Instrumental Classical-New Age Review: Terry Lee Nichols-The Pale Blue Dot

Release Date: August, 3, 2020

Label: Soundscape Productions

Website

The more you read about Terry Lee Nichols and his release The Pale Blue Dot the more interesting and intriguing it becomes. I have also had a fascination for space exploration and was reading astronomy books at a very young age. After looking at all the notes provided with this release, I anticipated an amazing aural ride through the cosmos. As it turned out that is exactly what I experienced.

On February 14, 1990, NASA's Voyager 1 probe snapped a photo of Earth from 3.7 billion miles (6 billion kilometers) away which was referred to as The Pale Blue Dot. There was a lot of excitement about all this and the music you will hear on this recording is as cinematic and beautiful as you would expect. It is about the voyage, the vastness of space, and the fact that here on earth we look like a lonely planet inside an endless universe of solar systems and galaxies. 

The one I track I decided was my favorite and I added to my New Age Music Reviews Spotify Playlist was “Asteroids.” It is a lovely track filled with the foundation of classical piano and the sounds of space ending with whooshing and powerful sounds of an asteroid passing by.

I loved this on Terry’s website page where there is a media player to stream the entire album…

Mission Statement: In The Pale Blue Dot, I try to provide resonance to our ever-growing knowledge of who we are, where we came from, and what may help life on this planet continue well into the future. The language used is intended to celebrate scientific achievement in a way that fosters spiritual revelation, examines the social fabric of our species, and provides hope for our future.

That is a very prolific and meaningful thought process and the motivation behind this cinematic and thought-provoking (mostly) instrumental voyage through the stars.

“East of Eden (feat. Rebekah Eden)” is a gorgeous track with the addition of Rebekah Eden’s wordless vocals which serves as an added instrument. This is the story of Cain and Able. According to the book of Genesis, they were the first two humans born. Cain murdered Able, making him the first to die. Of course, there are more details to the storyline and the track is one of many shining moments on the recording.

Terry Lee’s piano playing is exquisite throughout in The Pale Blue Dot along with many layers of keyboards, sounds, and effects that complete each track and make it a full experience to reflect each title.

“Memories of Love” is a very touching song and when you see the accompanying picture on the media player it will melt your heart. On the other side of that, there is the absolute truth about “Global Warming,” which hits you hard when you see the picture of the melting and steaming earth. This is a scientific fact so don’t let the politicians in Washington ignoring this and saying it is not true or a hoax fool you. I think that most people with any sense of reality can see this happening with all the natural disasters across the globe. It is an epic track, to say the least, and yet another wake-up call. So, when we will ever wake up before it's gone too far and we commit genocide of the human race and all its inhabitants? It is a hard thing to watch knowing what the ultimate end will be if we do not take action and make it our priority. I do not want to see my grandkids going to Mars to live under a dome and our blue globe turning into a massive desert.

“The Pale Blue Dot (Train to Dachau Redux)” ends significantly with the voices of people from around the world. The solo narrative holds impact and truth based on the realities that we face and have always since our existence. And Carl Sagan says, it is “the only home we have ever known.” We should cherish, respect it, and take care of it for our future generations. The future is now, we are living it. Sometimes it takes a message like this to sink in and hit home and some incredibly moving music to push it all one step further. All things considered; The Pale Blue Dot is one of the most important releases of 2020.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
August 21, 2020

Track List:
01. In the Beginning... (Quantum Fluctuations)    
02. Cosmic Dark Ages    
03. First Stars    
04. Stardust (Clouds of Gas and Dust) [feat. Rebekah Eden]
05. Asteroids    
06. The Cambrian Explosion    
07. East of Eden (feat. Rebekah Eden)
08. Child's Play
09. Memories of Love    
10. Global Warming
11. The Pale Blue Dot (Train to Dachau Redux)

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Instrumental World/New Age: Eamonn Karran-Deep Heart’s Core

Release Date: August 14, 2020

Label: myndstream

Website

Age seven was the time Eamonn Karran found his love for the piano. With Deep Heart’s Core as with any recording he releases, Eamonn’s goal is to produce recordings that will help heal and enhance the physical and spiritual wellbeing of others. I think that becomes crystal clear as the opening track “Carrountoohill” begins.
 
The combination of classical, new age, and Celtic makes this is a worldly cross over sound that will appeal to many different audiences. When “Fair City” started, the beginning was so different and then it just got better and better as the track progressed. It is very cinematic and awe-inspiring music. It sounded like it could be placed on a soundtrack of a movie or nature special with a panoramic view of some of the world’s highest peaks overlooking the sky. That is what great music can do for a listener. It gives you chills and takes you places away from the current time and space you are in. To me, that is the power of the music doing its magic.
 
“March on Tara Hill” sounds like what it is, a steady beat and path into battle or a long walk to a destination for a great cause driven by the heart and beliefs of those involved. I found it to be regal, majestic, and strong as the roar of a lion. This is inspired music any way you look at it. With all its beauty shining and no vulnerabilities in sight, the music marches on to its ultimate destination.
 
“Newgrange Rises” has a similar atmosphere and drive to it and even so it is a beautiful arrangement with strong Celtic elements woven into the patchwork quilt we call ancestry and the pride therein. There is a combination of piano, synths, background voice, and orchestration that makes for a very interesting listen that you will want to hear again.
 
As you continue your deep dive into Eamonn’s music you realize even though it has a new age flair to it all, it was not meant just for meditation. This is the music of movement, the kind that gets you to reflect upon things that are rolling around in your mind. The catch here is it enables you to be excited about what you are hearing and at the same time find solace and relaxation in all of it as well. That is a special kind of music that has the ability to seamlessly integrate energy, excitement, with elegance and beauty all at once.
 
Deep Heart’s Core is what it claims to be. It really gets to your heart and touches your soul. For each listener, it will be a different experience however the core that drives this music is the same and firmly in place. You will pay attention and enjoy what you are hearing. It really is amazing the multitude of sounds you will hear on this recording besides the piano. And that is exactly what makes it a worldly musical experience that is hard to forget or tuck conveniently

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
August 11, 2020

Review Provided by New Age Music Reviews

Track List:
1. Carrountoohill 5:28
2. Fair City 4:52
3. High King of Cashel 5:03
4. March on Tara Hill 5:20
5. Newgrange Rises 4:32
6. Spike Island 4:23
7. The Walls 5:04
8. Wings Over Glenveagh 4:10

New Age Instrumental Review: Carl Borden-Beyond the Sunrise

Release Date: August 14, 2020

Label: Myndstream

Website

Beyond The Sunrise is Carl Borden’s third proper recording. Carl said Beyond the Sunrise symbolizes a new beginning for me as an artist. Both creatively and emotionally.”

What you will hear are some soothing sounds among the ten tracks offered on Beyond the Sunrise. The keyboards and synths utilized create a blanket of sounds that gently wraps you up and takes you away. If you happen to be looking for meditation-based music this definitely could serve the purpose.

For me, it is listening and letting the music open the doors to what I am feeling while I am listening. Essentially what it does for me is it pulls the plug on an entire day, my mind empties, my physical being is relieved of all stress and as I let go, I let the music do its work. Only then can find a clear path that resonates with my soul.

The title track is the longest clocking in at 8:54. For my listening experience, it was the most fulfilling and inspirational. The consistency of the flow of music, the textures, colors, and connection I found inside the music was exceptional. Every artisan’s intention is to move you in some way with their music, paintings, sculptures, whatever visual or audio component they want to present, they all have a special meaning to the creators, and hopefully for those that appreciate it all. I sincerely appreciate all types of art; music happens to be the most powerful for my tastes and expectations. At times when the music is paired with a video, it becomes even more powerful depending on what the artist is trying to convey to an audience.

Different sounds are combined with all the keyboards in these songs, that make them individual artistic expressions. For example, in the title track, you can hear birds tweeting.  “In Space and Time” you can hear wind chimes and gentle keyboards allowing those sounds to permeate your being. It is as if you are on the front porch of your home on a sunny day with a huge empty green field in front of you and your appreciation and love for that land radiate like the sun above as the wind chimes give their appreciation by making beautiful sounds in full agreement. That is what I could picture myself doing and feeling listening to this track. That is but a few of the diverse expressions of audible art that you can create via your own personal painting inside your mind’s eye. Just let Carl Borden lead you down that path.

Speaking of diversity and contrast, “Jamila’s Song,” while it is the shortest outing, gives pause to just the solo piano that Carl can offer without any other effects. It is pure and simple and perfect just the way it is played. I surely could have listened to several more minutes of that piece and really do enjoy just solo piano as much as everything else I heard on this entertaining and ultimately relaxing session.

Beyond The Sunrise is beauty, elegance, consistency, diversity, and everything one could expect from a keyboard-based instrumental new age recording. I do understand the hours of work that goes into arranging compositions, putting them together, using the right instruments and effects, then recording something cohesive and pleasing for a perspective audience. Carl Borden ticks all the boxes and I am sure you will love his work after one listen. Your entire being will melt like butter on a hot summer day, it is perfect for stress relief from start to finish.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
August 10, 2020

Review Provided By New Age Music Reviews

Track List:
01. At First Light 05:24
02. Beyond the Sunrise 08:54
03. City of Dreams 06:01
04. Drifting Stars 07:29
05. In Space and Time 06:35
06. Jamila’s Song 02:19
07. Memories of You (Interlude) 04:18
08. Memories of You 06:32
09. The Road Home 06:04
10. Walk With Me 04:39 (A Beautiful Journey)

New Age/Ambient Review: Cheryl B. Engelhardt-Luminary

Release Date: February 7, 2020

Label: Independent

Website

The eye-catching cover of Cheryl B. Engelhardt’s album Luminary gives a potential audience an idea of what they may be in for. It is placid, beautiful, and very inviting. What I was to learn rather quickly is that the tracks that encompass this collection are reflective of that spiritual image on the cover artwork.

The two primary instruments used on this ambient new age journey are the piano and Cheryl’s vocals. The music is quite different, in a way that I am not used to hearing in the genre. It is all in a good way though.

The tracks have a fade out and fade in aspect to them and they are interspersed at times with Cheryl’s angelic vocalizations. Most of her vocals are not actual words but an exercise of sounds that are pleasing and as alluring as the music behind them. I hear a classical influence which is what is common throughout presentations in the genre, particularly with instrumentals. While you do get some stretched out instrumentals like “Earthshine,” which are soothing and meditative, they last over six minutes. There is not one track under six minutes on the recording. It all works very well for this type of music due to the changing tides of the movements, sounds, colors, and overall atmospheres that are created.

The time is well spent for those who enjoy this type of music for general relaxation or deep meditation. If you are looking for deep meditation you can start right at the beginning and listen all the way through for one fantastic session of beauty, peace, and realignment of your soul (or chakras dependent on your philosophy and beliefs). I think the soul and chakras are interchangeable, if you take all the chakras you have in one human being with all the elements that make up that individual, they are the very soul within.

Luminary is referred to as “gentle exciting” on the artist Bandcamp page. While I did not relate to the album that way, I did find great value in the essence of the complete presentation of voice, sounds, and music. There are a lot of different things going on and some effects that give it that mystical and spiritual feel through each track. “Mortal Tides” (I added it to my New Age Music Reviews Spotify Playlist) has some interesting effects on Cheryl’s voice and breathing. This can be considered as a release within the song. Breathing certain ways can give the body a chance to completely relax then other things can happen like opening the mind and spirit to the offerings your hearing. I believe that is the true intent of this music.

Luminary is one of the more unique recordings I have heard this year from the new age genre. I do not like to use that word very often, unique. It says that music is a standalone accomplishment without trying to emulate or take something that works from another artist. I would have to say in all honesty that this is very original work, unlike anything I have heard before. Everyone has their influences and favorite artists but you may be hard-pressed to understand what this lady’s influences are.

The phase music approach is very different, the way it moves in an out of the song and the way Cheryl uses it with the instrumentation, voice, and breath. I can promise you this, you will not hear anything else like Luminary.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck

August 3, 2020

Track List:
01. Sister of Eos 06:14
02. Deliquesce 06:04
03. Earthshine 06:05
04. M. aurora 06:17
05. Mortal Tides 06:10
06. Galileo's Rings 06:11
07. Moon Harvest 06:17
08. Ataraxy 06:13
09. Glisten Up 06:14
10. Bioluminescence 06:08

Contemporary Instrumental - New Age Review: Kirsten Agresta Copely-Around The Sun

Release Date: January 31, 2020

Label: Valcope Recording Co. 

Website

I have always thought that the harp made music with the divine spirit of heaven behind it. I also believe it is one of the most difficult instruments to master never mind putting out an amazing nine-track studio album of your compositions.

Kirsten Agresta Copely has done just that this year with Around The Sun. She partnered with her husband Marc to arrive with a stunning recording of some of the most gorgeous and engaging harp music one could ever imagine.

The music market is a difficult one to break and to be playing one of the instruments that most people would not think of right away does not position you most advantageously. The shining light at the end of the ever-risky waters of the music industry has found another champion to celebrate and she happens to fit nicely into the category of the contemporary instrumental new age with a classical foundation. This is in effect, covers not just the genre itself but music as a whole. That is a statement that says it all for what Kirsten has accomplished with Around The Sun.

Kirsten takes the listener Around The Sun to experience nature and its seasons most beautifully and profoundly. Her harp echoes the brilliance of her skilled fingers. One track after another you can slide into that comfortable couch in your mind’s eye and get lost in this slice of heaven.

I was struck by the elegance of all the tracks, however it was “The Silver Swan” that created a vision of beauty that was appreciated by this listener instantly. I also added it to my NAMR Spotify Playlist without hesitation because I knew this was the one track that was special for me. Of course, that is my individual choice and that is the freedom every listener has that can never be compromised. Thank god there still are some things left untouched and sacred in this world!

Around The Sun and all moving music like it, always seems to arrive for me at the right moment in time, on the right day, and when I am at the best point of acceptance of allowing it in. This is like a switch that says “Heal Me.” The powers of music go beyond what we understand on this plane of existence and people like Kirsten Agresta Copely carry the messages from another level, a place where spirits thrive, and you can grow and expand your mind, body, and spirit. These talented artists hold the keys to unlock the gates to a better place. After hearing this music, you feel like you already walked in through that gate, and took your seat in the front row to enjoy the music and positive vibes.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck
July 29, 2020

Track List:
1. Daybreak
2. Wind Made Moan
3. Persephone Rising
4. Surya
5. The Silver Swan
6. Water Lilies
7. Fall Leaves, Fall
8. Riflessioni (Reflections)
9. Winter’s Bone

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