"Our Time"
Eric Chapelle
Hamsa Music
1998
Piano/synth music for relaxation
65:57 playing time
From the exceptionally beautiful cover art all the way through
to the final
cut of &"Our Time", this debut album by Eric Chapelle
evokes one "wow!" after
another. It's been awhile since I've been knocked out by the sheer
beauty of
an album, but this one is amazing. Bordering on ambient on many
cuts, there
is a very strong classical influence in both the instrumentation
and the
structure of the pieces. Gentle in tone throughout, an uplifting
but not
sugar-coated mood is created and sustained. All of the pieces
are melodic and
easily accessible, but not in a pop sense that would encourage
you to hum or
sing the music. Complex and yet ethereal, the pieces continue
to reveal
themselves with repeated hearings, allowing the listener to grow
inside the
music while floating away on a dreamy cloud of soothing piano,
flute, and
strings (as well as other synthesized sounds). Eric's experience
in composing
soundtrack music is evident, but this isn't music meant to be
in the
background. It deserves full attention while coaxing the cares
and stresses of
the day to evaporate. As I write, I keep pausing to drink in the
beauty of
this music. It is truly hypnotic.
Four of the cuts are solo piano, and those feel more grounded;
than the cuts
with either synth accompaniment or synth orchestrations; the contrast
is
refreshing. The piano is evident on most of the songs, but this
isn't strictly
a piano album. Some of the music is about emotional experiences
we share ("Our
Time", "Reverence", "Trust", :Child's
Play", "Rejoice"), and other pieces are
more abstract ("Enchanted Rock", "In Flight",
&"Walking on the Moon", and the
stunning "Unconditional Love"). "Fly-Fishing"
shimmers like light dancing off
the water. Each and every piece is a glistening gem, and I give
"Our Time"my
highest recommendation!
"Our Time" is currently available in music stores in
Austin, Texas and from
Hamsa (ancient Sanskrit for "swan") Music directly at
www.hamsamusic.com
-Kathy Parsons
Wind & Wire