New Age Music Reviews

Contemporary Instrumental-New Age Reviews: Darlene Koldenhoven-The Grand Piano Spa: Legacy

Release Date: October 22, 2021

Pre Order Date: August 22, 2021

Label: TimeArt Recordings

^{The Grand Piano Spa: Legacy is the sequel to the award-winning release of the Spring this year The Grand Piano Spa. This recording continues the gorgeous piano compositions and unique flow of the music that will appeal to the lovers of contemporary instrumental and easily cross over to new age.}

^{For my tastes, this is the perfect listening experience. Darlene is a brilliant musician that knows how to create perfect beauty with the ivory keys. Your expectations as the perspective listener, should you be familiar with her work, is to expect originality and a genuine extension of her personality.}

^{The Grand Piano Spa: Legacy begins with the grandeur of the cover art which gives you the initial visual of something special and singular. The artwork is the doorway to the music which in a short time you find peace, pleasure, and appreciation for a prolific artisan willing to share her gifts once again.

I have found Darlene to be high-energy and very positive. It does not take very long to appreciate that energy and the presentation of the ten tracks. A natural extension of the previous album is what I anticipated and knew was coming right after the first release.

Cinematic and expressive are good adjectives of what you will experience. “Love Eternal” I found to be one of the more expressive tracks. Of course, with a title like that, you would expect something eloquent and affecting. And it most certainly is. Darlene has that special touch and grace with her style and the way she wants to deliver each track. I say it’s all cinematic because it is natural to see a picture forming in your mind’s eye, like watching a movie play along with the music. I believe that is the intent with most music, to engage each listener in such a way that it pulls them out of one space in time into another. In turn, if the music is powerful and transitional, that essence is what triggers the experience. This artist accomplishes that consistently throughout this release.

“Glaciers” is another pictorial audio experience. The playing is slow, elegant, and purposeful. It moves slowly like the melting of a glacier, or that is the way it was meant to be prior the global warming. If we could only turn back the hands of time when it comes to things so important and change the course of the history we created. This music helps to ignite feelings of hope rather than despair and a sense of giving up, it brings us to higher ground and a more positive mindset.

This music is about us, the human condition, our environment, and the “Lucidity” and “Radiance” we all have within. And most importantly, the command that this one incredible woman has with her instrument. Her lucidness comes through in her piano playing thus creating a magnificent radiance for us all to absorb and enjoy time and time again.}^{Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
August 21, 2021}

^Tracks:^{01. Radiance 3:31
02. Lucidity 3:58
03. Migration 4:04
04. Sweet Conversations 3:41
05. Love Eternal 3:45
06. Glaciers 4:54
07. Moonlight Minuet 4:41
08. Black Swan 5:58
09. Cumulus 5:36
10. Ancient Forest 5:09}

New Age Instrumental Meditation Review: Palm Reading-Malibu: Point Mugu

Release Date: August 13, 2021

Label: ‎ myndstream

Website

Palm Reading is the musical project by Scooby Laposky and Charles Copley, inspired by plant life, the natural environment, and the traditions of ambient and mindfulness music. Malibu: Point Mugu is the first in a series of locations that these recordings will be created.

That introduction to this music was just what I needed to read on the artist's one sheet to get immersed into this spiritual and nature-themed meditative music.

This is an effective combination of synthesized electronic music that is generated by biodata recorded from plants using a biodata sonification device. The device works by measuring microcurrent fluctuations occurring across the surface of a plant’s leaf, which then generates MIDI notes when a change in conductivity is detected, allowing a user to listen to the invisible biological processes occurring within plants.

I find this a fascinating way to make music and connect with nature using hi-tech instruments and electronics. Note the cover of the CD how the electrodes (Tens style sticky pads) are connected to the leaves? What a brilliant idea to where music intersects with mother earth, science, and electronics. The outcome is very relaxing as well as the original acoustic guitar accompaniment. I never thought a tool I have used to relieve pain in my back would be used this way. The Tens unit is an instrument many people use in their homes and are commonly found in a chiropractor’s office. This is not a Tens unit, however; it simply uses the principle of the sticky pads to keep the wires in place to detect the biological processes of the plant.

The tender guitar lines interspersed with the ambient electronics create a very placid and inviting atmosphere. Listeners will find it easy to meld right into and float away with, whether just relaxing or falling into a desired meditative state.

I feel a lot of anticipation for the next volume of recordings and wonder what location will be selected. There would be many to choose from if the duo decides to travel up the California coast on Highway 1. While a gorgeous drive along the coast, it would be interesting to turn off some exits into some smaller towns to see what flora and fauna were on offer.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
August 13, 2021

Tracks:
1. White Sage (Salvia Apiana) 5:57
2. White Sage (Salvia Apiana) Interlude 1:30
3. Laurel Sumac (Malosma Laurina) 8:17

New Age Instrumental Reviews: Peter Sterling-The Winding Way

Artist: Peter Sterling

Title: The Winding Way

Release Date: August 13, 2021

Website

Peter Sterling is “Calling All Angels” (track 4) with his magnificent harp playing on his new release The Winding Way.

Like many of his contemporaries, Peter has a multitude of talents that can be enjoyed. I would recommend visiting his website to see the array of artistry he presents with several recordings, works of art, and a book titled Hearing the Angels Sing: A True Story of Angelic Assistance.

I have said this before, and it bears worth repeating, this harp music is the closest thing to heaven on earth on an audio level that I have heard. Beyond the audio, there is an experience available. The listening is just the beginning. For my senses it is transformative. I can go from being restless, stressed, and worrisome, to a very satisfied meditative state. And what all that equates to is a strong feeling of gratefulness for everything presently in my life. That is a tremendous feeling of spirituality and oneness. For one recording to enable all of that is a miracle, and it must make the recording artist feel quite gratified because I can assure you that is the goal for this music.

In the new age instrumental genre, the music must speak to you in some way. Without words, a message must be carried by the music alone. With the music of Peter Sterling, there is the harp leading the way in every track however there are layers of sounds and elements that embellish and support that main instrument. There is an old saying, behind every great man there is an equally great woman, and vice versa. With music, there is always a wellspring of talent and production values that support the main instrument. In this case that applies along with a beautiful wordless singing (with the exception of the spoken word on #9 “The Elven Queen”) that is a lovely touch that makes the chosen tracks more elegant and desirable. I would not think that was possible but it is, just that harp is beautiful enough, and then to add the additional layer of the talented background vocals is taking it all to another level. It is like more roots growing on a strong oak tree.

Lately, I have seemed to been getting away from mentioning certain tracks and just focusing on the album in its entirety. I listen to it like I would watching a river flow or the snow or rainfall. Like it was a living live thing coming alive before me. It was almost like all 11 tracks wrapped into one ongoing story unfolding and all of my senses joining in and becoming one with the music. This is truly a spiritual thing for me and I am very pleased that it happens that way. This does not happen all the time, just more so lately. I can look it at it as a different level of conveying my feelings and thoughts of what I am hearing to potential listeners. This to me is another form of growth and coincides with my studies of Buddhism. It all works together.

So, Peter Sterling, I thank you for the opportunity, the realizations that your music revealed, and how the timing of my listening experience was meant to be, perfect for these moments in time. Hearing your amazing new album, The Winding Way made everything crystal clear.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

August 13, 2021

Tracks:

01. Beauty Abounds
02. Clouds and Sky
03. Deep Dive
04. Calling Angels
05. Along the Way
06. Rose Petal Tea
07. Every Which Way
08. The Noble Knight
09. The Elven Queen
10. Hope for Tomorrow
11. A Love That Lasts

Contemporary Instrumental Review: Evan Wish-Alone In A Crowd

Release Date: October 1, 2020

Label: ‎ Independent

Website

Have you ever felt like you were Alone In A Crowd? It is an unfortunate feeling however it does happen to some of us. I have learned that it is a psychological thing when one is trapped within their mind without any escape route. When nothing can distract you from the deep-seated feelings and thoughts you are experiencing, then any amount of people around you would not matter. This may be relatable or so farfetched for some. We are different with experiences all our own. The one thing we can all relate to is good music.

As Evan Wish is pictured alone with his piano on a stage, it is the perfect vision of being Alone In A Crowd. This is his latest instrumental piano offering comprising contemporary, classical, and new age, into every track. This music embodies romanticism, joy, sadness, and the flow of life. Without uttering a single word Evan’s fingers take flight on the ivory keys and bring audio magic to your soul. What struck me readily was the sense of rhythm in his music. The piano is an amazing instrument and this artist knows how to manipulate it beautifully befitting each track title.

I found the title track very moving in several ways. It was an emotional journey for me, spurring those old feelings I had described previously, yet the music made it feel different. It was like the healing of that moment in time when I felt that way. Even though it was something so long ago for me, it is easy enough to reach back and revisit. What I learned in this particular timeframe was it is ok to be reminded of the past but to focus on the here and now. In essence, enjoy the music, go with the feelings and the flow of the sounds you are hearing and let it take you where it may.

When I enjoy a musical experience as I have with Alone In A Crowd, it seems to travel so fast. Like a short story with a succinct beginning and end. If you enjoy being swept away by superb piano instrumental music, this recording will become one of your favorites of the year.

Evan Wish…teacher, world traveler, storyteller, and immaculate musician, takes all of his experience and wraps them into a warm blanket called Alone In A Crowd. Having that warmth takes away the loneliness and comforts you. The blanket is the music and Evan provides all the warmth you could ever need as he weaves a tapestry of sound, vibrations, and color to fill you up with the love of life. You never have to feel alone again with these moving 10 tracks.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
August 2, 2021

Tracks:

01. The Hill
02. Alone in a Crowd
03. Fleeting Beauty
04. (Full) August Moon Love
05.(For) Just a Penny
06. Falling into You
07. Silhouette
08. Carousel
09. Sometime Around Midnight
10. I Like Us

Kirtan Lounge, Ananta Govinda, Gopi Kallayil-Mystical Awakening

Release Date: July 23, 2021

Label: Independent

Website

Ananta Govinda, Kirtan Lounge, and Gopi Kallayil have released two beautiful tracks for the community of souls seeking peace through meditation or other similar practices. Mystical Awakening was officially released today.

“Mystical Awakening” and “Gayatri Mantra” are exceptional tracks that mix the ancient Sanskrit text with world music. It comes packaged in striking artwork the brings about thoughts of time and space centuries ago.

This is new age world music modernized with today’s technologies and recording tools combined with saxophone, ambient flowing guitars, drums, and the conch.

In just two tracks you can find inner peace, truth, your higher self, and the rhythms, sounds and, textures that will bring amazing color to your consciousness. This is the color of life, love, and true happiness that resides in us all. The translator of music and ancient traditions is very effective for those who listen and tap into this source of spiritual awareness, mindfulness, and love.

Ananta Govinda and the heavenly vocals of Gopi Kallayi and Paulette Penzvalto will help you to renounce Samsara (Buddhist term for suffering) and find the emptiness for the clearing to focus, then the purity of your being. This is the music that will guide you to that place you desire, and it can be just the beginning of a lifelong journey. For some of you already on it, you will find this music to be an addition to your daily practices of meditation or yoga.

This music encapsulates spiritual enlightenment.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
July 23, 2021

Tracks:

1. Mystical Awakening - Musical Exploration of Bhagavad Gita
2. Gayatri Mantra

Instrumental Jazz-New Age-Ambient Review: UMA-Wishing Well

Release Date: July 16, 2021

Label: ‎ myndstream

Website: https://www.alekseisaks.com/uma/

http://robertjyrjendal.com

UMA are the project of two Estonian musician’s guitarist Robert Jürjendal and trumpet/corno da caccia player Aleksei Saks.

The duo came together at the beginning of 2007. The name UMA comes from the South Estonian Seto dialect and it means ‘own.’

The cover of Wishing Well, their latest release, gives a potential listener a soft and pleasing image before the music starts. Imagery is everything, particularly with instrumental music. Even though most listeners will see their own pictures in their mind’s eye, the soft blue color and singularity of the tree on a hill and its shadow on the ground brings you instant solace. The gentle guitar and horn are all these two gentlemen need to create a delectable array of sounds.

Now the idea from this point is to offer a selection of tracks to take that one image to the next step in the process. This is exactly what Robert and Aleksei do with the offering of 10 beautifully done tracks. The music has many elements that intersect including jazz, smooth jazz, new age, ambient, and all of them blended into each individual track. The combination is very effective and quite pleasant.

As you move from track to track the horn and guitar lead the way as well as the unique corno da caccia which is a piccolo horn. If you have any interest or particularly enjoy any of the genres that are part of this music, you will most definitely appreciate what you hear on Wishing Well.

This is duo is very skilled and precise in their presentation and the flow, overall sound, and engineering values of this recording are superb. Sometimes when you put on certain music, it is exactly what you need to hear. In this case that applied 100% for me on this listen. In fact, I would listen any time of day or evening because this is the kind of music I can appreciate. It is warm, inviting, and most of all, the enjoyment you can obtain from beginning to end is notable.

You can have your own private Wishing Well with a click or the push of a button. As all the wonders of modern technology merge with exceptional musicians, the chances of creating something special are always possible. In this case, it became a reality and I am glad I had the opportunity to discover and enjoy all the amazing music on this recording.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder
July 19, 2021

Tracks:
01. Wishing Well
02. Old Diaries
03. Pilgrim’s Path
04. Lightness of the Soul 3
05. Petite Ouverture à Danser
06. Lost A Dream
07. Longing
08. My Days
09. Deep Sea
10. Beyond Skylin

Instrumental World-New Age Review: Kelly Andrew- Revelation

Release Date: May 14, 2021

Label: Independent

Website

It has been over four years since I heard the music of Kelly Andrew. 2016’s Rendezvous was my introduction. It was quite an introduction as I recall and the music was very cinematic. Judging by the first track and title track “Revelation,” I was in for another journey to instrumental music nirvana.

Kelly creates music that stirs the soul and makes your heart beat faster, in a good way. This music can also invigorate and relax all within the same song. So, if you are the type of listener that is looking for all that moving and emotional music then you will love Revelation.

As the music progressed onward to the third track “Spark of Life,” you are engulfed in its awesome energy and sound. It is so picturesque. The track title is spot on. I envisioned a person climbing Mt. Everest and getting to the top to plant their flag. This is a typical journey one can take while listening to this music. For my enjoyment and listening experience, that is perfect and the music plants visions inside my head and gets me excited. This is not a meditative state by any means, it is just too beautiful and exhilarating for you to get to that plane of existence. I would keep in mind that there are elements of the music that can get you focused and relaxed enough to get into the healing phase. That is a different state of mind and a place that exists in our consciousness as well, that is activated right at the start of the music, whether you realize it or not. I am grateful for that awareness and all the power the music holds for me.

“Escape” is another very cinematic one that could be used in a particularly exciting action scene in a film. Also, I believe there are certain documentaries where this music would fit, think of Planet Earth or something along those lines, in the same line of thought, films that exhibit the power of mother nature at work is a thought that comes to mind.

On the other side of that is the world new age track “Onagar,” with its irresistible tribal beats, sounds, keyboards, synths, and breathy nonword vocals. It is what you would expect and want to hear in a track that fits the world new age genre. The entire album is that genre, it just comes at you from different places, styles, and persuasions. In any case, whatever the way it hits you, you know it and find yourself part of the story very quickly. Now to me, that is very cool, it’s like reading a great story without having to read any words.

“Arrival” is another energy-packed track with some great lead guitar, and I mean rocking. It fits well but only lasts for 2:45 minutes and I could have listened to twice or three times as much with what that track had to offer. It is because I love to hear great guitar lines. That very fleeting disappointment ends with “Manifesto” that comes at your bursting with all the color and energy that life can offer in one song.

For some listeners, I think artists like Yanni or Rick Wakeman will come to mind with their fabulous on-stage presentations with full orchestras all around the main instrument, keyboards. Those big productions like Journey To The Center of The Earth were my first thought. I could not help but have those thoughts and images go through my head.

I give full credit to Kelly Andrew for a magnificent and exciting instrumental production that brings you all the color, textures, various sounds, and inspirational voices that are tied into all this music to give it that final touch, that push that makes you feel like anything is possible and life is good because we are alive and well to enjoy it. And in the end, it will be a Revelation.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-New Age Music Reviews Founder

July 18, 2021

Tracks:
01. Revelation (3:39)
02. Times Untold (3:23)
03. Spark of Life (3:34)
04. Humanity (4:38)
05. Escape (3:56)
06. Onagar (4:32)
07. Arrival (2:45)
08. Manifesto (3:11)
09. Rebellion (4:34)
10. Days of Van (2:27)
11. The Garden (3:19)
12. Material Sons (2:37)
13. Regret (5:16)
14. Veil of Tears (3:52)
15. Samaria (2:45)
16. Sage of Salem (5:42)
17. Divine Embrace (3:39)

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