PGM 346: MYTHIC TWILIGHT 6

An ethereal dreamscape inspired by myth & fantasy.

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM
00:20 / Amethystium / Opaque / Odonata
05:02 / Mythos / The Ring / The Reality Of A Dreamer
08:18 / Australis / Outposts of Certainty / Sentient Genus
14:20 / Blue Stone / On The Wind / Worlds Apart
18:29 / Eagle / The Night the Moon Fell / Black Eagle
23:24 / Deep Forest / Marta’s Song / Boheme
27:32 / Jonathan E. Blake / Fairy Tale / Serenity
33:39 / Psicodreamics / Unicorn’s Dream (the beginning) / Fantasynth
39:09 / Delerium / Sensorium / Semantic Spaces
50:41 / Mario Raposo / In Dreams Territory / In Dreams Territory

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Shamanic Visions 6

A transcendent voyage into tribal-ambient soundworlds.

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM-EP-SINGLE
00:20 / Frore & Shane Morris / Woven / Horizon
12:54 / Steve Roach / Mojave / The Lost Pieces
18:35 / Byron Metcalf & Dashmesh / Deep Time 1 / Heart of the Deep Time
25:15 / Eguana / Shaman Calls the Dragon / Dragon Songs
32:33 / Brannan Lane & Vidna Obmana / Points of Light 1 / Deep Unknown
40:25 / Vidna Obmana / Doekoen / Subterranean Collective
49:12 / Byron Metcalf / Calling Huachuma’s Medicine Spirit / The Precipice of Choice

Album Review: Into the Unknown by Joseph L Young

Review by Lissette Cascante

Composer and multi-instrumentalist, Joseph L Young has enjoyed a proliferous career as a musician unafraid to go beyond boundaries of genre, style, or sound. Joseph is an established chart-topping, award-winning musician whose music has enjoyed broad radio and internet airplay, spanning such genres as New Age, Ambient, Relaxation/Meditation, Native Fusion, Jazz Fusion, and Contemporary Instrumental. But not to be limited, he has also played with a variety of bands ranging from rock, blues, folk, jazz and even Celtic.

In his sixth full-length album, Into the Unknown, Young delves deeper into musical expanses, with compositions that explore the mystical dimensions of time, space, psyche, and spirit, normally related to the unexplained, mysterious, or concealed. The album features three songs previously released as singles: “Secrets of Stone” released in 2021, “Remembrance of Time” in 2020 featuring pianist Lynn Tredeau, and a remix of his 2019 single “Between Worlds.”

The album also showcases more of his talent as a composer and arranger as well as his mastery of the flute. “Every note I play comes from my heart and is how I share my love of music with others, it's how I express my passion for the flute”, explains Joseph. He interlaces ancient sounds with modern synth arrangements which prevail in world fusion authenticity.

Joseph holds a second degree black-belt in Chinese Shao-Lin Kung Fu and Tai Chi which evidently contribute to his unique approach to music. “I want my music to take listeners on a journey of discovery”, he expounds, “to help them work through their emotions, releasing the negative, as they grow and change, and serving as a catalyst to help with their transformation."

The title track “Into the Unknown” is my favorite piece as it abounds with mystique and features a myriad of exotic instruments, voices, and rhythms bathed in a Middle Eastern style melody. In tracks like “Remembrance of Time”, “Enchanted”, “Secrets of Stone”, “Eclipsed”, and “Windswayed”, the alluring flute and creative musical arrangements transport the listener to ancient times, distant lands, sacred ceremonies, and mysterious places.

On other tracks like “Beyond the Horizon”, “Between Worlds”, “Transcendence”, “The Forgotten”, and “Ancestral Crossings”, Joseph seems to venture into other spheres such as space exploration, and perhaps even the afterlife. Into the Unknown is a treasure chest of musical jewels you’ll delight in listening time and time again. The unknown calls us to live consciously. Joseph composes music that speaks to the human soul, and which infuses the silence with the sounds of life.  

~Lissette Cascante for Journeyscapes 

For more information please visit the artist's website. Into the Unknown is also available at Bandcamp, Amazon, and Apple Music.

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Rainforest Sojourn 6

A tribal-ambient chillout journey through the tropics!

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM
00:20 / Stephen Peppos / Sunshine / Botanical
05:17 / Wouter Kellerman & David Arkenstone / Ungana / Pangaea
09:57 / AO Music / Kutumba / Kutumba
15:12 / Eguana / Interdependent Origin / Inner Silence
20:51 / Mars Lasar / Enchanted Forest / Coastal Escape
24:55 / Loren Nerell / Dreams of Sarons / The Gong Prophet
31:43 / Erik Wøllo / Sojourn 2 / Sojourns
38:45 / ELEON / Migration / Cerulean
46:20 / jarguna / Expanse Swamps / Neogene
50:38 / Yuval Ron feat. Úyanga Bold / Mind Vision Invocation / Sacred Spiral

Journeyscapes DJ Set: The Top 30 Ambient/Chillout Albums of 2021 (Part 3)

Part 3 of 3 episodes of The Top 30 Ambient/Chillout Albums of 2021.

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM
00:18 / Mark Dwane / Ancient Angels / Earthlings
04:45 / Chronotope Project / Entelechy, Emergent Order / Gnosis
12:02 / Frore & Shane Morris / The Eye of Everything / Horizon
23:48 / Steve Roach / Equanimity / As It Is
34:16 / Richard Ross / Beta Particle / Ambientopia
38:39 / Byron Metcalf / Realms of Second Thoughts / Rhythms of Remembering
45:38 / Spacecraft / Stillness (Album Edit) / Evening Star
49:08 / Kelly David / Garden of the Forgotten / Illusive
53:00 / Max Corbacho / Sleep Time Spores / Nocturnes III
55:22 / Jeff Pearce / A Voice In The Waves / Hidden Shores/Empty Beach

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Autumn Reveries

An ethereal ambient chill mix for autumntime dreaming!

ARTIST / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM TITLE
The Haiku Project / Fjord / Gratitude
Amethystium / Enchantment / Odonata
Bodhi / Waves of Color / Deep Dream
Kitaro / Wood Fairy / Relax (Various Artists)
Schiller / Fernweh (Wanderlust) / Voyage
Deborah Martin, Greg Klamt & Mark Rownd / Dreamwalking / Convergence
Erik Wøllo / Clouds Forever / Recurrence
Earth Trybe / Freedom of Movement / Trance World
Frore & Shane Morris / Lost in Wonder / Horizon

Journeyscapes Interviews Lisa Reagan of SHUNIA

On this special Earth Day, we’re delighted to present a lovely conversation with Lisa Reagan of the musical duo Shunia!

Also comprised of singer Suzanne Jackson, Shunia are joined throughout by contributing international musicians and vocalists on their new self-titled sophomore album, which blends mystical mantras and sacred chants with polycultural rhythms and meditatively lush musical arrangements.

Music from Shunia’s latest album Shunia and their previous album Ascend can be heard throughout this interview.

For more information, please visit the artist’s website.

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Earth Trek 4

A global ambient chillout mix for Earth Day! Please support the artists in this set by following the song/album links below.

Artist Name / Track Title / Album Title
Le Voyage / La Mer (blue horizon mix) / Spring Lounge 2021
Beautiful World / In Existence / In Existence
Rising Sun / Deep Forest / Deep Forest
Eguana / Call of the Wind / Flawless Nature
Essa 3 / Sundial / Sky Dancing: Nada Masala vol. 3
Ayla / Angelfalls (particular beach) / York: Planet Chill, vol. 1
Oliva / Wonder World / Wonder World
Blue Is Nine / Satellites / A Different Light
Quinn / In a Perfect World / Ecstasy in Avila
The Haiku Project feat. Sarah Grabow / Creation / Nebula

PGM 293: Celtic Reveries 7

Another ethereal/ambient/chill mix for St. Patrick's Day inspired by landscapes & legends of the Emerald Isle!

Artist Name / Track Title / Album Title
Eamonn Karran / Mac Lir / I’ll Be With You
Emer Kenny / Cast A Spell / Parting Glass
Marcomé / Time to Follow / Seven Seas
Moya Brennan / Nuair a Bhí Óg / Canvas
Ronan Hardiman / Celtic Dream / Lord of the Dance
Entheogenic / Algonquin (Celtic Mix) / Dreamtime Physics
David Arkenstone / The Girl with the Midnight Hair / Celtic Chillout
2002 / Castle of Dromore / Celtic Fairy Dream
Ashley Davis / Banquet / Songs of the Celtic Winter
Clannad / Atlantic Realm / In A Lifetime
Dagda / Winds of Change / Hibernia: The Story of Ireland
Enya / Exile / Watermark
Loreena McKennitt / Dante’s Prayer / The Book of Secrets

PGM 292: The Best of 2020 (Part 3 of 3)

In this episode we present the third and final portion of the top 30 albums of 2020, with another smooth, hour-long soundscape highlighting some of last year’s favorite & most notable releases!

ARTIST / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM-EP
Time Traveler / Ancient Wanderers / Sky Falter
Tigerforest / Away (ft. Aly Frank) / Discovery
Eguana / Revival Soul / No Magic
Starterra / Celestial / Celestial
Ben Blackett / Quiet Stillness / Portals
Stephanie Sante / Photonic Memories / Dark Matter Evolution
Jeff Pearce / An Isle / Archive 1: Songs for the Gathering
Bodhi / Gathering Dawn / Deep Dream
Sambox / Taman Sari / Le Son Du Miramar
Evenfall / Translucent Veils of Gold / Indigo Skies

Another sultrily atmospheric mix of ethno-chill & downtempo world!

Artist Name / Track Title / Album Title
Karl Maddison / Sacred Mountain / On the Road to Tibet
David & Steve Gordon / Ambient Spa / Nirvana Groove
Vellúa / Arran / Ancient Echo (Chapter 1)
Kamarius / Air Element / Elements
Guy Sweens / Sanchi / Universal Language
BlueMonk & Michael Whalen / The Way of the Samurai / Karmic Dreams
Kevin Braheny Fortune / The Courage to Love / Dreamwalker Meditation Music Vol. 2
Sommer Sun / West Sahara / West Sahara [single]
The Haiku Project / Before Sunset / Gratitude
Ananta Govinda / River of Time (feat. Pierre Edel) / Mirror of Desire

PGM 272: Rainforest Sojourn 5

Another ethno-chill / tribal-ambient journey through the tropics!

Artist Name / Track Title / Album Title
David Lyndon Huff / The Journey / Worldbeat
Diane Arkenstone / Night Flight / Spirits of the Rainforest
Soulfood / Chameleon / Breathe
Chris Spheeris with Robert Cory / Island of 1000 Temples / Mystic Traveller
Enigma / Light of Your Smile / Beyond the Invisible [EP]
Mark Barrott / Island Life / Sketches from an Island
Baka Beyond / Ndaweh’s Dream / The Meeting Pool
Kamarius / Earth Element / Elements
Brannan Lane & Tom Larson / Tails of the Rain Forest, Part 1 / Tribal Spirit
Sambox / Amazon / Freedom World

PGM 271: Dharmic Odyssey 2

Another meditative mix of Eastern-inspired ambient mystique!

Artist Name / Track Title / Album Title
Madhavi Devi / Jade Breeze / The Truth of Being
Ragani / Protection (Ganesha Gayatri) / Light of Savitri
Mark Seelig / Raga Ayahausa / The Disciple’s Path
Jarguna & Henrik Meierkord / Älva / Tapestry Flow
Yuval Ron / Equanimity (Upekkha) / Four Divine States of Mind
Howard Givens & Craig Padilla / Prana / The Bodhi Mantra

PGM 268: Canyon Breeze 2

A meditative mix of native flute & visionary soundscapes of the American Southwest!

Artist Name / Track Title / Album Title
Scott August / Beyond Summer / Beyond Summer
Suzanne Teng & Gilbert Levy / Canyon Ghosts / Autumn Monsoon
Kenneth Hooper / Directions / Directions
John Huling / Lost Canyons / Mesa Sunrise: The Essential John Huling
Douglas Blue Feather / Letting Go / Ascension
Sherry Finzer / Winds of Intuition / Transcendence
Michael Brant DeMaria / Between the Worlds / Ama
Evenfall / Evening Shadows / Indigo Skies
Sherry Finzer & Will Clipman / Penumbra / The Space Between Breaths
Ann Licater / Canyon Solace / Quiet Spaces: Flute Meditations for Mindfulness and Relaxation
Wychazel / On Eagle’s Wings / Spirit Flute

PGM 263: Cavernous Worlds 2

Another organic ambient soundscape inspired by subterranean realms!  

Artist Name / Track Title / Album Title
Robert Carty & Brannan Lane / Hot Springs / Climatic Infusion
Jarguna / Water Memory / Fusion of Soul
Brannan Lane / Black Air, Pt. 2 / Lost Caverns of Thera
Steve Roach & Jorge Reyes / Spirit, Stone and Bone / The Ancestor Circle
Jarguna & Seetyca / Black Forest / Tales of Millennial Trees
Tom Larson & Brannan Lane / City of Tombs, Part II / Tribal Spirit
Zero Ohms & Brannan Lane / Land of Blue Mist / Soundfall to the Infinite
Sverre Knut Johansen with Robert Rich / Paleozic Era / Precambrian
Steve Roach / Soul Archaeology / Trance Archaeology

PGM 261: Avalonian Mists 3

Another enchantingly ethereal soundscape inspired by Arthurian legends!

Artist Name / Track Title / Album Title
Robert A. Wolf / Avalonia / Pangea
2002 / David of the White Rock / Celtic Fairy Dream
Rémi Orts Project / Woodland / Reign of the Forest
Eurielle / Rescue Me / Arcadia
Amethystium / Hymnody / Aphelion
Michael Whalen / The Inbetween / Sacred Spaces
Steve Gordon & Deborah Martin / Earth Dweller / Ancient Power
Medwyn Goodall / The Sorcerer’s Daughter / The Sorcerer’s Daughter
Peter Sterling / Pool of Love / Sanctuary of Light
Clannad / Who Knows (where the time goes) / In A Lifetime
Age of Echoes / Beyond the Farthest Shore / Beyond the Farthest Shore

Top 25 Albums for April 2020

01. Jeff Pearce – Archive 1: Songs for the Gathering  [Bandcamp]
02. Tigerforest – Discovery  [Bandcamp]
03. Nicholas Gunn – Pacific Blue  [iTunes]
04. Hollan Holmes – Milestones  [Bandcamp]
05. Michael Whalen – Sacred Spaces  [iTunes]
06. Clannad – In A Lifetime  [iTunes]
07. Lingua Lustra – Astra  [Bandcamp]
08. David Helpling – Rune  [Bandcamp]
09. Various Artists – The Best of Maretimo Lounge Radio, Vol. 1  [iTunes]
10. Stephanie Sante – Dark Matter Evolution  [Bandcamp]
11. Kenneth Hooper – Directions  [Bandcamp]
12. Eguana – Invisible Civilization Vol. 4  [Bandcamp]
13. Evenfall – Indigo Skies  [Bandcamp]
14. Thievery Corporation – Symphonik  [iTunes]
15. Monica Williams – Within Us All  [Bandcamp]
16. Steve Roach – The Sky Opens  [Bandcamp]
17. Paul Speer – Sonoran Odyssey  [iTunes]
18. Various Artists – Psychill Blossom, Vol. 1  [Bandcamp]
19. Tom Moore & Mike Clay – Beyond Our Orbit  [Bandcamp]
20. Chris Russell – Destiny  [Bandcamp]
21. Halftribe & Spinnet – Patterns of Sync  [Bandcamp]
22. AeTopus – Deep Variants  [Bandcamp]
23. Sherry Finzer – Transcendence  [Bandcamp]
24. Ambiscend – Tranquility II: Mind and Soul  [Bandcamp]
25. Billy Denk – Soul Immersion  [Bandcamp]

PGM 257: Secret Caravan 5

Exotic grooves meet desert atmospheres for a mysterious night journey across Middle Eastern and North African terrain!

Artist Name / Track Title / Album Title
Desert Dwellers / Dreams Within a Dream / Breath
Obsqure / Sufi Bazaar / Oriental Banquet
Meriem Ben Amor / La Rosa Enflorece / La Rosa Enflorece [Single]
Zenobia / Tawahan / Zenobia EP
Kamarius / The Sufi’s Tavern / The Flow of Life
Thievery Corporation / Forgotten People [Symphonik Version] / Symphonik
La Estación Del Mar / The Nile / Landscapes
Sambox / Arabic Spring / Mille Métis
Sundrugs / A Bird Made of Gold / Desert Underground
Toires / Tali / Buddha Lounge 2
Monica Williams / You are Adventure / Within Us All
Marcomé / Arabica / River of Soul

Album Review: Autumn Monsoon by Suzanne Teng & Gilbert Levy

Married musical partners Suzanne Teng and Gilbert Levy create outstanding global instrumental music that is often meditative yet movement-oriented. They also release music as part of an ensemble group called Mystic Journey (which also includes band members Dann Torres and Jon Ossman) whose previous album, Kingdom of Mountains, made a lot of noteworthy impressions in the scene. The duo’s latest album, Autumn Monsoon, is certainly no exception and I’ve been thoroughly enamored with it ever since the first listen.

Originally from Berkley, California, Suzanne is an acclaimed world flutist who holds a Master’s degree in music from Boston University’s School for the Arts. Having released several albums to date including solo recordings, her music has garnered critical praise in mainstream publications and she’s performed live on national television. Not only does Suzanne play all the flutes from the Western flute family, she also plays an array of indigenous flutes from around the world including Native American, African, Asian, European and Middle Eastern varieties.

Born in raised in New Orleans, Louisiana, Gilbert began playing drums at an early age, later going on to perform professionally in bands and clubs located on the famous Bourbon Street. Eventually, he made the transition from mostly playing in R&B, jazz and pop music bands to playing world drums, notably African and Middle Eastern hand percussion as well as the metal melodic Hang. He’s also expanded his global musical palette to include several stringed instruments.

Comprised of ten enthralling compositions spanning approximately forty-eight minutes, Autumn Monsoon invites the listener for a mesmerizing musical sojourn across India, West Africa, the American Southwest, the Saharan desert – and even making a stop at the Andromeda galaxy along the way. Suzanne opts for Native American flutes as the main navigator throughout this album, while Gilbert gently propels the voyage along with a multi-cultural array of percussion. In between these prominent instruments, exotic strings and synthesizers are layered in, with added contributions along the way from Jon Ossman on Indian dilruba and Dann Torres playing both nylon and steel string guitars.

Opening with the title track, “Autumn Monsoon”, we’re immediately greeted by the soothing sounds of Native-style flute and the lovely tonal melody of Hang, a percussive instrument that has long been one of my favorites. Added bass dulcimer and a synth-beat join in for an organically downtempo rhythm, as all the musical parts collectively create a warmly intoxicating sonic brew.

On “Indian Sisters” Suzanne plays an enchanting flute melody to the seductive rhythm of shakers, tabla and udu drums. Enticingly sensual and one of my favorites, this fluid composition seemingly moves along in coy, serpentine fashion. We’re also treated to the hypnotic pulse of frame drum on the mysteriously nocturnal “Traveler”, which additionally showcases a nomadic flute melody and woodsy strumming of the Turkish saz.

Imparting an American southwestern feel, the equally stunning “Canyon Ghosts” is led by a slow drumbeat with a pulse that seemingly connects to the heart of the earth. Gorgeously complimenting it is an echoingly distant flute melody accompanied by another one brought more to the foreground, as the music effectively occupies a space where ancient spirts dwell and secrets of the stars are pondered.

Like a waterfall washing over the senses, “Sueños” (meaning “dreams”) is perfectly illustrated by lulling synth-tones coupled with entrancing flute and percussion. Fittingly paired with the ensuing “Andromeda”, this hauntingly tranquil piece turns one’s attention towards the night sky with its reverberating flute melody amid a softly sustained synth-drone.

Overall characterized by fluid rhythms and encircling atmospheres, Autumn Monsoon is an alluringly beautiful and earthily sensual output from start to finish. Every melody, tone and space in between conveys a sense that these musicians were focused yet relaxed during the album’s creation. Simply one of the finest achievements in the overarching style of ambient-world music that I’ve recently discovered, Autumn Monsoon offers a remarkable transcontinental, trance-shamanic journey that listeners will want to embark on repeatedly! ~Candice Michelle

Available at Amazon, iTunes and other music retail platforms. For more information, please visit Mystic Journey's website.

Top 25 Albums for the Month of March

No.	Artist	Title	Listen & Buy
01	Michael Whalen	Sacred Spaces	Amazon
02	Hollan Holmes	Milestones	Amazon Bandcamp
03	Tigerforest	Discovery	Amazon Bandcamp
04	Various Artists	The Best of Maretimo Lounge Radio, Vol. 1	Amazon
05	Clannad	In A Lifetime	Amazon
06	David Helpling	RUNE	Amazon Bandcamp
07	Stephanie Sante	Dark Matter Evolution	Amazon Bandcamp
08	Various Artists	Psychill Blossom, Vol. 1	Amazon Bandcamp
09	Rising Galaxy	Acceleration	Amazon Bandcamp
10	Tom Moore & Mike Clay	Beyond Our Orbit	Amazon Bandcamp
11	Darshan Ambient	A Day Like Any Other	Amazon Bandcamp
12	Evenfall	Indigo Skies	Amazon Bandcamp
13	Suzanne Teng & Gilbert Levy	Autumn Monsoon	Amazon
14	Forrest Fang	Ancient Machines	Amazon Bandcamp
15	Byron Metcalf & Jennifer Grais	Sacrament	Amazon Bandcamp
16	Acheloo	Debris of Nostaliga	Amazon Bandcamp
17	ELEON	Cerulean	Amazon Bandcamp
18	Hans Christian	After the Fall	Amazon Bandcamp
19	Thaneco	Alien Species	Amazon Bandcamp
20	Eguana	Invisible Civilization, Vol. 4	Amazon Bandcamp
21	Reblooming	Echo Earth	Amazon Bandcamp
22	Billy Denk	Starbound	Bandcamp
23	Germind	Synthesis	Amazon Bandcamp
24	Kirsten Agresta Copely	Around the Sun	Amazon Bandcamp
25	Various Artists	Winter Time, Vol. 8	Amazon