Soothing Healing New Age Music by Composer Frederic Delarue

VOYAGE OF THE SOUL

Article from Amazon.com
I'm not sure which is more interesting - Frederic Delarue's story or his first US release, "Voyage of the Soul". The French-born composer was in a life-altering car accident at the age of eleven, where he encountered "angels and beings of light", and he has channeled his musical talents for healing and spiritual growth ever since. Testimonials on his website tell of laying-on of hands in concerts and of summoning angels and beings of light to the stage as well as within the audience to bring about healing. Delarue has also established "Your Name in Music", where he creates a piece of music based on the person's name, connecting him or her to a higher self. This is pretty heady stuff, but the CD is full of ethereal, blissful music that will calm and soothe whether or not you are in search of our angels. Some of the music reminds me a little bit of 2002 and some of Yanni's early work, but Delarue certainly has his own musical voice. One track, "Future of the Sea" was featured on Real Music's compilation, "Cousteau's Dream".

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"Voyage of the Soul" is a collection of twelve original pieces that "pay tribute to the forces of nature, celebrate the human spirit, and propel the listener on an otherworldly journey into cosmic realms". The pieces range from ambient and ethereal to quite rhythmic and upbeat. The "voyage" begins with "Higher Voice", a beautiful, floating piece with angelic voices behind an instrumental base that evokes the feeling of drifting out in space. "Dream Within a Dream" is a fascinating blend of instruments and musical styles. With a strong rhythmic track along with piano, flutes, and many other sounds, this piece seems to be propelled by the sheer love and joy of making music. Although the melody is poignant in sections, this piece is full of sunshine and smiles. "Future of the Sea" is another favorite. One of the more ambient pieces, it is melancholy but hopeful. The title track is an ambitious twelve minute piece that begins with a lovely piano solo and builds slowly, adding new voices, sounds, and drama. Also ambient and floating, it is very peaceful and soothing. "Reflection" has a bittersweet piano-based melody that I really love. "Promenade" is a surprise with its bagpipes and playful nature - a delightful diversion! "Agape" is truly "French" in spirit - again, light, upbeat, and completely charming. "Full Circle" closes the set with angel voices and the feeling of drifting in the clouds.

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Frederic Delarue has created an excellent "Voyage" with this CD. The music is so heartfelt and sincere that you can't help but be swept away by it. I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this CD many times in several different settings, and recommend it very highly. It is available from www.fredericdelarue.com, amazon.com, and cd.baby.com.
Kathy Parsons of Solo Piano Publications

COMPILATIONS OF VARIOUS ARTISTS
FEATURING FREDERIC DELARUE

REAL PIANO
Reviewed by Kathy Parsons.
Terence Yallop and the team at Real Music have once again assembled a stellar compilation album, this time featuring pianists from their own roster of artists as well as selections from a few independents. Eleven of the fourteen tracks are from previously-released albums, but the independent artists (most notably George Skaroulis and Frederic Delarue) may be new to many listeners and will be a treat to discover (both are among my favorite artists!). It should probably be noted that none of the tracks are strictly solo piano, but all feature the piano as the primary instrument. The CD includes two tracks each from David London, Paul Machlis, Bernward Koch (both new compositions), and the wonderful Kevin Kern (�The Winding Path� is one of his most beautiful compositions, and sparkles in this collection.); and one each from Omar, Danny Wright (a cover of Yanni�s �Whispers in the Dark�), Jim Chappell (it�s good to hear from this artist again after a long absence!), George Skaroulis, Mars Lasar, and Frederic Delarue. It always amazes me how Yallop can take such a diverse group of artists and create a seamless collection that showcases the differences from one artist to the next but flows so smoothly and cohesively. It�s difficult to pinpoint any special highlights on this album since each track is a gem unto itself and there are no weak tracks at all. As is Real Music�s usual focus, all of the music is warm, soothing, and beautiful both in the background and for active listening. Nobody does compilations better than Real Music, and this is one of their best. Recommended!

COUSTEAU'S DREAM
Real Music released in 2000 "Future of the Sea", the Finale of the album:
Featuring: Vangelis, Yanni, Kenny G., Kitaro, & Frederic Delarue.

�Future of the Sea� by Frederic Delarue
is incredibly gentle and romantic, with its sounds of sea and voices of whales�
Reviewed by Serge Kozlovsky
Article published March 24,2001: Alternative Music Press
"Cousteau's Dream" is a seamless well constructed collection of thirteen       pieces performed by twelve artists. It is a collaborative work created by two generations of new age artists. Capt. Jacques-Yves Cousteau spent his life sharing his passion for the magnificence and beauty of the whales, dolphins and the life of the sea, and his life is powerful testimony to the difference one person can make in the world. Cousteau died in 1998, but you can join with Real Music and world class musicians to help keep his dream alive by purchasing this magnificent album.

From each U.S purchase of Cousteau's Dream, approximately $2.50 will be donated by Real Music's non-profit Earthsea Institute to the Cousteau Society     and organizations with similar goals of protecting and preserving the earth        and its inhabitants .The pieces vary from worldbeat tribal to operatic,         poignant to passionate, Cousteau's Dream is a musical voyage of hope and inspiration, tribute to one who cared and acted upon that caring.

Featuring Vangelis, Yanni, Kenny G.,Kitaro... & Frederic Delarue. Selections are intelligently placed revealing a consistency of sound and quality, which create a wonderful hour-long soundscape. As a collection, the album is pure, atmospheric music expressive of deep exploration and high optimism that was the hallmark of Jacques Cousteau's life. Together, the twelve artists featured, create a unified flow of expansive and uplifting pieces.

The result is a powerful statement of sustained beauty that is sure to inspire those who listen. "Cousteau's Dream" melds into one overall ambience, which can often be a difficult thing to achieve, but here the symbiosis of tracks proves an engaging adventure. Real Music has deliberately and carefully chosen and positioned the artists in such a manner as to express some of the many divergent subgenres of new age music. The result is an intelligent, comprehensive, and extraordinarily wonderful album. Highly recommended.

Real Music released in 2000 "Future of the Sea", the Finale of the album: Featuring: Vangelis, Yanni, Kenny G., Kitaro, & Frederic Delarue.