Fiona Joy Hawkins – New Album – Story of Ghosts

"Fiona Joy Hawkins – New Album – Story of Ghosts"

Fiona Joy Hawkins – New Album – Story of Ghosts

Fiona Joy Hawkins – A name that resonates in acoustic music circles as one of this generation’s top contemporary solo piano artists. Having won many awards for her two previous solo piano albums, Fiona is destined to do the same with Story of Ghosts.

Fiona’s third solo piano album takes her fans on an introspective journey reflecting the past year of her life as she deals with its twists and turns (as we all do). The music is provocative and hauntingly beautiful.

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“It’s much more classical and very connected to my roots” says Fiona of this new album. “There’s a lot of emotion in it; that part was challenging. But when I get feedback from my audience saying that I’m touching their lives, and in some way making a difference, that makes it worthwhile.”

Fiona has recorded for only two labels, her own Little Hartley Music for standard recordings, and Blue Coast Records – known for its high quality audio file recordings. Working with producer Cookie Marenco.

“Even CD quality is unsatisfying when you’ve heard DSD or SACD, especially when played on a high-end system” says Fiona.

The release in June 2018 marks the official launch date, the album is now available in high resolution down-load and on streaming channels.

Track list

1. Song for Dunnie [3:35]

2. Story of Angels [4:48]

3. Contemplating (Solo) [5:31]

4. Blue Dream (Solo) [3:12]

5. The Solo Tango [5:11]

6. The White Light [3:35]

7. Story of Ghosts [3:27]

8. Twilight [3:41]

9. Story of Insanity [2:52]

10. Before the Light [5:31]

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Rachel LaFond – New Album – Encounters of the Beautiful Kind

"Rachel LaFond – New Album – Encounters of the Beautiful Kind"

Rachel LaFond – New Album – Encounters of the Beautiful Kind

Come along on a powerful musical journey inspired by Rachel LaFond’s experience, of being a stranger in a new country. New Zealand to be precise where she now calls home.

This beautiful solo Piano Album was recorded in high resolution audio at her home and mastered by the golden ears of Mike Bloemendahl.

The music explores universal human experiences: feelings of loneliness, worries about not being good enough, and the evolution we undergo as existing friendships change or fade while new connections spring to life.

This journey culminates in the realisation that as we bear each other up and connect with one another, we make the world a more beautiful place for all of us.

Rachel LaFond

About Rachel LaFond:

Rachel LaFond is an American composer and pianist who has been steeped in musicality her entire life. Her appreciation of the piano began when she was a toddler as her mother (a piano teacher) played with a young Rachel on her lap. She began formal lessons at age five, and by the time Rachel was eleven, she began teaching lessons herself. She lived in Vienna and studied piano performance there as a teenager, then returned home to major in piano at the University of Washington. After university, she continued to teach and perform professionally, but for years Rachel didn’t realise she had a talent for writing music hidden inside herself until David.

David she had met just weeks ago. Rachel couldn’t stop thinking about him on one rainy autumn afternoon, everything changed. Gazing out the window of her teaching studio, Distraction transformed into inspiration, and by the end of that evening she had finished her first original piece, Loving in the Rain. This first piece stood alone for a while as Rachel got swept up in life’s adventures: Rachel and David got married, quit their jobs, and embarked on a year of long-term travel around the world.

Rachel’s music is inspired by, and engages with, the full depth of human experience. Whether she’s capturing the heady wooziness of falling in love or responding to the chest-cracking pain of Barcelonans who suffered in the terror attack of summer 2017, her pieces are unflinching and compel the listener to lean into the feeling of the song for just a moment more. Rachel’s drive to bring beauty, light, and kindness to dark places through her music lends a striking sense of purpose to her creative work. And she’s just getting started.

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Encounters of the Beautiful Kind, Track Listing;

1. Luminous; 5:30

2. Your Beauty Calls Me; 5:00

3. Heart Full Of Memories; 4:24

4. Tears For Catalunya; 4:31

5. You Will Conquer This Shadow; 4:32

6. Love’s Labour’s Never Lost; 5:08

7. The Questions Your Heart Asks; 4:59

8. Don’t Cry, Calvin; 2:46

9. Unrestrained Joy; 3:40

10. Shout To The Sun; 3:27

11. A Knight’s Journey; 3:22

Encounters of the Beautiful Kind Reviews:

Mainly Piano review by Kathy Parsons:

“Encounters of the Beautiful Kind begins with “Luminous,” a piece that starts out in a quietly reflective mood and gradually builds in intensity and passion, peaking and then becoming more subdued to the end – a great opener!”

https://mainlypiano.com/reviews/rachel-lafond-encounters-of-the-beautiful-kind

Contemporary Fusion Reviews By Dick Metcalf:

“Rachel’s expressive and bold approach to the keyboard wins her high marks from me again… songs like the opener, “Luminous“, will raise your spirit to new heights.”

http://contemporaryfusionreviews.com/bold-expressive-solo-piano-rachel-lafond-encounters-of-the-beautiful-kind/

All recorded in Auckland, New Zealand in Rachel’s home.

Mastering by Mike Bloemendahl

Connect and listen to Rachel LaFond:

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New June Sounds Like Cafe Playlist

"New June Sounds Like Cafe Playlist"

Our New June Sounds Like Cafe Playlist is up for your listening pleasure!

Spotify Link:

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Check out our new line up of tunes in curated tracklist order:

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Nick de la Hoyde, Mirror Mirror (from the single)

Mirror, Mirror reflects Nick’s own insecurities, giving a voice to those who feel they don’t have the power to speak up for themselves.

Nick’s prior releases received immediate adds to Australia’s biggest radio networks such as Southern Cross Austereo, Nova, KIIS and more as well as stateside airplay at numerous Top 40 stations nationally charting several tracks in the top 35 on the Billboard Top 40 Monitor Chart. Nick’s current single, “Hold Me Close” is also building in the UK and has been added in the Best New Pop category on BBC Radio 1, receiving airplay at KISS, Gaydio and various other regional stations. “Mirror Mirror” will launch to radio starting with an Australian Pop and specialty radio plan with stateside and UK campaigns layering into the timeline shortly thereafter. 

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Chris S, High (from the single)

‘High’ is a love song the first release from Australian artist Chris S. It’s about the first moments of new love.

After spending many years as the lead singer in an a cappella group and finishing his contemporary music course at the Institute Of Music, things started to pick up by doing various performances and scoring a first runner-up in the Kick Up The Dust band competition causing a mild controversy as his vocal duo at the time was not technically considered a band, but the judges stated that they were just too damn good not to be awarded a place.

 Teaming up with award-winning songwriters and producers, Chris has been working on new material and is excited to share with you the next chapter of his music. With “High” being his first release, Chris welcomes you all to join him on his musical journey.”

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Joel Leffler, Speed Of Light (from the EP ‘Strip me Bare’)

Following on from his successful EP from 2016 and subsequent instrumental releases and tour. Joel Lefler is back for 2018 with a stunning new EP produced by longtime collaborator and aria winner Peter Holz (Pekin Duk, Gang of Youths)

  1. Did you choose music or did it choose you?

I recently found out that my direct blood line back to the 17thcentury had very strong links to music. They were brought over from Sweden to England to be singers in the Kings Court. In the 18thcentury, there were 5 generations of singers and instrumentalists all of whom performed at one time or another in Westminster Abbey & the London Opera. I think music chose me but I made the choice to embrace it

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Lissa Jayne, Batface Girl (from the EP)

Melbourne based singer-songwriter Lissa Jayne has held a deep-seated love affair with music all her life. Her debut EP containing six beguiling songs with enchanting titles such as Batface Girl, Towns that Make you Bizarre, Damn your Name and That Girl is Gone. “Lisa Jayne sat demurely in her sweet little Lolita dress and bow, with her pretty blonde acoustic and then served us up a love song of her own, laced with metaphor and darkness!” Reviewer.

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Jim Combs

Sensitive Chaos, Missing Vjeo (from the album ‘Walking a Beautiful World’)

Sensitive Chaos is the solo project of producer Jim Combs, with collaborators from around the world.

A core component of Sensitive Chaos compositions is improv, and songs on the albums have their genesis in live performances and recordings. This unique approach has endeared audiences and radio programmers around the world, with airplay across the U.S., Europe, and the U.K., including many “Best Of” nods over the years. Walking a Beautiful World, their 9th album, is an eclectic indie-electro-rock-world-jazz-pop travelogue of Combs’ journey around the world and an ode to the common threads that bind people across different lives and locations.

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Flow, Free Ascent (from the album ‘Flow’)

Fiona Joy Hawkins – aussie Piano Player and vocalist of the group reveals how it came about

“We had all worked together for many years playing on each other’s albums and doing songs together, so it seemed logical to write and record as a group.  It was actually Lawrence Blatt’s idea. He called Jeff Oster and I and we instantly connected with the idea.  Lawrence wanted Will Ackerman to produce the album.  In the past, Will has played guitar on all our albums and in his own right is one hell of an amazing writer and player, so we had a head to head discussion and asked Will to join the group as the W in FLOW.  It stands for Fiona, Lawrence, Oster Will. It was an awesome move because the combination works so well, not just the instruments, but how we write as a team.  Add Tom Eaton (producer, engineer) and Bob’s your uncle !  “

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BiG MERiNO, Black Cockatoos (from the album ‘Suburban Wildlife’)

Sydney-based Alt-Country/ Rock/ Soul band Big Merino just released their newest album Suburban Wildlife.

With influences like: The Rolling Stones, Jackson Browne and Glen Hansard, co-writers Davis and Craig bring their songs to life with a full tone.The album starts up with a deeply sensitive tune called “Black Cockatoos” that is soaring high with free-floating energy. –Skope Mag – USA

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The Sheyana Band, Soul Sister (from the album ‘Big Love’)

The Sheyana Band are master musicians with creating their debut album “Big Love” with toe-tapping head bopping classic Rock grooves paired with beautiful Blues lyrical storytelling. They recently performed at Forth Valley Blues Fest and have supported the likes of Hoodoo Gurus, Neil Finn, Meg Mac, Renee Geyer, Diesel, The Angels, Ian Moss and Bill Chambers.

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Lily

Lily Duval, Down to the Lake (from the single)

Down to the Lake was written as a poem first and then Lily added the music. Lily: ‘I was looking for more of a minor guitar sound and a feel that was a bit ethereal. That’s where Peter Holz came in and put that vibe into the song; he plays this beautiful understated feel.’ Lily describes the song as a little mini film clip – the story of one human reaching out to another.
Previously Lily has digitally released a number of acoustic blues originals to a warm response on Community Radio and online.

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Rachel LaFond

Rachel LaFond, Luminous (From the album ‘Encounters of the Beautiful Kind’)

Rachel LaFond’s music explores universal human experiences: feelings of loneliness, joy, pleasure, pain and the evolution we undergo as an existing relationship  fades while new connections spring to life.

Tell us a little about what a crowd can expect at a live show? My music is always inspired by something, so there is always a story or an experience to share. I tell those stories at my live shows, I think it makes the music even more meaningful in the moment. I pour everything I am into performing my music, so watching me play can be a bit intense and is certainly an engaging experience.”

Favourite artists of all time? There are so many! Ingrid Michaelson, Rachmaninov, Guns ‘n’ Roses, Jason Mraz. Really, I could go on and on, it’s so hard to pick a favourite!”

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Loren Evarts, Home Again – (from the album ‘Home Again’)

Loren Everts newest album Home Again is the 6th original album, of this amazing contemporary pianist. It revisits several pieces previously recorded by Loren in the 1980’s, and eight new ones.

Fave film? Fave Book? Fave place? Fave animal or pet?.”I Loved “The Lord of the Rings” movies. (It was great to visit the filming sites when I was recently in NZ.) I have always loved England, but very much enjoyed an extended visit to Australia several years ago. (Spent 6 weeks touring the country.) Definitely a cat person, but I have 2 border collies.”

Fave food or drink and is there a story associated with that”Pizza! No story there. I’m lucky to live near the pizza capital of the world- New haven, CT. (If you are ever there, try Sally’s on Wooster St.) And I like a good non-IPA beer to go with that.”

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Tom Moore & Sherry Finzer, Sacred Ground (from the album ‘Let there be Light’)

Let There Be Light is the second collaborative album from multi-instrumentalist Tom Moore and award-winning flutist, Sherry Finzer. This album’s music is an expression of a journey, it is about movement not only in our outer life, but equally on the inner plane. The universe is made up of light, which then becomes vibrations and sound. The purpose of this album is to bring ‘light’ to the listener is as many forms as possible.

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Loren Evarts – Home Again

"Loren Evarts – Home Again"

Loren Evarts newest album  Home Again is the 6th original album, of this amazing contemporary pianist. It revisits several pieces previously recorded by Loren in the 1980’s, and eight new ones. It was produced by Grammy award winner Will Ackerman (Windham Hill Records) at his Imaginary Road studio in West River valley, Windham County, Vermont and was engineered by Tom Eaton.

Featuring Grammy-winning artists and Grammy-nominated Artists Eugene Friesen on cello (Paul Winter, Trio  Globo), Rhonda Larson on many types of flutes (Paul Winter, Ventus) and Jeff Haynes on percussion (Pat Metheny, Pete Seeger), bassist Tony Levin (Peter Gabriel and King Crimson).

Besides keyboards, Loren Evarts has been known to perform by singing, trombone, hammered dulcimer and organ.

Loren has performed professionally in the Connecticut area of USA in a variety of musical situations for over 40 years. He has been grateful to have been involved in performances with artists such as Dave Weckl (Chick Corea), Gerry Neiwood (Chuck  Mangione), Everett Silver (Chuck  Mangione), Mike Davis (Rolling Stones), Danny Stiles (Bill Watrous),  Fred Vigdor (Average White Band), Rhonda Larson (Paul Winter Consort).

Tracklisting: 

1. A  Day  on  the  Concord  River

2. Dugong  Dance

3. Far  and  Away

4. Ktaadn

5. Sunset  Island

6. Evensong

7. Home  Again

8. Outermost  House

9. Wedding  at  Sunrise

10. Baker  Lake

11. Nine  Mile  bridge

12. The  Good  Life

Links to music:

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Loren-Evarts-381341318731960/

Offical: http://www.lorenevarts.com/

Joseph L Young – Ethereum

"Joseph L Young – Ethereum"

We are pleased to add this acclaimed album to our featured section –

Ethereum, the acclaimed fourth album from flutist/multi-instrumentalist Joseph L Young, cements his standing as one of the most talented artists in the world fusion/world flute genre on today’s instrumental music scene. Using a wide assortment of flutes from premier flute makers, as well as saxophone, percussion, and keyboards, Young weaves a captivating, immersive tapestry that sweeps the listener up, transporting them to a musical landscape suffused with beauty, mystery, and deep peace—in a word, mesmerizing. Your listeners will fall in love from the first track to the last note.

TRACK LISTING

  1. Wavelength 3:48
  2. Ethereum 4:11
  3. Shimmer 3:26
  4. Boundless 3:27
  5. Illumination 4:39
  6. Past Lives 3:17
  7. Entangled 4:45
  8. Drift 3:43
  9. Free 5:27
  10. Crystal Sunrise 3:28
  11. Flirting with Fireflies 3:36
  12. Sapphire Moon 4:41

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Ethereum has performed superbly on both broadcast and Internet radio. It placed in the Zone Music Reporter Top 100 for seven months, debuting at #6. It reached #1 on One World Music’s Top 100 and was in the top 5 for seven months. Our Radio Place named it as #2 Best Album of 2016. One World Music named it #3 Best New Age Album in the same year. The Global Music Awards awarded Ethereum Triple Silver Medals for Outstanding Achievement: Composer, Instrumentalist, and Album. And the prestigious Indian Summer Music Awards (ISMA) selected the songs “Boundless,” “Ethereum,” and Past Lives” as finalists in the Native Spirit category.

Ethereum is an album of pure bliss; it has a perfect sense of balance in its overall manifestation and creation, the tones are calming, the flutes are Young’s paint brushes and here our artist in residence has demonstrated and exhibited his best works for us to all enjoy. … Joseph L Young and Ethereum, is a must for all who seek a little moment of sanity in a world filled with craziness.

Steve Sheppard/One World Music

http://www.josephlyoung.com

 

 

Fiona Joy – Into the Mist

"Fiona Joy – Into the Mist"

Fiona Joy brings calm, delightful, and visual sensations to her unique compositions on Into the Mist. Performing solo on an 1885 Steinway grand piano, Fiona Joy’s talent is evident in her control of the instrument. This is Fiona’s 2nd solo piano recording on Blue Coast Records and it epitomizes the art of contemporary solo piano in today’s music. Her previous solo piano album, Signature – Solo, achieved critical acclaim by topping ZMR radio charts in 2016 and winning the ZMR award for “Best Solo Piano Album” in 2016. Into the Mist was recorded in the highest digital fidelity possible – a new format called DSD (Direct Stream Digital).

 

“The feel of Into the Mist brings back the wonderful years of Windham Hill, when I could buy an LP with complete confidence that I was going to love it,” – Dr. David W. Robinson, Editor-in-Chief of Positive Feedback

 

Track List:

  1. A Walk in the Park (3:45)
  2. Moon Over the Lotus Pond (3:49)
  3. Opus: Into the Mist (Part 1) (2:18)
  4. Opus: Mist Rising (Part 2) (5:29)
  5. Opus: Mist Before Dawn (Part 3) (3:32)
  6. Through Cloud (4:38)
  7. Feeling Sunshine (2:21)
  8. Grey Sky Morning (3:46)
  9. Galloping (4:12)
  10. The Void (4:10)

 

Social Links:

iTunes: itunes.apple.com/into-the-mist-audiophile

Website: fionajoy.com

YouTube: youtube.com/user/fionajoy

Facebook: facebook.com/fionajoymusic

Twitter: twitter.com/fionajoymusic

 

Kelly Andrew – Rendezvous

"Kelly Andrew – Rendezvous"
Kelly Andrew’s latest album is a veritable showcase of his eclectic versatility in both composing and performing some of today’s finest contemporary instrumental music. Working with the production team of Will Ackerman and Tom Eaton of Imaginary Road Studios, Andrew is joined by a truly stellar cast of talented guest stars. Whether it’s the sexy hot “Chasing Twilight,” the seductive slumber of “Awake in a Dream,” the chill reflection of “Lonely Road,”or the graceful beauty of “Painted Butterfly”, Kelly’s keyboard draws the listener into the soul of the song with warmth and passion. No matter what the tempo, the mood or the style of the individual track, Kelly Andrew treats the listener with his consummate musicianship in this romantic rendezvous.
“Kelly Andrew has taken the canvas of human emotion and painted a picture that turns into a Rembrandt of musical interpretation that you will want to experience more than once. Set up your Rendezvous with Kelly as soon as you can.”
– New Age Music Reviews
“Kelly Andrew, the master of many musical faces has just added a sophisticated contemporary jazz smile courtesy of his latest ultra smooth romantic Rendezvous”
Michael Debbage – MainlyPiano.com
“Rendezvous is a masterpiece of contemporary instrumental music. Kelly sets the bar high with a collection of songs that stand out for their exceptional writing, arranging, and musicianship. Highly recommended!”
Michael Diamond – Music and Media Focus
Track List
  1. Chasing Twilight
  2. Hand In Hand
  3. Painted Butterfly
  4. Awake In A Dream
  5. Rendezvous
  6. Serenade Of The Night Sky
  7. Looking Back
  8. Promise
  9. Lonely Road
  10. Hope

 

Links

kelly-andrew.com

www.facebook.com/OfficialKellyAndrew

twitter.com/kelly_andrew

Steve Rivera – Dividing The Darkness

"Steve Rivera – Dividing The Darkness"

At this point in his ever evolving career, pianist and composer, Steve has taken it to the next level with the release of his stunning new album, “Dividing The Darkness,” To fulfill his creative vision for this project, Steve chose to work with one of the premier new age and contemporary instrumental producers in the world; the Grammy winning founder of the legendary Windham Hill Records, Mr. Will Ackerman. Along with Will’s roster of world-class studio musicians at Imaginary Road Studios, Steve has created an album that has garnered critical acclaim from highly regarded reviewers in the genre, who have described it as having “an astonishing level of sophistication, intensity, and heartfelt emotional expressivity,” In fact, the maestro Ackerman himself refers to the emotional range heard in Steve’s recording as: “a testament to the resilience of the human soul and the power of hope,” And in Steve’s own words: “When one’s talent is realized and pursued in a positive way, its limits may be nonexistent,”

Get the new album available NOW: itunes.apple.com/dividingthedarkness

Tracklist

  1. My Way Home (6:14)
  2. This Ancient Road (5:42)
  3. Help Me to Listen (4:27)
  4. Skyward (5:22)
  5. Beautiful Years (5:03)
  6. So Quickly Gone (feat. Will Ackerman) (4:30)
  7. Delicate Force (5:45)
  8. Valley of Light (3:58)
  9. Skyward Coda (3:47)

Links

Website: steverivera.com
FB: facebook.com/Steve-Rivera-Music

Chris Boscole – Skipping On Daisies

"Chris Boscole – Skipping On Daisies"

‘Skipping On Daisies’ is composed of piano solos that are happy, lyrical, magical, and dreaming, reminiscent of new age and neoclassical mysticism. Thirty years after his first release of ‘Shimmer Solo Piano’ in 1986, ‘Skipping On Daisies’ was performed on a 9′ Steinway Concert Grand and has a warm, spacious sound that soothes the soul and relaxes the mind.
Boscole is a versatile pianist and composer in the neoclassical, new age, jazz, folk, and contemporary instrumental genres. He explores creative relationships between nature, photography, and music through videos and multi-media concerts. Classically trained, Boscole has a Bachelor of Arts in Music from the University of Washington and a Master of Music in Studio Music and Jazz from the Univers ity of Miami, Florida. A Pacific Northwest native, he’s been sailing Hawaii over the past several years and now makes those islands his home.

Popular in radio, his last five solo piano releases have all charted in the top 10 at Zone Music Reporter: A New Age of Classical Piano, Floating on a Melody, Inner Voy ages, Presents of Angels, and O Christmas Tree.

Get the new EP on iTunes now!

itunes.apple.com/ChristopherBoscole

Track List

  1. Skipping On Daisies
  2. Suite Wonder
  3. Three Fairies
  4. Toy Bells
  5. Variation On Chopin Nocturne
  6. Voyage of The Keys
  7. Prayer of Hope
  8. Universe
  9. Princess of Peace
  10. Wonder Suite
  11. Raindrops in A Minor
  12. Procession Of The Angels
  13. Celestial Sailing
  14. Be Happy

 

www.christopherboscole.com
www.facebook.com/Christopher-Boscole
www.youtube.com/ChristopherBoscole