Blue Wolf Reviews

Tag: relax

  • Silver Chord

    Silver Chord

    Soundscapes slowly moving seamlessly into one another, is the trade mark of this digital only release Silver Chord from the talented Michelle Qureshi, a composer who delights and has refined to a high level the art of metaphors and music or music as a metaphor; the perspective is personal to the listener.

    The metaphor is obvious as she uses the chord of life, the chord that is the thread of life, connecting the physical with the metaphysical to form the human spirit, the life force that dwells within every living thing on this earth transposed through the music.

    Recently a journey to the coast and some underwater exploring, followed by Qureshi’s remarkable music, reminds of the essence which is life; to swim deep in the waters is each time a rebirth, a reconnection with Spirit, a reviewing of the small, the large and the majesty that is life given to be enjoyed, lived and shared.

    This delicate album created on electric guitar, with the talented David Helpling contributing with vocals on the introductory piece Voice Upstairs, is a reminder that there is more to life than individual pursuits, that we, each one, is connected to a much higher energy, a higher self, a different place and time in space that is the essential connection to joy and peace.

    As each piece unfolds, becoming one beautiful, relaxing journey, the mind is encouraged to float, relax and slip gently along a pathway of choice, taking one continuous stream or moving into different scenarios as the moods softly changes.

    The eight tracks that make up Silver Chord could also be considered as a metaphor, as in spiritual terms the glyph is considered to represent the dynamic and continuous flow of energy between opposites, creating a perfect balance to bring consciousness into balance and harmony.

    A perfect soundscape to help return a sense of balance and harmony to body and soul. Sublime.

     

  • Leaning Toward Home

    Leaning Toward Home

    Over the past years Holland Philips has released seven albums, Leaning Towards Home being the seventh in the series of relaxing, dreamlike music, many of the pieces being tuned into a vibration that is known to have the ability to settle the mind and enhance relaxation.

    This is no exception, commencing with the gentle dreamy Prelude to a Dance, a piece carefully constructed to enhance the elegance of the piano and the synth in a discrete dance somewhere between happy and sad.

    Roadside Brew immediately brings to mind breaking a long journey with a refreshing drink brewed up on the side of the road, or in one of the many truck-stops along the way; the combination of instruments used offers a glimpse of wide-open spaces, a touch of the unknown, a country flavour.

    Clipping along is Moving Forward in a far quicker rhythm, the change of pace created on digital piano, with a few quirky little side additions evolving with the very clever use of synth, rounding out a delightful piece.

    The signature track Leaning Towards Home is an emotional piece enhanced by the dulcet tones of flute, blending with piano to offer perhaps one of the most relaxing and enchanting pieces on the album. Full Circle follows with a full rich orchestral sound, which is fitting as it offers a completion from leaving to returning and all the places in between on life’s journey.

    The penultimate song Along the Way is a reflective, intriguing composition which after several listens offers many layers to enjoy, offering time spent to reflect, to listen and to learn.

    Bedtime Stories aptly concludes this dreamy, enjoyable album with the vision of being tucked safely up in bed, warm and comfortable, settling to enjoy the peaceful slumbers enhanced by the gentle melodies of Leaning Towards Home.

    Holland Phillips has crafted an album which will appeal on many levels to a wide audience, and one that will offer relaxation, refreshment for the soul and peace for the troubled min; an album which will be enjoyed over and over again.

  • Music for Telecommuting, Vol. 1 & 2: Early Morning / Late Morning

    Music for Telecommuting, Vol. 1 & 2: Early Morning / Late Morning

    Ken Elkinson is a musician with many years of performance and recording experience in his life, having released nine solo albums mainly in the classical, prog-rock and jazz scenes, until recently when he took a step in a very different direction embracing ambient chill electronica aimed directly at the New Age music arena.

    That he and his ambient music has been received to acclaim is not a surprise as it is seriously good, subliminal and seamless music with a variety of applications, not just that of commuting.

    The four volumes that go to make up Music for Telecommuting were crafted to help regular long distance or short distance commuters relax, refresh and move away from the stress of long journeys in congested traffic, aircraft or public transport.

    Broken up into days of the week, both albums begin on Monday and end on Friday offering a logical progression thought out the week, until the final commute on a Friday night when the weekend beckons and true relaxation can begin. The 60 tracks have all been recorded with the use of 8 keyboards and synthesisers, none, as he points out on the inside cover, of which were harmed during recording!

    His sense of levity can be found tucked away within the pieces, adding lightness that is sometimes required, but seldom added to this style of music.  In this case one track segues effortlessly into the next offering the illusion of one long, timeless, seamless piece that is gently in the background working its magic.

    Volume I & 2 offers music for early morning and late evening while Volume 3 & 4 focuses on early afternoon and late afternoon, which if you are a perfectionist or like serious order to your music relaxation is ideal, but for others the blend is unobtrusive, there in the background to bring solace and peace.

    Although the original intent was to sooth the troubled beast at commute, the works have a very broad appeal for yoga, meditation and as background music for a variety of disciplines. Solidly appealing, unobtrusive and relaxing, Ken Elkinson has hit the target area beautifully.

  • Spirit Wheel

    Spirit Wheel

    Imagine, if you will, bathing in a pool of sublime bliss; the beauty of the experience surrounding you, feeling the deep relaxation beginning to permeate your very heart and soul, bringing with it a feeling of joy and pleasure, and you have not left that favourite place, that comfortable chair, that meditation space.

    Bruce Hecksel and Julie Patchouli, otherwise known as the sublime acoustic group, Terra Guitarra have in Spirit Wheel created what surely have to be their most amazingly beautiful album to date.

    Created out of a desperate need to become grounded, Hecksel found that he had been caught up in a cycle of stress and, ‘that the insanity of material culture’ was bringing with it fear, anger and insecurity. He retreated to his music, unintentionally creating what he refers to as a ‘meditative rhythm track, which transported him powerfully inward, back to himself’, and so the basis of this album was formed.

    Each day he created another piece, based in beauty, and as always containing a certain element of relaxation, healing and joy, creating an elixir that needs no prescription, but brings with it the gift of healing.

    The tracks have been named accordingly to the feel of the moment, the element of life. Autumns Breeze is reflective of one of the most majestic periods of the year, when the summer has withdrawn its heat and the gentle relaxing warmth of the earth beginning to settle is felt all around.

    Cloud Caravan offers the feeling of relaxing on a soft cloud, surrounded by a lovely light and yet deep feeling of never ending peace and relaxation. Mountain Lake follows paying tribute to the mysterious nature of mountains and lakes, which in their still majesty and deep depths hold mysteries untold; their pristine nature timeless, pure and unchanged.

    The music comes from a ‘stream-of-consciousness’, the cover of the album created by Hecksel in the form of a mandala is also a beautiful reminder of the everyday gifts of life, each item with its own symbolism, another of his works which now form a component of what he refers to as his ‘series of guitar based paintings’.

    To listen to this album is to enjoy a rare treat in world of spiritual, meditational, new-age relaxation music as it offers something for everyone with the rhythms shifting and changing over several styles and offers nothing other than pure, sublime, medicine for the soul, the heart and the spirit.

    Hecksel says, ‘The music on this album was really just an unplanned surprise’. Thank you so very much, Bruce Hecksel and Julie Patchouli for sharing your surprise.

  • Urban Metta, Vol. 2

    Urban Metta, Vol. 2

    Anaamaly pronounced as Án-o-maly’ means, ‘something that deviates from what is standard, normal, or expected’, is a perspective to be remembered as you drift slowly through the delicate vibration which is Urban Metta II.

    Following on from the successful Urban Metta Vol 1 album, volume II or Um 11, is equally as a captivating, so much so that both albums, although similar in construction and intent, are somewhat different, pleasingly so. If you are after some lengthy meditation or healing relaxation music, using these two albums as a continuous loop would add another dimension to a wonderful, healing experience.

    Created with meditation and yoga as the basis, the music simply flows over the landscape, offering a time to step out, switch off and be refreshed, whether it simply is a little half hour in time or as a bedtime companion on those days when life is nothing more than a series of discordant noises.

    Coming from his background as both a musician and sound technician, Phil Strickland uses his immense and diverse skill base to create a soundscape that offers relaxation as well as empowerment of the body, mind and spirit.

    Classed somewhat as New Age it is far more than that, as it comes into the relaxation genre with the underlying aspect of grounding and emotional impact, which is both refreshing and cleansing. A Zen moment can be assured, along with that catch phrase of ‘mindfulness’ in meditation, as the music encourages an ‘in the moment’, minute or two, as it travels seamlessly onward towards the final track, which as with all good relaxation and meditation pieces, slowly returns to the everyday world, but with a wonderful feeling of peace and joy present.

    Each of the tracks has a specific title which offers a reason for the creation, but as with all music of this genre or ambience, the titles really do not matter, as the intent is to offer a little fillip of escape in an otherwise busy, busy world. But for those of you who enjoy the more structured aspect, titles really can hold some serious significance, adding yet another layer or dimension to the experience.

    As with all of Anaamaly’s works, do not try to over analyse the pieces, simply undertake the easiest option; turn on the music, settle into a comfortable chair, add a glass of something enjoyable and enjoy the journey for what it will bring, hold and offer.

    Perfect, sublime, bliss!

    A Note from Phil Strickland

    For maximum listening pleasure:

     Dear Listener

    Please know that Urban Metta, Vol. 2 was specifically designed to be experienced with hi-fidelity stereo headphones and the SUBPAC S2 or M2 Tactile Bass Systems (visit www.SUBPAC.com to learn more). For the true immersive, vibrational full-body experience, I highly recommend that you use both when listening, if possible. Please contact me if you have questions before purchasing a SUBPAC or stereo headphones.