AmbientVisions

Mixing melodies with nature sounds is a common practice amongst New Age musicians these days. But it's not the mix that is important; it's the quality of the music that makes the mix work. Kenio Fuke is a Brazilian pianist and this is his debut album with Real Music. It is not disappointing. Rather, the quality of the piano work to achieve a relaxing yet interesting mood is top shelf. The piano compositions are contemplative but never unduly so; light but not unimaginative. I found the titles appropriate for the tracks, eliciting a visual to accompany the melodies.

Clive Brooks, also known as Amberfern, produces meditative and healing new age music. He lives in England's New Forest National Park, and you can hear the natural influences in his music that have no doubt been absorbed from his surroundings. This CD can be categorized as World Music as you can hear the influences from a variety of world cultures in his compositions. Clive uses drums, vibes, synths and more to create a sound palette that interweaves music that at heart contains elements of ambient, new age and electronica.

For the last decade Kevin Kern has shown that he has a flair for new age music and he is both a talented performer as well as a creative composer. As Kevin speaks of his bond with his piano you would think that he was talking about a person with whom he had spent a lifetime walking and talking with. As you listen to him playing his compositions from the Enchanted Piano album on his beloved Steinway B, you will find yourself entering into that same friendship along with Kevin.