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Real Music
have always been synonymous with high-quality,
relaxing New-Age style music, and this CD is
certainly no exception.
It brings
together a collection of fifteen piano pieces from
the label's roster, including an impressive five
previously unreleased tracks. High profile names
such as Kevin Kern, Danny Wright and Michael Hoppé
appear on the CD. Some of the artists are still with
the label over a decade later (most noticeably Kevin
Kern), whilst others have gone their own separate
way. The label seems to have had a slight shift in
focus in recent years, with a nod towards
"Relaxation Music"- aimed at Spas and other such
places.
Happily, the
focus on this CD is on beautiful piano music.
The first track
is a delightful number by popular pianist Danny
Wright. "Time Windows" is a joy to listen to and is
a lovely way to open the CD. Wright plays with great
delicacy, and it is no wonder that he has enjoyed
such success. Twilight's Embrace is another
impressive offering from Kevin Kern, whose career
seems to be going from strength to strength,
especially in Asia! Bernward Koch provides the
listener with the pleasant "Wonderful Glider". Koch
has gone on to produce a superb album for Real
Music, "Walking Through Clouds" (2005) and is well
worth checking out. The German pianist has a style
all of his own. He makes quite a lot of use of
synthesisers, but these enhance their appeal rather
than detracting from them. Paul Machlis's "Buchanan
Mist" is very beautiful, with a very catchy melody.
It brings a Celtic flavour to the CD- and the track
is a very lovely piece. Perhaps my favourite cut on
the CD, is the fifth track, "Gone". A simple title,
but a wonderful track by Jim Chappell. I never tire
of this one.
There are also
contributions from 2002, Brian BecVar, Peter Kater
and Michael Hoppé on the CD. Other highlights of the
CD include Kern's "Sundial Dreams", Hoppé's "The
Unforgetting Heart" and another Paul Machlis
contribution: "Night Blossom".
At over 67
minutes in length, the CD offers wonderful value for
money. Also recommended are two further Real Music
Compilations (not all piano): Touching Beauty and
Infinity, each of which offers several delightful
pieces- some piano.
This is an
excellent CD and is a great way of introducing the
listener to potentially new pianists, from which
they can select the most appealing styles and invest
in the relevant musicians' CDs.
Very highly
recommended!
S.C. |
