New Age Music Reviews: Devotion

Showing posts with label Devotion. Show all posts

New Age Instrumental Review: Rick Sparks-Devotion

Release Date: ‎ September 1, 2024

Label: Independent

Rick Sparks' new EP, Devotion, is a musical journey underscored by healing and peace. Each track is designed to guide you towards a state of tranquility and spiritual awakening.

The title track, "Devotion," opens the recording. It reminds me of angels, heaven, and the beautiful chorus of voices coming together to lead you there. The softness of the synths and the wordless voices put you at ease instantly, and you know that the sounds were meant for a purpose, as mentioned on the cover art: healing and peace.

“River of Peace” is more than just a track. It's a continuation of your spiritual journey. The layers of keys and synths create a beautiful soundscape, with the wordless vocals adding an element of exceptional beauty. Each track in this EP is a stepping stone, guiding you to stay in that frame of mind and spirit you have just attained.

"My Refuge" starts with an acoustic piano, and angelic voices add atmosphere to create the healing spiritual experience many seek. The added layer of the synths gives the track a velvety and airy feel, which is how the music makes you feel once you let yourself fall into it and be the guiding light you may significantly need. This flexible music allows you to enjoy the audio dimensions or use it to relax and meditate, depending on what you are seeking.

"The Sacrifice" continues with the choir of angels and the layer of synths they seemingly melt into. At the same time, it will melt into your consciousness. The first thought that came to mind was Jesus's sacrifice for humanity to forgive all our sins. We could use his assistance these days. The music is consistent with many elements, leading you into another dimension of thought and being.

"Be Still and Know" starts with synths and the sound of a bell, and then the voices come in. It is interesting how everyone interacts differently with music. This track reminded me that I do not need a large ornate building to believe in a higher power because this music feels healing and spiritual. It's all I need to connect. The bell sounds several times as the end of the track draws near and closes out, reinforcing my connection to the music.

"The Road Home" begins with the voices emanating through your soul, and the soft synths again engage you. The road home means the afterlife when our spirit and consciousness leave our physical bodies to be with the loved ones that have crossed over. Since I was old enough to decipher that concept, it has been my belief. Music like this combines beauty and the essence of the artist's creative force and spirit. It can touch you and bring things into a more realistic focus, and your strength inside comes to the surface, and you know you will arrive home someday.

Rick Sparks has created an artistic, musical companion for anyone spiritual or seeking a new frame of mind or reference to ease their minds and souls. Devotion is a shining example of that and can be a valuable tool for all of us. Just start listening and decide for yourself.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Reviews Founder

August 20, 2024

Tracks:

1. Devotion (4:44).

2. River of Peace (4:46)

3. My Refuge (3:57)

4. The Sacrifice (3:49)

5. Be Still and Know (5117)

6. The Road Home (5:01)

Contemporary-Classical Instrumental Review: Dulce Joya-Devotion

Release Date: October 11, 2019

Label: housemaster records

Website

It has been over two years since I have the wondrous and beautiful piano playing of Dulce Joya. My first journey with this amazing soloist was Reality of Dreams.

Now the curtain opens again for Dulce on Devotion, a collection of 10 instrumental and epic piano compositions for those with an ear for a classical, new age, ambient, or just a good music without words type of listen.

Once again, I find myself mesmerized by this music. The tracks comprise the entire scale of human emotion and everything else in between. What Dulce creates is a soundtrack that could fit into so many lives and film scores for that matter. I heard the excitement, sadness, the rolling of the ocean's tide as it hits the shore, sunshine, rain, well let’s just say her range is amazing. And to cover all of this within one recording to affect one listener in this manner is an implausible achievement. It takes a lot to get my attention after 21 years of covering music from around the world. It has to be quite exceptional for me to dive in and be able to flow with the music and let my words develop and flow as I listen.

Dulce’s passion and technical expertise with the ivory keys are exceptional and all 10 tracks can offer a demanding listener enough to hold their attention from start to finish. The classical influence is strong in her presentation however she does allow the discipline some breathing room so she goes into different directions and moods within one song. To articulate it as improvisation is almost a stretch because it is organized and so perfected. I am not sure how to explain it beyond that. I think that many listeners would consider it a new age classical as well. Essentially all you have to do is let it be whatever it is for you the individual. I think that is the most important factor for anyone’s listening experience.

I can tell potential listeners that this is beautiful music to be enjoyed anytime or anywhere. It is more than background music though, it absorbs you, relaxes you and empty’s your mind to make room for all the positive things in life. It is not happy time music, it is more of a time to reflect, focus and just let the sounds, emotions, and changes of the tempos guide you. It can take you away from the stresses of life we all experience for a while. For this listener, that is the absolute best kind of listen to take in.

Dulce is streaming one track from the album currently title “Yes It Is You,” which I have included here and on my New Age Music Reviews Spotify Playlist.

When I hear artistry like this on display, I wish that I could manipulate an instrument and create such beauty. But for now, my music is my words and I hope it captures your imagination like this music just did for me.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

November 12, 2019

Founder of:

New Age Music Reviews

Rate The Tracks

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Tracks:
01. Passione Nocturnale
02. Yes It Is You
03. The Sound of Your Voice
04. Eternal Love
05. Forgotten Worlds
06. Oceanally Hearts
07. My Untamed Soul in Yours
08. The Endless Feelings of Mine
09. From Ancient Time We Meet Again
10. Mystery Among Candles

New Age Progressive Dance Review: Paul Avgerinos-Devotion

Release Date: August 16, 2019

Label: Round Sky Music

Website

I would be willing to bet you have never heard a new age recording like this! Devotion is a new age progressive dance album. I think Paul Avgerinos just created an entirely new genre! I have heard many eclectic recordings this year that fall into the new age category but I have to say that this was very unique and exciting to hear.

Devotion is a superb album because it takes ancient teachings and mantras and makes it all fresh for an entirely new audience. I think that is the point here: to make it more accessible and Paul certainly did this in the ten tracks on the CD.

This makes new-age meditations fun and energy driven, instead of meditating you will want to dance. But who’s to say you cannot mediate while dancing? Why not? It’s fun, relaxing, and it all has a very strong meaning. Everyone has different ways to learn and absorb things and this is a recording that is a perfect example of that approach.

Devotion is very exceptional in many ways, and after listening to this album you will never forget the name Paul Avgerinos. Paul has also done two albums with Deepak Chopra and I am familiar with the work of both men so right from the start there was a comfort level for me as a listener.

I am continually in search of something new and fresh to listen to and Devotion was just what the doctor ordered for this patient. I just survived another heart issue so I think the universe is trying to deliver a very important message to me. I am alive and well for a reason and I must reach an inner understanding of my true purpose. Music like this always gets me on the right path to the realization of self. This is something we all need and the reason why many of us enjoy music like this!

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

August 19, 2019