Release Date: March 22, 2024
Label: Spotted Peccary
“Dawn Across the Southern Ocean (Remix)” is an excellent example
of that, with birds chirping (seagulls) and waves rolling over your
consciousness to calm and ensure that what you are hearing is peaceful and
healing. One of the points made in promoting the recording is that the
music is a formidable respite for the restless mind. That statement is so
true, and the music helps with the necessary elements that calm the mind. My
philosophy is if you calm the mind, the body and spirit will follow.
Rudy started making electronic music while studying Forestry
Science at the University of Canterbury and, in the following years, completed
a degree in botany at the University of Otago. It is interesting how one thing
leads to another, and everything is connected. Whether we are aware of that
happening or not, it is accurate, and sooner or later, that realization does
hit home if you are not initially experiencing those feelings or thoughts.
Three of the songs are extensive, including “The Belt of Orion”
at 6:11 minutes, “Rising Moon” at 7:51 minutes, and “Summer Night Rain” at 7:59
minutes. While “Tantalised” is the shortest track at 2:48 minutes. The longer
tracks have exceptional artistry and sound, and I quickly found the
significance of each piece as I listened and absorbed all the textures and
colors. Ambient always sounds that way to me. It is like an artist with a blank
canvas painting the soundscape as I listen intently and let the music take me
to whatever space in time in my mind or body wants to go. That, to me, is a
meditative state.
“The Belt of Orion” is significant in name and meaning for those
of you who are stargazers or have any knowledge of astronomy, history, and
ancient civilizations that use the skies for many purposes here on Earth. I was
enjoying the serenity and blissfulness of the track so much that over six
minutes of it did not seem enough. I felt I was being carried away into the
ether and beyond to the stars. I believe the artist would be glad to know how
it affected me, and I hope that many listeners would have the same experience.
“Rising Moon” is soft, flowing, and anticipatory all at the same
time. Watching a rising Moon is one of the wonders of our solar system. That
could also apply to the sun and solar eclipses as well. You can hear the
movement of the music. The short, elapsed time of a ringing bell enters here
and there as the music has a deep and steady tone that will allow for
meditation rather quickly, or you can listen to relax. If you let it work that
way, it is over seven minutes of healing.
“Summer Night Rain” and lightning sounds are the perfect
backdrop for lulling a person into a meditative state or relaxing enough to
fall asleep. Once the crackle of the lightning stops for a few minutes, the
cool rain falls as the music begins to enhance that natural sound and beauty.
The ambient tones, sounds, and colors perfectly merge nature and music. They
are interlinked for nearly eight minutes of spirituality and a connection to
the world outside your thoughts that never seem to stop inside your brain. The
chatter will dissipate, and all the music you hear will empty your mind and let
your soul open and be refreshed. It is like eliminating one kind of energy and
reenergizing with another. Towards the end of the track, the rains stop.
However, the sound of water moving in the river or a babbling brook occurs.
That sound is also very relaxing.
Reflections on a Moonlit Lake was a
wonderful experience. I enjoyed listening and sharing my feelings and thoughts,
which is the entire experience I can appreciate for this music lover.
Please Note: As a special 30-day promotion, a limited edition CD of MoonWater will be included for free with physical shipments of Reflections on a Moonlit Lake, available exclusively through Bandcamp and the Spotted Peccary Music web store.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder
March 11, 2024
Tracks:
01. Mirror Island 3:10
02. Dawn Across the Southern Ocean (remix) 5:32
03. Papanui Lagoon (remix) 3:50
04. Lunar Shadow 3:47
05. Tantalised 2:48
06. The Belt of Orion 6:11
07. Midnight Angel 4:15
08. Within the Darkness 4:10
09. Rising Moon 7:51
10. Reflections on a Moonlit Lake 4:51
11. Summer Night Rain 7:59