Spotlight: Let There Be Light by Tom Moore & Sherry Finzer

Let There Be Light is the second collaborative release by multi-instrumentalist Tom Moore and international flutist Sherry Finzer. Continuing along the musical path of their phenomenal debut album entitled Whispers from Silence, the talented pair create sublime ethno-ambient passages on their fantastic follow-up release. Comprised of nine compositions spanning fifty-five minutes, Let There Be Light is a sonic exploration of nature’s most omnipresent element, as the duo weave electronic and organic instrumentation into a musical mandala of seemingly Zen-like mysticism and transcendent tranquility. Despite the album’s title, the pair elegantly contrast the light with shadow by blending in darker shades of mystery throughout – thereby imparting a perfectly balanced semblance of yin and yang.

“The Way of the White Clouds” opens the album with earthy drones, distant waves and acoustic textures that soon introduce a deeply resonating flute melody over subtle shamanic percussion. “First Light” ensues with an enduring drone and singing birds, as wispy flute notes convey an unbounded airiness in contrast to the earthy rootedness emitted from a continuous tonal humming. The next piece, “Timeless Journey”, is one of my favorites on the album – effectively bringing-to-mind that of a distant caravan crossing a desert at night. Here subtle Indian sitar is warmly merged with gently rhythmic bass tones, which is further complimented by the exotic scale played on flute.

“A Celebration of Life” is perhaps the album’s most pinnacle moment – eliciting a sensuous vibe that somewhat reminds me of Kamal’s “Shakuhaji Tales”. Similarly guided along by a hypnotic rhythm that underlies affecting chord progressions, Sherry’s flute seemingly acts as a coy seductress inviting the listener to move along in tandem with the sensual pulse. “Waves of Light” features a flute melody played in a higher scale amidst a backdrop of celestial washes, as if seemingly ascending to the heavens. Another highlight is the mysterious “Tides of Time”, which features what sounds like an African thumb piano lending itself as part of the piece’s gently sustained rhythm. Here breezy flute tones emerge from overarching ethereal layers, as one might imagine themselves standing alone by a seashore and feeling the cool breeze as waves roll in.

Sitting equally comfortably in both the space and world music genres, Let There Be Light is inherently trance-shamanic in nature. Tom Moore is simply a master at creating enveloping hypnotic atmospheres, while Sherry Finzer possesses a versatile range on the flute as her instrument essentially serves as narrator throughout. Earthy and grounding yet lofty and transcendental, Let There Be Light is another top-notch recording from this dynamite duo who always seem to ignite a spellbinding synergy whenever they collaborate! ~Candice Michelle

For more information please visit the artist's website. This album is also available to purchase at Amazon, iTunes and Google Play.

Spotlight: Whispers from Silence by Tom Moore & Sherry Finzer

Whispers from Silence is the collaborative project of multi-instrumentalist Tom Moore and international flutist Sherry Finzer. Comprised of eight compositions spanning just over an hour, the duo blend synthesizers with wind instruments to create a deeply immersive and meditative soundscape that feels ancient, sacred and enchantingly exotic, with subtle earthy rhythms underscoring several of the pieces.

“Awakening Breath” opens with the toll of a Tibetan bell followed by an exotic flute solo, evoking a spirit of reverence and solitude that sets the mood for a serenely soulful and mystical journey. “Towards the One” follows next with an opening chorus of crickets and nocturnal sounds, before transitioning into an enveloping and warmly-lit soundscape of flute, sitar and synthesizers that are soon accompanied by a flowing organic rhythm. It’s one of my favorite compositions on the album, bringing to mind images of a sacred sensual dance being performed amidst an enthralling haze of candlelight and incense smoke. “Infinite Space” is another gorgeous piece that invokes a blissful and dreamlike state, as breezy flute ethereally floats among a bed of gossamer chords like clouds passing slowly across the sky. Also particularly noteworthy is the beautifully hypnotic closing piece, “An Ancient Presence”, which effectively conveys the notion of standing in the presence of an ancient sacred temple. Here, droning chords merge with deep vocal intonations before introducing a mesmerizing flute melody, as earthy percussion subtly guides the piece along in a meditative mode that seems to fuse an eastern mystical vibe with a Native American essence.

Deeply entrancing from beginning to end, Whispers of Silence is an impeccably outstanding album of perfectly executed artistic vision as well as utmost professionalism. Grounding, earth-centered, and ceremonial in nature, its compositions beckon the listener to step into a sacred space that allows the mind and spirit to feel unrestrained by time or geographical location. Easily one of the best albums of its kind to emerge in recent memory, Whispers from Silence is especially and enthusiastically recommended for yoga, meditation and shamanic journeying! ~Candice Michelle

For more information please visit the artist's website. This album can also be purchased at Amazon, iTunes, and CD Baby.

This review was originally published on Journeyscapes Radio on 10/05/16.