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Real Music Corporate LogoVisionary new age music for nourishing and rejuvenating body, mind and spirit

Daytime Dreamer

Daytime Dreamer by Omar Akram

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Daytime Dreamer - Omar Akram

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After copping a Grammy for his third record Echoes of Love, Omar is back with a full-on sonic assault to make sure he does it again. Not exactly pop, he does turn it up a notch loading the new age deck with pop and jazz smarts, keeping it buoyant, upbeat and winkingly sassy.” —Chris Spector, Midwest Record

After celebrating his 2012 Grammy-winning Echoes of Love, Omar softens the mood to serenade us with the romantic melodies of Daytime Dreamer. Featuring six brand new tracks and five previously released selections, the familiar splashes of Omar's signature world textures (oud, duduk, violin and guitar) weave back and forth in a sublime dance with his exquisite piano compositions.

Watch the video for “The Promise”
Music for:
Rejuvenation
Stress Relief
Instrumentation:
piano
keyboards
oud
duduk
violin
guitar
viola
percussion

Tracks

1. Downpour 4:14
5
Average: 5 (2 votes)
2. Dancing With the Wind (Free as a Bird) 4:53
5
Average: 5 (2 votes)
3. Searching 3:58
5
Average: 5 (2 votes)
4. Surrender (Free as a Bird) 6:42
5
Average: 5 (2 votes)
5. Passage Into Midnight (Free As a Bird) 4:23
5
Average: 5 (2 votes)
6. Daytime Dreamer 3:34
5
Average: 5 (2 votes)
7. Love of My Heart 3:43
5
Average: 5 (2 votes)
8. The Promise 4:31
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
9. Morning Rain (Opal Fire) 3:53
5
Average: 5 (1 vote)
10. Last Dance (Opal Fire) 5:04
5
Average: 5 (2 votes)
11. My Desire 3:30
5
Average: 5 (2 votes)

More Music By This Artist

Grammy Winning Artist Omar Akram - Echoes of Love
Secret Journey by Grammy Winning pianist Omar Akram
Grammy Winning Omar Akram - Free As A Bird
Opal Fire by Grammy Winning artist Omar Akram

Reviews for Daytime Dreamer

Average Rating:
5
Daytime dreamer This is a CD to be cherished!! Heavenly
by Susan Sansalone on Wednesday, October 9th 2013
5
I am absolutely in awe of Omar Akram music. I have been raised with music my whole life and a musician and songwriter myself and I feel like the heavens open up when this man plays. I have all his albums and the passion in every piece is fabulous!!! He is a genius and I am so thankful I found this artist and the talent and people of Real Music who help make this happen. I appreciate all of you so much!!! You are a wonderful team!

Press Acclaim

James McQuiston
NeuFutur Magazine

“Downpour” opens up Daytime Dreamer, and it provides listeners with a tremendously dynamic and up tempo feel. While there are not vocals present, the piano line that Akram lays down provides a considerable amount of narrative.  The track taps out at a hair over four minutes and leads into “Dancing with the Wind.” “Dancing with the Wind” is a softer and more introspective effort, where Akram delves into the corpus of classic music and spins it into something that is current and contemporary. A wide array of instruments and sounds make this into a must-listen. “Surrender” is the longest effort on Daytime Dreamer; the added run time of this effort provides Akram with ample opportunity to create a detailed and immersive environment.  While the track can be enjoyed as a single cohesive entity, the slight shifts and modifications that Akram makes throughout the track ensures that the end of  “Surrender” is a much different beast that its beginning.
 
“Passage Into Midnight” is a blend of neo-classical and tropical rhythms, ushering in Daytime Dreamer’s second half. During efforts like “The Promise,” “Last, Dance,” and the ultimate effort, “My Desire,” Akram shows listeners that he is not content to rest on his laurels. “Last Dance” has a bit of Spanish influence play at the top of the track, while hints of raw passion and emotionality come forth before the track ends.
 
“My Desire” is a track that operates as a definitive closing to a complex and cohesive album, but contains enough twists and turns that listeners will begin to wonder what will follow from Akram.
 
Top Tracks: “Dancing with the Wind,” “Passage Into Midnight”
Rating: 8.6/10

Jonathan Widran
Rovi

As testament to the beauty that Omar Akram has brought to contemporary instrumental music (via an easily rhythmic, gently exotic vibe that crosses over effortlessly between world music and new age), fans across the world have created over 50 homemade YouTube videos using personal images to illustrate tracks from his Real Music catalog — which starts with 2002's Opal Fire, recorded under his first name. The packaging gives away some of the inspiration of the romantic journey on Echoes of Love: he was recently married and wrote many of the songs in the months before he became a first-time father. The 12 intimate yet often sweeping tracks clearly reflect a joyful honeymoon period full of romping adventures and quiet reflections on the beauty of it all. That's the key to everything with this intensely melodic composer and performer: beauty. Akram expresses his emotions as a co-writer with keyboardist and album producer (and longtime collaborator) Gregg Karukas. He keeps the piano front and center, but surrounds himself with an ensemble that enhances his core sound with flute, synth atmospheres, hypnotic percussion, chanting, acoustic guitar, and violin. Guests on the journey include Charlie Bisharat, Ramón Stagnaro, Mark Hollingsworth, and Brian Kilgore. Highlights include seductive and sensual pieces like the title track and "Take My Hand" (featuring a gentle piano violin duet with Bisharat over Stagnaro's lovely acoustic guitar harmonies). Two titles that capture the feeling of the whole set are "Free Spirit," which builds emotion via interaction between Akram, Stagnaro, and Hollingsworth's dynamic flute, and the film score lush "My Hope Is You," a showcase for Akram and Bisharat that is sweeping new age piano magic at its finest. Akram makes a soft commentary on a world in turmoil by calling another prayer-like tune "Cry for Love." He closes with "Merry," a tune written for his wife that marks his first ever recorded solo piano composition. It marks a beautiful ending to a charming, heartfelt musical experience.

NewAgeMusic.info

Daytime dreaming is usually a relaxing and healthy hobby. Daytime Dreamer is also the name of Omar Akram's new album, released by Real Music. The follow-up to last year's Grammy winning album is a masterful fusion of sound, proving once more that Omar Akram is THE name to follow in New Age music today. We are lucky to have him in our genre.

Perhaps it is wrong to say new about an artist who has been active for over 10 years (and who will be pushing 50 in a few years), but at the moment New Age music is still heavily influenced by artists that debuted in the 1970s and 80s. That is OK of course, but we desperately need artists that can develop the genre further. One artist that is up for the job is the Afghan-American, New York [born] Omar Akram.

Fresh Interpretations

Daytime Dreamer is his fifth album. At first listen it might seem like an album for contemplation and, yes, daytime dreaming. But hidden within each track are intertwining melodies and a remarkable international approach to New Age music. His use of instruments from the Middle East are a very welcome addition. Omar's firm grip on harmonies, synth and piano arrangements are just as impressive.

At this point it feels tempting to compare him to David Lanz, George Winston and Peter Kater. But why compare? Omar Akram is finding his own way.

A good example of Akram's style is the title track. The gentle, bright piano and synth, violin and Middle Eastern guitar, create a mix that is as refined as it is beautiful. My favorite track is the last one, called My Desire. The deep bass, the rhythm and the sharp piano make a dynamical trio, rounding up the album on a high note. Even the lush synth pad can't take away the wonderful acoustic sound.

Daytime Dreamer is without a doubt one of this year's best albums, and an impressive follow-up to Omar Akram's Grammy winning album Echoes of Love. It is complete in every way.

Deep down I guess we all are daytime dreamers. Omar Akram has given us a soundtrack to those dreams.

Robert Silverstein
mwe3.com

One of the reasons New Age music took off so big over the past 30 years has been in part due to the unrelenting pace at which we all live nowadays. For music lovers, artists and music business people who can remember back to the dawn of the digital age, at the start of 1984, the CD brought the recorded sound of New Age instrumental music to a higher level, especially noticeable with the rise of Windham Hill Records in the early to mid 1980s. One label continuing onwards as leaders of the New Age instrumental movement is Real Music and they have another winner on their hands with the 2013 CD release of Daytime Dreamer by composer / keyboard player Omar Akram. Deceptively simple in its scope and depth, Daytime Dream lulls you in with its sumptuous soundscapes and easy on the ears melodies. Some may call it background music but others will actually find their blood pressure lowered as a result of simply sitting down and listening to Omar’s latest CD masterpiece. You can blissfully listen, keep it on in the background as you work or even talk or write, but your train of thought will not be derailed as a result of spending time with Daytime Dreamer. Several key audio contributors are featured as well including David Arana (synths, arranging) Ramon Stagnaro (guitars) and Gregg Karukas (drums, programming). Daytime Dreamer tastefully showcases Omar Akram and his magical, mysterious New Age instrumental music grooves.

Kathy Parsons
MainlyPiano.com

Daytime Dreamer is the fifth Real Music release from Omar Akram and the follow-up to his 2012 Grammy-winning Echoes of Love. Performing on piano, keyboards and synthesizers, Omar is joined by an impressive roster of supporting musicians that includes David Arana, Pedro Eustache, Ramon Stagnaro, Charlie Bisharat, and Gregg Karukas. As the title implies, this music is warm and dreamy, sometimes gently flowing and sometimes a bit more upbeat and lively. Six of the eleven tracks are new, and five are previously released. Having grown up in places all over the world, Omar has always taken a world-music approach to his compositions in both instrumentation and by utilizing a variety of cultural styles. Those exotic influences don’t seem as strong on Daytime Dreamer, but passion, romance, and some really fine music abound. 

Daytime Dreamer begins with “Downpour,” a piano-based piece with a strong beat and feelings of excitement — a great start! “Dancing With the Wind” is spirited and joyful, and features piano, violin (Bisharat), guitar (Stagnaro), and percussion. “Surrender” begins with exotic voices and a soulful duduk (an ancient Middle Eastern woodwind instrument), gradually adding piano and keyboard, violin, and guitar — a beauty and one of my favorites. “Passage Into Midnight” begins as a lovely, bittersweet duet for piano and guitar, gathering momentum as it evolves and becoming a rhythmic Latin dance that showcases Bisharat’s energetic violin. The title track is a sweetly hypnotic piece for piano, oud (similar to a lute), and keyboards. “Love Of My Heart” expresses passion and tenderness with sensual piano and strings. Gentle as a whisper, “The Promise” features violin (Drew Tretick) and piano backed with pastel keyboard washes — graceful and wistful. “Morning Rain” was one of my favorites from Opal Fire, so it’s great to know it will be more widely-heard this time around. Light and carefree, it’s a favorite all over again. I also dearly love “Last Dance” (from the same album) with its infectious rhythms and intoxicating spirit. Great stuff!! “My Desire” closes the album with a passionate slow dance that is magical and romantic. 

As a Grammy winner, I’m sure Omar Akram will be held to a new standard, and Daytime Dreamer does not disappoint.

Chris Spector
Midwest Record

After copping a Grammy for his third record Echoes of Love, Omar is back with a full-on sonic assault to make sure he does it again. Not exactly pop, he does turn it up a notch loading the new age deck with pop and jazz smarts, keeping it buoyant, upbeat and winkingly sassy. This isn’t massage or healing music, this is listening music that anyone with a jazz lite bone in their body will love. Check it out.
 

Michael Foster
Ambient Visions

Omar Akram's 5th album Daytime Dreamer is due out in September 2013 and once again he presents us with a wonderfully diverse palette of compositions ranging from the tender romantic song “Love of My Heart” to the Spanish tinged “Last Dance.” Omar is not one to relax after winning the Grammy for Best New Age Album at the 2012 Grammy ceremonies, but instead follows Echoes of Love with another great album the very next year. Omar's musical sensibilities have allowed him to create music that touches a variety of emotions in the listeners that have discovered his albums over the past eleven years and with each new album he seems to hone those sensibilities to a very sharp razor's edge.
 
While I would not classify all of the music that is found on Daytime Dreamer as soft and gentle love songs, I would say that romance and love are ultimately behind each of the compositions on this new album.  The music sets the stage, the lights go down and the listener finds themselves being wooed by Omar's melodic piano playing that immediately conveys a sense of tenderness and an intimacy with each and every note.
 
Shakespeare once said "the course of true love never did run smooth" and at times I feel that Omar's music speaks to those times when his compositions turn a little reflective as he looks at what it takes to make a relationship endure through all of the good and bad times that will come up against a long term love.  His music covers the gamut on this album from the celebratory song called a “Downpour” to the introspective song called “The Promise.”
 
Omar has discovered how to convey an emotional message with each of his compositions and he opens his heart to the listener and reveals all the truths that can be found there in each of his songs.  In the final analysis his music comes from a personal place deep within and that is what makes his music so compelling as you listen. It also helps that Omar has surrounded himself with musicians who complement his piano/synthesizer playing with instruments that become part of the tapestry that Omar is weaving. Omar has proven time and time again that he is a consummate pianist who can skillfully bring his compositions to life.
 
Daytime Dreamer is a fitting follow up to the Grammy award winning Echoes of Love and will in and of itself garner even more acclaim for Omar's keyboard playing and for his songs that routinely throw open the shutters of the heart to reveal all that lies within.  As a composer there is nothing you'd like to do more than to embed your emotions in each and every song you write and I can attest that Omar has done that with each of the eleven songs that you will find on this album. I think that if I had to choose a song off of this album to call my favorite it would have to be “The Promise,” which is a peaceful song that is filled with rich emotions that invoke a feeling of delicate innocence that we all have when we first fall in love. The piano is front and center on this mix as it should be, but there is a soft synthesizer string section that frames his piano playing and makes it even more indicative of the emotions that it has called forth. Add to that the violin which appears on this track, and on “Love of My Heart,” and it makes this song a perfect haven for a heart that is deeply in love wishing only to revel in the beloved's presence.
 
Omar Akram's Daytime Dreamer is a great album that allows the listener to explore a side of themselves that is too often hidden in the day to day pressures of our 21st century world. All too often we are not encouraged to explore our softer sides but instead are told to look out for number one. Omar Akram's music encourages us to open our hearts to one another and share our love with another human being fully and completely.
 
Whether you completely agree with this assessment or not, you will find the songs contained on this album to be an emotional voyage which will lead you to a place where you will see for yourself what Omar was trying to communicate to you through his music.  Any way you look at it, the voyage is one worth taking and the destination is simply to be more open to love in your life. Good job Omar.