Archive for the ‘ New Age ’ Category
Canadian composer Anthony Baskey creates stirring new age / smooth jazz instrumental compositions with an underlying foundation of complex harmonic progressions.
Aves is a continuation of Anthony’s progressive evolving style and includes his popular single release from 2018, “A New Day”.
Get this album on CDBaby.
Along life’s journey, we may be lucky enough to meet someone who inspires us, has a lasting impact and transforms how we love and live our life. Pianist Jim Wilson said goodbye to his inspirational figure last year when his aunt passed away at age 97. He wrote “The Girl From Eastland County” for Aunt Billie Jo for his forthcoming tenth album, “Remembrance: A Collection of Cinematic Portraits,” but the presence of the woman who embodied unconditional love is felt throughout the redolent session of poignant piano poetry that drops September 28 from Willow Bay Music. Remembering another dear confidante, Andrew Gold, Wilson offers a sprightly instrumental remake of the late singer-songwriter’s worldwide hit “Thank You For Being A Friend,” which was remixed for radio airplay by the track’s guitarist Chris Standring.
On Remembrance, Wilson pours his seemingly endless fount of sweeping melodies and grandiose harmonies to craft vivid sonicscapes rendered with heart and emotion. Inherently expressive and sentimental, his exquisite piano strikes resonant notes that penetrate deep to the core. The color and scope applied to Wilson’s canvases vary, sometimes favoring a full palate of lavish orchestrations such as on opener “Shadow Falls,” the title track, “Under A Highlands Moon” and “Denouement”; other times choosing dreamlike ambient hues (“Tangerine Moon” and “Diogenes Lantern”); or opting to leave his reverential pencil sketches sparsely adorned (“In The Stillness” and “Home is Where the Heart Is”). Whether the accompaniment be minimal and atmospheric or illumined by noteworthy musicians including keyboardist Brad Cole (Phil Collins), drummer Charlie Morgan (Elton John), Irish flutist Eric Rigler (“Titanic” soundtrack) and noted session players Troy Dexter (guitar) and Neil Stubenhaus (bass), Wilson’s aim is to connect and lead his listeners on an affecting path of discovery.
“I’ve always been told that my music has a visual quality to it, but I wanted to take it to a new level with this record, creating a collection of ‘cinematic portraits’ that take the listener on an emotional journey. ‘Remembrance’ has a reverent, contemplative feel that serves as centerpiece for the rest of the album. What matters most is that this music enriches the lives of those who hear it,” said Wilson, who concluded by addressing the role his aunt still plays in his life. “I strive to be more like her in every aspect of my life.” Continue reading
Bill Leyden is a prolific composer and modern-day interpreter of the Native American-style flute. For this album, Bill has used vintage guitars and world instruments to create an emotional collection of melodies ideal for relaxation and contemplation. The music seems to invite the listener to explore hidden spaces and feelings and to perhaps find … Two Hearts.
Ambient music with vintage guitars, orchestration, and piano. Ideal for relaxation and contemplation. Now on CDBaby.
Dimitri Kovachev a.k.a. Dimitri K. lived in Sofia, Bulgaria in the 80’s. Now he works as a music composer, producer and publisher, with a recording production studio in Orlando, Central Florida.
His smooth jazz projects are So Intensified (2016), Silence (2017) and Slim Profile (2017). His newest one is Blue Cat, also released in 2017. Dimitri has written, arranged and performed all tracks.
The starter and title song presents an intimate interplay between Dimitri and guitarist John Valeri. John’s own release Now (2015) is still available on CDBaby. Both musicians place less importance on virtuosity than on atmosphere. Harmony is the magic word.
Different World is the 5th album by Velvet Dreamer, alias Tim Gelo from Germany. Berlin-based trumpet player and music producer stays true to his style and his unique sound aesthetics and has produced 15 beautiful tracks most of which featuring his sensitive and gentle trumpet play.
A new feature on Different World is the appearance of various guitar sounds that give the album a vivid, warm atmosphere which is also supported by some great guest musicians: Michael Buk is a guitar player from Berlin and has already appeared on the earlier Velvet Dreamer albums „Eternal Beauty“ and „Remixed“. Ilia Skibinsky plays the saxophone on the track „Blissful Journey“.
Now let’s dive deep into Velvet Dreamer’s music world – it is a journey that requires a huge bag for all the beautiful souvenirs that can be found along the way. The album will be available in all stores on November 24th, 2017.
Beautiful, intelligent and passionate, Laurie Z. (in memoriam) was clearly in control of her career. Laurie ran her own independent record label, Zebra Productions, although she was the first to gratefully acknowledge the help received from a large group of friends and fans. From 1989 to 1994 Laurie played Disneyland’s Tomorrowland Terrace in the rock group “Voyager”, and was the featured keyboardist at the Anaheim Pond for the Mighty Ducks professional hockey team’s inaugural season. Laurie could also be heard performing regularly at Nordstrom’s, South Bay Galleria, playing solo piano at the Manhattan Country Club in Manhattan Beach, CA, and performing around the South Bay as bandleader for the “Z Three Trio” and “Laurie Z. Band.”
Life Between the Lines is Laurie’s passionate, poetic, and sensuous energy in a beautiful instrumental soundscape. Wonderfully rich instrumental music composed and arranged with all the instruments performed on keyboard by Laurie Z. This captivating release is equally suited for active listening or as an enriching complement for any occasion. On the borderline of smooth jazz and new age this album is for you at CDBaby.
Hailing from Stockholm, Sweden’s finest export of smooth jazz, piano magician Jonathan Fritzén spreads his wings over the States. With his 6th album Ballads (2017) he demonstrates the rightness of his compositional concept.
Guest musicians on his new project are Alex Crown and Andreas Rydman (guitars), Katarina Fritzén (flute) and Peter “Peet” Ferencz (violin). All other instruments are played by Jonathan, who also composed, produced and mixed all songs.
The Journey is remarkable in its quiet, unobtrusive song structure, which fits so wonderfully to the Swedish natural landscape. The piano is the main carrier of the sonic sequence and is gently accompanied by a violin arrangement.
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