Release Date: October
10, 2017
Label: Valrock Music
There is a lot to know about Valerie Romanoff. The
multi-instrumentalist has been involved in music since she was a child. Valerie
was also the co-founder of the group Starlight Orchestras in 1998. Her resume
is impressive and as I was soon to find out, so is her recorded music.
This is what Valerie has to say about
music:
“Music has the power to heal, transform,
evoke emotion, underscore and enhance our lives. By consciously aligning with
elements of music, we can affect deep changes in our world.” -Valerie Romanoff
I completely agree with her and have been
advocating the healing abilities of music for many years in my reviews.
After playing several different
instruments, Valerie fell in love with the guitar. On Healing Music Volume 2 she plays the guitars, piano, synth and
provides the chanting. Stevin McNamara adds a most beautiful sitar to give the
music a distinct worldly feel. Tom Rossi adds the flute, kora, percussion and
chanting as well. The entire album was produced and composed by Valerie.
I fell right into this album like it was a
natural thing to do. All the instruments that are intermingled into each track
give it a nice rhythm and vibe. I found it very relaxing and pleasing, so much
so, it felt like I was smiling from the inside out. Now that feels really good!
I found this recording an instrumental
wonder, the combination of instruments is very complex. It is mixed to
perfection and the production is top notch from start to finish. Keep in mind this is two-disc set so there is
a lot of music offered. With 17 tracks in total and only a few under 5 minutes
in length. With that thought in mind, it raises the bar for keeping you focused
on the music, all of it. This is why I found it amazing how appealing all of it
was. The main reason is that it was done in the most diverse way possible. The
entertainment factor is in place, then comes all the other pleasantries
available while listening.
Most notably, the guitar gives it all a
modern chill feel to it and the other instruments support that with layers of
percussion, sitar, flute and at times chanting. For my listening tastes it is
the guitar lines that give it that extra soft but effective edge and energy
that takes my interest to another level entirely. One of the best examples is
track 4 “Dawn of Tao.” It runs for 17 minutes and 42 seconds. It is like a
magnum opus of instrumental, new age, meditation, chill, and rock all brought
together into one tight package. It held my interest all the way through and
when it ended, I knew that I wanted to hear more. I also need to hear Volume 1
now. Nobody wants to start with 2 but in this case, I am glad that I had the
opportunity and became aware of this fantastic music.
If there is such a thing as meditation
that knows how to rock (softly) then this is it. If you were in search of that
sort of diversity then look no further than Healing
Music Volume 2.
5/5
Stars
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
February 20, 2018
Founder of:
Review
Provided By New Age Music Reviews
Tracks:
01. Pink Skies Over Still Water
02. Pink Skies Over Waves
03. Beyond the Bend
04. Dawn of Tao
05. Backdrop
06. Moving Glass
07. OM Shanti Shalom
08. Prelude Went Beyond The Bend
09. Pink Skies Over Still Water
10. Pink Skies Over Waves
11. Beyond The Bend
12. Dawn of Tao
13. The Bend
14. Backdrop
15. Moving Glass
16. OM Shanti Shalom
17. Prelude Went Beyond
Tracks:
01. Pink Skies Over Still Water
02. Pink Skies Over Waves
03. Beyond the Bend
04. Dawn of Tao
05. Backdrop
06. Moving Glass
07. OM Shanti Shalom
08. Prelude Went Beyond The Bend
09. Pink Skies Over Still Water
10. Pink Skies Over Waves
11. Beyond The Bend
12. Dawn of Tao
13. The Bend
14. Backdrop
15. Moving Glass
16. OM Shanti Shalom
17. Prelude Went Beyond