Spotlight: From the Depths by David Clavijo

From the Depths is the follow-up recording to The Landing by composer and multi-instrumentalist David Clavijo, who was born in Andalusia, Spain. Inspired by a trip to the nearby Balaeric island of Ibiza, which is renowned for its distinctive brand of chillout and electronic music, David’s influences also include artists such as Mike Oldfield, Enigma, Vangelis, Brian Eno and Jean Michel Jarre.

The album begins with the title piece, “From the depths”, which is led by melodic piano and flute amidst tribal and electronic percussion. The composition is soon joined by soaring electric guitar, followed by a serene pause with indiscernible spoken word towards the middle of the piece, before picking up pace again. The world-chill vibe of this track is carried into “When We Were Together”, a piece characterized by piano and Spanish guitar that possesses a sunny, breezy Mediterranean flair. “Fly with Me” follows in the same vein with a diverse array of alternating piano, flute, strings and electric guitar amidst gentle percussion and tinkling bells. Native flutes and chants adorn “The Song of Wisdom”, whereas “Fragile World” is a more Celtic-laced offering featuring the vocals of Laura Powers. Gregorian chants lend a sacred mystique to “Sanctus Dominus”, an Enigma-inspired track complete with shakuhachi flute and electric guitar. A Balearic feel permeates “Sitting on the Seawall”, which is easily my favorite track on the album. This definitively sensual number offers touches of smooth jazz with saxophone courtesy of Premik Russell Tubbs, and the additional delights of both classical and electric guitar. The ethereal vocals of Charlee Brooks grace “The Journey”, a whimsical piece that conveys a feeling of flight and fantasy, as she sings a lyrically indecipherable yet phonetically lovely tune. Chad Lawson lends his piano to “Où est mon Bonheur?”, a more contemplative piece with a classical touch that additionally features cello. The voice of Charlee Brooks returns for “Out of the Depths”, an alternate version of the opening track with English-sung lyrics. Closing out the album is “Fragile World (Bonus Track)”, once again showcasing Chad Lawson on piano, as he’s joined by singer Rosa Rosa Cedrón. This time we are presented with an entire reworking of the original piece, absent of rhythm and with lyrics sung in Spanish.

From the Depths is quite simply a spectacular album, boasting an impressive display throughout of various cultural overtones, which are beautifully conveyed by its flawless fusion of electronic, acoustic and ethnic instruments. As his sophomore release, the six years that have lapsed since David’s debut album have proven worth the wait, as the added layer of depth and maturity contained within these compositions have taken his music to a whole new level of remarkable accomplishment. With a title that couldn’t be more fitting, From the Depths is sure to appeal to listeners who enjoy many musical styles, and is a particularly essential album for fans of Mike Oldfield, Enigma and Ibiza chillout music. ~Candice Michelle

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

This review was originally published on Journeyscapes Radio on 06/17/16.

Album Review: Follow the River Home by Jeff Pearce

Follow the River Home is the highly anticipated follow-up to the award-winning album With Evening Above by Indiana-based ambient guitarist, Jeff Pearce. Mastered by Tom Eaton for Imaginary Road studios, the album is comprised entirely of electric guitars that often resemble a surround-sound of both guitars and synthesizers resonating throughout a cathedral.

“Under Summer Stars” opens the album with an enveloping soundscape of gently melodic guitar amidst layers of tenebrous chords. Conveying a pensive mood with a touch of melancholy, this atmosphere is conveyed throughout most of the album. Carrying us into the next piece, “Downstream I” is a classic ambient-space composition, characterized by low drones, high timbres and mid-range tones, as the collective guitar washes mimic a choir of voices. “Outpost” soon emerges from the shadows, where misty chords morph and swell around a looped guitar melody at its center point. “Snowfall” follows afterwards, a composition I was especially delighted to see included on here. A live recording of this song originally aired on the syndicated radio program Echoes, and while I’ve long known that Jeff could seriously rock, this is the first time he’s included a noticeably rock-influenced composition on one of his albums. The piece begins with cascading guitar loops that are soon followed by a soaring, sensual electric guitar riff, creating an exquisite fusion of ambient-space and classic rock music. On “Downstream II” Jeff once again delivers a composition that deviates somewhat from anything he’s recorded in the past. Ethereal guitar chords open this piece, followed by spinning layers of guitar loops that eventually dissipate into a pool of billowing atmospheric tones, reminding me somewhat of both Steve Reich and Tangerine Dream. The album’s lengthiest track, “Gathering Stars”, is quite possibly one of the most beautiful pieces of ambient-space music I’ve heard in years! Bathed in obscurity, this metamorphic composition emerges with spacious chords that gently rise and fall, and expand and contract, until scattering like particles of light upon the darkness. Closing out the album is the title track, “Follow the River Home”, a comfortingly warm piece that feels intimately connected to hearth and home. Led by a gentle, down-to-earth guitar melody with spacey timbres hovering in the background, it serves as a tender reminder that ultimately, home is indeed where the heart is.

Follow the River Home just might be Jeff’s crowning achievement, even among his other seemingly unsurpassable albums, including With Evening Above (2014), Bleed (2002), and To the Shores of Heaven (2000). As someone with a particular affinity for both ambient music and the electric guitar, I’ve been an avid fan of Jeff’s music for many years. It feels observant of nature and the cosmos; often alluding to natural landscapes and the skies above, all while exuding an ever-present yet concealed intense emotion. Gorgeous, haunting, and simply incomparable, Follow the River Home is already a top contender among this year’s best recordings! ~Candice Michelle

For more information please visit the artist's website. This album is also available at Bandcamp, CD Baby, Amazon and iTunes.

Review originally published on Journeyscapes Radio on 06/03/16.

Spotlight: After A Pause by Bear

After a Pause is the second solo release from Bear, a talented keyboardist and electronic percussionist, as well as the brother of guitar virtuoso Bob Kilgore. Comprised of fifteen instrumental tracks of varying styles, After a Pause offers nearly an hour of contemplative enjoyment and spirited fun.

“Once Darkness, Now Light” opens with a low drone and spacey synths that are joined by subtle chimes, immediately creating a wonderful sense of anticipation. Switching gears into solo piano is “For a Short While”, before reverting back to an electronic theme with “Colors of Sunrise”. Characterized by melodic sequencers and glistening vibraphone which are underscored by fretless bass, the piece seems to mimic the sun’s rays reflecting and shimmering upon the water. Acoustic guitar opens “Everyday Life” which is soon joined by slick bass and drums. This groovy tune is another standout that boasts a tinge of funk with a sprinkling of piano throughout. “Dancing for Eternity” is quite possibly the album’s most fun offering, as digital bleeps and a disco beat exude colorful buoyancy. Another noteworthy track is “Pressing On”, where cinematic strings and harpsichord-like synth convey a feeling of flight and fantasy. I’m also especially fond of “The Race”, another electronic piece characterized by vintage synthesizer motifs and a retro-futuristic vibe that alludes to a mission in space. “To the Remote Regions” is another particular highlight defined by watery sounds swirling about, complemented further by drums and tribal percussion. Closing out the album is “Princess Alaina”, an uplifting piano piece accompanied by gentle strings, making for an appropriately tender yet optimistic conclusion.

Drawing from a diverse musical palette, After a Pause is wonderfully eclectic and hard to classify, although there are certainly elements of new age, symphonic electronic, contemporary instrumental, solo piano, jazz and classical throughout. A pure delight from start to finish, Bear has created a uniquely adventurous album that has something for almost everyone. ~Candice Michelle

This album can be purchased on Amazon and iTunes.

This review was originally published on Journeyscapes Radio on 06/01/18.

Spotlight: Zia by Alexi Musnitsky

Zia is the debut album by Alexi Musnitsky, a young pianist born in New Mexico and currently living in Paris. Having played piano since age four with a formal background in classical training, Alexi began composing his own music when he was eighteen. Produced by Will Ackerman along with Tom Eaton and Alexi Musnitsky, and recorded at Imaginary Road studios in Vermont, the album is named after the indigenous Zia tribe of New Mexico. Cellist Eugene Friesen is featured on several of the compositions, while Tom Eaton lends subtle percussion and bass to three of the seven tracks.

“Zia” opens the album with gentle piano notes that eventually unfold into a romantic and graceful melody. “War of Love” follows next, which is perhaps my favorite piece on the album. Capturing the essence of memories and things held sacred to the heart, accompanying cello and subtle percussion lend a slightly poignant quality to this tender composition. Radiance exudes from “Sparkling Heart”; beginning in the upper register of the piano, the pace picks up about one-third of the way through the piece, expressively alternating between a hushed and hurried dynamic. “The Quest” is the album’s lengthiest piece at just over eight and a half minutes. A heartfelt composition featuring cello, bass and percussion, the melody flows like a river winding through mountains, peaceful one moment and powerful the next. A morning sunrise shines on “Light Will Lead the Way”; likewise joined by passionate cello and soft percussion, this inspirational piece instills a sense of hope and optimism. A brighter piano melody is carried on “Mile of Life”, which is contrasted by the lower solemn tone of its complementary cello. A setting sun gives way to moonlight on “Dreamcatcher”, the album’s final piece. Along with Eugene’s cello, Will Ackerman lends the soft sound of a Hopi drum to this composition, while Noah Wilding’s wordless vocals pass through towards the end like a gentle evening breeze.

Eloquently restrained and never bombastic in its approach, Zia offers an impressive level of musical maturity and depth for this young talent. Demonstrating a piano playing style that is fluid and supple, Zia is not to be missed by those who particularly enjoy elegant piano music wrapped in wholesome beauty. ~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 posted on Journeyscapes Radio on 04/21/16.

Album Review: Get Tribal By Radio God

Radio God is Get Tribal’s follow-up to the award-nominated debut, God of Drum, a globally-inspired project by composer Kari Hohne. Drawing upon world mythologies and diverse cultures, as well as inspiration from music and films spanning several decades, she weaves these concepts into a blend of both ancient and modern rhythms within an electronic musical framework.

“Guip: Sunrise” opens the album with vintage keyboard sounds and digital effects that are set to a pronounced and plodding electro-drumbeat. Percussion takes center stage on this album, where a retro-urban vibe is gilded with an exotic flare, taking the listener on a journey through modern city streets, ancient roads and desert landscapes. “Ruah: Breathe” continues in this vein while picking up the pace a few notches, as Middle-Eastern flavors additionally season this steady composition, further characterized by legato strings and a minor-key piano riff. “Taba: Out of the Underworld” perhaps marks the album’s most definitive point. Inspired by the Epic of Gilgamesh of ancient Sumerian mythology, the piece begins with a windy rumble and piano loop that resurfaces throughout the tune. Bearing a slight sense of forbiddance with its distinctive tribal drums, one might easily imagine a gathering of dancers in a remote desert by firelight. “Adon: Across the Sea” is also curiously noteworthy, drawing influence from the Pacific islands with its Hawaiian and surf guitar, as a whimsical harp sample offsets the funkier rooted rhythm. The celebratory “Ankh: Dancing Desert” is another highlight which offers a fun fusion of ancient, exotic, vintage and western elements. The composition’s blending of traditional Middle-Eastern Dervish dance music with 80’s-style electronic instruments is especially well-captured here.

Uniquely venturesome and defying strict genre classification, Radio God is primarily about the beat where rhythm remains the focal point. Less defined by straightforward linear melodies, Kari finds an idiosyncratic motif that works within these mostly circular compositions and returns to it often, always inspiring the listener to move and groove! The album’s many retro-style elements and vintage electronic components, accentuated by culturally exotic and ancient themes, frequently bear the hallmarks of an old-world video game. An artist who possesses both rising potential and discernible passion for her work, I suspect only more intriguing and enjoyable outputs will flourish from the Get Tribal series. ~Candice Michelle

This album is available on Amazon, iTunes and CD Baby.

Review originally published on Journeyscapes Radio on 04/16/16.

Album Review: Adore by Joseph Sullinger

Adore is the sixth solo album from classical and world fusion guitarist Joseph Sullinger. He is joined throughout on various compositions by Hungarian violinist Adrienne Galfi (courtesy of the Mexico City Philharmonic Orchestra), as well as Eric Darken on percussion, and both Greg Morrow and Chris Mchugh on drums. Comprised of nine compositions spanning nearly thirty minutes total, Joseph additionally fuses his classically romantic and Spanish style guitar melodies with piano, bass and synthesizer elements.

The aptly-named “Mi Amor” opens with solo Spanish guitar, providing a warm introduction with a touch of romance. Adrienne Galfi’s violin joins the mood on “In the Evening”, as she further lends the piece a classical, graceful touch. This composition brings to mind an evening spent somewhere along the southern coast of Spain, with the guitar and violin each representing one half of a dancing pair. Following next is the title piece, “Adore”, one of my favorites on the album, which begins with a breezy synth that remains in accompaniment throughout. An organically flowing and rhythmic piece, Spanish guitar and wooden percussion lend a distinctive flamenco flavor to the composition. Also equally stunning is “Aurora”, which likewise opens with guitar and synth, followed by a leisurely-paced rhythm and sweeping violin. Characterized by a softly sensual melody and beautiful chord progressions, the piece reminds me of summertime, perhaps while taking a scenic drive along the coast. The contemplative “Solitude” is another favorite, possessing a lulling guitar melody and gentle rhythm that feels as peacefully subtle yet radiant as moonlight reflecting upon the water. Likewise especially notable is the mysterious “Caravan”, a piece that opens with the soothing sound of ocean waves. Sultry and slower-paced, the exotic melody of the guitar is further enhanced by sparsely-placed ethnic percussion and the earthy tones of bass. Closing out the album is “Farewell”, beginning with the natural environmental sounds of crashing waves which continue throughout the piece. Subtle guitar and piano are perfectly interwoven along its course, as one can easily imagine a ship departing at sea, perhaps while an onlooker reminiscently bids farewell.

Simply put, I absolutely ‘adored’ each and every moment of Adore, as these elegant compositions softly swept me away to the shores of a Mediterranean paradise. Joseph’s guitar-playing is sophisticated yet perfectly understated within the album’s overall down-to-earth and relaxing context, which is further enhanced by the many light brush strokes of additional colors and textures throughout. Alluringly romantic and beautiful, “Adore” will appeal greatly to those who are particularly fond of classical and Spanish-style guitar music as well as new age world fusion! ~Candice Michelle

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

Review originally published on Journeyscapes Radio on 04/02/16.

Album Review: Everything In Between by Jeffrey Seeman

Jeffrey Seeman picked up the guitar at the age of eight, having been influenced by a variety of musical styles growing up and playing in a few bands. His album, Everything In Between, was produced by Will Ackerman, co-produced, mixed and mastered by Tom Eaton, and recorded at Imaginary Road studios in Vermont. Jeffrey is joined on this album by a handful of musicians who lend instruments such as cello, violin, viola, saxophone, bass, percussion and Hammond organ to various compositions.

The album opens with one of my favorite pieces, “5 Days Old”, which is guided by Jeff Haynes’ gentle percussion. It has a lush, multi-dimensional guitar sound that’s given added depth by Michael Manring’s bass guitar and Noah Wilding’s wordless ethereal vocals. The mood livens up more on “Acadia Walk”, an upbeat tune with a strumming guitar melody and pronounced twang. The folksier “Michael’s Journey” is another highlight with a slightly Irish bent, led by guitar, a gently galloping rhythm and Charlie Bisharat on violin. Also noteworthy is “Ever Present Always”, a gentler and cozier tune with a homebody feel that features Eugene Friesen on cello. However, the most compelling and interesting track on the album is easily “Southern Night in the Woods”. A multi-faceted piece that begins with hushed nature sounds and guitar echo, its use of overdubs, slide guitar and bass all serve to create an enthralling surround-sound experience. Premik Russell Tubbs contributes his lively saxophone to a few of the compositions, including “Let’s Go” and the closing piece, “Point Well Taken”.

Everything In Between is an overall dynamic and straightforward album, yet incorporates many subtle details and intricacies throughout. The natural, woodsy atmosphere compliments the live-sounding approach to Jeffrey’s guitar-playing, conveying a warmly personable touch. Enthusiasts of both acoustic guitar and Americana-flavored music should especially take note of this recording, who will likely appreciate its down-to-earth geniality. ~Candice Michelle

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

Review originally published on Journeyscapes Radio on 04/01/16.