to go on the road as their opener for about 100 shows over the next few years. Bert Lams from the group and Tom started doing duo tours as well and eventually two albums. In 2021, Bert and Paul Richards asked Tom to join CGT as a regular member.

To date, Tom Griesgraber has also released two other solo albums, one with CGT recorded while opening for King Crimson, two with Agent 22, and a duo album with drummer Jerry Marotta (Peter Gabriel) with whom he also toured internationally for several years. He has performed four times for Grammy events, toured as an opener for The Tony Levin Band, opened multiple times for Carl Palmer, Adrian Belew, Steve Morse and the Dixie Dregs, Al Dimeola and Stick Men and opened shows for Bill Bruford’s Earthworks, Andy Summers, Alan Holdsworth, Stanley Jordan, Steve Hackett, Larry Carlton, Steve Lukather, Paul Stanley, Paula Cole, Tuck and Patti, Asia and dozens of others. Tom has also performed on, produced and/or engineered dozens of albums for other artists including two with RyMo (of Slightly Stoopid), CGT, guitarist Peter Pupping and Dübh.

The Chapman Stick, Tom’s primary instrument is a combination of twelve guitar and bass strings, played in both hands with a technique closer to playing piano than guitar. Multiple outputs allow for simultaneous guitar, bass and keyboard-like sounds but with a unique timbre and unusual musical structures.

For more information:
https://tomgriesgraber.com/
https://www.facebook.com/TomGmusic/
https://www.youtube.com/user/thossounds
https://cgtrio.com/
https://tomgriesgraber.bandcamp.com/

Press inquiries: Keith James, Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

Soul Improvisations Track Feature: Creation

Soul Improvisations is the musical entity of Devorah. She has a story to tell in her music. After overcoming seemingly insurmountable roadblocks, she emerged as a gifted pianist with a beautiful message in the new-age contemporary instrumentals she records.

“Creation,” her latest track release, is another gift to humanity through the keys of the piano. The sounds are woven through a gorgeous tapestry of movement and tones emanating through her fingers.

The music is relaxing, meditative, and a picture of resonating spiritual beauty. The concept is the universe’s mystery and beauty as our planet spins on its axis. Although that spans a 24-hour period worldwide, the relevance of time and space fades in the music. It transforms into a space for you alone with the music.

In “Creation,” music becomes a vessel for solace and renewal—a catalyst for those seeking transformation. Soul Improvisations offers not merely a listening experience, but an invitation to unlock the door within.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

February 2, 2026

Because the music of Soul Improvisations stems from Devorah’s spontaneous “stream of consciousness approach” and is rooted in her soul, her compositions are quite varied. Listeners note that her music is New Age solo piano with a classical flair, with touches of other styles woven in.

Read More About Soul Improvisations here.

New Age Vocals Track Feature: The Song Gardeners-Belong

Listen Here

Watch the “Belong”Official Lyric Video

The Song Gardeners are Corrie Dunn and Mary Gospe. Their tracks have been flowing steadily since the beginning of last year. “Belong” is the latest offering for listeners to enjoy.

Each recording holds a spiritual and uplifting consciousness.

What I found unique about this talented duo is their sense of rhythm, fine musicianship, and vocals that elevate their words.

Belonging is something we all desire, and their message is about being a part of humanity. It’s also about the freedom to speak authentically, rather than simply saying what others want to hear. True belonging means being accepted for who you genuinely are, without having to meet conditions or conform to expectations.

The strumming acoustic guitar, keys, and the beautiful vocals will immediately engage your senses and your knowing of right and wrong. Some of the words will hit home like “I’m tired of feeling out of place.” None of us should ever feel that way; we all want the same thing: love and acceptance.

In an era fractured by division—where discord wreaks havoc upon countless lives, this simple plea for acceptance grows ever more urgent. Yet it is precisely through such words and music that a yearning audience finds solace, their souls hungry for this very message to resonate. Here, that truth arrives not with force, but with grace: delivered in the most beautiful and tender way imaginable.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder

January 23, 2026

The Song Gardeners are at the forefront of the New Age Pop genre, creating well-crafted contemporary #chill, #groove, and #pop songs with positive, empowering messages. The band was founded by singer/songwriters and multi-instrumentalists Corrie Dunn and Mary Gospe.

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New Age-Jazz -Contemporary Instrumental Review and Interview: Derek Wille-Weight of the Sky

 Release Date: January 5, 2026

Label: Independent

Website

Derek Wille, a masterful artist, seamlessly merges three musical genres into an enjoyable, cohesive sound, showcasing his exceptional talent throughout his recent release, Weight of the Sky.

The complexity of jazz, the spiritual and deeply relaxing effect of new age, and the tradition and foundation of classical come together for a significant contribution to the world of instrumental solo piano recordings.

“Eyes Across A Room” is full of new age and jazz tones. It begins with a recording of a lovely, soft melody. You are immediately disarmed and feel like you have found a safe place to be physically and spiritually. It is a good way to start things off, getting you into the right frame of mind to enjoy what is to come. Just under 3 minutes was perfect.

“The Weight Of The Sky” creates a perception of something more serious than the previous track. While the high notes are light and airy, the bass resonates with a heavier tone, holding its own, while the sky maintains its lighter aspects. As these two aspects merge, you find your own understanding of what the track title can mean for you. There is some terrific playing going on here, and I heard classical influences woven into the underlying jazz and new age principles.

As “Rhapsody In Shadow” begins, the carefully measured sound and tempo immediately highlight the romantic mood depicted.  There is no black and white; only the grey areas shine as the notes intermingle to create perfect beauty. The piano keys dance a waltz and ask you to join in their place in time.

“Doorway To The Sea” carries the waves of the sea with melody and precision throughout this composition. I heard strong classical tones coloring this piece with jazz along the fringes. Very nice with a good flow.

“Shadows On The Sidewalk” picks up the pace with a lighthearted melody. It was like being a child again, watching your shadow imitate all your movements. Do you remember doing that? This upbeat melody reminds you of those days. A jazz movement with the colors of youth brings memories flooding back instantly.

“Prelude To A Farewell” gives the time needed to prepare for the finality of saying goodbye. The joy of life and love injects positivity, helping optimism replace negativity or outright sadness. The tinkling of the high notes brings a smile to you inside and out. Melodies abound, light all around, as the resonating keys leave a lasting impression.

“The Years Between” is reflective, a space in time that deserves another look. All time is relevant in one’s life, but we tend to forget so much. As the fingers hit the piano keys, the energy is dispersed into the air, and the melody and trajectory of sound engage you. It was like a story unfolded, and the last notes closed the book.

“Reflections On A Quiet Night” has a title alone that is picturesque. The piano keys softly invite you in to embrace the night with a look back to reflect on the day, your life, or the love of all the sweet things we treasure. The keys roll along the artists’ fingers effortlessly. Dreamy sequences relax and easily bring on the reflective mood being suggested.

“Standing In The Storm” would suggest something prolific about one’s life or indicative of the actual weather. My thought is based on the emotional nature of music, so this would point to an event or time in an individual’s life. The piano has two parts: the lower bass, which paints a clear picture of something more serious, and the higher notes, which are clearer and uplifting. This, in turn, gives the listener an optimistic outlook within the “storm.” This is the power of music at work, offering a listener a choice.

“A Lifetime Ago” is a window into time once again. This piano-based music is diverse, taking a blank canvas and using the broad brush of notes to create a masterpiece. The time and space in a lifetime can be short or vast, depending on the subject matter. The piano’s keys are significantly high and low, taking the ebb and flow of emotions to different places. Drama captured in music, perfect.

Finding “The Way Back” could be easy or difficult. This is the double-sided coin of life and all its situations or life-changing events. Those who lose their way can always get back on their original course. The piano’s elegance is highlighted here, carving a path for those who need a little help. This is musical GPS, if you will, listen carefully so you can return to where you belong.

“Last Light Of The Evening” ushers in the dark of night, as the moon and the stars relight the atmosphere. Nature’s sprinkling of the heavens reminds us of our 24-hour cycle of life and offers wonders and beauty each time. The melody is happy and reminds me of the Charlie Brown holiday cartoons, with its easygoing, flowing jazz piano runs by Vince Guaraldi.

“The Space Between The Notes” is a significant title. It gives thought to what you can find or create in that brief space in time between all the notes coming from the fingers of this piano player. This track slowly unfolds, allowing each listener to reflect on its meaning.

“Night In Amber” closes out this fourteen-track foray into time and space, accompanied by some of the most beautiful solo piano music one could ask for. It is fitting that the tempo of this track features how this talented artist takes jazz, new age, and classical and melds them into standalone pieces of art. It is a gorgeous end to an altogether enjoyable journey of instrumental bliss.

Derek Wille’s Weight of the Sky gives every listener some space in time to relax, reflect, and move along with each story via the piano’s notes. The beauty and simplicity of instrumental music shine brightly with the absence of words, so one can really become part of the storyline. 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Review Founder

January 17, 2025

Tracks:

01. Eyes Across A Room 2:57

02. The Weight Of The Sky 4:33

03. Rhapsody In Shadow 3:54

04. Doorway To The Sea 3:29

05. Shadows On The Sidewalk 3:18

06. Prelude To A Farewell 3:35

07. The Years Between 3:25

08. Reflections On A Quiet Night 4:49

09. Standing In The Storm 4:45

10. A Lifetime Ago 3:48

11. The Way Back 2:59

12. Last Light Of The Evening 3:33

13. The Space Between The Notes 3:26

14. Night In Amber 3:05

Track Feature: Contemporary Ambient Instrumental-Extasis-Allan Susoeff, Jr. - One and Only

Extasis - Allan Susoeff, Jr. decided to take his music in another direction on the “One and Only” track release. Moving away from his meditation releases into the world of Contemporary Ambient Instrumental. However, I would consider it a valued tool for relaxation or meditation.

The music is inspired by some memorable moments in time shared with another in a beautiful setting. It’s about believing in yourself and knowing you deserve to enjoy these moments and the memories you’ll hold on to.

The instruments utilized for this contemporary instrumental are: Piano, Synths & Pads, Violin, Viola, Cello, Contrabass, Piccolo, Flute, Oboe, English Horn, Clarinet, Trumpet, Crotales, Cymbals.

The keyboards are the main instrument, and all the color and drama those keys create is fully realized on the track. The layers of piano and synth form the foundation for the other instruments to join in and accentuate the meaning and feelings pouring through the creator’s fingers.

I was moved emotionally by this music, and knowing what it meant to the artist was a springboard for appreciating the impetus for its beginnings and how it flourished from a life-changing event. It was a special moment frozen in time by the music and will now live forever for all who take the time to listen.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Review Founder

January 16, 2026

https://allansusoeff.com

Just two short weeks after the release of his first album, Extasis, in 2019, Allan experienced another quantum leap in life: a heart attack. He emerged from his double bypass surgery with a newfound appreciation for music. The intricacies of instrumental collaborations alone gave Allan new meaning in the art of creating music. Since then, his focus has been solely on instrumental music that is not only ambient but also uplifting and positively empowering.