Category: Electronica & Epic

HYDRA (by R. Armando Morabito, Tina Guo, & Julie Elven: single)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 17, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:23 Min.

This 2014 single is a collaboration between composer-musician R. Armando Morabito, his then-wife: cellist Tina Guo, and German-based vocalist Julie Elven. The song is included on Morabito’s 2014 Days of Tomorrow album.

REVIEW:

The pulsating electronica work by R. Armando Morabito delivers terrific European disco-pop comparable to output from the late Robert Miles. Once the ethereal contributions of Tina Guo & Julie Elven kick in, “Hydra” rises up another notch. Yet, it’s hard to define this track as either disco or upbeat New Age — “Hydra” fits either genre. Either way, this track is definitely recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

Note: Also, from 2014, Guo & Elven strike again with Morabito on the single: “Sea of Atlas.” A second recommendation is the Morabito/Elven 2014 collaboration: “Angel.”

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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)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

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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HEART OF POISON (by Leah: Kings & Queens)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 14, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:08 Min.

Canadian songstress Leah McHenry (aka Leah or LEAH) released this alternative rock/electronica track off her 2015 album, Kings & Queens.

REVIEW:

“Heart of Poison” sounds reminiscent of Evanescence, but this higher-pitch melody is noticeably louder. Leah McHenry’s rock vocals provide the song’s best asset, though they might be hard to decipher over the pulsating symphonic metal. The song itself merits a definite ‘maybe’ as far as a single download, but exploring the Kings & Queens album further seems a given after hearing this track.

BRIAN ’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Soundtracks (Digital)

THEME FROM AIRWOLF {Dance & Disco Cover} (by René de Versailles based upon Sylvester Levay’s original TV Theme}

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 7, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:51 Min.

Also known as a ‘Top Model 2007 Remix,’ this dance reboot of Sylvester Levay’s Airwolf TV theme was utilized as a runway accompaniment by the Polish TV series, Top Model (Poland’s equivalent to America’s Next Top Model). This European house music remix is evidently credited to René de Versailles. This track was released as a single in 2007.

REVIEW:

Much like how decades ago Meco imaginatively remixed some of John Williams’ Star Wars themes into gimmicky disco classics, the same concept applies applies to René de Versailles’ snazzy reboot of Sylvester Levay’s Airwolf. Beginning with some brief sound effects, this six-minute reboot of Levay’s instrumental work offers undeniable fun. Upon hearing it, de Versailles’ version makes sense why this catchy, techno-flavored theme is an ideal accompaniment for glamour modeling. Beyond its appeal to Airwolf enthusiasts, downloading this “Theme from Airwolf (Dance & Disco Version)” makes a terrific addition to any electronica-themed playlist

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 8½ Stars

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DROP THAT (by Jacob Plant: Home movie soundtrack)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 4, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:17 Min.

Appearing on 2015 Home movie soundtrack, Jacob Plant’s electronica tune was devised by Plant and Rihanna.

REVIEW:

Despite its sheer repetitiveness, one can readily imagine this track narrating a sci-fi film/video game’s hot pursuit sequence. The ominously pulsating “Drop That” has a catchy dance/disco-style sound that should be a hit with electronica fans. It also has solid potential for workout playlists. For what this tune really is, “Drop That” is well-played!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7 Stars

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END OF MY JOURNEY (by John Dreamer: single)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 2, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 3:16 Min.

This instrumental track was released in 2012 by German composer-musician John Dreamer.

REVIEW:

Known for epic instrumentals, John Dreamer’s “End of My Journey” is no exception. Launched by a poignant piano solo, this tune sounds ideal for a medieval movie trailer. One can imagine, for instance, an exhausted warrior, despite tragic casualties, staggering through a gauntlet of battles towards a date with immortality. Thematically, “End of My Journey” doesn’t rise above its genre, but Dreamer still makes good on his composition’s bold title.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 7½ Stars

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CRYSTALLINE (by Ivan Torrent featuring Celica Soldream: single)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 4:34 Min.

This 2014 single is a collaboration between Spanish composer-musician Ivan Torrent and songstress Celica Soldream.

REVIEW:

In terms of his instrumentals, Ivan Torrent is at the top of his game with this ethereally soothing track. It’s further enhanced by the echoing of Celica Soldream’s spot-on vocals. Upbeat in nature, “Crystalline” could work either for a movie trailer/montage or possibly as a more energetic alternative to sleep-inducing mood music. Highly recommended!

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

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Digital Songs & Albums Electronica & Epic Individual Tracks (Digital Albums & Singles) Music & Radio Shows Rock & Symphonic/Metal

DREAMLAND (by Leah featuring Eric Peterson: Otherworld)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date December 1, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 5:57 Min.

Collaborating with musician-vocalist Eric Peterson, Canadian songstress Leah McHenry (aka Leah or LEAH) released this duet off her 2013 album, Otherworld.

REVIEW:

It can be argued that the title is misleading. If one is expecting a dose of Leah’s take on ethereal New Age music, this isn’t it – “Dreamland” is far more symphonic metal. Initially, the track (both the melody and Leah’s low-key vocals) starts as its title would imply … before ominously leaping off on a nightmarish tangent.

For fans of the genre, this often-pulsating electronica won’t likely disappoint. More likely for casual listeners, however, it comes off as a sound battle pitting Evanescence vs. Metallica … as if the song can’t split the difference between two distinct rock styles. As fair warning, think twice about turning the volume. Even Leah’s soft vocals can’t thwart this operatic melody from fast-pitching listeners into a metal-induced headache.

BRIAN & ROSCOE’S ODD MOON RATING: 5½ Stars

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AIRWOLF: SUITE FOR ORCHESTRA (by Rick Patterson based upon Sylvester Levay’s original theme: Themes from Airwolf – Season Four)

Post author By oddmoonmediareviews
Post date November 23, 2020

SUMMARY: RUNNING TIME: 7:52 Min.

Released in 2014, this track is an orchestral medley of original composer Sylvester Levay’s Airwolf themes (much of which is heard in the 1984 pilot episode, “Shadow of the Hawke,” during Airwolf’s fiery exit from Libya). Yet, Season Four’s composer Rick Patterson is credited for this suite, as it appears on the Airwolf: Themes From Season Four album. The performing orchestra isn’t identified.

REVIEW:

One might consider this track deceptive, as this classy suite’s secondary themes weren’t actually utilized for Season Four. Even if they were, their dramatic effect would have been neutralized by Season Four’s mostly low-grade production values. More so, this medley sounds like vintage Airwolf, as it magnificently covers Sylvester Levay’s 1984 work, not Rick Patterson’s in 1987. Even if this stellar orchestral homage (included a soaring pops sound) wasn’t generated by Levay himself, it’s highly recommended for Airwolf fans.

BRIAN’S ODD MOON RATING: 9 Stars

Note: As a recommendation, a full-length version of Patterson’s upbeat Airwolf: Season Four theme was released as a 2012 single. That particular track is easily Patterson’s best contribution to Airwolf; his other themes for Season Four aren’t in the same league as Levay.

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