NFN Review – VARIOUS ARTISTS : The Fulness of Love. (Echoes Blue Music)

Echoes Blue Music are partnering with Eric Todd to release this companion album to his new book, The Fullness of Love. The album features nine tracks from Christian artists whose music is both inspired by ancient musical traditions yet is simultaneously at the forefront of Christian music expression in 2022. Eliza King performs ‘Christ Abides’ with vocals that are quite delicate over some equally gentle keyboard sounds. For those who enjoy spacious soundscapes, Dear Gravity provide just that, with the strangely titled ‘A Pursuit of Initial and Infallible Design.’ Similarly, Be Still the Earth present a piece called ‘Between Worlds.’ Simple piano notes are accompanied by a cello and ambient sounds. There are some lovely vocals on ‘Be Thou My Vision’ – a version by Rising Violet. The author of the book is credited with track 8 ‘The Love Which Moves the Sun & Other Stars.’  Unlike the rest of the album, this sounds more like movie soundtrack depicting a perilous journey. It did make quite a contrast to what had gone before. Last, but not least, Salt of the Sound deliver three tracks in their own inimitable and classic, style. The pick of these being ‘Grounded,’ where Anita’s ethereal vocals float within Ben’s musical backing.   Todd’s stated intention with The Fullness of Love is to call out to a world in need of grace, to promote a love forward future for everyone: “It’s time to know deeper, not more, as freedom is found in the unknowing mysteries of God and the teachings of Christ.” Let this music wash over you, as it does “take you deeper” into your relationship with Jesus.   9/10.

New Music Release….. Various Artists: The Fullness of Love

Echoes Blue Music is proud to be partnering with Eric Todd to release a companion album to his new book, The Fullness of Love.

The album features nine stunning tracks from Christian artists whose music is both inspired by ancient musical traditions yet is simultaneously at the forefront of Christian music expression in 2022 – including Salt of the Sound, Eliza King, and Rising Violet. Firmly rooted in the contemporary ‘ambient worship’ scene, the album provides a soundtrack to be able to reflect on, and be inspired by, the themes explored in the book.

Todd’s stated intention with The Fullness of Love is to call out to a world in need of grace, to promote a love forward future for everyone: “It’s time to know deeper, not more, as freedom is found in the unkowing mysteries of God and the teachings of Christ.”

The Fullness of Love album is out now on Echoes Blue Music.
The Fullness of Love book is out now on Wipf & Stock Publishers.

To listen on Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal and other digital providers, please follow this link:

The Review Zone – SALT OF THE SOUND : Meditations Vol.4. (Echoes Blue Music)

 

Meditations, Vol. 4 is the new instrumental compilation from award-winning duo Salt of the Sound. The album includes guest appearances from a host of eminent Christian ambient music artists, including Dear Gravity, Simon Wester and Jameson Nathan Jones, and features a blend of reflective atmospheric sounds, driving electronic elements and swashes of ethereal synths and organic instruments. They say; “Our hope and prayer is that Meditations, Vol. 4 will provide moments of peace and stillness in and amongst everything that is going on in the world right now.” The question for this seasoned reviewer was how to describe those sounds to you, the reader? Well, let me try with the first track, “Distant Light.” Around the simple piano notes, comes a sound that, yes, I could imagine a light stream/force coming closer. “Wanderer” comprises of more ambient sounds, providing a backdrop for an occasional solo phrase. What did I feel from these opening tracks? I’m not sure that I was meditating, but I certainly felt them as a calming and relaxing source. “Peace in the Storm” is the longest track. Here, the sounds seem to swirl from side to side, over the top of quieter piano notes. If you like your music loud and heavy, then this album isn’t for you. However, I can’t recommend this release highly enough, for those who enjoy or need a little calm in their life. The soothing sounds, for me, were just what the doctor ordered.   10/10.

The Review Zone – DEAR GRAVITY : Departure. (https://open.spotify.com/album/5bX3B8XiOHrmOlq33D2iTG)

Whilst I must admit to being new to Dear Gravity’s music, the website tells us that the first three albums have all been met with “critical acclaim …. worldwide in the context of a variety of films and art projects”. “Combining cinematic elements into instrumental post-rock and ambient electronica”, main man Mike Graff includes amongst his successes creating “ambient pad sounds used by churches around the globe”. So, here we have music firmly in the ‘ambient’ genre. In general I struggle to ‘get’ ambient music – certainly as an album to be listened to, although I can understand more its appropriateness in terms of supporting visual arts such as cinema. This release is more of an EP than an album, with its six tracks lasting a mere sixteen minutes in total. I was nevertheless surprised when one or two seemed suddenly to end when I thought the music was just developing, underlining the impression that they were more a succession of musical phrases designed to underpin something visual happening, rather than a listening experience in themselves. I wondered if their titles might hold a clue, but failed to gain much from e.g. ‘Copper Sail’ or ‘Departure, Pt 1 // Canvas’ or Departure, Pt 2 // Yesteryear’. Sadly I also found some of the sounds a bit unpleasant – in particular I had to skip ‘The Land Untouched’ before the end. So, whilst in a different context I can acknowledge that this music may be highly rated by some, as a listening experience for this reviewer, 2/10. Dave Deeks