PGM 214: LOVE POTION 2

A sensual brew of lush ambient & downtempo chill.

No. ARTIST – TRACK
01. Bryan Milton – Only You in My Heart
02. Mythos – Eros
03. Tristeria – I Love You (Dimitra)
04. Lab’s Cloud – A Kiss is the Best Medicine
05. Craig Padilla – Lost in You
06. Gold Lounge – Sahara Mon Amour (2018 Re-Work)
07. Moonlik – Alone with You
08. Charlie Roscoe – Open Heart
09. Thomas Lemmer & Andreas Bach – Embracing Love
10. ELEON – Will Your Heart Dance With Mine
11. Nicholas Gunn – I’ll Always (feat. Alina Renae)

Album Review: Lonely Satellite by Lena Natalia

Lena Natalia is a Chicago-based pianist and composer who initially captured my attention a couple of years ago with her second album entitled Rendezvous in Paris (and follow-up to her debut release, Sundays in Paris). What especially drew me to Lena’s music was her unique brand of ambient-piano and classical minimalism that intriguingly sets her apart from a plethora of comparatively more “contemporary” and “new age” defined piano albums that I’ve heard over the past few years. Comprised of 15 compositions spanning 42 minutes – with all but one piece clocking in at under 4 minutes – Lena’s latest album titled Lonely Satellite further expounds on the subtle direction of last year’s release, Almost Home, with its uniquely processed effects applied to her piano. Utterly transforming Lena's otherwise solo instrumental pieces into duskily atmospheric, multi-tonal soundscapes, I find her compositions deeply affecting and often wistful with an air of reminiscent longing.

From the opening piece, “Ballerina at Night”, we’re met with an instantly memorable melody and Lena’s now-familiar style of interlocking piano figures. One of my favorites, “Munich Train 7H04”, is a shining example of Lena’s ability to imbue her compositions with a sense of haunting nostalgia. Here, as with other pieces, she achieves that by applying an echoing, reverberating effect and underlying rhythmic pulse. On “Lonely Satellite”, mellifluously cascading piano notes seemingly fall all around like raindrops onto an encircling puddle of water – making this an exemplary classical ambient piece of supreme beauty and coy elegance.

Overall keeping in line with a more minimalistic approach, Lena’s music isn’t noted by particularly overt crescendos or musical peaks throughout. Rather, her generally understated yet undeniably intricate compositions tend to beguilingly shimmer like filtered light beneath a watery surface. A musical genius in the realm of modern piano music, I expect Lena Natalia’s star will continue to rise ever-further in its sky! ~Candice Michelle

For more information please visit the artist's website. This album is also available at Amazon, Bandcamp and other retail & streaming platforms.

Album Review: Perihelion by Al Jewer & Andy Mitran

Al Jewer and Andy Mitran are a supremely talented multi-instrumental duo who’ve released a handful albums over the past several years. Having first heard their incredible music via their 2011 landmark album Music of the Earth, I’ve not only followed their work ever since, but have enjoyed witnessing both the musical evolution and stylistic progression over the course of their artistic careers. Likewise, I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Jewer and Mitran, as they shared deeper insight into their work and specifically their latest album entitled Perihelion, which is named after an astronomical point when our earth is closest to the sun during its yearly orbit. For the duo, perihelion also signifies the “burning off of artifice and unconsciousness”, noting its metaphorical parallel to a process of enlightenment.

Blending ambient-world and contemporary instrumental motifs, the duo variably showcase numerous instruments throughout, with Jewer performing on several woodwind and brass instruments while Mitran plays an array of keyboards and global percussion. Guest musicians include Miriam Stockley (vocals), Erik Scott (bass), Michelle Qureshi (acoustic, electric and slide guitar), Sherry Finzer (alto and bass flute), Peter Phippen (shakuhachi), Bob Lizik (bass), Richard Gannaway (bouzouki), Biff Blumfumgagnge (violin), Lisa Downing (piano) and Ian Maksin (cello).

Resulting in a congruous melding of the traditional and old-world with the contemporary and technological, the overall sound feels both earthy and grounded yet dreamlike and transcendental.

Listeners familiar with Erik Scott’s work will immediately recognize his signature bass licks on the opening “Gathering Heart”, a rhythmic and lively piece which effectively signals the starting point of an exciting journey ahead. My absolute favorite piece herein is the more ethno-ambient styled “Awakening”, which employs beautifully hypnotic poly-rhythms consisting of bells, hang, djembes and talking drum. Further topping it off is Peter Phippen on Shakuhachi, a Japanese flute accompanied here by other woodwind instruments. A warmly shimmering piece that I simply never tire of, this one always makes me think of being on an exotic safari and watching the sun set through the trees. The aptly-named “Full Circle” serves as a mesmerizing closure to the album, and also symbolically marks the earth’s completion of its journey around the sun. Intentionally meditative, both Native-style and silver flutes gently lead the piece in tandem with soothing violin amid beautiful bell-tones and electro-atmospherics of which seemingly convey misty twilight imagery.

Notably echoing aspects of the duo’s previous Transmigration and Two Trees albums, their lush soundscapes often paint mental images of either Southwest American deserts or African jungles and wildlife, depending on the piece. Likewise accompanied by stunning cover and inlay artwork depicting earth-space photographs, the album’s images further help to convey an appreciation of nature, culture and human potential that’s seemingly reflected in these pristine musical environments. Another outstanding effort from Al Jewer and Andy Mitran, Perihelion is guaranteed to find much appeal, especially, among many fans of both ambient and world music! ~Candice Michelle

For more information please visit the artist's website. This album is also available on Amazon, iTunes, and other music retailer & streaming platforms.

Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Lena Natalia

We’re excited to present an audio interview with Chicago-based composer Lena Natalia. Possessing a signature sound and style that could be described as ‘minimalist classical meets ambient piano’, she released her fifth album last year titled Lonely Satellite, which was named one of the top 25 albums of 2018 on Journeyscapes. In this segment, we’ll learn more about Lena Natalia, as well as her inspiration for Lonely Satellite. So please tune-in for a casual yet insightful conversation about music, the moon, and her muse!

We’re delighted to present an audio interview with the band 2002, which is comprised of family trio Randy and Pamela Copus along with their daughter Sarah Copus, who is a more recent addition to the lineup. Often described as ‘neoclassical new age’ music, 2002 integrates Celtic harp, ethereal vocals and cinematic orchestration into their enchanting soundscapes. We’ll be discussing their brand new album entitled A World Away as well as highlight Sarah Copus’ recent debut solo album called Moorland Winds. So please tune-in for some conversation, music and a glimpse into A World Away!

Album Review: Lotus Rising by Chronotope Project

Review by Candice Michelle

Following-up the fantastic album Ovum released in 2017, Chronotope Project returns with another stunning release on Spotted Peccary Music titled Lotus Rising. An Oregonian-based electronic music composer and cellist, Jeffery Ericson Allen is the musical architect behind Chronotope Project, with the artist’s latest album drawing upon his thirty-year study and practice of Zen Buddhism. The most recognizable symbol in the Zen tradition, the lotus is a strikingly beautiful flower that only grows in mud, opening its flowers one-by-one in the light of the sun, only to sink back under the murky waters again at night. Comprised of eight compositions spanning nearly an hour, the music tells “the story of an aspirant’s journey of self-actualization on the Buddha Way” and stresses “the importance of the moment”. Likewise, Lotus Rising musically unfolds and transmutes along its captivating course, as if being artfully synchronized to the vivid imagery it evokes of this inspiring phenomenon beheld in nature.

Introducing the album is “Crossing the Great Water” with a rhythmically continuous stream of watery sequencers that are punctuated by extended arcs and tonal stretches of Haken Continuum Fingerboard. An integral component of Chronotope Project's signature sound, the hauntingly mesmerizing quality of this unique instrument often acts as the lead ‘voice’ on these lushly hypnotic soundscapes. Following next is the stunning title piece, “Lotus Rising”, in which the murky depths of the unknown seemingly blossom into an outward unfurling towards the light. Fluidly woven together, the piece gradually evolves with increasing layers in a spiraling motion, eventually culminating in a sound collage of multi-textured, electro-organic luminescence. Also noteworthy is the darker-hued and three-dimensional “Opening the Hand of Thought” with its churning sequenced rhythm, as the occasional dash of chimes seemingly pierce its veil of atmospheric density. Perfectly concluding the album is “Homage to the Three Jewels”, which effectively hybridizes sequenced patterns with subtle world percussion. Seemingly evoking a sense of having embarked on a long sojourn to a faraway hidden place, this subtly-driving piece is further mysteriously illuminated by the distant chants of Buddhist monks.

An avid fan of Chronotope Project ever since having heard the first of Jeffrey Ericson Allen’s four albums released on Spotted Peccary to date, Lotus Rising easily ascends to the top of this artist’s already impeccable body of work. Intensely enthralling and profoundly sensuous, Lotus Rising epitomizes a particular kind of affecting beauty and indescribable depth that can only be achieved via the inspiration and application of an authentic sacred tradition. Arguably one of Spotted Peccary’s finest on the label’s remarkable roster, Lotus Rising is a hypnotic masterpiece of tribal-esque ambient and electronic (inner) space music!

~Candice Michelle for Journeyscapes Radio


 

Lotus Rising is available at Spotted Peccary Music, Bandcamp and Amazon.

Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Al Jewer & Andy Mitran

We’re excited to present an audio interview with Chicago-based recording duo and multi-instrumentalists Al Jewer & Andy Mitran. They’ve just released an album called Perihelion, which features collaborations with several notable musicians in the new age, world and contemporary instrumental genres. We’ll discuss the inspiration behind the album’s concept and metaphorical connection to its astronomical title, as well as play some music and touch on their past releases. So please tune-in for some conversation, fun and a musical journey around the sun!

Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Byron Metcalf

We’re proud to present an audio interview with renowned world percussionist, ambient composer and shamanic practitioner Byron Metcalf. Based in Prescott, Arizona, Byron has an extensive history in the music industry with many albums he’s worked on and recorded to his credit. In this segment, we’ll be discussing his new album entitled Inner Rhythm Meditations Vol. II, which features Norwegian guitarist and electronic music composer Erik Wøllo, along with world flutist Peter Phippen. We’ll also discuss his recent collaboration with Jennifer Grais for an album entitled They Were Here, as well as his other recent works with Erik Wøllo on the albums Earth Luminous and Inner Rhythm Meditations. So please tune-in for some conversation, music and shamanic musings!

Artist Spotlight: An Interview with David Helpling

We’re honored to present an audio interview with ambient/electronic music composer and guitarist David Helpling. Based in San Diego, California, David has released a handful of widely-acclaimed solo and collaborative albums over the years on the Spotted Peccary label, as well as produced works for other recording artists. Some of the highlights in this segment include discussion about David’s recent work with ELEON, who just released his debut album Dreams Beyond Terra on Heart Dance Records. We'll also talk about David’s most recent solo album A Sea Without Memory, as well as his work with fellow Spotted Peccary label mates Jon Jenkins, Sverre Knut Johansen and more! Additionally, we’ll hear a piece by ELEON that David co-produced and performed on, as well as two additional pieces throughout the conversation.

Artist Spotlight: An Interview with Sherry Finzer

We’re excited to debut our first audio interview with renowned flutist, composer and Heart Dance Records label founder, Sherry Finzer. A versatile musician who currently resides in Anthem, Arizona, she’s released several solo and collaborative albums, with her signature style spanning ambient, world, new age and contemporary instrumental musical genres. In this enjoyable segment, we’ll learn more about Sherry Finzer, as we delve into her musical background, discuss current projects and various collaborations, as well as play some of her music!

Sherry Finzer's music is available at Amazon, Bandcamp and other music retailers.

Album Review: A World Away by 2002

2002 began as the husband/wife duo of Randy and Pamela Copus who released their widely successful debut album Wings in 1992. Initially making their mark on the scene with a traditionally ‘new age’ style in the vein of Herb Ernst or Liquid Mind, the band gradually evolved over the years to adopt more symphonic and neoclassical signatures, such as on their notable 2000 release River of Stars, which employed classical strings and wordless ethereal vocal layers reminiscent of Enya. Evolving ever still, 2002 started incorporating gentle progressive rock elements (as heard on their 2012 album Believe) with Randy’s lyrical-vocal style impressively recalling that of Jon Anderson’s. By the time their 2014 album Trail of Dreams rolled around, Randy and Pamela’s daughter Sarah Copus had joined the line-up as lead vocalist, officially becoming the band’s third member. Comprised of ten alluring compositions, 2002’s latest album entitled A World Away is themed around a cosmic love story of kindred spirits traveling together among different worlds and time periods, becoming lost along the way until eventually reuniting, as if the music were playing out like the soundtrack to a fantasy romance novel. Together the trio not only provide vocals, but play a variety of Celtic, classical and acoustic instruments plus keyboards/synthesizers.

From the opening piece “Dream of Life” the listener is seemingly swept up on a magical night-flight guided by the song’s choral-pop vocal arrangement, which is feathered among a richly cinematic soundscape likewise mirrored on other compositions such as “Butterfly”, “Stars and Moon” and “Strings of Your Heart”. One of my favorite pieces is “Finding You”, which unfolds like a Celtic lullaby with its tender harp and gentle guitar. Randy’s progressive rock influences are especially noted on “To Live Again”, which he beautifully sings to a gentle arrangement of piano and symphony. “Memory of Tomorrow” is perhaps the ultimate highlight for me; the most haunting piece on the album due to its mysterious, minor key affections along the way, it enchantingly lulls the listener into a dreamlike haze.



Collectively, the lyrical vocal portions on this album are somewhat reminiscent of the male/female ‘new age’ music duo Llewellyn of whom I’m also a longtime fan. Additionally, the gorgeous CD booklet includes the songs’ inspiringly romantic and celestially poetic lyrics accompanied by stunning fantasy-nature artwork. Overall sweet and sparkling yet rich in depth, A World Away is, unsurprisingly, another top-notch album from 2002 that will likely appeal to fans of Enya, Llewellyn and Jon Anderson, as well as lovers of Celtic, ethereal and fantasy music! ~Candice Michelle

Available at Amazon and other music retail & streaming platforms. For more information please visit the artist's website.

Album Review: White Sun III by White Sun

White Sun is a California-based musical trio comprised of television and film composer Adam Berry, Gurujas Khalsa and Harijiiwan Khalsa. The band’s previous album entitled White Sun II was one of my favorite vocal/world releases of 2016 with its exquisite musical blend of east-meets-west that showcased Gurujas’ stunning ethereal vocal arrangements. Since their self-titled debut release in 2015, White Sun has organically evolved their sound with each successive album – and their newest installment entitled White Sun III is already proving to be my favorite release from this band thus far. A double-album comprised of twenty-three prepossessing compositions, White Sun returns with their signature ensemble of Gurujas on vocals, Harijiwan on gong and multi-instrumentalist Adam Berry on bass, guitar and synthesizer. Other musicians joining the trio on various tracks provide additional instruments such as fiddle, guitar, kora, tablas and other world-percussive elements. Following along a musical path carved out by Deva Premal in the late 1990’s (and shortly thereafter Rasa in the early 2000’s) White Sun likewise creates enchanting melodies from heartfelt mantras which are accompanied by gentle atmospheric arrangements – all while pushing new boundaries and establishing a clear musical identity of their own. Though often lending an orchestrally cinematic touch to the compositions, White Sun never once ventures off into overelaborate spectacles of musical excesses. Rather, their sound always retains a simplistic beauty about it that allows for plenty of breathing room – and as such – effectively transfers a relaxing and rejuvenating effect upon the listener.

One of my favorite pieces herein is “Wah Yantee One”, which imparts a velvety atmosphere around Gurujas’ layered and reverberating voice. In fact, on several pieces the infusion of delicate classical strings and ethereally echoing vocal layers somewhat resembles an Enya-esque soundscape – albeit laced with Indian rather than Celtic overtones. Another pristine highlight is “Mere Lal Jio”, which atmospherically recalls Sheila Chandra or Lisa Gerrard with its haunting vocal intonations and shadowy minimal soundscape. In a complimentary contrast, “Ram Ram” gets a nice groove going with its emphasis on Indian tablas, swirly guitar accents and catchy vocal melody.

Ethereal yet earthy and always heavenly blissful, White Sun III is an impressively beautiful, nurturing and comforting album which is certain to further grow the devoted listener following that White Sun has already garnered in just a couple of years! ~Candice Michelle

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

Album Review: Dreams Beyond Terra by ELEON

Dreams Beyond Terra is the debut album from electronica recording artist ELEON who co-produced this project with guitarist and ambient musician David Helpling. Comprised of twelve engrossing compositions, Dreams Beyond Terra is a sonically epic and soulfully elevating listening excursion into euphoric ‘chill’ and downtempo-trance. Likewise, some cuts feature Helpling on electric guitar, which he ethereally weaves into these lushly majestic soundscapes.

Sounding off this fantastical journey is “Species Communicating”, a piece that immediately conveys a rapturous sense of travel by flight with its pronounced bassline and steady trance-dance rhythm. Seemingly unbounded by any specific locality, it’s as if one is viewing oceans and landscapes while soaring high above the earth. Moving next into “Terra Sanctuary”, breathy vocal intonations add another element of intrigue to what could be described as a ‘chill-trance’ anthem. Tracks like “Carbon Beings” and “Bionic Travelers” employ the kinds of digital sequencing and heavy downtempo beats that often characterize ‘psybient’ music, except that the overall mood here tends to the more euphoric and extrospective as opposed to the psychedelic and introspective. My favorite composition herein is the mesmerizingly beautiful “Earth to Heavenly Places”, with its title perfectly summarizing the overall feel of the album. Sensually trippy and fantasy-like, softly-uttered female vocals lightly scattered among the piece lends it an extra dimension of mystifying intrigue. “Will Your Heart Dance with Mine” is the most subdued and light-bodied track on the album, with its subtle rhythm and ethereal synth-pads conveying a floating airiness that pleasantly recalls some material from Bryan Carrigan’s Inspired album.



Integrating trance, downtempo and ambient musical concepts for an end-result that will appeal to a wide-range of electronic music lovers, Dreams Beyond Terra easily makes the short-list for this year’s finest electronica albums! ~Candice Michelle



Available at Amazon, Bandcamp and other music retail & streaming platforms.

Album Review: Colors of the Ambient Sky by David Arkenstone

David Arkenstone is unquestionably one of the most important and versatile recording artists in “new age” and related genres of music – having released over 60 studio albums over three decades. Very few musicians have so profoundly mastered the plethora of styles that Arkenstone has – his musical endeavors encompassing everything from classic 80’s-style “new age” – to ambient, electronica, cinematic, neoclassical, world, pop and soundtrack music. If I were asked to name my favorite Arkenstone album, his 2010 magnum opus, Ambient World, would be in the top-running for that title. And that’s way I’m ecstatic to announce that his latest release, titled Colors of the Ambient Sky, is like Ambient World’s long-awaited sequel that I’d be yearning for, yet which I thought would never arrive. Comprised of 9 compositions spanning 47 minutes, Colors of the Ambient Sky is a stunning sonic venture into the best that ambient, downtempo and chill-trance music have to offer – all composed in Arkenstone’s unmistakably familiar style.

The spellbinding first track, “Parallel World”, opens with deep space drones before transitioning into signature Arkenstone ambient territory. A keyboard figure enters that feels equal parts Tangerine Dream and Patrick O’Hearn, followed by a bouncy chill-trance rhythm. Right away, this cut signals that Arkenstone has picked up – with ease – right where his landmark Ambient World album left off. “Red Sun” opens with sequenced bells over synth pads that soon lead into a serene meditation before a slow groove appears. There’s also a beautiful section in this piece where the rhythm disappears for a moment – hence, seemingly no one can create musical drama like Arkenstone. Although “Starlight, Starbright” may bring-to-mind a children’s nursery song, on this album, the third track that bears this title is a sensually gorgeous and moody composition, which encompasses different eras of electronic, ambient and space music. Throughout, lonely piano notes hover amid mesmerizing chords and a sexy downtempo rhythm, while a keyboard solo at the end of the piece is an exercise in beautiful restraint.

“Darkness Descending” majestically lives up to its title, as one can easily envision the stars appearing one-by-one in the encroaching night sky in tandem with the pulsating sequencer patterns that Arkenstone begins the song with. Blissfully reminiscent of the music of Carbon Based Lifeforms, this composition’s main pattern of notes never disappears, as additional layers are brought in, which are set to a hypnotic ambient-trance rhythm. Where this track has us looking upon descending darkness, the next one, “Rainbow Galaxy”, is a truly multi-colored piece of music. Here, synth figures move back-and-forth in the stereo field, as a slow groove supplies a beautiful backdrop for glittering, dance-like chords. “Blue Lightning” conveys a great mystery, as if one is contemplating the vastness of space and time. I can almost detect a touch of old-school Depeche Mode in this piece, as percolating bass brings us back to earth just in time for an instant chill-trance beat.

“Lonely Satellite” is perhaps the most visually evocative piece on the album and aptly conveys a solitary satellite floating high above earth while listening. Unlike the other tracks herein, there’s no rhythm on this free-floating composition – just beautifully drifting spaces and subtle melodic keyboards. The somewhat foreboding “Visitors” – of which its title might suggest extraterrestrial visitation – starts off with a most haunting synth pattern along with what sounds like gentle rain in the background. One of my favorites on the album, the strong element of mystery is certainly palpable in this song, as a hypnotic beat propels it into new territory. The final track, “Ascension”, begins with a classic new age choral feel – ala Constance Demby or Vangelis – before a sequenced series of notes introduces the main rhythm and melodic theme. As the title implies, it’s an uplifting song, yet nevertheless retains the mysterious mood that Arkenstone has created throughout the previous compositions. The song seemingly concludes with a musical question mark conveyed by its closing chords floating in the air, unresolved.

A brilliant sonic masterpiece from start to finish, Colors of the Ambient Sky easily places in the running for the top album of the year. Likewise, an essential traveling companion due to its addictive juxtaposition of simultaneously relaxing and rhythmic elements, I’ve found that not since the release of Enigma’s The Fall of a Rebel Angel have I listened to an album this often while driving. Not only is Colors of the Ambient Sky an absolute must-have for fans of David Arkenstone, but fans of Enigma and Carbon Based Lifeforms – as well as ambient-electronica and chill-trance in general – are especially likely to relish this album! ~Candice Michelle  

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

Album Review: Tranquility by Ambiscend

Ambiscend is the recording alias of Texas-based electronic music composer Darren Rogers, who’s previously released several albums ranging from ambient-space to new age. Comprised of five compositions spanning approximately eight to ten minutes each, Darren’s latest album, titled Tranquility, occupies a serene sweet-spot between the two styles, as subtly melodic synthesized textures are enhanced throughout by field recordings of ocean waves and nocturnal forest environments.

The album opens with the aptly-named and beautiful piece, “Time of Tranquility”, which is characterized by subtle major-key transitions comprised of metallic shimmers that seemingly evoke a blue sky streaked by cirrostratus clouds. Spanning a little under ten minutes, the composition is slightly reminiscent of the music of Deuter or Liquid Mind, as accompanying sounds of glassy chimes and singing birds enhance its lulling atmospheric tranquility. “Floating Enchantment” follows along a similar path with slowly-shifting synthesized tones, although this time accompanied by the nocturnal sounds of chirping crickets and gentle ocean waves that aptly convey a scenic nightfall. The tantalizing and mysterious, “Earth Sings its Song”, is easily my favorite – clocking in at ten minutes even. Here, shimmering swells and rolling waves allude to an underwater paradise that pleasantly reminds me of music from the album Journey to Atlantis by Kevin Kendle and Llewellyn. “The Night is Calling” continues with cascading waters washing upon glistening tones – until finally concluding with “Earth’s Bedtime”, on which chirping crickets return to the dreamy accompaniment of celestial chords and sparsely-spaced wind chimes.

An essential relaxation album, Tranquility would make a perfect aural accompaniment to massage, healing baths or other spa therapies, and easily joins the ranks of other top-notch contemporaries in the field! ~Candice Michelle



Available at Amazon and Bandcamp.