Category: Jazz, Blues, & New Age

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Digital Songs & Albums Jazz, Blues, & New Age MARVEL-Related Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

THEME FROM ANT-MAN (by Christophe Beck: Ant-Man movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME: 2:46 Min.

Released in 2015, composer Christophe Beck performs the main theme of Marvel’s first Ant-Man film co-starring Paul Rudd, Evangeline Lilly, & Michael Douglas.   

REVIEW:

Fashioned like a 1960’s heist film theme, with some artistic flair reminiscent of Mission: Impossible, Christophe Beck crafts an ingenious instrumental.  Not only does this theme have a wonderfully up-tempo jazz flavor, its catchiness will likely grow on listeners.  The way Beck blends the old-school heist ambiance with an appealing contemporary sound makes the “Theme from Ant-Man” a dynamite track to catch.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                     8 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance Soundtracks (Digital) STAR TREK-Related

THE MOON’S A WINDOW TO HEAVEN (by Hiroshima: Star Trek V – The Final Frontier movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                                    RUNNING TIME: 3:59 Min.

In the 1989 film, Nichelle Nichols’ Commander Uhura performs this siren-like love song as an otherworldly nighttime diversion for Captain Kirk’s posse to get the drop on suspected terrorist Sybok’s spellbound minions.  The version of “The Moon’s A Window to Heaven” that actually appears on the official soundtrack is by Japanese fusion band Hiroshima.

REVIEW:

Considering how nearly everything else about Star Trek V seems recycled, it’s fitting that one of its few original elements briefly steals the show.  Imbued with an uncredited lead singer’s sultry vocals, Hiroshima’s alluring blend of R&B, dance pop, and Japanese-influenced New Age jazz still holds up well today.  “The Moon’s A Window to Heaven” is an underrated musical gem that merits a chance at re-discovery. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                         8 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

WE WILL GO HOME (by Leah: single)

SUMMARY:                                 RUNNING TIME: 4:50 Min.

This Celtic lullaby-like tune was released by Canadian songstress Leah McHenry (aka Leah or LEAH) in 2013.

REVIEW:

Leah McHenry’s ethereal vocals meld “We Will Go Home” as a medieval Celtic-themed lullaby.  Imagining an epic journey or quest, this tune is ideal for a chivalrous adventure film/TV soundtrack.  As beautiful as the song is, its sole detriment is that the few lyrics are excessively repetitive.  Still, the soothing creative effect makes “We Will Go Home” a classy download option for epic-themed playlists.  

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                7 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

MAGIC OF LOVE (by BrunuhVille: Aura)

SUMMARY:                                   RUNNING TIME:  3:27 Min.

Released by Portuguese composer, BrunuhVille, it’s the third track off his 2013 album, Aura. 

REVIEW:

“Magic of Love” isn’t distinctive so much, as it’s a beautifully tranquil continuation from the album’s prior two tracks.  Impressively, it takes on a far more epic tone in the closing moments.  BrunuhVille’s timeless work on this track would be ideal for an European historical romance film. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                             9 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

MAGIC THEATER (by Jan Hammer: Beyond the Mind’s Eye)

SUMMARY:                                         RUNNING TIME: 3:45 Min.

This instrumental is Track # 3 on Jan Hammer’s 1991 jazz fusion album, Beyond the Mind’s Eye. 

REVIEW:

Though it’s hard to pin down Jan Hammer’s distinctively cool style, “Magic Theater” should very much appeal to his fanbase.  Its upbeat funkiness, with some touches of epic instrumental sound, might well draw in new fans, too.  For New Age-themed jazz enthusiasts, “Magic Theater” offers a neat option for home and road trip playlists. 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                    7½ Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

NOCTURNE (by BrunuhVille: Rebirth)

SUMMARY:                                        RUNNING TIME:  3:30 Min.

Released by Portuguese composer, BrunuhVille, it’s the third track off his 2014 album, Rebirth. 

REVIEW:

Effectively relaying both its piano and choral elements, the ominous tone of “Nocturne” is very reminiscent of similar artists, such as Nox Arcana and Midnight Syndicate.  In that sense, there isn’t anything distinctive about this track. 

Yet, without using sound effects to enhance this eerie instrumental, BrunuhVille does a masterful job blending classiness and creepiness.  The end result is an ideal accompaniment to a movie trailer.  For fans of epic/Celtic/dark fantasy-style instrumental tracks, “Nocturne” is a gem worth downloading.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 9 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

MOMENTS IN TIME (by Paul Hardcastle: The Chill Lounge, Volume 1)

SUMMARY:                               RUNNING TIME: 3:31 Min.

This smooth jazz instrumental appears on Paul Hardcastle’s The Chill Lounge (Volume 1) album from 2012.  It was previously released on his 2005 Hardcastle 4 album.   

REVIEW:

Relaxing, contemplative, and mellow, Hardcastle’s New Age-style track is a solid addition to any jazz playlist for winding down after work.  There isn’t anything distinctive about “Moments in Time,” but Hardcastle’s classy approach proves a welcome treat.    

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                        7½ Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows Pop, R&B, Soul, & Dance

I PUT A SPELL ON YOU {Cover} (by Annie Lennox: Nostalgia)

SUMMARY:                                       RUNNING TIME: 3:32 Min.

Annie Lennox covers the 1956 Screamin’ Jay Hawkins cult classic for her 2014 Nostalgia album.  Her rendition was subsequently featured in the 2015 film, Fifty Shades of Grey.  Lennox would perform “I Put a Spell on You” at the 2015 (57th Annual) Grammy Awards, as her Nostalgia was nominated for Best Traditional Pop Vocal Album. 

REVIEW:

There’s no mistaking this song’s familiar piano-driven melody, as Annie Lennox’s back-up band nails it to perfection.  Remaining faithful to the tune’s original sound, Lennox’s vocals imbue a bit more stylish jazz into Screamin’ Jay Hawkins’ inspired blend of pop and R&B.  Hence, it’s hard to define what musical genre Lennox’s “I Put a Spell on You” actually belongs to, but, for the sake of this review, it seems closer to jazz than pop.  To her credit, this classy rendition will stand out as one of the song’s best-ever covers.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                       8½ Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

ISN’T IT ROMANTIC? {Cover} (by Ella Fitzgerald: One Fine Day movie soundtrack)

SUMMARY:                                         RUNNING TIME: 3:02 Min.

While this Richard Rodgers & Lorenz Hart soft jazz standard dates back to 1932, Ella Fitzgerald’s cover was initially released in 1956.  Forty years later, the soundtrack for the 1996 comedy, One Fine Day, starring Michelle Pfeiffer & George Clooney, includes her rendition.

REVIEW:

Hearing Ella Fitzgerald’s dreamy voice on this tune is the equivalent of a jazz time machine.  Sung almost as if it were a lullaby, Fitzgerald’s old school vocal magic proves an absolute gem.  Highly recommended! 

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                 10 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Jazz, Blues, & New Age Music & Radio Shows

HEAVEN & HELL (by BrunuhVille: Aura)

SUMMARY:                                     RUNNING TIME:  4:26 Min.

Released by Portuguese composer, BrunuhVille, it’s the second track from his 2013 album, Aura. 

REVIEW:

The serenity emanating from “Heaven & Hell” is masterfully balanced by a melancholic undercurrent.  It’s really a gorgeous instrumental piece by BrunuhVille that could serve as background music for an epic European romantic film.  For fans of Secret Garden and similar New Age musical artists, “Heaven & Hell” is well worth the download, as BrunuhVille is at the top of his game here.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING:                          9 Stars

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