Journeyscapes DJ Set: The Top 30 Ambient/Chillout Albums of 2021 (Part 1)

Part 1 of 3 episodes of The Top 30 Ambient/Chillout Albums of 2021.

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM
00:25 / Johan Agebjörn & Mikael Ögren / Static Air / Artefact
04:50 / Mark Dwane / Chalidocean Reimagined / Atlantean Apparitions
09:47 / Rudy Adrian / Starlane / As Dusk Becomes Night
14:44 / David Wright / 0.5au / The Lost Colony
24:03 / Eric Hilton / The Impossible Silence / The Impossible Silence
27:02 / ELEON / We Fly in Dreams / Crossover
31:26 / Jens Buchert / Perlentaucher / Dawnrider
35:45 / Erik Wøllo / Viewpoint / North Star
42:18 / Jeff Pearce / Fading Words for the Frost / In Autumn
50:09 / Sylvain Carel / Here was the Kingdom / Atlantide

Top 10 Tracks for January 2022

	Artist	Track	Album/EP/Single
01	Pangaea Projekt	Northern Lights	Winter Vol. VII
02	Erik Wøllo	Winter Tide, Part 3	Winter Tide: Live at SoundQuest Fest 2021
03	The Great Northern	Winter's Walk	Nocturnes
04	Eguana	Lifeless	Lifeless
05	Seaside Bar	Gruta Azul (Way Back Mix)	Winter Chillout Lounge 2021
06	Eagle	Bright Future	Rogue Planet
07	ELEON	Dark Mocha Dance To Go	Cafe Chill
08	Mars Lasar	Big Sur Skies	Coastal Escape
09	Stephen Peppos	Sun Dancer	Botanical
10	Eguana	Proton Beam	Psychill Blossom, Vol. 2

The Top 30 Ambient/Chillout Albums of 2021

We present to you our annual wrap-up of the top 30 albums of the past year with some of the finest selection of deep space, melodic ambient and chilled electronic excursions that received airplay throughout 2021 on Journeyscapes Radio (on both our 24/7 streaming station and Mixcloud channel). Please stay tuned for three upcoming Mixcloud DJ sets which will be specially dedicated to all the recordings featured below!

 

		Artist	Album/EP
01		Nicholas Gunn	Sound Condition
02		ELEON	Crossover
03		Erik Wøllo	Recurrence
04		Echo Season	Solarmetric
05		Chronotope Project	Gnosis
06		Mark Dwane	Atlantean Apparitions
07		S1gns of L1fe	The Age of Cymatics
08		Lars Leonhard	Spaceflight
09		Erik Wøllo	North Star
10		Jeff Pearce	In Autumn
11		Keith Richie	Epica
12		Johan Agebjörn & Mikael Ögren	Artefact
13		Eric Hilton	The Impossible Silence
14		Martin Stürtzer	Illumination Cycle
15		Jim Ottaway	Threshold of the Universe
16		Byron Metcalf	Rhythms of Remembering
17		Sylvain Carel	Atlantide
18		Tauon	Far Away
19		Rudy Adrian	As Dusk Becomes Night
20		Frore & Shane Morris	Horizon
21		Spacecraft	Evening Star
22		Jens Buchert	Dawnrider
23		Michael L. Rogers	Energy Transformation
24		Jeff Pearce	Hidden Shores/Empty Beach
25		Richard Ross	Ambientopia
26		Max Corbacho	Nocturnes III
27		David Wright	The Lost Colony
28		Kelly David	Illusive
29		Mark Dwane	Earthlings
30		Steve Roach	As It Is

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Arctic Sojourn 4

A winter chill mix to convey a hyperborean sea voyage!

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM
00:20 / Mahoroba / Soft Breeze (On Air Mix) / Winter Chillout Lounge 2017
05:50 / The Great Northern / Winter’s Walk / Nocturnes
12:04 / Seaside Bar / Gruta Azul (Way Back Mix) / Winter Chillout Lounge 2021
17:12 / Johan ten Pas / Daydreaming / Icelandic Dreams
25:24 / The Smooth Commander / Bluezone Lounge (The Bossa Space Cut) / Winter Time Vol. 7
32:01 / Sverre Knut Johansen / Melting Ice / Antarctica
37:21 / Erik Wøllo / Winter Tide, Part 3 / Live at SoundQuest Fest 2021
46:15 / Pangaea Projekt / Northern Lights / Winter Vol. VII
53:20 / Michael L. Rogers / FrostMelt / Energy Transformation

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Stella Maris

An ethereal ambient winterscape featuring sacred female voices! 

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM
00:25 / Richard Souther / Vision (O Euchari In Leta Vita) / Vision
06:22 / Pilgrimage / Ceremony / 9 Songs of Ecstasy
09:40 / Daughters of St. Paul / Mary the Dawn / Stella Maris
13:05 / Mediaeval Baebes / Pater Noster / Prayers of the Rosary
17:14 / Richard Souther / Kyrie / Illumination
20:58 / VocaMe / O ignis Spiritus Paraclitus / Inspiration
25:02 / Sinfonye & Stevie Wishart / Bingen: Zuuenz / Hildegard
30:06 / Kim Cunio & Heather Lee / Caritas abundat / Hildegard Von Bingen: The Sacred Fire
38:12 / Estampie / Materia Mystica: II. Air: Qui sunt hi - O antigui sancti - Aer enim volat - Kyrie / Materia Mystica
41:42 / Jocelyn Montgomery & David Lynch / Gloria Patri / Lux Vivens
44:11 / Poor Clare Sisters Arundel / Ubi Caritas / Light for the World
46:01 / Paul Schwartz / Et Misericordia / State of Grace II: Turning to Peace
50:04 / Divine Works / Interlude II / Soundtrack to the New Millennium
53:10 / Voxfire / Fontis / Fontis

Album Review: Connections by Sherry Finzer

Review by Lissette Cascante

Phoenix-based, classically trained flutist Sherry Finzer has received many accolades and awards for her musical contributions primarily in the relaxation/meditation genre. Her branding encompasses the use of a collection of low flutes, including alto, bass, and contrabass flutes, as well as a variety of Native American-style and world flutes. Often wind instruments are mixed with sacred chants, ethereal sounds, natural and other ethnic arrangements to create her soundscapes. Sherry has recorded, toured, and performed with a variety of accomplished artists whose collaboration has also influenced her unique sound and style. She has released over twenty-seven solo and collaborative albums and numerous singles.

Sherry’s latest solo release, Connections, was inspired by the legendary American flautist Paul Horn who was a pioneer of world and contemporary instrumental music as well as a practitioner of transcendental meditation. Sherry is a firm believer in the power of music to aid in the healing process. Connections is a fitting title for this album given the uncertainty of the current times we are living in; many have suffered isolation, illness or tragedy and are yearning for the support and strength which comes from being able to share and connect with others.

After starting to livestream on the Insight Timer Meditation App in 2020, Sherry began connecting with thousands of fans and followers who shared testimonies of just how much her previous recordings, and her livestreams, were helping them through the grieving process, letting go of stress, improve sleep, or aided in lessening their physical pain. She wanted to share her gratitude and have this recording be about her listeners. All songs on the album were either created in memory of loved ones who have passed, or for someone who currently uses Sherry's music as part of their daily therapy or healing regimen. The flutes used were selected by the participants – each person selecting the flute that resonated with them most.

The album’s seventeen tracks take the listener through a continuum of healing sound and light. The first track “Resilience” serves as the impetus to elevate us to that higher place above our cares, and concerns. The song titles speak to us of familiar comforts like nature, water, new days, blessings, peace, journeying, coming home, connecting, and communing with Spirit. With each subsequent song one can cast off all encumbrances, negative energies, and unhealthy emotions.

Caught up in the gentle whirlwind of her flute sounds and melodies, one feels a sense of release and weightlessness, like a boundless floating experience. The experience is so blissful, like the end of a massage therapy or stretch/cool-down session, you’ll wish, as I did, to remain in that state indefinitely. Perhaps why some listeners say they listen to Sherry’s music 24/7. How wonderful that Sherry chooses to use and to share her musical talents with the world as a channel to bring comfort, relief, and much needed healing.

Connections is the third solo flute release in Sherry Finzer's "Naked Flute" series recorded at The Tank. Her music can be heard under her name as well as her groups Majestica and Evenfall on various international radio programming, international airlines, and overhead music channels.

Besides composing and recording, Sherry is the founder and CEO of the Heart Dance Records label featuring musicians from around the world with a mission of creating music for peace and wellness. She is also founder of the Higher Level Media promotions company, as well as one of the three founding members of the Mindful Music Association. Sherry live streams weekly on the Insight Timer meditation app.

~Lissette Cascante for Journeyscapes Radio

For more information please visit Sherry Finzer's website. Connections is also available at Bandcamp, Amazon, and more.

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Northern Lights 8

A luminous ambient soundscape inspired by the aurora borealis! 

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM
00:25 / Erik Wøllo / Light Among the Shadows / North Star
05:02 / Kevin Braheny & Tim Clark / The Sail of Argo Navis / The Spell
12:03 / Chronotope Project / Eidos, Realm of the Forms / Gnosis
22:02 / Richard Ross / Alpha Particles / Ambientopia
28:57 / David Wright & Carys / Night Tide / Prophecy
35:22 / Kelly David / Distance / Illusive
42:38 / Martin Stürtzer / Sky’s Edge / Illumination Cycle
48:34 / Biome / Occulus / Essence

Album Review: Return of the Star Elders by Lia Scallon

Review by Candice Michelle

Born in Ireland and currently residing in Australia, Lia Scallon is an award-winning composer, producer and singer who’s released several albums through her Sounds of Sirius music label. Additionally, she leads “sacred travels” group tours and workshops that have taken her to enthralling locations around the world including the deserts of the American Southwest, jungles of Mexico, rainforests of Australia, and landscapes of Ireland.

Comprised of 9 compositions spanning just under an hour and 20 minutes, Return of the Star Elders, much like its predecessors, is inspired by Lia's mystical pursuits with an overarching theme of Pleiades and Sirius star-lore.

The album’s line-up of contributing musicians includes Nigel Pegrum (flute, keyboard, percussion and ambient sound sculpture), David Hudson (digeridoo, aboriginal vocals), Kirk Steel (keyboards), Simon McMenamin (violin and viola), Nerace (keyboards), and Ben Hakalitz (drums).

However, the most distinguishable feature throughout is Lia’s soprano vocals which variably conjure images of a fairy godmother singing in the woodlands, to that of an ancient temple Oracle incanting from high on a mountaintop.

Inside the liner notes are references to ancestral legends of diverse cultures and civilizations from antiquity (including those of Greek, Irish, Egyptian, Maya, Polynesian, Native American and Australian Aboriginal peoples), albeit related through the modern lens of theosophical doctrines and ancient astronaut theory, rather than from a scholarly standpoint of these various civilizations’ own mytho-historical origins. Nevertheless, from an aesthetic perspective, Lia’s artful compositions are rich with dazzlingly enchantment that effectively carry the listener away on a peacefully poetic and magical journey to sacred sites and mysterious places of natural wonder across the globe.

Subtle shamanic percussion underlies pieces like “Arrival of the Star Elders” and “Ancient Kachina Wisdom”, on which Lia’s primal-like chants seemingly echo throughout a nocturnal valley beneath a brilliant canopy of stars.

Compositions like “Isle of the Druids” and “Return to Lemuria” weave ethereal invocations and soothing ocean waves into a mist-filled soundscape that perfectly paint an idyllic environment tended to by nymphs, fairies and unicorns.

Listeners are also transported to the Himalayas on “Tibetan Skygods”, the Australian Outback on “Uluru Galactic Portal”, and the jungles of Central America on “Temple of the Maya”.

A mesmerizing audio-visual experience that can be described perhaps as “Constance Demby meets Medwyn Goodall”, Return of the Star Elders is quintessential earth-centered music well-suited for stargazing, spa therapy and communing with nature.

~Candice Michelle for Journeyscapes Radio

For more information please visit the the Sounds of Sirius website. Return of the Star Elders is also available at Amazon, iTunes and more.

Album Review: Gnosis by Chronotope Project

Review by Candice Michelle

Gnosis is the 9th album from Chronotope Project, the recording alias of Oregonian ambient/electronic music composer and cellist, Jeffery Ericson Allen, as well as his 5th release on the Spotted Peccary Music label. Inspired by his love for Greek philosophy and passion for storytelling, Gnosis (meaning “knowledge” in Greek) came as a wonderful surprise to me given my own interest in ancient Greek culture and philosophy.

Spotted Peccary’s resident graphic designer Daniel Pipitone impressively illustrates the sonic essence of the album; his surreal artwork design beautifully adding tangibility to Chronotope Project’s otherworldly musical landscape.

Comprised of 6 compositions spanning approximately 53 minutes, Gnosis seemingly traverses interlaced boundaries of cosmic realms and watery underworlds, wherein the listener’s mind is drawn to philosophical musings about the nature of space and time while simultaneously becoming more deeply immersed in the sensuous, tangible world around.

Guiding our way along this metamorphic musical journey is Chronotope Project’s signature use of the Haken Continuum Fingerboard synthesizer, which the artist uses to create hauntingly emotive melodies that bend and wind with voice-like inflection.

The opening piece, "Higgs Field, Cauldron of Being", unfolds in a gradual succession of repeating sequences, echoing timbres and train-like rhythmic undercurrent, as if spiraling outward from a cosmic cauldron illuminating the heavens. 

 
Drawing inspiration from a Greek mythical river in the underworld of Hades, “Lethe, The River of Forgetfulness” paints a watery abode pierced by starlight with its fusion of fingerboard synthesizer, vintage space elements and pulsing melodic bassline.

Conveying both earthy and cosmic imagery, “Eidos, Realm of the Forms” incorporates crystalline and hollow-like timbres that drift upon a continuous hypnotic propulsion, as the fingerboard synthesizer melody seems to chart its course along the backdrop of a giant interstellar wavelength.

Turning to more heavenly aspirations, “The Still Small Voice” is a poignantly comforting piece that draws upon softly cinematic and minimalist classical influences, conveying a celestial warmth and peaceful melancholy.

I’m particularly drawn to “Entelechy, Emergent Order”, which seemingly transports us to the furthest reaches of space. Slowly emerging from a distance, the piece’s rhythmic figures, droning undercurrent and liquid-like bell tones are encompassed by voice-like shadows that create a hauntingly magnificent soundscape.

Inspired by Plato’s Allegory of the Cave, “Myth of the Cave” brilliantly closes the album with a foreboding sojourn into darkly cinematic minimalism, as if guiding us through a cavernous underworld. Subtle Eastern mystical touches evoke images of the mythical inner earth paradise of Shamballa, as the composition seemingly culminates with an ultimate unveiling of timeless mysteries.

Expanding further upon the impeccable brilliance of Lotus Rising (2018) and Ovum (2017), Jeffrey Ericson Allen’s Chronotope Project has delivered another masterwork with Gnosis that places him in top league among the greatest ambient/electronic music acts of all time!

~Candice Michelle for Journeyscapes Radio


 

Gnosis is available at Spotted Peccary Music, Bandcamp and Amazon.

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Mythic Twilight 5

An ethereal chillout mix inspired by myth & fantasy! 

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM
00:24 / Mark Dwane / Techno Tribes / Earthlings
05:47 / Hideyo Blackmoon / Desert Rose / White Sun
11:52 / ELEON / Shimmering Light / Crossover
17:02 / Amethystium / Arcane Voices / Odonata
20:59 / Australis / Passage / Sentient Genus
25:55 / Vangelis / Echoes / Voices
33:57 / Deep Imagination / Longing for Peace / My Silent Celebration
39:00 / Delerium / Metamorphosis / Semantic Spaces
47:00 / Giuseppe Dio / Flight of the Phoenix / The Phoenix
50:03 / Sylvain Carel / The Golden Doors / Atlantide
57:48 / Deborah Martin / Eye of the Wizard / Eye of the Wizard

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Cave Light 2

An inner space journey into organic / tribal ambient soundworlds!

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM
00:25 / Frore & Shane Morris / Agape (feat. Mark Seelig) / Horizon
10:50 / Jarguna & Ryuzen / Dragon’s Tears / Kitsune
17:05 / Rudy Adrian / Moa Caves / As Dusk Becomes Night
20:35 / Byron Metcalf / Seasons of Shifting Recall (feat. Erik Wøllo) / Rhythms of Remembering
29:10 / Kelly David / Palione / Illusive
38:15 / Brannan Lane / Unknown Origins / Lost Caverns of Thera
42:40 / Chronotope Project / Myth of the Cave / Gnosis
53:45 / Deborah Martin & Jill Haley / Indian Heaven / The Silence of Grace

PGM 306: HAUNTED WORLDS 7

An otherworldly chillscape for All Hallows’ Eve!

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK / ALBUM
00:24 / Delerium / Enchanted / Karma
08:49 / ELEON / Hide and Seek / Crossover
13:29 / Mark Dwane / Dark Fathoms / Atlantean Apparitions
18:30 / Rising Galaxy / Try and Catch the Magic Dragon / Acceleration
24:10 / Erik Wøllo / Crescent Moon / Cinematic
30:39 / Mark Snow & DJ Dado / X-Files Theme (Dado Paranormal Activity Mix) / Pure Moods
34:24 / Enigma / T.N.T. for the Brain (Midnight Man Remix) / Love Sensuality Devotion
40:03 / Keith Richie / Tiny Creatures / Epica
44:05 / Alex Heffes / Going to Rome / The Rite
45:55 / Jim Ottaway / Alien Star / Threshold of the Universe
53:09 / Stan Dart / Magic of Light / Murinsel, Vol. 2

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Deep Skies 2

An ambient space mix for autumntime stargazing!

TIME / ARTIST / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM TITLE
00:00 / Cosmic Replicant / Source Connection / The Waves
08:30 / Jim Ottaway / Infinite Space / Threshold of the Universe
14:55 / Isostatic / Hollow Oak / Woodland Structure
21:05 / Rudy Adrian / Western Wind / As Dusk Becomes Night
25:55 / Richard Ross / Theta Particles / Ambientopia
34:20 / Jeff Pearce / Sudden Light / In Autumn
38:10 / Ambiente Solstice / Atmospheric Phenomenon / Abandoned Peace
42:40 / Erik Wøllo / Nightscape / North Star
47:10 / Forrest Smithson / Caverns in the Sky / The Five Gazes
53:30 / Billy Denk / Dream Sky / Introverse

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Infinite Dreams 6

A lushly chilled electronica mix to convey a waking dream state!

ARTIST / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM TITLE
Frank Borell / Let’s Go Far Away (Ethnocussion Mix) / Best of Del Mar, Vol. 10
Oliver Schlolaut & Frank Doberitz / Missing You (Beauty Vocal Mix) / Best of Chill & Lounge 2017
Giuseppe Dio / Rebirth / The Phoenix
The Starseeds / Parallel Life (Nova Nova Club Mix) / Parallel Life [EP]
Time Traveler / Repeat That Day / Sky Falter
Atlantis / Paradiese II / Logic Trance 2
Artenovum / Dream Away (Deep Moods Chillout Mix) / Offline, Vol. 2
Jean Mare / Ageless (Allmira Enigmatic Mix) / Seven Dreams
Michael L. Rogers / Energy Transformation / Energy Transformation
Delerium / Flatlands / Semantic Spaces
ELEON / Stepping Stones in Time / Crossover

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

Album Review: The Phoenix by Giuseppe Dio

Review by Candice Michelle

Giuseppe Dio is an Italian electronic music composer and photographer who has released several impressive albums ranging from atmospheric space to chill-out trance.

His most recent album, The Phoenix, is named after a mythical firebird that was said to come from paradise and fill the skies with its heavenly voice. According to ancient Greek legend, this creature was associated with the Phoenicians of antiquity, a maritime people inhabiting present-day Lebanon, who spread their empire throughout other parts of the Levant and Mediterranean coastal areas. Perhaps then, it’s more than mere coincidence that Giuseppe has effectively, even intuitively, rekindled the spirit of this mysterious civilization, and possibly even recalled a hidden piece of his own ancestral past through this magically magnificent album.

Drawing upon both vintage and modern electronic music styles across several decades, The Phoenix revisits much of the sonic framework that permeated his 2017 album Lights, Shadows and Colors, once again combining elements of ambient, trance-dance and electronic film score motifs.

Spanning 72 minutes long, The Phoenix is comprised of 18 dynamic compositions that majestically takes off with the first track, “Flight of the Phoenix”. Somewhat reminiscent of Jean-Michel Jarre, whirling cosmic patterns are expressed through melodic sequencing, choral-synths and thundering clouds of percussion.

Imparting a sense of euphoria, the hi-energy “Magic Freedom” ensues with bouncy keyboard notes amid a trance-dance beat, as one might imagine a phoenix flying over a fantasy island paradise.

The sensual yet transcendent “Rebirth” is easily my favorite track on the album, with its soaring lead guitar synths, dreamy vocalizations and encompassing slow-tempo drum-kick casting an imposing and mysterious presence throughout that pleasantly echoes Enigma.

“Long Road” is another magical highlight conveying a theme of both old-world and futuristic fantasy melded together, as a beautiful bell-tone melody is juxtaposed with robotic sequencers amid a fluid trance rhythm.  

Additionally, the dance anthem “Landscapes” showcases a sublimely infectious melody and beat signature evocative of colorful laser lights bouncing around a classic European discotheque.

The mythical phoenix continues to soar on other soul-elevating favorites like “Over the Clouds” in fantastical adventure mode, which is introduced by mechanical bleeps that smoothly progress into an instantly memorable synth-string melody.

Concluding with the positively sublime “Sunday Morning”, shades of Vangelis imbue an epic chill-out soundscape set to a mid-tempo beat, as the phoenix flies away into the distant horizon.

Bearing stylistic similarities throughout to Jean-Michel Jarre, Energy 52 and Orbital, The Phoenix is classic European electronic chill and dance music that could be described as ‘dream trance’. Easily rivaling – if not topping – Lights, Shadows and Colors in terms of compositional arrangement, melodic beauty and the euphoric experience the album offers, The Phoenix is sure to appeal to electronic music fans across multiple generations past, present and future!

~Candice Michelle for Journeyscapes Radio

For more information, please visit Giuseppe Dio's website. The Phoenix is also available at Amazon, Apple Music and more.

Journeyscapes DJ Set: Out Late 5

An afterhours mix of sultry downtempo chill!

ARTIST / TRACK TITLE / ALBUM-EP-SINGLE
Cinematic / Contact (the wide ocean mix) / Winter Time, Vol. 9
Zero Cult & Niska Fitz / Overactive Eyes / Arctic Horses
Eric Hilton / Midnight in Montmarte / The Impossible Silence
Samir Bodhi / Harmony / Stairway to Nirvana
Nicholas Gunn / Broken (feat. Alina Renae) / Sound Condition
Le Voyage / Cool Love (loveletter mix) / Spring Time, Vol. 9
Cocogroove / Sole Del Mar (island beach mix) / Best of Del Mar, Vol. 10
Chilltune / Summer Love (soft bass mix) / Spring Time, Vol. 9
Leo de la Rosa / First Affair (red lounge mix) / First Affair
Jens Buchert / Marvel / Dawnrider
Doug Blair / Dissension / Of Dreams and Fantasy
DJ Maretimo feat. Citrus Jam / Flower (blue ocean cut) / Best of Del Mar, Vol. 9
Villa Dayze / iso Naxos / Hotel Quaranteena

Album Review: Gratitude by The Haiku Project

Review by Lissette Cascante

The Haiku Project is the creation of Henrik Hytteballe, a versatile artist (musician and painter) from Denmark who has composed music for theater, short film, and television. Henrik studied piano at the Alternative Rhythm Conservatory in Copenhagen. He also played in various rock bands in the 1980’s.

Surviving a near fatal traffic accident in 2001 inspired Henrik to start Haiku in 2004, and to release his first album Haiku in 2006 fusing ambient and rock, with a thematic emphasis on facing life’s difficult challenges with renewed hope and courage. Haiku is a form of poetry in the Japanese tradition which Henrik was especially attracted to because of its natural poetic qualities of beauty and simplicity.

Since then, Henrik has produced and released 8 albums in the Haiku series with the last four under “The Haiku Project“ name which are categorically in the ambient/electronic/new age chill genre. The music of Haiku underscores the natural world and all its beauty, grandeur and serenity, and our appreciation of such. The Haiku Project series have been warmly received by many around the globe including, but not limited to, practitioners of the healing and spirituality arts such as yoga and meditation.

In the latest album by The Haiku Project, Gratitude, Henrik’s piano illustrations are again complemented by Olav Madsen’s guitar, with Canberk Ulas sharing talents on the Duduk, and Christophe Luciani on the cello. Synthesizer and electronic beats are skillfully mixed to create a very solid, coalesced musical experience. I enjoyed all the tracks on this album.

Deep intense guitar work and melody in “Choices” introduces us to the first track which seems to deliberately emphasize the importance of choices we make that mark our life’s path and destiny and sets the canvas for the rest of the album.

Duduk and Cello take center stage in “Before Sunset” supported by delicate piano and synth interludes amidst a backdrop of electronic beat and rhythms. A perfect soundtrack for a twilight meditation as one begins to unwind from the receding day.

A hauntingly melancholic guitar in “Another Spring” (my favorite) sweeps you into the season of new beginnings which the Spring season symbolizes for many; another chance to begin again. This lovely piece with its somatic chill-out sensation reminds me a bit of Chicane’s “Offshore" from their album Far From the Maddening Crowds.

“I Receive” with its chilled, resonant piano and guitar, heavenly aura and rhythm crescendo is alluring, while “Rivendell” and “Wide Open Spaces” tell their own stories in pretty and expansive landscapes blanketed in deep, intense melodies and determined pace.

“My Life” dazzles with crystal-clear piano and synth strings and bells in background. Its poignant title urges the listener to pause and reflect on life’s journey. The cello adds a beautiful mystique to this piece.

The clock-like rhythm and melody in “Hummingbirds”, a fusion of acoustics and electronics, seems to remind us of the harmonic humming sound this amazing bird’s wingbeats make in aerodynamic force while flying and hovering to feed. Another wonder of nature.

Another favorite of mine is “Fjords”. Retrospective, introspective, and awesome guitar, piano, drumbeats, synthesizer create an ambiance of adventure and exploration, like witnessing the wondrous glacial formations. “Gratitude” is a lengthier piano-led piece which closes the album with a downtempo, almost bluesy feel, and effectively conveys appreciation for another opportunity to enjoy the beauty in nature and blessing of life.

Gratitude is a lovely, pensive album with a wonderful blend of instruments in evocative arrangements inviting you to close your eyes and let it take you where you want to go. I also think it would be great video music for drone aerial footage of exciting places with majestic scenery. Serene, tranquil, mysterious… it’s the perfect soundtrack for your early morning walk or nature hike, or just to watch the setting sun from wherever you are.

~Lissette Cascante for Journeyscapes Radio

For more information, please visit The Haiku Project's website. Gratitude is also available at Amazon, Apple Music and more.

Album Review: Mirror of Desire by Ananta Govinda

Review by Abdul Yamani

Responding to current times, inspirational Author, Musician, Vedic Science and Bhakti Yoga practitioner, Ananta Govinda, enwrapped himself in his latest project, a fantasy novel Mirror of Desire, and an epic album by the same name. Ananta produced the album as the accompanying music to the first in a trilogy of the novel which he released as an e-Book and in printed form in November of 2020. The eight tracks comprised of all original music are themed around the story’s adventures.

Ananta grew up along the banks of the great Volga River in Russia. His artistic personality was formed at an early age with the encouragement of his father, as he studied the piano and the great classical composers.

“I truly believe that rediscovering our common heritage will help us overcome the tendency to divide and see each other on opposite sides of life” affirms Ananta. In the allegorical storyline of the Mirror of Desire trilogy, dueling wizards compete for access to the mysterious land of the Pyramid. You can read more about Ananta’s fascinating artistic and spiritual journey on his website.

The title track “Mirror of Desire” opens the album with harmonized Sanskrit chants performed by Ananta Govinda. His voice and style are very pleasant to the ear, and somewhat reminiscent of Jon Anderson of the progressive English rock band YES. The song invites the listener to look inward for self-revelation. A sublime ambient guitar is nicely weaved into the fabric of the song by Alex Liapin, the legendary Russian rocker (Sir Paul McCartney, DDT, Aquarium), with many other accomplished artists and music engineers adding their touches in percussion, drums, sax, as well as production and mastering.

Infused with Reggae-style rhythm and chants, the second track “Self-Writing Book” with lyrics on destiny and karma, features reggae hitmakers Indubious, which adds a fun twist to the song while at the same time seems to captivate with consuming sounds and lyrical nudgings. The third track “Golden Goddess” features more world music stars such as Will Calhoun on drums and percussion, Alan Tower on the hung, and John Wubbenhurst on bansuri flute. It is a “prayer for protection” as a beautiful and melodic, quiet singing hymn, expresses the essence of the divine feminine energy.

Beautiful vocals and violin added by Lili Haydn (of Grammy Award-winning band Opium Moon); guitar, flute, Tibetan-style throat singing and deep, flowing Indian rhythms come together to create an introspective and entrancing listening experience on “Mazes of the Mind”, the fourth track on the album.

The enigmatic Indian infusion intensifies as we go deeper into the heart of the album (or story). “Onto the Timelessness” grows in mystery combining strings, operatic vocals, as hypnotic rhythms build suspense. We pass through the gates to discover the mystical “River of Time” which divides the natural reality from the spiritual realm. Vocal textures and improvisations by Pierre Edel, the Voice of France, and the Voice of Russia (both 2014) complement Ananta’s vocals on this piece. Multi-layered textures were created and added by Alex Liapin with saxophone performed by Scott Page (Pink Floyd, Supertramp, Toto).

“Room of Darshan”, a very short piece, features atmospheric guitars, soft sax and string orchestration as in a moment of awe and meditation.

The album closes with “Mantra of ParaDesha”, a beautiful version of the Hare Krishna Mahamantra, with the introductory chant being performed by the Indian Classical singer Gopal Krishna Balaram. It is an engaging and enthralling piece which sweeps the listener in its flowing harmonies and trancelike rhythms.

Mirror of Desire is a beautiful work of art; an interlocking of cultural, spiritual, and artistic aspects through music that transcends life as we perceive it, revealing our true self and connecting us with all things universal.

~Abdul Yamani for Journeyscapes Radio

For more information, please visit Ananta Govinda's website. Mirror of Desire is also available at Amazon, Apple Music, and more.

Album Review: Sound Condition by Nicholas Gunn

Review by Candice Michelle

UK native and veteran composer, producer, arranger and music engineer, Nicholas Gunn, returns with his hotly anticipated third album in the Balearic chill/ambient-trance genre titled Sound Condition. With a professional recording career spanning several decades, Gunn became a household name in the new age/world music scene during the early 1990s, having since evolved and progressed through a myriad of sensuous soundscapes on his many solo and collaborative recordings over the years.

An immediately striking element that sets Sound Condition somewhat apart from Gunn’s prior two chill-out albums is the return of his enchanting flute melodies that became a defining signature hallmark of global fusion albums such as the American Southwest themed Music of the Grand Canyon and the Latin extravaganza Thirty-One Nights. With Sound Condition, Gunn has perfectly re-integrated this old familiar friend into the framework of the ultra-chilled vocal trance stylings (courtesy again of Alina Renae) and sequenced synth-patterns of his newfound musical motifs.

A sensual “Unfolding” introduces the first track, which combines haunting flute and subtle guitar with drifting piano figures. A gradual build-up of hi-hats and trance-loops impart an emotional tension amidst a spacious breath of underlying calm, like deep still waters concealed beneath raging tides.

A euphoric aesthesis descends upon “Shine” which employs encircling piano drops and electric guitar shimmers amid a churning ocean rhythm, effectively evoking a sunny paradise island with birds soaring above the seascape.

Edging up the pace ever slightly more is “Angels”, wherein the familiar vocals of Alina Renae lend their lyrical sultriness to yet another Balearic chill anthem.

Dipping back into a more nocturnal pensive mood, the instrumental title track, “Sound Condition”, slowly rises and falls throughout to a gently cruising pace. Continuing along this vibe while also circling us back to the opening track is the sensually sacred “My Body is a Temple”, one of my favorite pieces on the album. Drifting along a floating dreamscape, the familiar flute returns along with emotive piano and guitar figures, as a stirring sense of passion that’s been seemingly restrained begins to emerge like a flame from a nighttime fog.

Alina returns for the urban-tinged “Broken”, a downtempo clubby track that imparts feelings of longing while lounging to the groove.

“Language” speaks to us in the form of chill-trance waves of intermediary calm and swirling synth blasts. Easing right into the intimate space of “Just Us”, Alina lends a soulful melody to an atmospheric haze.

Continuing with the “Flow”, this mysterious flute-led piece is another favorite of mine wherein crystalline textures illuminate a watery environ like a bioluminescent tide under starlit skies.

Closing out the album with Alina’s final vocal performance, “The Promise” strikes a perfect balance between celebration and serenity.

“Music gives life to everything” as Nicholas Gunn says, and Sound Condition perfectly exemplifies all that music has to offer to the senses, emotions, and boundless imagination. Having spent the earlier part of this year and the summer by Atlantic-Mediterranean shores, likewise the album’s sonic brilliance beckons us like the irresistible call of the sea!

~Candice Michelle for Journeyscapes Radio

For more information, please visit Nicholas Gunn's website. Sound Condition is also available at Amazon, Apple Music and more.