Instrumental New Age Review: John Fluker-11:11

Release Date: May 1, 2016

Label: Retribution Records

Website

Composer, musician and vocalist, are a few of the titles that the multitalented John Fluker holds. He has backed folks like Beyoncé, Dionne Warwick, Mavis Staples, John Legend, Boyz II Men, etc. The list goes on and on. So to say that the man is a seasoned artist is putting it mildly.

With the release of 11:11 he showcases his diversity with musical styles using the piano as the foundation where every track finds its path through careful construction. From the colorful atmospheric opener “Awaken,” with classically influenced piano strokes and ambient textured keyboards, the music gives you a wakeup call to this immense talent and pulls you into another world. The theme here is indicative of the title of course so you can focus on that one meaning, look at the track titles then take it from there.

“Artificial Time” is a gorgeous soundscape taking the bounty of that classical influence then pushing the envelope to make it an instrumental new age journey through your own personal space and time. The title reminds us that we invented time so it thereby is artificial in every sense of the word. What we really know is that we are all stardust and our lives are but a bat of an eyelash in the grand scheme of things…indeed.

I love albums like this; the ability to take music and no words then unravel a story through one concept and create an aural painting that freezes in time forever is a gift. Music is everlasting and so are the memories we hold dear. Life and what we know is what keeps us alive and the will to live another day for more wonderful life experiences. Music makes it all that much more enjoyable and when its great piano based instrumentals that are on offer we get the chance to write the story.

Speaking of time and stories, “Tick-Tock Tale” encapsulates everything I just said. The hands of time move ever so fast or much too slow depending on your life situation. With each passing second you change and so do your surroundings however it takes us a while to notice the change happening before us. The tick tock of the clock is our compass to the past and the future. Listen to John’s fingers make another piece of paradise with the ivory keys. It is short and sweet yet poignant and impactful. The title makes you think and then the music ends to fast like our time here on this earth.

11:11 has the genius and presence to get your attention, make you focus and think about all the things that matter in life. I really appreciate what music like this does for me; it is truly a spiritual experience that brings out the very best in me. Give it a listen to see what it can do for you.

5/5 Stars

Key Tracks: Awaken, Artificial Time, Tick-Tock Tale

Tracks: 
01. Awaken
02. In The Beginning
03. Artificial Time
04. The 4th Dimension
05. Piano Story
06. Tick-Tock Tale
07. Moments
08. Age of Eternity
09. Piano Story
10. Hour of Prayer
11. 11:11
12. The Joyful Clock Unwinds
 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck- New Age Music Reviews Founder

March 31, 2016

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews