New Age Instrumental: Michelle Qureshi-A Day On Venus

Release Date: January 19, 2024

Label: ‎Independent

Website

Michelle Qureshi is an established artist in the new-age community. Her music has touched the souls of many people through an extensive catalog of releases.

 

A Day On Venus will bring in the new year with the grace and style her listeners are accustomed to.

Michelle’s acoustic guitar playing will resonate with a wide range of listeners even though it has a new-age foundation with elements of ambient and world mixed in. I can tell you that every track is entirely different.

 

“Luminous Fields” is one fine example of the music she can produce. The track is ambient and ethereal, with a nice touch of the Native American flute, synths, and acoustic piano. It is the kind of music that can be a relaxing listen or used for meditation. 

 

Whatever way you decide to enjoy this music, it will enlighten your soul and free your mind. That is the primary purpose of music created specifically for the new age genre. There are eighteen tracks to absorb and process in 52 minutes. However, ten tracks are under three minutes, which is just perfect. The way to approach music like this is with an open heart and mind, and then it will flow seamlessly to you, in you, and through you. The three parts are mind, body, and soul, all interconnected to experience the audio sensations presented. 

 

“Within This Night” has Michelle commanding some of her best playing. It is delicate and soft, will leave its imprint upon you, and only takes 2:48. I thought that was very impressive. The next track, “Electric Blue,” is one of my favorites, with its echoing sounds and reverberating acoustic guitar. I loved it.

 

“Rain In Heaven” was another favorite and quite different from previous tracks. It had a spacey feel, yet it was easy to acknowledge it immediately and focus on its uniqueness—this is where the realizations of gratefulness are realized repeatedly in this recording.

 

I appreciated the brevity of the tracks as the recording moved along. The impact of the music is apparent regardless of the time for each song. That is one of the more prolific aspects of her music. She knows how to create a composition that does not go too far, too long, or for too short a period. Most listeners would appreciate that approach. For my listening pleasure, I can go either way with the times of songs depending on what type of music it is. 

 

There is so much to enjoy on A Day On Venus; what is most important is what it can do for each listener. It depends on your approach, mindset, and what you seek in the music. There is plenty to discover within the music and yourself.

 

When music can find a place in your consciousness and heart so quickly, it makes the transition or transformation from one space in time to another more meaningful and feels like it was meant to be all along. Thank you for the blessings of your beautiful artistry, Michelle.

 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-MuzikMan.net Founder

December 14, 2023

Tracks:

01. Stars By The Pocketful (3:27) 

02. American Prelude (3:01) 

03. Luminous Fields (4:07) 

04. Being There (3:01) 

05. Within This Night (2:48) 

06. Electric Blue (2:59) 

07. Belonging Here (2:14) 

08. Before You Speak (2:21) 

09. Slipped Away (3:12) 

10. Rain In Heaven (2:48) 

11. Dusty Springs (2:12) 

12. Mayan Trails (2:41) 

13. Warm Waters (4:42) 

14. Sliding Away (2:53) 

15. Light Rain (2:47) 

16. Without This Night (3:01) 

17. Wondrous (4:34) 

18. Walk At Dusk (2:47) 

Featured Track: Paul Adams and Elizabeth Geyer-A Journey of Dreams

Paul Adams and Elizabeth Geyer are an excellent musical team. They have partnered with each other on many recordings over the years.

“A Journey of Dreams” is their latest track release.

The Native American Anasazi Flute and slide guitar provided by Paul and Elizabeth’s keyboards and vocalizations are a superb marriage of sound.

The title and artwork are engaging and give you a good idea of the journey you are about to partake. The music is suitable for relaxing and meditating, and if you choose to do some dreaming during the day or evening, it is perfect for that as well. And that is the point of this music.

The flute is so beautiful with its earthy tones, and the slide guitar calls out to you with purpose and emotion. The mix is clear and crisp and sounds great even with small speakers connected to your laptop. That says it all regarding quality and getting the message of the music over to the listener.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder

December 7, 2023

More About Paul and Elizabeth

Websites:

https://pauladams.org

https://elizabethgeyer.com

From the Heinous to the Sublime, Paul Adams and Elizabeth Geyer Release New Single “A Journey of Dreams” As a Prelude to Their Upcoming Album

Worldwide release 12/7/23

Chicago, IL – Living thousands of miles apart, United States based, award-winning multi-instrumentalist, Paul Adams, and Australia based, award-winning multi-instrumentalist and vocalist, Elizabeth Geyer, have been creating music together from opposite ends of the globe since their debut collaboration, “Imaginings.” Across the oceans and continents, something definitely worked synergistically and continues to work. Their album won the award, “Contemporary Instrumental Album of the Year” at the Zone Music Reporter Awards in 2015.

Following, “Imaginings,” came “Deeper Imaginings” and “Sanctuary,” the New Age Music Guide's “Album of the Year” of 2022. Continuing to unfold the timeless, spiritual sanctuary that has become a trademark of their music, comes a new single from their next album, “A Journey Of Dreams.” The single, the title track from the new forthcoming album, involves Adams’ creative musical talent and his collection of exotic instruments as well as the electric sitar he made in the days when he was a luthier. Their successful journeys have amassed over 132 million streams on Pandora as well as regular programming on SiriusXM Radio.

Blended with Elizabeth Geyer’s sensitive piano and instrumental vocalizations, “A Journey of Dreams,” continues the beautiful and exotic flow of their previous releases. Adams said, “We wanted to focus on beauty, especially as the world seems to be in such deep chaos.” When referring to Geyer’s solo album projects, Bruce Lundvall of Blue Note Records called Elizabeth “A brilliant musician and songwriter.” For “A Journey Of Dreams,” Elizabeth says her intention was to create a place of safety and home. “Imagine a place where you once came from, where you will go back to, and a place you sometimes visit in dreams.”

With its exotic nature and ethnic impressions, Adams describes the piece as offering a bit of artistic and spiritual pragmatism. “It's all right here on ‘circus Earth’ – from the heinous to the sublime. We felt a need to create something that might focus on the deep beauty we are all capable of. We feel as if God, nature, or whatever you wish to call it, is challenging us. ‘She’s’ wondering if we have the interpersonal maturity and cultural skills to work together in this rapidly changing, growing, yet shrinking world.”

Paul Adams: Keys, Dobro, Sitar, Anasazi Flute
Elizabeth Geyer: Piano, Vocalizations

Full length video of A JOURNEY OF DREAMS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BxL-b36zWk

Release date to all digital platforms: 12/7/23

Music Link To All purchase/streaming Sites: https://pauladams.hearnow.com/

For more information:
Official artist website – Paul Adams: www.pauladams.org
Official artist website – Elizabeth Geyer: www.elizabethgeyer.com
Paul Adams -Twitter: https://twitter.com/ppaul3
Paul Adams – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paul.adams.754/
Paul Adams – Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ppaul3/?hl=en

Press inquiries: Glass Onyon PR, PH: 828-350-8158 (USA), glassonyonpr@gmail.com

New Age Holiday Instrumental Review: Paul Avgerinos-Shanti Noel

Release Date: November 17, 2023

Label: ‎ Round Sky Music

Website

Stream Now

Paul Avgerinos released his interpretation of classic holiday songs on his new recording Shanti Noel. The word “shanti” means a profound level of peace.

I have covered Paul’s work in the past and found it enjoyable as it benefited my well-being. I felt compelled to hear these different versions of holiday tracks, as I always look for something new and refreshing. I found what I was seeking on Shanti Noel.

The created music contains many sounds you will find in new-age ambient. One of the other essential factors is the heavenly wordless vocals. While typically relaxing and meditative, the layers of sound retain their appeal and the originality of the tracks as you would expect to hear them every year during the holiday season. 

 

If anything, they become enhanced with new energy and focus. You will recognize all this from the commencement of the opening track, “O Holy Night,” to the closer, “There Is No Rose of Such Virtue.” However, I must say that the entire recording entranced me. The most unique track was “Christmas Caravan” for my ears.

 

Shanti Noel will pull you in and immerse you in light and beauty. Only then will the true meaning of Christmas be recognized by your soul. Those who give the gift of music have talents that some of us cannot comprehend. I like to accept the gift of this music as something spiritual and divine. That is the message I received from Paul Avgerinos on Shanti Noel. Open your hearts and minds to this music; you will realize the reward with the grace and spirituality you deserve.

 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder

November 26, 2023

Tracks:

01. O Holy Night 4:47

02. Silent Night 4:25

03. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen 4:44

04. We Three Kings 4:21

05. Christmas Caravan 5:06

06. Snowfalls 4:47

07. Angels We Have Heard On High 10:42

08. In The Bleak Midwinter 7:18

O9. Come Emmanuel 5:01

10. Shanti Noel 7:54

11. Coventry Carol 2:56

12. Carol of Love 5:26

13. What Child Is This 9:38

14. There Is No Rose of Such Virtue 4:17

Instrumental World New Age Review: Russ Jones- At The Edge of Space

Release Date: November 17, 2023

Label: ‎ Independent

Website

Russ Jones is a self-taught flutist. He started his journey in 2011. Jones' flute collection includes historical Native American Flutes, including the Shakuhachi and the Kaval.

At The Edge of Space is the recently released recording featuring 12 tracks. 

 

The music presented is atmospheric, ambient, and, at times, drone-like, which I picked up on with the title track. All of it is instrumental World-New Age. One of the most moving features of Ross's music is the ability to get an echoing effect, which then makes it sound like more than one person is playing. 

 

On "Reaching For You," parts of the track sound like a bird calling out to the flock. It aligns well with the typical earth tones and connection with nature that the Native American Flute has. It is, for me, the essence of the flute's sound and purpose. 

 

This music's emphasis is to provide tremendous relaxation and a meditative effect. The utilization of the flute reaches its highest total capacity by Russ. It allows a listener to disengage from their current space and or state of mind. That allows a complete detachment of one's surroundings on the physical plane. You then are offered total focus on what you hear and become very aware of where it can take you. That is a powerful and healing exercise from my point of view and how it worked for me.

 

I understand that everyone is an individual with different needs; however, if you give this collection of tracks an opportunity, it can and will change you in some way. I know meditation takes time and practice. Indeed, what is most impressive is that this artist taught himself to play an ancient and sacred instrument. 

 

The music on At The Edge of Space has a definite hypnotic, decisive effect. Music is primarily a valuable tool for giving me time to heal the mind, body, and spirit. And that is the quintessential nourishment we all need at times. Accessing it regularly would be a good idea.

 

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder

November 19, 2023

Tracks:

01. At The Edge Of Space 3:14

02. Reaching For You 3:45

03. On The Plains with Bigbow 3:05

04. Perfect Stars 2:50

05. Cullys Universe 3:06

06. Rolling Thru 3:30

07. Love of my Heart 3:11

08. Grains Of Sand 3:52

09. Airstreams 5:13

10. In Another Time 3:32

11. Particiles 2:38

12. Firecrow Memories 2:29

Featured Track: Contemporary Instrumental -Terry Lee Nichols-Finding Annie

Terry Lee Nichols is known for his contributions to the new age and contemporary instrumental world. The latest track released is “Finding Annie.”

The track is a beautiful contemporary instrumental with its roots in classical music. Terry's piano playing reflects that in the most eloquent way.

If you note on the cover in smaller text, it reads, “Love is coming in 2024.” It is a precursor to a full-length project available after we usher in the new year.

If “Finding Annie” indicates what is to come, then instrumental music enthusiasts will have something to look forward to. I know I will, and I always enjoy the music that Terry releases. His excellence and years of experience always set high expectations of what will come next.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder

November 9, 2023

You sometimes read the phrase "he/she was born to it" when describing how a person came by their particular calling. Such is the case with Terry Lee Nichols. By the time he was four, he had already decided that composing and performing music was his true life's goal (discovered while playing popular tunes on his grandmother's piano) …READ MORE…

 

 

New Age-World Instrumental Review: Ann Licater-Between The Stars

Release Date: October 27, 2023

Label: ‎ Cul de Sac Mystic Productions

Website

Ann Licater just released her new recording, Between The Stars. 

Her love of wood and clay flutes led her to study with master Native American flutist R. Carlos Nakai. The time spent with the master shows how it has reached fruition on her previous and this new release.

 

I reviewed the 2016 release Beyond The Waves and gave it 5/5 stars. Seven years have passed since, and now I can enjoy the beauty and divine existence of the many flute sounds created.

Ann plays 11 flutes, including Ocarina, Native American, Native American-Style, Mayan-style Drone, folk, silver C- flute, and silver alto. In addition to playing flutes, Ann performs grand piano on Track 5, "Luminous Waters," Track 10, "Moon Garden," and singing bowls on Track 8, "Distant Realm." This multi-talented artist has a lot to share. 

 

Her flute sometimes sounds like a bird calling to the wind on the "Divine Skies," the opening track, and most distinctly on "Sunbirds." The connection the flute sounds emanate to the earth and its living beings and creatures is undeniable. I felt the impact of that while listening. 

 

This music came to me at the right time. I recently lost my day job, and as many people know, that can be a very stressful experience and a blow to your confidence and self-worth. Beautiful and engaging music speaks to my soul, my inner voice that knows the truth of who I am. My job is part of who I am. It doesn't make up the entirety of me. This music is soothing and spiritual; it grounds me and puts me in a healing space.

 

A crucial factor is how the tracks were presented regarding time, which makes it a success. Each one is perfect. Ann blends her flutes nicely without taking things past the point of disengaging the listener. Throughout the listen, it had my attention, and before I knew it, the next track started.  

 

While listening to "Shades of Stillness," you can hear Ann taking her breaths, which I noticed more in that track than in the previous ones. Our breathing is essential, and when we need to settle down and focus or destress, we can do breathing exercises. That is something I do, and it has helped me. The type of breathing accomplished while playing all the flutes is entirely different and more complex. That makes me realize how much work is involved in recording these fantastic tracks. It takes devotion and love to accomplish a recording like Between The Stars.

 

I would love to be in a room with surround sound and hear this music on vinyl. However, it is incredible as it is. The format of vinyl would amplify the experience and immerse you most beautifully. I hope to see these types of artists start moving towards releasing their music on vinyl soon, but until then, I still can enjoy it and realize the meaning of it and how it can affect me in such a prolific way. It is one of the most natural stress-relief valves we have available. You can not only reach for the stars but find yourself Between The Stars.

Keith “MuzikMan” Hannaleck-NAMR Founder

Tracks:

01. Divine Skies 3:09

02. Ancient Traveler 3:10

03. Between the Stars 3:17

04. Sunbirds 2:15

05. Luminous Waters 4:51

06. Dream Passages 3:43

07. Shades of Stillness 3:13

08. Distant Realm 3:11

09. Angelic Echoes 2:50

10. Moon Garden 3:34

11. Whispering Light 2:37

12. Timeless Voices 3:28

13. Circling Star 2:18

14. Starlight Lullaby 3:41