The Library CD Shelf
Of Sea & Stars
Terra Guitarra
www.terraguitarra.com
Privately Published
$14.99 CD / $9.99 download, cdbaby.com
Of Sea & Stars is a wondrous music album by acoustic-guitar duo Terra Guita
rra. Drawing inspiration from humanity's early sea voyages, navigated with
aid from the stars, Of Sea & Stars captivates the listener with its mysteri
ous stylings, enriched with contributions from additional instruments - nat
ive wood flutes, bass, congas, and other drums form an integral part of the
recording. Of Sea & Stars is a uniquely captivating experience, highly rec
ommended. The tracks are "Wave Walker" (4:25), "Estrella" (3:22), "Alegria"
(5:36), "Of Wind & Wood" (4:33), "Of Sea & Stars" (5:39), "Circadia" (5:08
), "Night River" (5:03), "Viracocha" (5:09), "The Veil" (5:04), "Zorbas" (3
:12), "Whale Earth" (4:52), "The Messenger" (4:32), and "Aurora" (6:26).
Quiet Piano Improvisations, Volume 2
Greg Maroney
www.gregmaroney.cm
Privately Published
$9.99 CD / $9.49 digital amazon.com
Quiet Piano Improvisations, Volume 2 is the sixteenth solo piano album by G
reg Maroney, and the follow-up to "Quiet Piano Improvisations, Volume 1", w
hich was nominated for the Whisperings Album of the Year 2016. Like its pre
decessor, volume 2 features piano music as light as snowfall, meditative, a
nd emotionally moving. Gentle and joyful, Quiet Piano Improvisations, Volum
e 2 is a treasure for connoisseurs of the genre. The tracks are "My Everyth
ing" (4:52), "Melting Heart" (5:03), "Meditation" (7:07), "Daydream" (6:38)
, "Quietude" (5:23), "Rainbow Visions" (6:40), "Moonlight on Snow" (5:51),
"Afternoon Sojourn" (4:26), "Contemplation" (5:36), "Sway" (4:33), and "Wit
h Every Breath" (5:22).
Rainbow Road
Nancy Shoop-Wu
www.nancyshoopwu.com
Privately Published
$13.99 CD / $9.99 download, cdbaby.com
Rainbow Road is the 2017 re-release of a rapturous album by violinist Nancy
Shoop-Wu, reflecting both classical tradition and new age melodicism. Most
songs are instrumental, although "Carry Me Home" has vocals. This edition
includes bonus tracks from Shoop-Wu's first recording, "Beautiful Mana'o".
A musical paradise for connoisseurs of the violin, Rainbow Road is highly r
ecommended. The tracks are "Rainbow Road" (3:38), "Pulelehua (Mountain Butt
erfly)" (4:40), "Lei Hoku (Star of Love)" (4:17), "Sunrise Over Haleiwa" (3
:54), "Always in My Heart" (3:33), "Lullaby" (4:26), "Waimanalo" (4:07), "C
arry Me Home with vocals" (3:53), "Beautiful Mana'o" (3:54), "In Your Eyes"
(4:16), "Ma'noa Rain" (4:14), and "Lele Noa (Flying Free)" (3:57).
Urban Metta Vol. 1
Anaamaly
www.anaamaly.com
Planet27Music
$TBA CD / $8.99 MP3 amazon.com
Urban Metta Vol. 1 is an instrumental album perfect for relaxing, performin
g morning stretches or yoga, or meditation. The gentle, soothing music embo
dies positive affirmations to promote wellness and healing. Highly recommen
ded, especially for unwinding after a long, hard day. The tracks are "I Sta
nd in My Own Power" (8:33), "I Walk Through the Fire" (6:41), "I Love in th
e Current Moment" (5:21), "I Embrace All Wisdom" (5:23), "I Love Unconditio
nally" (5:05), "I Am Grateful For..." (6:25), "I Am Lighthearted" (7:29), "
I Am Perfect Either Way" (5:03), "I Am Awakened" (5:14), "I Am Surrounded b
y Abundance" (8:21), and "I Am Healed on All Levels" (7:34). 1 hour, 11 min
.
Between the Waves and the Cardoons
Pointed Man Band
Privately Published
$TBA CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Between the Waves and the Cardoons is a beautiful music album created espec
ially to appeal to both adults and children. The songs draw upon the ineffa
ble beauty of nature for inspiration, especially the majestic wild lands of
the Pacific Northwest. A sweeping, joyous experience, Between the Waves an
d the Cardoons is highly recommended for family and public library music co
llections. The tracks are "The Waves", "Anchors Aweigh!", "Those Sharp Mino
rs", "Upstream", "Interlude No. 1", "Pollination", "Owl Song", "A Bird In H
and", "A Waltz Has No Name", "The Wind", "Interlude, No. 3", and "The Cardo
ons".
Road to Forever
Greg Abate with the Tim Ray Trio
Whaling City Sound
www.whalingcitysound.com
c/o Naxos of America (dist.)
www.naxosusa.com
$TBA CD / $9.99 digital, itunes.com
Road to Forever is a smooth and sexy original jazz album with a dash of beb
op. Greg Abate's alto sax complements Tim Ray's piano in this rhythmic, sen
suous soundscape, a treasure for connoisseurs of the genre! The tracks are
"Road to Forever" (7:06), "City of 2-5s" (8:05), "The Dancing Panda" (5:39)
, "Take The Crowell Train" (4:58), "Farewell Phil Woods" (8:25), "Whaling C
ity Sound" (7:04), "Red Fish Boulevard" (5:44), "Seasons" (6:50), "Buzzardo
logy" (6:55), and "Mr. Parker" (7:44). Also highly recommended for is the a
dventurous double-CD music Album Weather or Not: The Music of Weather Repor
t ($16.99 CD / $19.99 MP3), featuring a tribute CD to fusion group Weather
Report and a CD of 16 songs that musician Gerry Gibbs crafted, each with it
s own unique feel.
Starlight
The Right Now
therightnow.com
$15.00 CD / $20.00 vinyl / $8.00 digital
Starlight is an astonishingly beautiful album blending elements of soul, R&
B, disco, and pop into a resounding masterpiece. Vocalist Stefanie Berecz s
ings with unforgettable passion, and the music's rhythms captivate the body
and the spirit. Starlight is an immersive treasure, highly recommended. Th
e tracks are "Love You Better", "Postcard", "Up All Night", "LOVE (Lets Me
Know)", "If It Was You", "Too Late", "Starlight", "That's Enough", "Everyth
ing Is Broken", and "Hooked".
Build Music
Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang
JankaNabay.com
Luaka Bop, Inc.
LuakaBop.com
$13.99 CD / $9.49 MP3 amazon.com
Superbly performed by Janka Nabay and the Bubu Gang, Build Music draws upon
the rich heritage of Bubu Music, a traditional form of folk music practice
d by the Temne people of Sierra Leone. Some tracks re-imagine songs that Na
bay originally recorded in the 1990's, while others have original vocals su
ng over "riddims" created by collaborators in Sierra Leone. Janka's unique,
adventurous stylings make for a creative blend of ancient and modern, in t
his choice pick for world music collections. The tracks are "Kadlatu" (0:31
), "Build Music" (3:32), "Santa Monica" (4:55), "Popeneh" (2:50), "Bubu Dub
" (4:00), "Angbolleh" (4:25), "Game Ova" (4:46), "Sabanoh (Interlude)" (0:3
2), "Sabanoh 2017" (3:29), "Stop Jealous" (3:54), "Tek Lak la ghen ba Kun"
(2:09), and "Combination" (3:15).
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Anyone wanting to submit books for review consideration can send them to:
James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
278 Orchard Drive
Oregon, WI 53575-1129
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REVW (at) AOL (dot) COM (Be sure to include the book title, author, publish
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James A. Cox, Editor-in-Chief
Midwest Book Review
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