With relaxing, easy grooving, lightly jazzy melodies and dreamy floating soundscapes that may remind listeners of the best of Paul Hardcastle and Jazzmasters, the music of Austrian born ambient/electronica composer/synthesis Stan Dart can be enjoyed by everyone who needs a chillout/time out from this increasingly frenetic world. Yet much of his music comes from a deeply personal place, reflecting on his youth in his hometown of Graz in South Central Austria. One of the city’s

Seaside, an epic 16-track, double CD intricately conceived and executed concept album by composer/musicians Stan Dart (from Austria) and Mark Dorricott (UK), is an ambient electronica masterwork – and one of the most mystical, soulful, dreamy. percussive and lushly produced film scores you’re likely to ever hear. Only there’s no actual film, except in the duo’s imagination as they envision what may have happened during the era between the timeline of the original “Blade Runne

Summer's in full swing - and "Sun's Out"! Keeping the vibrant energy of her recent Billboard Top Ten chart successes flowing, multi-talented pianist/composer Carol Albert penned her breezy, infectious and soulfully optimistic new track as a way to combat the blues of a long, rainy winter in her hometown of Atlanta. Creating the perfect lighthearted soundtrack to summer, the free-flowing, slightly Latin-tinged song is the first of Albert’s to be produced by guitarist and smoot

Full of impactful, insightful, image rich narratives reflecting the music and life journeys of lead singer, songwriter and guitarist Dave Hollier, King Ropes’ Gravity and Friction rolls like a strangely amazing, sonically and lyrically eclectic Americana rock symphony. Backed by a soulful artsy band that includes transcendent touches by his cellist son Sam and the occasional trombone and backing vocal colors of daughter Lucy, Hollier weaves his imaginative tales like a semi-i

On the Bandcamp pages for “Summer Muses” and “MaPaw,” the delightfully trippy, loudly distorted and atmospherically expansive lead singles from Noah Fardon aka Good Service’s debut album Please, the singer/songwriter emphasizes that these tracks were “Mixed Specifically for Headphone Listening.” That’s definitely the best way to experience the subtle nuances and intricate details in the massive wall of sonic energy Fardon surrounds his deep philosophies of life with. From the

One of the keys to writing thoughtful pieces on new age solo piano recordings is understanding the artist’s mindset, intention and inspiration. So with Michael Whalen’s stunning, thoughtfully rendered new collection Cupid Blindfolded: Solo Piano – his first solo piano outing in 20 years – I was excited to learn that the prolific recording artist and two time Emmy winning TV composer posted an insightful “making of video” on his home page. Yet I have to disagree strongly with

Armik’s effortless facility, great success and empowering impact with flamenco guitar these past 25 years might have you believing that he inherits the passionate melodies, complex harmonies and intricate rhythms in direct lineage from his heritage. It’s wonderful to realize instead that transcendent musical soul connections can transcend one’s birth culture. The multi-talented musician and composer – who has scored 32 albums, including 28 Top Tens and three #1’s on the Billb

No matter how close you sit to the stage at the Hollywood Bowl, the serious limitations of the iPhone camera, along with tricky lighting issues, ensure that photos rarely capture the transcendent experience you’re witnessing. Thrilled, over the moon, tickled pink and every other goose pimply cliché about seeing the legendary, practically immortal Tony Bennett live for the first time, I posted a pic on Facebook anyway. I facetiously labeled it “Blurry Tony Bennett.” The respon

Music fans whose passions lie outside the classical realm may have the impression that every time a world class orchestra puts on a work by a major composer, it’s a serious affair best appreciated by those who have a longstanding familiarity with the genre and its centuries of powerful history. While that holds true for most of the presentations on the slate every summer at the Hollywood Bowl, it’s worth noting that there are always a few wonderful outliers that offer a fun,

With the upcoming, highly anticipated release of the James Thomas Band’s latest, perfectly titled album The Loves of My Life and their simmering, heart-tugging new single “Eileen,” the multi-talented, Virginia based soul-blues (with a tinge of country) rocker continues to ride the wave of an inspiring career renaissance. It began in the late 2000s, a few years after the passing of Thomas’ wife of 25 years. Still in a dark place and emotionally distant from his vibrant, earlie

It’s that “pinch me” moment every young singer dreams of – that split second when your childhood idol becomes not only a fan but also your most vocal supporter and encourager. For Presley Tennant, life’s been a surreal whirlwind since Kelly Clarkson spun her chair around 30 seconds into the 16-year-old vocal powerhouse’s rendition of “Stone Cold” during the blind auditions of Season 16 of “The Voice.” Declaring of her fellow judges, “They are insane! That’s Demi Lovato. That’

Back in 2000, in a clever extension of his professional moniker, Dr. Dave called one of his early solo albums The House Call Band. Nearly two decades and numerous Smooth Jazz radio hits later, the multi-talented Southern California based guitarist, composer and producer has taken that catchy concept to the next level, full fruition, rebranding as Dr. Dave & The Housecall Band for his ensemble’s dynamic new album Midnight Daydream. The collection’s first single, the sensual, o