Release Date: January 2, 2025
Label: Rooftop Recordings
“temple” begins with an ambient backdrop as the flute, bass, drums, and erhu (a Chinese instrument that sounds like a violin in a lower key) come in. You have thoughts initially that it was going to be an ethereal, spacey track; however, all those elements enter the mix and make it a new-age world cornucopia of sounds and colors for an intriguing opening track. The bass is quite prominent around three-quarters through, the flute takes the lead, and the keys sprinkle more taste into the whole platter of gorgeous sounds. What an energetic way to start things off, superb music!
“water and stone” starts calmly with a rhythmic piano and shakers as the flute arrives again sounding mysterious and echoing like a bird flying away to a distant mountain peak. An erhu begins to mesmerize, and that thumping bass serves as a tribal drum of sorts calling all the other instruments to the meeting. The keys form a lovely layer of sound the draws you in further as it fades out.
“tempus fugit” is a song that I was just listening to a man play on electric guitar yesterday and it was phenomenal. This is entirely different with an amalgam of instruments joining at once for an irresistible rhythm formed by the drums and bass as the flute and keys flow like a clear running stream into one another. The track, like a story being told through the music, reflects the fleeting nature of time and the beauty found in each passing moment. The guitar, with its steady progression, repeats and lays the groundwork for all the other instruments, creating a sense of continuity and progression.
“in that moment” immediately sounds Middle Eastern and or Asian with the instruments being used. The percussion is hypnotic as the erhu provides more focus to center yourself on the sounds emanating from the speakers. It makes you feel like you are in an ancient land far away from home as you witness the tribal elders in a circle around a fire chanting. That is the picture created in my mind’s eye with this powerful combination of instruments and how they are being played. Be in the moment, live in the moment, and just be. The flute and percussion lead you out the door to another one as it fades away…
“darkness” as a title can fit many scenarios, physically, mentally, or simply the opposite of light. It begins as you may suspect, very thoughtfully, slower, although the flute is so beautiful, maybe the darkness is not such negative connotation after all. It is a place of rest and thoughts and a wind down from the day of light. The drums are well placed and strong as the flute rises to the top with the violin. It ends with an echoing flute and the sound of a heartbeat (percussion).
“awakening” comes after the “darkness” subsides and the sun shines on the new day. There is a definite progression of the tracks related to the music and track titles as I am sure you have noticed early on, and this one that makes sense. The piano and flute combine their strengths as the erhu and piano come together as well to form a mystical and magical partnership as the bass holds down the bottom line nicely as it has the entire recording. A very picturesque soundscape is formed at its peak giving the listener exciting colors and tones to interact with.
“echoes” starts slowly and changes pace rapidly with the drums and bass driving it along as the keys invite the flute in then the drum cuts away on a spotlight solo sounding amazing. The piano carries the rhythm to stay with the bottom end as things move along nicely with some sprinkling of keyboard and synth sounds for extra magic injected into the composition. Halfway through an echoing sound is made as the track continues, it builds into a lovely combination of instrumentation and layers and finishing at 7:28 minutes, it is the longest and most complex composition on the recording. It could easily be a wonderful soundtrack to a movie scene or other media. It is very progressive but not too long, just right actually and the most prolific and beautiful song on the album.
“dania” starts with percussion and shakers for a nice rhythm as the flute comes in with the piano to begin a nice path to visualization and or meditation. You will find a good place to be centered and whole as the music fills you up and the day melts away as you reach complete relaxation and a comfort level attainable only with this music. The track is one of the easier going presentations with the excitement minimized and the focus on the tones and colors more for a spiritual journey. The flute leads the way out with a gorgeous segment.
“shades of grey” starts with a floating synth sound as the flute comes in to say hello then the piano enters carefully stepping into the walk into musical paradise. And there is that heartbeat of a bass to keep the musical clock ticking in sync and the mysterious and beautiful erhu adds to the mix. Grey may indicate parts of something in the middle or neither black or white, so you really cannot pinpoint something or give a definitive answer. However, in this case the music answers the question clearly with its pure beauty and earthy tones that can excite and relax all at the same time. Maybe that is why there is a shade of grey?
“hellos and goodbyes” has a title that is all about human emotions, the meeting and the leaving of a person, place, or thing perhaps. It is about where you are at with the frame of reference while listening. What are you thinking about as the music draws you into its storyline? The bass, piano, and percussion are magnetic as usual and then the erhu creates an esoteric element that creates wonders and thoughts and pictures of many things. This music is magnificent, are we saying hello and goodbye in every track as it merges into your soul and makes an impact? It feels that way to me and it happened near the beginning of this recording, but this track just continued to reaffirm those feelings.
“an ending (is not the end)” it is another opportunity to close one door and open another. The music starts significantly differently this time then changes with the addition of the piano, then as we have become accustomed, the flute is introduced, with a layer of synth and a strong bass line leading everything along with the drums to a fruition of sound and color. It is like starting with a blank canvas and painting a scene so quickly and precisely you must listen closely, or you will miss the meaning. The erhu feels like a like stroll into a Chinese garden or the place of retreat where the master imparts knowledge on to his students. Its sheer beauty and magnificence are awe inspiring and a gives your spirit a supercharged feeling of love and energy.
Murray Grant's first… listen is a musical and spiritual message to the world. The new age and world elements that make up this music with old and new instruments and today’s technology form a masterful recording that is unforgettable for this listener. It held meaning and brought so much joy as I listened. Highly recommended for those that enjoy world and new age music combined.
Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Reviews Founder
January 1, 2025
Tracks:
01. temple
02. water and stone
03. tempus fugit
04. in that moment
05. darkness
06. awakening
07. echoes
08. dania
09. shades of grey
10. hellos and goodbyes
11. an ending (is not the end)